Wheelin’

Keith Kodet of Thin Line Offroad and Johnny Orange discuss when it is time to stop driving the rig to the trail and start trailering instead. They cover such topics such as choosing the right tow rig, what gross vehicle weight rating and gross combined vehicle ratings mean, and how to choose a trailer. Additionally they cover the passing of industry legend Lee Iacocca and his contributions to the Chrysler and Jeep brands.

Additional discussion in the "4x4 Talk" Facebook Group

Keith Kodet of Thin Line Offroad and Johnny Orange tell some trail horror stories, and what they learned from the experiences. Trail damage, getting stuck, and breakdowns happen, are you prepared physically AND mentally?

The Wheels in the Woods show is coming up! We cover what you need to know.

For more info check out https://www.facebook.com/wheelinradio

Keith and Johnny Orange discuss the passing of off-road racing legend Rod Hall, along with his contributions to the 4x4 community, including building the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame into what it is today. More info at http://ormhof.org/

Taking a break from discussion about full-size vehicles, we discuss a brief history of the Honda Corporation, focusing on their off-highway products such as their motorcycles, early three-wheelers, and four-wheelers. We also talk about the future of Honda and theorize where they may be in the full-size market in the future. 

A great resource for Honda collectors is Honda Hoarders at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2039882316297155/

Taking our first over the phone interview, we talk with Chad McKinney of www.quickdrawbrand.com about his company, from the humble beginnings of used diesel engine sales to the top of the line adapters they are making today. Chad gives Keith and Johnny Orange insight into the design and testing process that go into each one their new products.  

Chad tells us all about their offerings for Jeeps, Toyota Land Cruisers and Land Rovers, as well as products they carry for Cummins 4bt, 6bt, and ISB as well as Detroit Diesel and other engines. Chad also announces new products coming soon for the Ford Coyote and GM LS engines that are very exciting!

As an exciting bonus, Quickdraw announces a valuable coupon code for the listeners of Wheelin' only. 

For additional discussion go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/4x4talk/  

Introduced in 1984 as a replacement for the aging SJ platform, the Jeep XJ Cherokee was the first Uni-body SUV produced by American Motors. One of the toughest designs of all time, this icon continued into production under the watch of Chrysler Motors, with several upgrades over time.  

Keith Kodet and Johnny Orange explore the changes made over the 30-year life of the popular model and discuss what to look for when purchasing a used one to drive, restore, or modify.  

Further resources for the XJ Cherokee can be found at www.naxja.org  

Continued discussion at https://www.facebook.com/groups/4x4talk/

Your rig is ready to hit the trails! Or is it? Keith and Johnny Orange discuss how to prepare your vehicle before going wheelin', starting with items such as proper tow hooks and a spare. But those are just a few items the average wheeler already knows about. Are you prepared to be unexpectedly stuck on the trail for several days? What would you do in case of a medical emergency? We talk about preparing for the unexpected, which items, tools, and spare parts you should consider packing along as well as how much food and water you should tote with you.  

We continue to discuss proper trail etiquette and the mentality of "leave no trace". We cover why you should pack out all your trash out with you, as well as any more you might find on the trail. A great resource for more information on that is www.treadlightly.org.

The world of Wheelin' is growing, and you can now interact with the hosts directly in the "4x4 talk" Facebook group. Join Today!

Swapping to one-ton axles is one of the most popular upgrades for the hard-core 4x4 enthusiast. We cover the most commonly available and popular options, and how to score a deal on the increasingly expensive Dana 60 front axle. The GM 14 bolt, Ford Sterling 10.25/10.5, Dana 70 and 80 axles are all great options for upgrading to a stronger rear, and we discuss the pros and cons of each choice. Johnny Orange explores when the average wheeler should consider going to eight lugs and when the Jeep Dana 30 just isn't enough anymore, whether the Dana 44/GM 10-bolt is worth upgrading to.  

We discuss the differences between open vs. closed knuckle spindles, and whether kingpin or ball-joint axles are a better option. We answer when it is best to choose a passenger drop or driver drop front axle, and touch on high pinion vs. low pinion.  

Resources from this episode come from Keith Kodet of Thin Line Offroad with his extensive experience in the world of 4x4 axles, and information provided by www.billavista.com, which is a great resource for axle information.  

This episode also introduces the "4x4 Talk" Facebook group and why you should join it, and we announce our Twitter feed @wheelinradio along with our first trivia question and prize challenge.

Introduced in 1976, the Jeep CJ7 laid the framework for what would become the Wrangler of today. Over 40 years later it is still a highly sought after vehicle that many consider to be the quintessential "Jeep". We discuss what you should look out for if you are looking to purchase one of your own.

For some, traveling while living out of their 4x4 is the ultimate lifestyle. We discuss early explorers such as Henry Ford's  "Vagabonds" and the Weston family. We explore the different options for Overlanding today, and what the needs and challenges of the modern Overlander can be. 

An almost forgotten model of Jeep spanned three decades of development, today they have a small but loyal following. Will they return for yet another round?