Tips for Holiday Travel in your Jeep

If you’re like a lot of Jeepers out there, you’ll be embarking on a Summer Road Trip sometime in the very near future. If you’re a Jeeper like ME, then you’ll also be headed to a Summer Fun destination with a Jeep full of kids, dogs, and gear. Here are some some of our favorite tips for making those Jeep road trips as pain-free and comfortable as possible.

1. Give you and your family as much interior space inside your Jeep as possible.

In other words, don’t pile up so much stuff that it’s blocking the view from your rear view mirror or falling over onto your passengers every time you turn a corner or hit the brakes. Use a soft luggage carrier to haul some extra “stuff” on the roof of your Jeep. A hitch-mounted cargo rack is another great way to your gear to your destination (instead of inside your vehicle). Bringing bikes? The Thule Spare Me Jeep Bike Rack is a great option for carrying your bicycle/s on the spare tire of your Jeep.

2. Keep your interiors protected and easy to clean.

The mess that a road trip with family, kids, and/or pets often makes off-roading in deep mud or fording streams, rocks, and logs look like a cake walk. Have you ever tried to get smashed cheerios, dog hair, or the smell of old milk out of your Jeep’s interior carpets? Ugh. Make sure you floors are protected to minimize the damage with a set of all-weather Jeep Floor Mats. Throw in a cargo tray for the trunk area of your Jeep and you’ll at least have a fighting chance against dog slobber, melted ice cream cones, spilled coffee, and the like. We know it’s a Jeep and that Jeeps are meant to get dirty, but a little investment now will save you a lot of aggravation after you get home.

3. Keep your pets comfortable and safe.

Travel can be extremely stressful on your dogs. Try to make life as comfortable as possible for them by adding a Jeep Dog Bed to the trunk area of your vehicle and stopping for plenty of water, bathroom, and exercise breaks. Please remember to keep your furry friend on a Jeep Dog Leash at any time they’re outside of your vehicle. A Jeep Dog Barrier will help contain your dog/s to the rear area of your vehicle and away from your Jeep’s seats and you to help alleviate distracted driving. Dog Barrier’s will also help protect passengers in the event (god forbid) there is a traffic accident. Barriers are available in a cage version (see link above) or a Soft Barrier Net for the Jeep Wrangler specifically.

4. Have Fun!

If the weather is nice, get that top down/off and enjoy the beautiful weather. See the sights, smells the smells, and enjoy the sun on your face and the wind in your hair. Don’t be afraid to bring along some great music and sing along. Hope you have a great trip. Enjoy!

Awesome Jeep Gifts for Father’s Day

If you’re a Dad who drives a Jeep (like me) or if you have a Dad who drives a Jeep (like me), then you’re either hoping to get and maybe even give some Jeep Gifts this weekend for Father’s Day 2012. Here’s a few that we think are great:

Jeep Tire Cover

We’ve got a whole slew of designs to fit most tire sizes. From the Jeep 70th Anniversary Tire Cover to the Call of Duty, from the ever popular Life is Good Tire Cover to plain or with a Jeep Logo only, JeepWorld carries a tire cover for every taste.

Jeep Off-Road Recovery Kit

If the Jeep Dad in your life loves to take his Jeep Off-Road, our very cool Recovery Kits are a must. We offer two different kits, one by Rugged Ridge and one by Jeep. Both include the necessary tools to help your Dad get his Jeep out of any hairy situations and enhance his experience out on the trail.

Jeep Wrangler Floor Mats

If your Dad uses his Jeep like it’s meant to be used, the interior is going to end up pretty filthy. Help him protect the Jeep’s Floor with a set of Jeep Wrangler Floor Mats. We have great options from Jeep, Rugged Ridge, and Weathertech to suit your Dad’s and his Jeep’s needs.

Happy Father’s Day to all the Jeep Dads out there. We here at JeepWorld.com hope it’s a great one!

My 2007 Jeep Wrangler JK 4 Door & a 16′ Kayak

Jeep Wrangler Kayak Carrier; Locked & Loaded

I bought a kayak a couple of months ago (from an add on Craig’s List) and promptly stuffed it into storage at JeepWorld HQ. Semi-miserable, cold-ish Spring Weather followed here in Upstate, NY so there it stayed. Cue last week’s weather report predicting temperatures in the 70s with blue skies and plenty of sunshine. I dragged the kayak back out of hiding and promptly came to the realization that this thing (an Old Town Loon Tandem 16 footer) was HUGE. I also was nowhere near water and had to figure out a way to transport this red monster on my Jeep Wrangler 4 Door JK to a place where I could put it to good use. So, how DOES one carry a kayak on a Jeep Wrangler? 

The following solution will work on any 2007-Up Jeep Wrangler 4 Door with a hard top. Why a 4 door only? The 4 door model will provide the allowed set-back (space between the cross bars) to maximize load balance for better security during transport. I have witnessed people using the following set-up on a 2 door or on a 4 door with the front freedom panels removed, but this set-up is dicey at best. It may be OK for a short drive to water, but we definitely do not recommend it.

Step 1: You’re going to need a base rack. I suggest the Thule 300 Foot Pack with 58″ Load Bars to start. The 300 Footers attach directly to the rain gutters on your hard top. These are super easy to install and remove, just be sure you don’t catch the seal around your Wrangler’s windows in the clamp while tightening the knob. The footers then hold the Thule 58″ square load bars.

 Step 2: Next you’ll need to add a Jeep Wrangler Kayak Rack . Which carrier to use? This will depend on your kayak. Since mine is a big, wide kayak, I chose the Thule 883 Glide and Set because of it’s wide front cradles and felt-lined rear saddles that allow you to slide the kayak up into place on the rack. This kit includes two tie-down straps to secure the kayak to the carrier and two ratchet-down straps for the front and rear, a must for maximum security (see pics of my Jeep). For smaller kayaks, I would recommend Thule 830 Stacker (especially for whitewater kayaks) or the Thule Hull-a-Port Pro (835pro). Again, what you use should be dependent upon the kayak or kayaks you are carrying.

Step 3: Drive to some open water and have fun!

Note: The solution listed above has a maximum weight load of 165 lbs.

From personal experience, I can tell you that this system worked out great. I had an awesome day out on the lake and a heck of a lot of fun. I am confident enough in this kayak rack that I plan on using it to take my kayak on the five hour trip to Maine later this Summer.

2012 Jeep Wrangler Pics & Info

Jeep released pictures and information today on the 2012  Wrangler:

From the Jeep Blog:

 ”We just didn’t stop at the flywheel as the new five-speed automatic has been specially calibrated for enhanced shifting while driving both on and off the road.  For all you number crunchers out there, check out these stats – 21 miles per gallon and zero-to-sixty arrives at an impressive 8.4 seconds.  They say it’s a challenge to improve and icon, well to that we say, the 2012 Wrangler will have even more capabilities on wherever your journey takes you!”

There’s also a great gallery of 2012 Jeep Wrangler Pictures available of Jeep’s Facebook Page.

Chrysler to Include “Easter Eggs” with New Jeeps.

Jeff Bennett of the Wall Street Journal is reporting:

“Chrysler is pulling a page from the video game industry play book by mixing a few “Easter eggs” into its new Jeep products which begin rolling into showrooms over the next few months. Executives pointed out a few of the “surprises” tucked away on some on the Jeeps during a media showing of the vehicles at the company’s headquarters Monday.

Easter eggs are undocumented features that are included in everything from video games to movies…

“They are small homages or acknowledgements to our origins – fun, unobtrusive ‘gifts’ that perhaps only owners will know about. Why? Just Jeep studio getting their fun on and being proud of their products…nothing more,” said Mark Allen, Chrysler’s head of Jeep Design.”

For the full article click here.

Jeep Pick-Up to Arrive in 2011?

According to egmCarTech:

“Earlier this week we learned that Jeep CEO Mike Manley showed off a concept Jeep –pickup truck hybrid to dealers at Chrysler Group LLC’s 2010 Dealer Announcement Show in Orlando. According to sources that spoke with PickupTrucks.com, the Jeep pickup concept has been given the thumbs up for production.

Insiders say that the production version of the Jeep pickup will debut sometime in the third quarter of 2011 badged as a 2012 model. The model is reported to be based on the four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited platform but will have a two-door regular cab layout for extra space behind the front seats for storage.”

Read the full article after the jump!

2011 Jeep Wrangler Pictures

Chrysler Group LLC released pictures of the 2011 Jeep Wrangler this morning.  New models will feature a re-worked interior and body-matching colored hard tops.  New body colors for 2011 include: Detonator Yellow, Deep Cherry Red, Sahara Tan, Cosmos Blue and Bright White.

Production of the new 2011 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited began earlier this week at the Toledo Assembly Complex in Toledo, Ohio.

One thing’s for sure; this isn’t your Grandad’s Jeep! – JW

For all of your Jeep Accessories needs, please visit us at http://www.JeepWorld.com.  From Jeep Bike Racks & Jeep Ski Racks, to Jeep Tire Covers and Wrangler Floor Mats, we’ve got what your Jeep needs!

Featured Jeep: 2004 Jeep Wrangler (TJ)

From Karen in Parts Unknown:

“This is my 04 Jeep Wrangler, I love this jeep! Its so much fun, in the sun, in the rain, or the mud, it goes where ever I want. Can’t wait for summer so I can go topless!”

This entry brought to you by www.JeepWorld.com; your online source for Jeep Parts and Accessories!  From Jeep Floor Mats to Jeep Tire Covers, we’ve got what your Jeep needs!  We also carry a huge line-up of Thule Racks to help you carry skis, snowboards, kayaks, canoes, bikes, and luggage carriers for your Jeeps!

10 Great Jeep Gift Ideas for Father’s Day

Dads are some of the hardest people to buy for, so if the Dad in your life loves Jeep like we do, you’ll want to check out these awesome Jeep gift ideas for Dads. 

Happy Father’s Day, Jeep Dads!

1.  Jeep Hats - We carry every possible hat a Jeeper could want.  From the conservative Jeep Original Patch Cap to the Jeep Camo Trucker Hat, we’ve got that special Dad’s taste (and head) covered!

2. Jeep Grab Handles are an great gift for Wrangler Drivers.  Available in several designs and an array of colors, Wrangler Grab Handles offer a hand when getting in and out of the vehicle or something to hold on to when the Jeep gets back to it’s natural habitat.

3. We offer several ways to organize cargo while on the road including the Jeep Cargo Tote and a number of Thule Car Organizers; including a few Jeep Trunk Organizers , a Visor Organizer , and a Car Trash Bag.  All make great gifts!

4.  Jeep Tents are an easy way to enhance the Jeep Lifestyle and a great gift for any Jeep-driving outdoorsman.  Just drive up and pitch the tent and you’re good to go!  Tents attach to the rear of all Jeep models.

5.  Dress up that Jeep Wrangler or older model Jeep Liberty with one of our many Jeep Tire Cover options.  We carry something for everyone!

6. You can’t go wrong with one of these cool Jeep Key Tags to go with that cool Jeep!  Many different styles and color options are available.

7.  Another easy gift, the Jeep Visor Clip comes in blue or green with the Jeep logo and holds sunglasses and other small accessories on your Jeep’s Visor.

8.  Got a Dad who loves to Off-Road?  He’ll need this all-inclusive Jeep Off-Road Recovery Kit to assist in his 4×4 adventures.  Hook a Dad up!

9.  He’d probably like the Jeep Recovery Shovel too, so throw one of these in.  It’s a heavy-duty shovel, while still folding up for easy storage.

10.  Any Jeep Dad worth a salt is going to go through Jeep Floor Mats like they’re going out of style.  Available for the Wrangler, Liberty, Commander, Grand Cherokee, Patriot, Compass, and Cherokee!

Jeep News for 3/31/2010

There’s a lot going on out there in the world of Jeep this week, so we tried to condense it into one blog entry for our loyal readers.  Enjoy!

Chrysler plans to lauch production for the new Jeep Grand Cherokee on March 3 with sales kicking off in July - Automotive World.com

Chrysler on track to break even in 2010 according to Sergio Marchionne - MSNBC

Customized Chryslers put to off-road tests - Detroit News

Check out the Jeep NuKizer 715!  Wow! - PickupTrucks.com

5 Lucky Jeepers to dig in a giant sandbox.  1st one to find the golden tiki wins a Jeep Wrangler Islander Edition - USA Today

This edition of Jeep News is brought to you by your online Jeep Parts and Accessories experts at JeepWorld.com