ORR Jeep Blog

Anyone who reads the ORR knows how much I like Poison Spyder Customs. These guys are one of the most innovative, cutting-edge accessory manufacturers in the off road market today.

So it’s no surprise I’m all geeked out over their latest announcement…Spyder Locks Beadlock Wheels. The cast aluminum design incorporates inner bead reinforcement coupled with a 3,200 lb. load rating.

Each wheel includes: aluminum wheel, aluminum ring, threaded ring mounting inserts, hardware, center cap, allen wrenches, valve stem and installation instructions.

Starting at $305 a pop, they’re not cheap, but if past performance is any indication, these beadlocks will be worth every penny.

4WheelParts has some pretty cool specials ending this week. You might want to check them out if you’re in the market.

For most serious off roaders, it’s not if you’ll roll but when. As for me, I’ve been upside down more than once.

Accordingly, I’ve always installed gear to help protect myself and my passengers in the event of a rollover (full cage, 5-point belts, etc.). But until now, I’ve never really done anything to protect my rig. So I started checking around for the best options to minimize damage to my Jeep “when” I roll the next time. What I found was a stinger bumper.

I have to admit they look odd. Stinger bumpers are most often metal hoops that jut up and out from your Jeep’s front end. Some even have additional bars welded to the side.  The whole bumper is designed to protect your radiator, grill and hood for being munched in a rollover. They also serve to prevent endos when descending steep slopes.

One of the best stingers I’ve seen is made by Poison Spyder Customs. PSC also manufactures a rear stinger bumper that doubles as a spare tire carrier that will hold up to a 40″ tire and acts like a wheelie bar on ultra steep slopes.

Both front and rear stingers are worthy additions to any Jeep and could help mitigate some of the damage the next time you take a turn for the worse.

Looking for one of the coolest and most functional lockers on the market today? Stop your search with the Auburn ECTED Locker. The ECTED (Electronically Controlled Traction Enhancing Differential) is really the first ever locker that functions as a full locking differential or a limited slip differential at the touch of a button.

For trail use, it’s great to be fully locked. But traditional full-time lockers have never been street friendly. The Auburn ECTED allows you to switch to limited slip mode at the touch of a button for street friendly performance and increased traction during wet or slippery road conditions.

Auburn makes an ECTED for every model Jeep axle including the AMC 20, Dana 30, Dana 35 and Dana 44.

Probably the most surprising feature on the ECTED is the price tag. For this kind of function and versatility you’d expect to pay up the wazoo. But the Auburn ECTED is reasonably priced at around $550, so your wallet and your wazoo will stay in good shape.

4Wheel Drive Hardware announce their 2007 Jeep Wrangler JK giveaway today. You can enter here for a chance to win.

The grand prize is a 2007 JK that will be tricked out over the next couple of months with all sorts of aftermarket upgrades. Here’s what the website says: “We begin the modification with the latest 3 ” Jeep Lift Kit from Pro Comp Suspensions and added a set of Pro Comp Wheels and 35” Xtreme M/T Tires. We will pay special attention to performance upgrades, like a new Exhaust System from Borla. Other upgrades will be inside the Jeep with a set of MasterCraft Seats, security from Tuffy Consoles and more! Next we will be upgrading the Drivetrain as new Ring and Pinions, Lockers, etc. become available from our vendors.”

They’re one of the most common mods Jeepers make after installing a lift kit and bigger tires. You guessed it—fender flares. Jeep fender flares come in just about every style, color and configuration you can imagine. Most often, people install them to comply with local regulations for on-road driving with oversized tires. But for many, they just look cool.

Another use all together is the cut-out fender flare. Cut-out flares are designed for people that have actually trimmed the body of their vehicle to provide clearance for taller tires. Cut-outs not only cover the tires, they also trim out the body for a clean look.

Many products, such as Bushwacker’s Extend-A-Fender Flares are completely customizable, meaning you can paint them to match the exact color of your vehicle.

Other options like Bushwackers line of Pocket Style Fender Flares give you the look of pockets without welding, cutting or drilling your vehicle.

Of course, if you’re just looking for to replace your old worn, sun-damaged OE flares, you’ll find a host of options that bolt right to the existing holes with minimal time and effort.

Check out the Off Road Report’s Review of Jeep Winches. Continue…

As I look through Jeep catalogs, websites and countless other sources, I always feel rewarded when I find a new product that’s unique and cool. The AEV Brute Conversion Kit definitely falls into that category.

In keeping with its innovative line of aftermarket Jeep products, AEV (American Expedition Vehicles) has released the Brute conversion kit for 1997-2006 Wranglers. At first glance you can’t help but see the similarities between the Brute kit and the old Jeep Scramblers from the ’80s.

The kit essentially turns your Wrangler into a mid sized pickup complete with a 14 gauge steel bed. Another interesting feature is the “frame extension” component. According to AEV “a new 24 inch frame extension fits seamlessly into your existing frame extending the wheelbase of your vehicle.” The frame extension also features an integrated winch mounting plate for the rear of the vehicle.

The half cab isn’t just your old Scrambler version either. The hard top comes complete with creature comforts like integrated dome lights, side accent skylights and a third brake light. And, of course, it’s fully removable for summertime fun.

The AEV Brute kit will take around 60 hours to complete and requires only “basic skills and tools.” With a price tag of $8995 it’s certainly not for the faint of heart or light of wallet. However they do offer the kit in stages which could help you spread out the cost of the project.

Last January Jeep unveiled its new Trailhawk concept vehicle. The Trailhawk is built on a 4-door Wrangler Unlimited frame, but features styling more in the Grand Cherokee realm.

The Trailhawk features a lengthy 116-inch wheelbase and rides on 22-inch five-spoke rims wrapped in custom 34-inch tires accented by red brake calipers.

The Trailhawk’s side windows retract completely into the body leaving no b pillar between front and back windows for an open, airy feel. The diagonal quarter windows at the rear corners of the vehicle are also fully retractable. Two glass panels run lengthwise over the front and rear seats and are fully removeable. With all of the windows down and overhead panels removed the Trailhawk gives the same open air feel as a topless Wrangler.

Other non-standard features in the cab include a center stack compass/inclinometer, moveable track-mounted console and a fold-away touchpad navigation system.

The cargo area features a bunch of cool toys including a removable, portable “audio pod” sound system. Each “pod” features an integrated dock for your MP3 player. In front the of the speaker pods, removable Firewood Orange jerry can boxes are available for storing and carrying firewood, first aid items and more. The drop-down tailgate boasts nice storage features including integrated cup holders and a sliding cargo tray.

I couldn’t find any info on the drivetrain, but I have to assume the Trailhawk will use some sort of Hemi configuration.

The 2007 Jeep Wrangler has been extremely well received in the automotive community. So it’s no surprise that an ever-growing list of awards has been piled on Jeep’s latest version of the original SUV.

Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine bestowed its 4×4 of the Year award on the 2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Of the 25 years Petersen’s has given out the award a Jeep vehicle has won 11 times.

From Four Wheeler the all new Jeep Wrangler Rubicon garnered Four Wheeler of the Year award for 2007. “In a highly competitive test group, the Wrangler stood apart from the field,” Four Wheeler editor Douglas McColloch said.

Popular Science gave the ‘07 Wrangler its “2006 Best of What’s New” Products competing for the award must represent a significant step forward in its respective category.

Popular Mechanics gave the 2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon its Automotive Excellence Award for Off-Road Ability. Said PM’s Ben Stewart, “On extreme off-road trails the Jeep’s systems work together so well, it’s almost like cheating. This is simply the gold standard of four-wheel drive.”

Last but not least the ‘07 Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited earned the U.S. Government’s five star rating for driver and front passenger front-impact crash testing. Safety features including advanced front air bags, electronic stability program (ESP), all-speed traction control and electronic roll mitigation were determining factors leading to the coveted five star rating.