The Off-road Insiders Podcast

Chat Tammy Guess who’s back.. Back Again… Her check engine light. Nate Dana 60 detroit on FB marketplace 3d printing parts for the jeep dash!     www.offroadinsiders.com Instagram offroadinsiders Email: offroadinsiders AT gmail.com   Community Corner https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2024/11/18/egyptian-adventurer-reaches-japan-after-274-days-of-overland-travel-2327       Main Topic Aluminum vs. steel Many vehicles have started switching parts from steel over to aluminum. General https://tampasteel.com/differences-between-aluminum-and-steel/ Aluminum pros Lighter Doesn’t rust like steel Dissipates heat faster Aluminum Cons Not as structural, getting the same strength as steel requires thicker material More expensive Harder to repair (generally) More prone to tear or fracture than steel is Steel Pros Stronger metal Bends rather than fractures, easier to hammer back into shape More affordable (generally) Easter it repair Steel Cons Heavier Very prone to rust Holds Heat Body panels Weight savings Possibly more expensive to repair Jeep doors easier to take on and off Armor Weight savings Panels generally need to be thicker to get the same strength Aluminum has a tendency to fracture rather than bend Other components Drivetrain Lighter components More efficient heat dissipation Wheels Lighter, less rotational weight Harder to repair on the trail Easier to crack Harder to hammer back into shape Looks nicer. ;)   JK vs JL Weight (source: https://offroadingpro.com/how-much-does-a-jeep-wrangler-weigh/) JKU Sport weight: 4,075 JLU Sport weight: 4,167 JK steel front door: about 62 pounds JL aluminum front door: about 47 pounds   JK hood: 47 lbs JL hood: 22 lbs JL has aluminum doors, hood and windshield frame, and some body panels. The hinges are cast aluminum too. JL tailgate is made of magnesium alloy Indications are the JL aluminum panels have more issues with corrosion than the steel JK panels did.         https://wranglerguide.com/jeep-wrangler-weight/       Show close If you want to watch us live, visit the Off-road insiders on Youtube Don’t forget to like the video, and subscribe!   If you’d like to listen to us audio only, find is where you find podcasts You can find us on instagram, https://www.instagram.com/offroadinsiders/   You can find Tammy at: www.JeepMomma.com And you can find Nate at: www.swbcrawler.com  

Chat Tammy Tammy’s engine did not explode Found a short, seemed to be causing check-engine light. Nate Got a super RED new truck. 2024 Chevy Silverado!     www.offroadinsiders.com Instagram offroadinsiders Email: offroadinsiders AT gmail.com   Main Topic How does an axle work? Axle Terminology Open vs spooled, vs selectable, vs auto-locker Axle Models to think about What about Portals? Links https://cartreatments.com/semi-floating-vs-full-floating-axle/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYAw79386WI   News https://www.overlandexpo.com/socal/   Next Show Topic: steel vs aluminum ? Show close If you want to watch us live, visit the Off-road insiders on Youtube Don’t forget to like the video, and subscribe!   If you’d like to listen to us audio only, find is where you find podcasts You can find us on instagram, https://www.instagram.com/offroadinsiders/   You can find Tammy at: www.JeepMomma.com And you can find Nate at: www.swbcrawler.com

Chat [Tammy] My Check engine light is on then off then on. Same code oil pressure sensor. Changed it changed oil, goes on and off randomly. Going to change out the oil filter housing next week. I monitor the oil pressure and it’s totally fine.   [Nate] Reviewed some lights, and then built a hoop for my front bumper to mount them on. Bought an auxbeam switch panel to power them, need to get that installed. Tempted to start work on fenders while i start saving up for the lockers/gears for the 60’s. Hopefully buying a Silverado this week…     www.offroadinsiders.com Instagram offroadinsiders Email: offroadinsiders AT gmail.com   Community Corner D&E In the garage, Rant on Jeep’s 2025 changes: https://youtu.be/5lByPi6dp3E?si=iS41nwUdpAP5_ZA8 3.6l Wrangler is now manual only 4-cyl, and EV are auto Gladiator is Auto only Tin foil hat time. Main Topic Camp Cooking Create a detailed meal plan before you go to streamline cooking & minimize food waste. Prep at Home: Do as much chopping, marinating, and measuring as possible before. Store prepped ingredients in resealable bags. Simple meals that don’t use a lot of pots and pans - cleaning while camping is a pain Check food storage guidelines where you are going - BEARS! Limit amount of trash re-pack food if possible Consider wind if you are using a camp stove Pack Cooler properly - pack items you use last on the bottom Keep cooler in shade If long trip freeze meat Separate cooler for drinks Check burn ban before you go to make sure you can use open flame Minimize equipment. You are camping to getaway and enjoy your time Invest in a Good Cooler: Use a high-quality cooler with a 2:1 ice-to-food ratio to keep perishables fresh longer. Tin Foil is your Friend. Use Foil Packets: Prepare "hobo" meals using heavy-duty aluminum foil. Combine meat and veggies, season, wrap, and cook over coals for easy cleanup. Pre-cook Ingredients: Cook items like bacon or chicken at home and reheat at camp to save time and fuel. Pack Cooking Gear Wisely: Designate a storage bin for all your cooking utensils, pots, and pans to keep things organized and easy to access. Cook with Cast Iron: Cast iron skillets or griddles are durable and versatile for cooking over both stoves and campfires. (and heavy…) Prep Snacks: Bring easy-to-eat snacks like trail mix or granola bars for quick energy during hikes or activities. Keep Ingredients Together: Store similar ingredients together (e.g., spices with meats) to streamline cooking processes at camp. Cover Pots While Cooking: Keep lids on pots to retain heat and prevent insects from getting into your food while cooking outdoors. Bring a Portable Grill Grate: Cook in Batches: Make larger quantities of meals that can be stored and reheated later, saving time on subsequent nights. Example, Chicken fajitas with vegis or stir-fry, Use left overs for scrambled egg burritos.     Hacks: -Pre-Scramble eggs -Cinnamon Rolls -No ice (melts and water gets everywhere) freeze water bottles, melts slower and keeps cold longer. - storage pre-made pancake batter in a ziplock -Boil eggs in ziploc bag -put spices in pill boxes -”bake” over the fire in orange peels -save on dishes tacos in a bag -pre-make salads, pasta salads -Use Skewers to minimize cooking gear and clean up         Show news and announcements www.offroadinsiders.com Instagram offroadinsiders Email offroadinsiders AT gmail.com   News https://carbuzz.com/jeeps-best-off-roaders-of-all-time/     Next Show Topic: Axles   Show close If you want to watch us live, visit the Off-road insiders on Youtube Don’t forget to like the video, and subscribe!   If you’d like to listen to us audio only, find is where you find podcasts You can find us on instagram, https://www.instagram.com/offroadinsiders/   You can find Tammy at: www.JeepMomma.com And you can find Nate at: www.swbcrawler.com  

Chat 5-10 minutes of warm-up chat [Tammy] Over Labor Day Weekend I went camping in Medicine Bow National forest. We camped on a reservoir. It was nice to just chill. [Nate] Dana 60 progress The axle is narrowed by 4” Inner C is re-attached Tubes are welded Still need to figure out the truss Now, on to the rear! Video on progress so far: https://youtu.be/N8b3qU-cmGo Looked at a toyota tundra as a replacement for the Caddy as my tow-rig. I am still floored at the price of a new truck today.       Instagram offroadinsiders Email: offroadinsiders AT gmail.com   Main Topic Jake with the Toyota Garage Who’s jake? What’s the Toyota Garage podcast? What are you driving?       Show news and announcements www.offroadinsiders.com Instagram offroadinsiders Email offroadinsiders AT gmail.com   Streamyard is not in my happy list. We’ll be on a different platform before our next show.   Show close If you want to watch us live, visit the Off-road insiders on Youtube Don’t forget to like the video, and subscribe!   If you’d like to listen to us audio only, find is where you find podcasts You can find us on instagram, https://www.instagram.com/offroadinsiders/   You can find Tammy at: www.JeepMomma.com And you can find Nate at: www.swbcrawler.com  

Chat Tammy - My Jeep is leaking. There is water in the foot well in the back seats. Not sure where the water is coming from. I did a leak test when it was pouring rain and hailing. I believe it’s from the soft top window not being fully velcro’d but not 100% - The site Nate was talking about: https://jeepleakfix.com/   Nate - More Dana 60 work.     www.offroadinsiders.com Instagram offroadinsiders Email: offroadinsiders at gmail.com   Community Corner https://www.rebellerally.com/?playlist=66d89f6&video=fc954a2   Starts in 44 days - Guess what the entrance fee is??? Main Topic Tammy’s That Guy Examples - Escalante Canyon in Colorado. Family on side-by-sides and dad with beer. Porcupine Rim in Moab.   The Essential Do's and Don'ts for trail etiquette   Do: Keep track of your group when off-roading in a group. It is the responsibility of every driver to keep track of the vehicle behind them via the rear view mirror. The bond of the convoy is sacred; maintaining a visual on the Jeep trailing you ensures no one is left behind or in distress Don’t: Tailgating is a no-go. It's not just about safety; it’s about respect. Allow the Jeep ahead of you to clear obstacles entirely before proceeding. This is off-roading, not rush hour. Do: Uphill traffic takes precedence. Momentum is key on steep inclines; losing it could mean getting stuck or worse. Yielding to uphill Jeeps is not just courteous—it's critical. The vehicle going down should pull over as safely and quickly as possible. Don’t: Resist the urge to speed. Trails offer a tapestry of nature and challenge to be savored, not rushed. Speeding risks both the environment and the serenity of the experience. Do: Come prepared. A well-packed Jeep is a lifeline on the trails, equipped with recovery gear, a first-aid kit, communication tools, and essential spares. Your preparedness is your peace of mind. Do: Embrace the spirit of assistance. Off-roading is a community, and on remote trails, a helping hand can make all the difference. Whether it's recovery assistance or guidance through a tricky section, your support strengthens the bonds of the off-roading fraternity. Don't: Avoid "dusting" at all costs. Creating a dust storm not only impairs visibility and breathing but also diminishes the enjoyment of open-air Jeep enthusiasts. Slow down, show respect. Don't: Wheel spinning: Ordinarily, wheel spinning is the result of one of two things: Driver error or having the wrong equipment. Either one throws rocks or mud on other vehicles or can cause ruts in the trail, making it an unpleasant experience for the next person. If you find yourself in a situation where you are spinning excessively, try another line or turn around. Don't: Rethink rock stacking. While sometimes necessary, frequent stacking can harm the environment and alter challenges meant to be conquered by skill, not alteration. Obstacle Tips Closely observe the vehicle ahead of you. This helps you pick the proper line(s) for negotiating a rough spot. The ability to see their rear differential is a good starting point. Get better perspective when there are multiple obstacles by dropping farther back. This gives you more time to think through your strategy. If you have made several attempts at an obstacle and there is a long ling of rigs waiting their turn, move aside and let them through. There is nothing wrong with being winched through an obstacle if you can’t make it through on your own after a reasonable number of attempts. Leave your ego at home. Don’t let others pressure you into doing something you’re not comfortable doing. There is nothing wrong with taking a bypass if you or your vehicle is not up to tackling an obstacle. Always practice good “Leave No Trace” and “Tread Lightly” ethics https://treadlightly.org/ News https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2024-toyota-land-cruiser-vs-ford-bronco-sasquatch-vs-jeep-wrangler-4xe-rubicon-comparison-test-review/   Next Show Topic: Jake from Toyota Garage Podcast   Community calender for next week. https://nomadoverlandrally.com/? Show close If you want to watch us live, visit the Off-road insiders on Youtube Don’t forget to like the video, and subscribe!   If you’d like to listen to us audio only, find is where you find podcasts You can find us on instagram, https://www.instagram.com/offroadinsiders/   You can find Tammy at: www.JeepMomma.com And you can find Nate at: www.swbcrawler.com  

  Chat Tammy - Rodeo Nate - Still working on the Superduty 60, and now a backup camera for the wife’s JKU.     www.offroadinsiders.com Instagram offroadinsiders Email: offroadinsiders AT gmail.com   Community Corner Overland Expo coming to Colorado at the end of the month. https://www.overlandexpo.com/mtn-west/ Main Topic   Lift Laws, Doors off Laws, Mirror laws, Emission   Why do these laws exist… And why are they different from state to state? Lift (more commonly bumper height) https://liftlaws.com/ Tire coverage Doors https://www.abc27.com/pennsylvania-politics/bill-to-allow-driving-without-doors-in-pennsylvania-advances/amp/ Mirrors https://ecomodder.com/wiki/Mirror_Laws_by_State_(U.S.) https://www.quadratec.com/c/howto/how-to-remain-street-legal-when-removing-jeep-doors Lights Exhaust Emissions General inspection Items Suspension Brakes Parking brake           Show news and announcements   We use streamyard to produce these live streams, check out https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5858440682405888 if you’d like to give it a try for yourself, and help the Off-Road insiders podcast at the same time!   News     Bubble Trouble https://www.theautopian.com/stellantiss-aluminum-corrosion-issues-might-go-well-beyond-just-jeep/   https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/pennsylvania-gets-eight-new-laws-doorless-driving-bridge-honors-and-more/ar-BB1q52CK   Next Show Topic: Trail Etiquette   If you want to watch us live, visit the Off-road insiders on Youtube Don’t forget to like the video, and subscribe!   If you’d like to listen to us audio only, find is where you find podcasts You can find us on instagram, https://www.instagram.com/offroadinsiders/   You can find Tammy at: www.JeepMomma.com And you can find Nate at: www.swbcrawler.com  

Chat Tammy’s got a moving jeep again! Nate’s still grinding on that Dana 60. Community Corner https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/founder-duck-duck-jeep-dies-vehicle-community-mourns-allison-parliament-unintentionally-started-trend.amp Main Topic Tammy goes to Rockfest 24 in the Black Hills National Forest. This was a working event for me. However, I was able to have some fun wheeling and camping. Tammy got her jeep back, new rebuilt engine Oil pressure light keeps coming on. Might be the doorman included oil filter. Deadwood south dakota, Rockfest ‘24 in the black hills Got to wheel her own jeep! Decided to focus on recording and did not drive on Hal John’s trail Got to see Mount Rushmore. Tire slash fiasco. Check engine light came back on, on day 3. Rockfest Run by 605 jeeps Long running event. Crawl for the cure raffle. Giving away a built jeep TNT has a jeep blog now, guess who’s the author? Tammy had a trivia contest at the rockfest. Stumped the attendees.     Show news and announcements   We use streamyard to produce these live streams, check out https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5858440682405888 if you’d like to give it a try for yourself, and help the Off-Road insiders podcast at the same time!   News https://www.rideapart.com/news/724922/2025-ducati-desertx-discovery-debut/ https://247wallst.com/cars-and-drivers/2024/06/30/the-10-most-fuel-efficient-4x4-pickups-today/ https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/drivers-don-t-exactly-buy-phevs-to-save-fuel/ar-BB1o1wp1   Show close If you want to watch us live, visit the Off-road insiders on Youtube Don’t forget to like the video, and subscribe!   If you’d like to listen to us audio only, find is where you find podcasts You can find us on instagram, https://www.instagram.com/offroadinsiders/   You can find Tammy at: www.JeepMomma.com And you can find Nate at: www.swbcrawler.com

Chat Tammy’s Engine Update   Find us at: www.offroadinsiders.com Instagram offroadinsiders Email: offroadinsiders AT gmail.com Main Topic Bantam trip report What is Bantam? http://www.bantamjeepfestival.com/ Trip out, and day 1 (Friday) Got started a little later, but its roughly a 4:30 drive, so we weren’t in too much of a rush. I am always super paranoid about tops when towing, because of maneuvering the trailer. I had bought a Garmin RV 795 GPS to try to see if it helps with these things. Either it did in fact account for trailer parking during the trip, or we were just very lucky. Because we had no problems. Friday night at the event is the Butler invasion. We were on the fence on whether we wanted to attend because it was fun last year, but the traffic getting into butler was just horrendous. They supposedly improved that, but we were still worried about it We ended up getting to the event grounds late enough that we didn't see a reason to head to the invasion We went to the hotel I met a guy from Skyjacker in the lobby The hotel was giving away ducks, the kids each grabbed one. The pool in the hotel was right across the hall from us, which the kids loved. Day 2 (Saturday) The pancake maker at the hotel was not working right, to my daughters disappointment. We decided to the vendor thing in the morning My wife and kids are all about the little shop-booths. They picked up some rubber ducks. They were super excited to leave a duck on every jeep they saw. I helped them understand that a lot of these jeeps sitting round the vendor area arent a person’s jeep, but owned by a company, and it wouldnt mean as much to leave a duck on them. So we went over to the jeep show, which are just average folks jeeps on display, and they had a blast looking at all the neat jeep builds I didnt really stop and talk to vendors, except the ones who I had connections with. I saw folks like quake led, a number of tire vendors, affordable offroad, skyjacker. One made hard top hoists and storage solutions. And a flip-back freedom panel motification. They had a guy there that seemed like he just flipped open and closed the freedom panels all day long. There was a JET ENGINE on display for some reason. Terry from the JLPod was there, with Oracle Lights. We ended up buying some tail lights for the JKU from him. We also came across a local fire company who was selling raffle tickets for a 2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, This thing was beautiful, and the proceeds of course benefit the fire co. So we bought one. This jeep had a $78,000 sticker price! After lunch we hit the on-site trails. We hit all the trails thaty they’d let us (there are.. 6 iirc we did 5). Their green and blue trails are SUPER easy in my opinion. Comparing them to off-road park trails in the area, i’d call all of them green. The biggest challenge was tire placement for some rutted trails, a little mud, one or two slightly technical obstacles. That being said, events like this sometimes have to lower the bar a little. Bantam attracts all skill level of jeep owners, some of them are pretty green when it comes to off-road. So generally the trails have to be strictly rated for vehicle capability, and cant really account for driver skills. Or thats how they feel. We were cut off at blue because the LJ is on 33’s. We did two trails on day 2, then came back and did the other three on day 3. I think it was after the trails, we went over to the swap meet, and I picked up twp YJ grills. Why would I need two YJ grills? Well, i’ll tell you. Bench project… Everyones going to hate me for this, but i want to try swapping the LJ’s grill to a YJ grill. I will likely need a hood too, and ill probably ditch the factory fenders and replace them with something custom. We also visited the Metalcloak CTI trailer The LJ Scored a 580, which isnt amazing, but the suspension isnt all that custom, so i’ll take it. Im glad I had this opportunity because I’d love to get it re-tested once Ive got those new axles under it (and new suspension). Day 3 and return trip (Sunday) Day 3 was basically finishing up the trails we didn’t do on day 2, and then hitting the playground. We did hit the vendors first, because my daughter saw a cute little dress at one of the vendors booths that she really wanted. The playground was a ton of fun. They have 5 different lanes, for different skill sets, including a mud pit. I did everything but the mud pit. The 35”+ lane… The teeter-totter Overall The Caddy gave me a little bit of an uneasy feeling. I feel like the “Can i really tow with a 15 year old cadillac escalade” experiment is going to end soon. Its served its purpose, but the thing is nickel and diming us, and now i;m worried that its coming up on a transmission issue.   Show news and announcements   We use streamyard to produce these live streams, check out https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5858440682405888 if you’d like to give it a try for yourself, and help the Off-Road insiders podcast at the same time!   Next Show Topic: 605 Jeeps Rock fest Show close If you want to watch us live, visit the Off-road insiders on Youtube Don’t forget to like the video, and subscribe!   If you’d like to listen to us audio only, find is where you find podcasts You can find us on instagram, https://www.instagram.com/offroadinsiders/   You can find Tammy at: www.JeepMomma.com And you can find Nate at: www.swbcrawler.com  

Chat Nate Some work on the D60, knuckles are off, shafts are out Off to bantam this weekend! Tammy Jeep’s going under the knife for a heart transplant!   Find us at https://www.offroadinsiders.com Contact us at offroadinsiders at gmail.com   Community Corner OnX Offroad build challenge is in full swing, they've started with the contestant interviews. Main Topic Tanner from TnT Customs! Who is Tanner? Who are TnT? (like we dont know…) How long have they been in business? Who runs the business? What does TnT do? Where is TnT located? Do you do online business as well? https://www.tntcustoms.com Wyoming Whats it like? How “wilderness” is it, really? What are Terrain Masters? If folks want to be involved, how do they apply? What do they get out of it? And what is expected of them?   Show news and announcements   We use streamyard to produce these live streams, check out https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5858440682405888 if you’d like to give it a try for yourself, and help the Off-Road insiders podcast at the same time!   News https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a60972221/student-built-solar-powered-off-road-camper/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDcLsG7yclk - Aljezera, off-road race in kenya to raise money to save water towers. https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/jeep-unveils-first-ev-see-inside-how-much-costs Show close If you want to watch us live, visit the Off-road insiders on Youtube Don’t forget to like the video, and subscribe!   If you’d like to listen to us audio only, find is where you find podcasts You can find us on instagram, https://www.instagram.com/offroadinsiders/   You can find Tammy at: www.JeepMomma.com And you can find Nate at: www.swbcrawler.com  

Chat Nate Picked up some door hinge liners for the JKU… Not to be out-done by Tammy. ;) Tammy: Speaking of Door Hinge Liners ! need to vent!!! Galvanic corrosion: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_corrosion Ordered a case-spreader for the D60’s Tammy Go Topless Day - Use sunscreen https://www.reddit.com/r/Wrangler/comments/1cu9u6z/fcuk_the_ducks/ Tailgate table https://youtu.be/lz1pRlT41Gc?feature=shared Testing out a new Bushcraft Chef Knife - video should come out this week. https://maxsablades.com?sca_ref=6163093.oHq8nNbVRdP4. Coupon code JeepMomma15     Find us at: www.offroadinsiders.com Instagram offroadinsiders   Community Corner https://youtu.be/Lf2eVmueiDM Main Topic What do i need to protect? Undercarriage Body What else? Control Arms, Corners. Diff cover upgrade This stuff is so expensive… Can i build it myself? Materials Steel Aluminum Liners? UHMW Ultra High Molecular Weight HMW High Molecular Weight Thickness “Wear item” vs built to last   Show news and announcements We use streamyard to produce these live streams, check out https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5858440682405888 if you’d like to give it a try for yourself, and help the Off-Road insiders podcast at the same time!   News https://www.gettysburgtimes.com/online_features/automotive/article_eea30678-1082-50f1-a3cd-d0115bb25059.html https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/jeep-wagoneer-s-ev-slug/ https://www.topspeed.com/most-affordable-off-road-hybrid/ https://www.autoevolution.com/news/this-4x4-snowplow-truck-was-converted-into-an-ultra-functional-tiny-home-on-wheels-234002.html https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1143178_rivian-deployable-roof-top-canopy-patent Next Show Topic: Show close If you want to watch us live, visit the Off-road insiders on Youtube Don’t forget to like the video, and subscribe!   If you’d like to listen to us audio only, find is where you find podcasts You can find us on instagram, https://www.instagram.com/offroadinsiders/   You can find Tammy at: www.JeepMomma.com And you can find Nate at: www.swbcrawler.com