A guy we know recently acquired a Bronco II in great shape for about $1000. It's bone-stock except for new street tires, he's new to the area, and has never driven off road before. With me so far?

The first day he has his new Ford, he takes it by himself to some of the roughest...uh...trails (and I use the term loosely) in the area - behind Calico Mines.

Lo and behold, he cracks the front axle and ruins two tires and his spare wheel. He then walks through the desert to a pay phone and calls a Jeep owner - me (smartest thing he's done all day ;) ).

The moral of this story is NOT to go 'wheeling by yourself, and make sure your vehicle can handle the type of terrain you plan to tackle.

BTW, after he first LOST his B-II, and after searching for it for TWO DAYS, we decided it wasn't a great idea for me to pull him out with the TJ, so he hired a professional extraction team to remove it for $500.

Case closed! Try explaining that to your spouse...

P.S. After this was written, I found out that the guy decided to drive it home to Kentucky...but the motor decided to seize and he trashed it after less than 150 miles. Total cost? $1750.

There is a new draft wilderness management plan for the Grand Canyon National Park. Out of 373 miles of roads only 117.2 will be kept open. Most of the roads have already been closed. You will no longer be able to drive to several view points (Chapter 8). One road (Great Thumb Jeep Trail) is not listed in Semi-Primitive Roads Management (Chapter 8). A large number of roads on the North Rim (274 miles) are to be closed except for fire use, You may want to download a copy of the report at http://www.nps.gov/grca/wilderness.

If you have any questions I can be reached at the canyon:
Paul Shannon
P.O. Box 1549
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
520/638-3227

I'm getting a little tired of seeing so many vehicles being mislabled "Jeep".

It's amazing how many "Suzuki Jeeps" are for sale in Southern California alone.

"Jeep" was not a name that was picked out of a hat; it was earned after years of military and civilian service, and should not be used lightly.

And since when has the name "Jeep" become generic? Last time I checked, Chrysler was holding on to it with two white-knuckled fists.

I read in a news group, recently, about someone asking if it is "OK" to trim back branches and such from trails so they wouldn’t scratch their Jeep.

I don’t know about the rest of you, but if I stopped to cut down Jeep-scarring brush every time I went wheeling, I’d probably never make it home.

Besides, as most of the "hard-core" Jeepers will tell you, trail-scars only serve to add character to a Jeep. If a scratch is deep enough to remove the finish, you may want to seal it back up with touch-up paint, but mesquite-pinstriping, and rock- or tree-kisses are all part of the game.

P.S. Most of us would consider trimming back the trail poor form anyway, as far as "Treading Lightly" is concerned.

We could not have received a nicer compliment!

There would be no paved roads.

There would be a standard, Pre-Jeep-Ownership test.

Jeep Jamborees would become national holidays.

BFG A/T's would become manditory standard factory equipment.

Speed-bumps would be replaced with mud holes & rock obsticles.

Global credit card debt would be at an all time high.

Chris

Ok, ok. Let's clear this up! If it says "Jeep" on it, I'm all for it, and it has a home at Dirt Road Magazine. Unfortunately, there just aren't as many enthusiastic Cherokee owners out there as there are CJ/YJ owners. If it seems one-sided, it's just because most of our readers are CJ/YJ owners, also.

There are a few Cherokees in our "Show and Tell" section - let us put your Cherokee here. If you don't have a video capture device, we'll capture it for you - FREE! Just send us some video.

Glad you like the cover! Send us a picture of your Jeep, and it may be used for an upcoming issue!

There was a post in the jeep+willys newsgroup the other day that caught my attention: When is a Jeep no longer a Jeep? This is bound to cause some arguments like nothing but a Jeep could.

The owners of older, still-stock-after-all-these-years Jeeps will say that changing almost any major component makes it cease to earn the name, while the owners of newer, all-ready-changed-everything, gonna-do-it-again Jeeps might say that change is what makes a Jeep better. Taking something already great, and swapping out the best parts from other four-by's.

Me, I've seen almost everything done to Jeeps, and as long as I can recognize it as so, it's a Jeep. For years, Jeepers have changed literally every part out for something they considered better, from the ever favorite engine-swap, to a fiberglass body, to a tubular frame. We've also changed out axles, seats, tops, brakes, dashes, bumpers... Well, you get the idea.

Heck, I've even seen Jeeps widened and made to look like a Hummer. Weird, but hey, that's what owning a Jeep is all about - customization. Making it your way, to get you where you want to go. Unless, of course, it's old enough to be considered a classic, or if it has some historical value, then I'm all for restoring it to original condition.

Take Dirt Road's '59 CJ5, for instance; we plan to take it to a heightened mostly-stock condition. Only making a few changes here and there, mostly in inconspicuous places. After all, isn't that what technology is for?

For those of you over 30, "slammed" is a term for lowering a vehicle. As far as Jeeps are concerned, this should be illegal, and illustrates why an IQ test should be given before the purchase of a Jeep can take place.

A few other things that I'd rather do before lowering a perfectly good Jeep (or any Jeep, for that matter):

1. Rip all of my own teeth out with
only a pair of Vise-Grips and a beer.

2. Rip up a winning lottery ticket,
because hey, I really don't need the
cash.

3. Buy a Suzuki Samurai.

You get the picture. Jeeps were not created to be maimed in such an outrageous fashion, and I don't think there could possibly be a more horrific death for the almighty Jeep.

For those of you asking yourself "Does he mean Wranglers or Cherokees?" please step to the rear of the line. You obviously missed the point.

After all, isn't "stock" bad enough?

If you've been interested in improving the performance of your engine for any time at all than you've undoubtedly run across K&N air filters. You've heard they improve horsepower, offer better filtration, are washable and reusable, and they flow more air than a stock paper element even when packed with dirt, all for about 40 bucks.

I've purchased many K&N filters in the past simply based on the fact that they're reusable, and offer better filtration. Being the skeptic that I am, I've never expected any performance improvement. Recent dyno tests proved, rather by accident, that K&N's make more power too.

The factory hp rating on our Cherokee is 190 hp @ 4600 RPM at the flywheel. During dyno runs with a completely stock engine equipped with a K&N air filter, the Jeep produced a peak 153.7 hp at the rear wheels. In a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, approximately 28% of the flywheel power is lost before reaching the rear wheels. Adding 28% to 153.7 hp results in 196.7 hp at the flywheel, 6.7 hp over stock! That's a huge increase for a 40 dollar investment that only takes 5 minutes to install.

Of course we're making a lot of assumptions here. The first being that the 4.0L produced exactly 190 hp at the flywheel, the second being the assumption that we lose exactly 28% of flywheel horsepower at the rear wheels in this particular vehicle. However, even at a conservative estimate of a 25% power loss (manual transmissions run around 22%) in the drivetrain you're still looking at more than a 2 hp increase. I'd buy 2 hp for 40 bucks all day long, not to mention 6.7. Of all the performance parts I've run across, I've yet to find one as inexpensive and effective as a simple drop-in replacement K&N.

I was recently asked by a relative why I like Jeeps so much. Ever had that happen? I found it very difficult to come up with a good excuse for owning three of them. As I found out, it's very easy to gripe and moan about a Jeep's faults.

For instance, I've yet to see a Jeep that didn't rattle and squeak. Whether it's caused by that gross amount of plastic in the consoles of XJ's, or loose hardtops and doors on CJ's, they all rattle. How about that wind noise? The window seals in my barely 4 year old XJ have already shrunk an inch, that gap starts whistling a really annoying tune above 60 mph. I'm convinced they shouldn't even put a radio in a Jeep, you could only hear it at a stop sign. Many people complain about the "harsh" ride too, though I'm not one of them. Let's not forget those wonderful carburetted 4 cylinders that were introduced in the 80's. Wow, a whole whopping 90 horsepower at 4000+ rpm (if you could keep the carb working properly). No wonder there are so many successful engine conversion companies out there.

Don't get me wrong, I still love Jeeps. If I had enough garage space I'd have three more of them. Maybe the beauty of owning a Jeep is that they actually need modifications. It gives you a chance to build an entire vehicle the way you think it ought to be done. Think about it. What's worth saving in 80's CJ's? The body, frame, and transfer case. Same for the 80's YJ's, except you may not want the transfer case. After you've replaced all the underpowered or failure prone components of a stock Jeep, you're left with a vehicle that is distinctly yours. Some people would argue that swapping components from other manufacturers into your Jeep somehow makes your Jeep less "Jeep". That's nonsense. Remember when you could buy a Jeep from the dealer with engines like the Buick V6 or 350? How about the GM "Iron Duke" 4 banger? Jeep is guilty themselves of using engine and transmissions from other manufacturers.

I admit, some Jeeps need a lot of work before they are both capable and reliable, but what are our choices? Are you going to run down to the GEO dealer and pick up a new Tracker with a bright pink paint job? The only other new product to compete with Jeep is the Land Rover D90. Too bad they're nearly twice the price of a TJ. Even if you could afford a D90, yours would be just like everyone else's. No other vehicle displays more creativity and ingenuity on the part of owners and manufacturers than the Jeep. Besides, no other vehicle is as easily tailored to your needs. A Jeep can truly be built to accomplish anything.

Dirt Road Magazine and the "Ask Grant" column hit a milestone last month, we turned a year old. We've had well over 1.5 million visitors during that time, many of you took the time to submit a question or comment to me. I've responded on average to nearly one question per day. This led me to think that maybe some of you were wondering just who the heck I am and why am I subjecting myself to such unnecessary punishment?

Who am I? I'm a 4x4 nut, just like those of you reading this. Notice I said "4x4" and not just jeep. While we mainly focus on jeeps, I am not so biased as to suggest that they are the ultimate 4x4 for everybody. Frankly, I like them all (though I do lean toward domestics), and they all have their particular strengths. What you deem as the "ultimate" 4x4 depends on how you use the vehicle. Towing a 24 foot boat with a CJ really isn't a good idea, nor is taking an F-250 diesel over the Rubicon. It's the maneuverability and "go anywhere you point it" capability of the short wheelbase Jeeps that has endeared itself to so many people, not it's highway manners. That's why it's "Dirt Road" magazine.

Why do I write the "Ask Grant" column? All of you should know that I don't get a paycheck for this. What drives me to respond to your questions is the desire to help other four wheelers. Of course, if I can spare you some of the costly blunders I've made in the past, so much the better. Some of you have sent in questions that require a considerable amount of research. Some of the questions would require writing a book to answer completely. Sometimes I have the free time and resources to check it out, sometimes I don't. Occasionally I'll get a question that stumps me and I don't mind admitting it when it happens. If I know... you'll get the facts. If I think I know...you'll get my opinion. If I don't know...you'll get that too.

By all means, keep the questions coming. I enjoy getting them and will respond to all that I can. When you do write, be as specific as possible and include as much background information as you can, the more the merrier. I'd also appreciate any input as to any future articles you'd like to see, no promises, but we'll see what we can do.

Everybody gets stuck, this is part of four wheeling and enjoying what's left of the outdoors that hasn't been closed off. Whether your tires are spinning in mud or air, or your 4x4's framerail is resting on a boulder, you're going to need help to get rolling again. This help comes from either a winch, or more often, a tow strap attached to a friends vehicle. But say you're stuck all by yourself without friends or winches and you just can't get the vehicle rolling without some help. This is when you really need a friendly fellow four wheeler to happen by.

But wait, just when you're about to start walking, here comes another 4x4! As it comes into view, you are nearly blinded with the chrome and neon adorning this vehicle that rides on 44" tires with 1/2 ron axles, 2.73 gears, lift blocks for days, stock small block V8, and zit faced kid behind the wheel. You put those thoughts aside because at this point you'd be happy to see a Subaru Brat. You stand next to the road and wave the driver down, he stops and turns his $3000 dollar stereo down (but not off), to see what you want. You mention that you've managed to get your vehicle hopelessly stuck and would greatly appreciate some assistance. The reply? That'll be 50 bucks.

As far as I'm concerned, at this point the zit faced kid should be dragged out of his show truck and beaten senseless.

A real four wheeler would never charge to help a fellow wheeler in need! I don't care what 4x4 you drive, we've all been stuck and in need of help. To take advantage of somebody in this situation is just sick. Even if the driver of the stuck vehicle did something obviously stupid, you've probably done something worse yourself. Accepting money for helping another stranded person is just as bad. If I'm in the outdoors with my 4x4, I'm having fun. If I find someone stranded while I'm out and I help them get back on their way, then I've done my good deed for the day and I still had fun!

Some of you reading this may pose the argument that you may break something on your vehicle if you attempt to pull out another. Frankly, if it breaks, then it needed to be upgraded anyway. However, if you're vehicle is prone to breakage, then at least offer to take the stranded driver into town or the nearest payphone.

Don't be the zit faced kid that asks for money, because someday, somewhere, you're going to get stuck too.