Here is a link to the pictures from Friday. In there you’ll find a video of a sweet sounding BMW. Another video that’ll tease you with a movie from my new car mounted camera. That’s gonna be a toy I’ll be using a lot.

I saw some more celebs, some more booth babes and some epic cars.

– “Very Steve McQueen” db

Other than being hung, Thursday was pretty awesome.  I spent the day with the guys from White Roof Radio.  We saw new products, Minis, old friends, new friends, and of course booth babes.  If you don’t know about White Roof Radio click on over to iTunes.  In the podcast catagory “Automobile”…their show is consistently top 10 in the US.  Todd and db(Don Burnside) are great down to earth dudes.

The three of us spent the day meandered our way through North Hall, Central Hall, and Wheels and Tires.  <placing tongue in cheek> The booth babes were clamoring Todd all day.  “Todd can I have a picture with you?”  Todd was a good guy about it, but I could tell by the end of the day it was wearing on him.  Folks, celebrity status is not all it cracked up to be.  db on the other hand did a nice job of “dressing himself down”.  A few recognized him, and he was gracious to those fans.

Seriously fellas thanks for hangin with me.  I feel like I made some life long friends yesterday.

I am uploading some more pictures now. Some of the photos are a buddy who has a podcast about Mini Coopers called “White Roof Radio”. Consistently in the top 10 in the Auto category in iTunes. He has a thing about pictures with the booth babes. You guys don’t mind, right?

I’ll be reviewing a new product just released this week called GoPro. Full 1080P resolution sport camera. LINK There are some pictures in my photo galleries. That thing is almost as cool as boobies.

I rolled out of Denver about 4:30 am and arrived in Las Vegas about 3:00 pm. Before checking in the hotel I stopped at the show. I wanted to get my Press Pass before the rush in the morning. Parking is a nightmare. While trying to get some information a nice, female, security guard said I could leave my car parked back by the dock area while I ran in and picked up my badge. She agreed to keep an eye on the Mini. I think she wanted me to leave her the keys so she could take it for a spin.

Weaving in about of shuttle buses I made my way to the Central Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Suddenly my phone rings. It’s Matt Adir from Master-Pull. Matt and I spent a few days in Moab wheeling a few year ago. After that Matt and I have kept in touch via Facebook. It being my first SEMA I had a ton of questions and Matt agreed to help. We chatted while he showed me where to pick up my Press Pass. There is no way I would found it by myself. Hey thanks Matt. So with Press Pass in hand I got my car and headed to the hotel.

Another special thanks goes out to the Grandview at Las Vegas. This hotel is amazing. It’s very hard to find a non-casino hotel in Vegas these days. The Grandview hooked us up with three nights. You’ll need to be a member of a vacation club to get in. If you are, choose the Grandview at Las Vegas next time you’re here. The rooms have recently been remolded and are stunning. Here are a few photos.

Tonight I’m prepping the blog and some photo galleries for next weeks SEMA show coverage. Many of you know, I was the owner of an internet based off road parts company. During those 8 years I could never find the time to make it to SEMA. This year is different. I want to make sure I save every memory.

Lucky for you I’ll be sharing my coverage with you right here on my blog. Before I leave for Las Vegas I am turning on the feed from my Twitter ID to post here. This will post everything I Tweet about right here on the blog. During the day I’ll be blogging and uploading pictures to these four main galleries. So bookmark them.

Tuesday November 3rd

Wednesday November 4th

Thursday November 5th

Friday November 6th

Strap yourselves in it’s going to be a great week. Special thanks goes out to Aaron Storms, Editor of The Weekly Register-Call. I should have a great article for publishing when I get back.

Current Jeep: 2008 Jeep Wrangler JK

• MOPAR: Red Rock, Unlimited, Rubicon, Hard Top, Soft Top
• TeraFlex 2.5” Standard Kit
• TeraFlex 1” Spacer
• Fabtech PreRunner Bumper
• SmittyBuilt 8000lb Winch
• SmittyBuilt Synthetic Winch Cable
• (5) BFG MT KM2 35×12.50R17
• AEV ProCal Module
• ForMatt Fab CO2 Tank
• Warn Winch Plate
• BullDog Tow Strap
• PowerTank Roll Tube Mounts
• (2) Riddler Dif Covers
• Best Top Hard Top Cart
• AEM Silver Air Intake System
• DayStar JK Dash Panel
• Entry Handles
• Fire Extinguisher Holder

[Link]

The kit is the first of its kind.  A 2.5″ Budget Boost?  I remember back when BBs were 2″ and really measured 1.75″ of lift.  These pucks are actually 2.5″.

You will gain enough to clear 35″ tire on your JK Wrangler.  1.25″ spacer are needed to complete the steering clearance.  What Jeep and BB has offered that combination in the past.  35 ” tires? great!

The kit comes very complete.

“The brackets mount in the door hinge and maintain a stock location for the mirrors when the doors are removed. I had a prototype set last year for a little bit before it got cold. The image of my Jeep is with the prototype. The notable difference is the pin design which supports the stock hinge screw bolt for a complete factory look.”

[Info Link] [Retail Link]

The new forum will be under the TrailDriven.com name and badged as such.  This will new format will encompass all things “trail driven”.  The team has been working hard on this concept for over a year now.  We are sure it will be a winning combination.

This blog will continue to live under the plate URL which I have personally come to know and love.  This was my first URL, even before BIGoffroad.  I still own the Colorado plate and my new JK wears it with pride.

If you have the 6 disc/DVD radio from Mopar your now in luck.  I have access to the cable you see below.  No more soldering that left over Christmas video cable.  Just buy this production unit. Connect this cable to the back side of your radio.  PIN 6 and PIN 7 slots allow video to be seen via an LCD. It’s that easy.

SPECS:

• 36 inches in length
• semi flush mounting
• mounting screws

They sell for $49.95 and will be shipped free via USPS.  I will have some in stock after the first of the year.

(The later production units will only have a two prong, flat, radio end.  Current unit has a blank third slot.  Only two of the current prongs are live.)

Hopefully this new update will spark some interest and allow some users in.  The forum software has some great tools.  I don’t even run banner ads on it, yet.

Thanks and enjoy the forums.

Here’s a quick tease.  It’s a trail call “Pickle”.

The Fling was started a few years ago, 99 I think. Some guys from the newly formed Colorado-XJ list were heading out to Moab. This happened around the same time some of our Rocky Mountain sharing Utah buddies where there. This was right around the time NAXJA was getting it’s feet wet. We didn’t call it fall fling then though. <If these details are wrong, please comment and set the story straight>

The event form then on was put together by the Intermountian NAXJA Chapter. Today the event has grown to 125+ XJs. This year the event will giveaway a XJ. I lifted, locked, highly modified rig.

I will posting video from our new Kodak Zi6 HD Camcorder. Kodak has given us a unit to test and will do just that. The Moab dust will be tossed around this new camera. We’ll see how it holds up.

Life moves fast. Grab it in HD.

- Take stunning HD videos (720p at 60 fps)
– Easy upload to YouTube™ with built-in USB
– Record hours of video—up to 32 GB worth
– View on any HDTV with the included cables
– Edit and share videos with the included software CD
- Rechargeable batteries and charger included

This was kinda tricky. The rear safety bar has a mount for the softop on it. The seat belt roller is also sort of in the way. Here is what I did. Post your questions by clicking “Add Comments” at the bottom of this post.

Storing your Jeep’s hard top can at times be challenging.  In the past I have tried everything.

The pulley systems that pull the hard top off the Jeep and then suspend it in the rafters was ok.  However it never seemed to pull it high enough.  It was still “in the way”.  This method lead to some sleepless night wondering if I tightened everything.  I was afraid it was going to fall.

More recently I have it sitting on some cinder blocks at one end of the garage.  While this was the easiest and cheapest method it was not free of worry, and was still taking up a ton of space.

A few days ago I ordered what has turned out to be a great solution.  BIGoffroad mailed me out a HOSS™ Hardtop Cart for my JK Unlimited.  Here is link to the installation guide.

It’s pretty straight forward.  Putting it together was simple.  The top now just rolls around the garage when I need it out of the way.

It’s painted blue in these photos, but comes in Black normally.  I’m digging it.

Any thoughts from you fellas?  Thanks.

pics from [4wd]

UPDATE: added some more pictures

Thanks to Chris and all the guys and gals with Edge Offroad.  I’ve known Chris for years and it was really nice to get out with him and his crew.

We all ran Jenny Creek backwards today.  I had never run it that way before.  Great change of scenery.  The JK did great, only used the lockers once. At the end of the day I got a little high centered on the exit/entrance.  I pushed the locker button and was off.

This was the first trip for me on rig with 17″ wheels.  I’m use to 15″ rims.  They get aired down to 15psi or so.  The BFGs on the JK worked very well at 22psi.

On the way back down Rollins Pass I developed a knocking noise…NOT FROM MY HEAD, from the Jeep.  I could not for the life of me figure out what it was.  It would only knock during suspension movement. After I got home I aired up and pulled out the “creeper” to try and find the knock.  It sounded like a rock had gotten in the frame and was bouncing around in there.  I looked everywhere, nothing.  I am chalking it up to the D-ring in in the rear receiver hitch.  i was probably getting more noise than i am use to out of it.  The knock  has a huge frame to reverberate the sound.  In my unibody XJ I never heard it.  I guess the fast speeds on the way down the dirt road loosened up the screw and allowed it bang.  I hope that was it.

All in all the JK performed excellent.  It is so nice to trail something that doesn’t creak, squeak and smell like diff oil.  The JK is very capable and comfortable.

More pictures

Forum Thread Discussion

Last night I picked up my 9th Jeep.  Let’s recap.

1. 1997 TJ Red
2. 1999 XJ White
3. 1988 XJ Red
4. 1998 XJ Green
5. 2001 TJ Rubicon Silver
6. 1971 Comando
7. 1989 XJ Tan
8. 2006 Jeep Commander
9. 2008 JK 4dr Rubicon

Red Rock Chrystal Pearl, Black Hard & Soft Top, Tan interior, 4dr, Auto, Rubicon, 3.8L V6, PW, PL, Tow Package, Cruise Control, Air Conditioning, 6 Disc, Remote Start, Clear Bra, Tire Cover, Deep Tint Windows