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We can all agree that equipping your Jeep, Toyota, Bronco or Truck with a recovery winch is a great idea. However, there is still another choice to be made: Steel or Synthetic winch line? This choice often causes fiery debate in 4x4 communities and for good reason, the choice isnt exactly clear cut. Your choice of winch line material comes down to what's right for you and your off-road rig. With all that being said, lets breakdown the differences to help settle this debate once and for all! The Basics While both winch line material choices accomplish the same goal of recovering vehicles, its important to understand the fundamental differences between the two materials. Steel Cable Winch Line Made from aircraft-grade steel. Highly abrasion resistant. Used for decades as the industry standard. Heavier, which can impact front-end weight and suspension more than synthetic. Synthetic Winch Line Made from Dyneema or similar high-strength fibers. Mucher lighter, helping to shave weight off of your front end. Easier to handle, flexible and safer under load. This choice is the most common on modern off-road setups. Strength & Safety Considerations Strength It may seem like the choice is clear when it comes to which line material will provide the highest levels of strength. What may suprise some is that synthetic winch line actually has a higher breaking strength than steel. However, synthetic is more prone ...

Is Jeep Redesigning the Gladiator?

14 April 2025

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As the yearly tradition goes, Jeep has shown off various concept vehicles at Easter Jeep Safari in the heart of the Moab Desert. These concept vehicles let Jeep designers run wild with their imagination and create some of the most unique and down right badass Jeeps out there. While these Jeep concept vehicles aren't always meant to represent vehicles customers can buy off the showroom floor, they often include components and styling queues that are used in future factory produced Jeeps. The "Convoy" Concept Gladiator features a new front grille styled after the classic J-Series Gladiators. Many may assume this is simply Jeep designers having fun with their concept vehicle and simply harkening back to the classic truck. However, there are several pointers to Jeep redesigning the Gladiator, and I believe the Convoy concept truck is most likely what we'll be seeing for the redesign. A Look At Past Concept Vehicles The Jeep Concept vehicles are often simply whacky and cool creations such as a Jeep Renegade Truck, or a modern FC built on the frame of a Jeep JK. However, some of these concepts contain components such as fenders, bumpers, grilles, etc. that go on to be used in future production vehicles. The example that comes to mind was in 2017's Easter Jeep Safari. Two Jeep Wranglers on display featured front grilles that differed from the then-current Jeep JK grille. Although it wasn’t known at the time, these concept Wranglers we...

Don't Let Your Jeep's Steering Stabilizer Get Destroyed!

10 April 2025

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It's a story many Jeep owners know all too well, you're out exploring off-road and suddenly you hear a loud front end BANG! Your low hanging steering stabilizer has taken a hit off-road and is now busted and leaking fluid. Unfortunately it doesn't take a big hit to damage or even destroy your steering stabilizer, and the low mounting position means that you'll be constantly trying to avoid damaging it off-road. If you're tired of damaging and replacing your steering stabilizer on the trail or just want to prevent costly damage, its time to check out a steering stabilizer relocation mount! Why do I need a Relocation Mount? One of the lowest hanging components on your front axle is the steering stabilizer, this leaves it incredibly vulnerable to trail damage. A damaged or broken steering stabilizer can lead to a looser feeling steering that transfers more vibrations and side to side movement into the steering wheel. While this won't cause a serious issue like death wobble, you will notice road imperfections felt in the steering wheel more and need to make more frequent steering corrections which makes for a less than enjoyable driving experience. AEV High Performance Steering stabilizer mounted in the factory stabilizer position How Does a Relocation Mount Work? True to the name, a relocation mount will move your factory or upgraded steering stabilizer out of harms way. Relocation mounts rotate the steering stabilizer from underneath the tie rod to ...

Why Are Truck Bed Caps So Popular?

03 April 2025

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Trucks like the Jeep Gladiator and Toyota Tacoma are among the best 4x4s for off-road adventures—and for good reason. They offer plenty of space to haul your overland gear with ease and provide the capability to explore just about anywhere! However, leaving all of your cargo in an uncovered truck bed can be a recipe for disaster. Gear left in an uncovered truck bed will inevitably get damaged from the elements and is left vulnerable to thieves. Thats where a truck bed cap/topper comes in, providing the ultimate solution to keep your gear secure and protected from the elements. Protect Your Cargo From The Elements An open truck bed leaves all of your precious cargo exposed to the elements, leaving it vulnerable to dirt, dust, mud, rain, harsh UV rays and much more. Sealing your bed off from these harsh conditions with a bed cap keeps your gear dry, clean, and easily accessible. A truck bed cap with windows can even let you transport your dogs and keep them safe and sound in the truck bed while keeping your interior free of muddy paw prints. As a bonus, a truck bed topper can be used as a sleeping area for all of your camping adventures. Even if you have a 5 foot bed, sleeping diagonally will still give most people enough room to sleep. When overlanding in my Gladiator, there have been more than a few nights at camp where the rain and wind were too much for my ground tent to handle and a bed cap would have been the perfect solution for a sturdy shel...

Secrets To Pick the Perfect Tires for your Jeep or 4x4

31 March 2025

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Selecting a new set of tires for your Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator, Bronco or more isnt as easy as picking the one that looks the coolest. There are many determining factors and specs to look out for to ensure you get the best possible tire for your needs and vehicle. Its also important to factor in a new set of tires into your build plan! Size Bigger tires are undoubtably one of the best upgrades for increased off-road capability and lets be honest, they just make your Jeep or 4x4 look better and more rugged. A larger tire size provides the clearance needed to tackle taller, more challenging obstacles more easily while helping to prevent scraping and damage to your rig's underside. Larger tires can also increase comfort when driving over rough terrain and road imperfections. Depending on how much larger your new set of tires is, you may need a suspension lift to fit the tires. A larger tire may also require a new set of aftermarket wheels that have a lower backspacing/offset to push the tires out away from the vehicle to prevent rubbing. Before you stuff the largest tire possible under your Jeep, its important to consider what you'll be using your Jeep for. Remember, a 32-35inch tire will still get you to most places, especially if you are overlanding or sticking to easy-moderate trails. If you're looking to hit harder trails with large obstacles a 35-37 inch tall tire is a great option. 38-40 inch tall tires are excellent for those ...

Fix Your Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator's Sloppy Steering!

27 March 2025

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One common problem that virtually every Jeep Wrangler JL, JK or JT Gladiator experiences is play in the steering gear box. Thats right, the Jeep JL, JT, JK all have steering boxes that flex away from the frame while steering the vehicle, this is especially exacerbated while running larger tires. This steering box flex can contribute to loose feeling steering and even a dead zone in the wheel. Another common issue with a Jeep’s front end is the track bar mounting bracket hole wallowing out overtime, which can lead to vibrations or even death wobble. This is where a Sector Shaft Brace comes in, these reinforce the troublesome frame side track bar mounting location and help to minimize flexing and deflection of the steel or aluminum steering box. Both Steer Smarts and Syngery offer durable sector shaft brace options for your Jeep. How Can a Sector Shaft Brace Help My Steering? Put simply, the flex and play that the steering box has from the factory can contribute to a wandering and loose feeling steering. Reinforcing the sector shaft and track bar mount eliminates steering box flex, helping to tighten the steering feel and reduce highway wandering. Will a Sector Shaft Brace Help with Larger Tires? YES, it will help! Bigger tires and lift kits greatly increase the stress and leverage put onto the steering box and track bar, especially if its taken off-road. This can lead to premature wear onto the steering box, sector shaft and the track bar axle ...

What You Need to Know About Jeep Lift Kits

25 March 2025

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Lifting your Jeep or other solid axle vehicle can seem daunting. While many lift kits come with everything you need, understanding the function of each component helps you determine what's necessary and why. The goal of this guide is to explain what components make up a lift kit and how each component effects your Jeeps suspension system. While this doesnt cover every single component a lift kit may include, this guide covers the main components that make up a lifted suspension! Springs Springs determine your vehicle's ride height, and aftermarket taller springs are what allow your 4x4 to achieve increased lift. Taller springs also help you achieve increased suspension travel when combined with longer shocks. You can also increase ride height with spring spacers, these typically can provide 0.5-2 inches of increased ride height. They can be used to level out your suspension or correct front or rear sag from heavy bumpers and winches. Shocks Often misunderstood as the component that provides lift, shocks serve to dampen bumps and vibrations on the road and the trail. Shocks other main purpose is to control the suspension travel on your 4x4. When lifting your suspension, longer shocks are needed to maintain or increase suspension articulation. Coilovers Coilovers combine a coil spring and shock into a single unit, typically allowing for adjustable ride height. These come standard on many 4x4s such as the 6th gen Ford Bronco. They can ...

Overland Expo SoCal 2025 Recap

20 March 2025

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With Overland Expo SoCal 2025 wrapped up, I wanted to highlight some of the coolest rigs, gear, and upgrades I came across. The event was packed with exciting builds and innovative products at every turn—it was impossible not to be excited! Before even getting into the event, I found a fellow Sarge Green Gladiator in the parking lot, so of course I had to park next to it and leave a Northridge4x4 sticker tucked under their windshield wiper! The parking lot itself mine as well have been apart of the Expo as there were so many cool rigs to see before even getting into the event itself. Walking through the entry of Overland Expo, there were immediately tons of Jeeps, Broncos, Ram trucks and off-road trailers front and center. The first rig I checked out was this nicely outfit Jeep Gladiator complete with a Magnaflow Overland exhaust system and a whole host of Roam adventure Co. overland upgrades, Eaton E-Lockers, Revolution Gears and of course some Roto Pax Water containers! This Gladiator is an excellent example of how you can outfit your Gladiator for overland adventure. AEV had a huge presense at Overland Expo SoCal, featuring several of their well built 4x4's. The first one I saw on display(it was hard to miss!) Was their AEV Prospector XL Ram 3500. This truck featured a massive camper that would make any off-road adventure luxurious. Of course, AEV al...

How to Choose the Best Wheels for Your Jeep or 4x4

13 March 2025

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Why Do I Need Aftermarket Wheels? Upgrading your Jeep or 4x4 with a set of Aftermarket Wheels is one of the best modifications you can make. A new set of wheels can enable the fitment of larger tires, enhance capability off-road and add rugged style to your 4x4! However, choosing the right set of wheels for your trusty 4x4 can be overwhelming, as the huge amount of options make it incredibly hard to decide! While style mostly comes down to personal preference, its important to understand the differences in functionality between the different wheel types. Non-Beadlock wheels These are the traditional style and most common Jeep or 4x4 wheels, made from either steel or aluminum. Non-beadlock wheels are the type your vehicle came with from the factory. Non-beadlock wheels are an excellent choice for daily drivers, off-roaders and overlanders. While they don't offer any bead retention while aired down, they still can be aired down off-road as long as you are careful not to go too low. Typically you shouldnt air down past 10-12psi on non-beadlock wheels. Ideal for: Overlanding General purpose off-roading Excellent Daily Driving Non-beadlock wheels are avaliable in a huge variety of styles and finishes so you can truly customize your rig the way you want! Beadlock Wheels Beadlock wheels provide exceptional off-road capability and are available in both steel and aluminum. They’re ideal for those who spend most of their time navig...

How to Plan Out The Perfect Jeep Or 4x4 Build

10 March 2025

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Building out your Jeep or 4x4 is an incredibly fun and rewarding experience, however it can be tough to decide what you need, especially if you dont have a plan! While there is no right or wrong way to build your Jeep, there are still several good practices to follow to ensure the end result of your build is perfectly suited for your needs and goals. Whether your plan is to overland, rock crawl or just cruise down forest service roads, its important to build your rig accordingly. The goal of this guide is to provide general guidance for the progression of your modifications and what you'll actually need to go out and have a great adventure off-road (Spoiler: You don't need much to go out and have a great adventure!) 1. Safety & Recovery Gear Before you head out off-road having at least some safety and recovery gear is an absolute must! Your new Jeep or 4x4 build should always start here, whether your a first time off-roader a seasoned rock crawler. Below is a list of the basic safety and recovery gear that you need for off-road adventures. First Aid Kit: A first aid kit can be invaluable when exploring remote areas. While not required, taking a first aid course is a useful skill when far from civilization. Safety should always be the top priority on any off-road adventure, a first aid kit should be in every off-roaders kit! Fire extinguisher: Off-roading and camping involve inherent fire hazards, including uncontrol...

Leave No Trace Off-Road: How Treading Lightly Improves Your 4x4 Adventures

05 March 2025

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Why is Leaving No Trace So Important? Exploring backcountry trails in your 4x4 is one of the best ways to explore and experience the great outdoors. However, while exploring these areas, leaving no trace is crucial to keeping trails open. Politicans and anti-access groups constantly scrutinize our hobby of four-wheeling and are always looking for excuses to close areas down—we shouldn't give them any ammo to restrict access to our public lands. Leaving no trace isn't just important for off-roaders; it's also essential for backpackers, bikers, campers, hikers, hunters, and anyone who enjoys recreating on our beautiful land. "Take only photos, leave only footprints." Or in our case, only tire tracks. Leaving no trace isnt just something we just do to keep trails open, it also benefits us off-roaders to have a convienent, safe and clean off-road adventure with friends and family! With this guide my goal is to give tips and gear recommendations that enhance your outdoor adventures, while helping to safeguard our trails for future generations of 4-wheelers. Gear Guide Leaving no trace comes down to minimizing your impact—take everything you bring back with you and leave the landscape as you found it. Here’s a curated list of gear to help you tread lightly on the trails while enhancing convenience, comfort, and capability on your adventures. Off-road Garbage Storage Bags Equipping your rig with an off-...

Why your Next Jeep Upgrade Needs to Be Rock Hard 4x4 Rock Sliders

28 February 2025

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Protect your Jeep! One of the most vulnerable areas on your Jeep from the factory is the lower rocker panel and lower section of the doors. These areas are vulnerable to dents, scratches, rock chips, and unfortunately, much more. This is why rock sliders are one of the best upgrades you can do to protect your Jeep from trail and on road damage. Enter the Rock Hard 4x4 lineup of Rock Sliders. Built with heavy-duty steel, a durable black powder coat and a sturdy bolt on design, Rock Hard 4x4 produces some of the most durable and easy to install rock sliders on the market. A Cut Above The Rest What makes the Rock Hard 4x4 Rock Sliders so strong? They start with a 2" x 3" .120-wall steel mounting bar, reinforced with 1 3/4" .120-wall tubing that is jig-welded in place. This tubing serves as both a step and a "rock cushion" to keep your Jeep protected on the trail. Unlike OEM Rubicon sliders, which sit nearly flush to the body, this leaves the panels vulnerable to taller rocks, Rock Hard's sliders extend outward to deflect obstacles before they can make contact. As a bonus, they can also help prevent door dings from careless drivers in parking lots. What sets Rock Hard 4x4 Rock Sliders apart is their superior mounting design. Unlike many sliders that only attach to the pinch seam, these bolt to the pinch seam, the bottom of the tub, and the body frame mounts—offering more attachment points than most competitors. Adding t...

Why your Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator Needs a Regear!

18 February 2025

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Why Do I Need a Regear? Throwing on larger tires sometimes feels like a rite of passage for Jeep owners, it's something almost all of us do to our Jeeps and for good reason! Larger tires enhance your Jeep’s off-road capability by increasing ground clearance, improving traction and of course, gives it a rugged, trail-ready look. However, Jeeps come from the factory tuned for the stock tire size, larger tires throw this perfect harmony of torque, speed and efficiency off balance. Regearing your Jeeps axle ratio is the solution to gaining back power, torque and fuel effeciency! What is a Regear? Regearing is a common topic in the Jeep community, but what does it actually mean? Simply put, a regear involves replacing the factory differential ring and pinion in your front and rear axles with an aftermarket set featuring a lower gear ratio than stock. It’s important to note that “lower gears” have a higher numerical value—for example, 4.56 gears are lower than 3.73s. Regearing is essential for Jeeps with larger tires, helping to restore the optimal power band, towing performance and improve lost fuel economy. What Gear Ratio Do I Need? The gear ratio you should upgrade to depends on a multitude of factors and personal preference. However, there is a general aggreence in the Jeep community as to what gear ratios typically work well with specific tire sizes. Below you'll find charts of our recommendations for w...

ARB's New Brushless Air Compressor, A Worthy Upgrade from the Original?

10 February 2025

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The New ARB Brushless Air Compressor ARB has broken new ground for off-road air compressor technology with their new Brushless Air Compressor. Their original ARB Brushed Air Compressor has been the gold standard for mounted or portable air power, their new Brushless Air Compressor builds upon this legacy. Featuring higher performance, more airflow, better efficiency, and a whole host of Smart Features, ARB's Brushless Air Compressor makes for an ideal upgrade for any Jeep, Bronco, or Truck! Whether you're looking for a portable air compressor or a mounted on-board air compressor, ARB has you covered with their all new Brushless Air Compressor! Why Brushless Motors? Simply put, Brushless Motors mean there are no wearing components and no need for internal servicing of components. Compare this to the original ARB Air Compressor which features brushed components. While the brushed components are still heavy-duty and require little maintenance, they will not outlast the new, maintenance free Brushless design. Best of all, the Brushless Compressor still feature the IP sealed design allowing them protection against water and dust in the harshest environments! "No matter where you are in the world, your compressors will provide plenty of power and years of service." Best of all, the Brushless design delivers a remarkable 50% increase in output over the already capable ARB Brushed Compressors. Whether you're sw...

Jeep Wrangler JL & JT Gladiator Model/Trim Guide

06 February 2025

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Fitment Guide The Jeep Wrangler JL (2018–present) and Jeep Gladiator JT (2019–present) have been offered in a wide variety of trims, models, and configurations over the years. With so many options, determining which parts are compatible with your Jeep can feel overwhelming due to the numerous variables involved. This guide is designed to simplify the process, helping you confidently identify key differences between the various models and trims in the Jeep JL Wrangler and JT Gladiator lineup. Jeep JL/JT Shared OEM & Aftermarket Fitment This section contains fitments that are shared between the Jeep Gladiator & Jeep Wrangler JL. As a quick reference, the front end components of the Gladiator is typically compatible with the JL, while the rear end components typically are not. Jeep JL/JT Compatibility Shared Fitment Status: Front & Rear Bumper Fronts are compatible, Rear are NOT Grille Compatible, however, 2023 & prior JL/JT feature different grille mesh sizes Fender Flares Front Fenders are compatible, Rears are NOT Hood Hood & Hood latches are compatible (Mojave & 392 Hoods feature different cowl mounted acessory fitment, unless specifically noted) Doors Front & Rear doors & Hing...

10 Best Modifications to Get your Jeep Wrangler JL Ready for the New Year

14 January 2025

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New Year New Jeep The New Year is a time for reflection, preparation, and setting resolutions. This reigns true when it comes to your Jeep or 4x4, the New Year marks a great time to consider what direction you want to take your off-road build in. Now is the perfect time to gear up for off-road adventures to come for 2025! Whether you're looking to finally add a Lift Kit to your Jeep or want to protect it a set of heavy-duty Front and Rear bumpers, this guide will help you get your Jeep ready for 2025. Clayton 2.5in Overland Plus Suspension Lift Kit If you've always wanted to lift your Jeep Wrangler JL but didnt know what components you needed or what brand offered high quality components, look no further than Clayton Off-Road. The 2.5in Overland Plus Suspension Kit is a high-quality USA Made lift kit ideal for those seeking extra ride height for off-road adventures while maintaining exceptional on-road comfort. Featuring a complete set of adjustable control arms, you wont have to sacrifice ride quality or steering responsiveness with this lift kit. With adjustable front and rear track bars, adjustable front and rear sway bar links and bumpstops, Clayton offers an impressive 2.5in Lift Kit. To complete this kit, a set of Bilstein 5100's is perfect for ensuring your Jeep will be comfortable on and off-road. If this kit doesnt suit your build, we offer a wide range of other great Lift Kits for the Jeep JL! ...

Beginners Guide & Gear Needed For Off-roading In The Snow

23 December 2024

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Winter may mark the end of outdoor adventures for most, but for many off-road enthusiasts, it signals the beginning of a new kind of fun. Snow wheeling is an exhilarating way to explore snowy landscapes and push your limits. It challenges your off-road skills, your gear, and your vehicle, making preparation key to a successful snowy adventure. While this guide isn’t the end all be all, I’ve compiled a few tips, tricks, and essential gear to help you sharpen your snow wheeling abilities. I'm constantly trying to sharpen my skills off-road and learn new things, especially when it comes to snow wheeling and camping. With that being said, if you’ve got tips, tricks or gear recommendations that I didn’t cover, hit up the comments below and let us know! Plan Your Route Planning and preparing your snow-wheeling route is essential for a safe and successful adventure. While there are many ways to plan a route, my go-to approach combines the onX Offroad app and the USDA Snow Map website. The onX Offroad app is an excellent tool for finding snow-wheeling spots. It features an interactive map packed with trails and forest service roads, and it even indicates whether a trail is open or closed—helpful since many trails are locked behind gates during the winter. The app also allows you to download trail maps for offline use, which is a critical feature since most snow-wheeling areas have little to no cell service. In addi...

2025 Jeep Wrangler & Gladiator - Better than the 2024?

05 December 2024

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Continuing the Jeep Legacy When you think of off-roading, chances are the Jeep Wrangler or classic CJ models come to mind. It's easy to see why the Jeep has been one of the most iconic off-road vehicles of all time ever since it first aided our troops in the war effort during WWII. Eventually, the Civilian Jeep evolved into the Wrangler in 1986, continuing to improve and upgrade over the years. The release of the JL Wrangler in 2018 and JT Gladiator in 2019 brought refinement, capability, and comfort to new levels for the brand. The 2025 Wrangler and Gladiator model year continues to move the Jeep brand forward and brings some excellent new additions that build upon the major upgrades and changes the 2024 model year brought. Did Someone Say New Colors? Jeep is putting an emphasis on offering a wide range of unique colors for 2025. Featuring three new colors and a returning favorite, Jeep has brought a great selection of colors to their lineup. If you've been waiting to get a unique color on a Wrangler or Gladiator, now's the time to check out what they're offering in 2025. Brand-new colors include the dark blue Fathom Blue, the vibrant Joose Orange, and, saving the best for last, the '41 nostalgic army green color. The fan-favorite Mojito Green is being brought back for the Jeep Wrangler and offered for the first time on the Gladiator. I gotta say, my personal favorite color being offered for 2025 is the '41 color. Army green just feels ri...

🎁The Official 2024 Holiday Jeep Gift Guide From Northridge4x4🎁

11 November 2024

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Its that time of year again, the air is crisp, buffalo plaid is back in season, the yule log is crackling away and Santa Claus is getting ready to load up his Jeep with parts and accessories from Northridge4x4 for the Jeep or 4x4 owner in your life! Ensure your loved one (or yourself!) gets exactly what they have on their list by checking out our curated catalog of thoughtful gifts that will make this Christmas extra special. This list is surely one you'll want to check twice and is filled to the brim with gifts that fit every elves budget! From thoughtful gifts as low as $10 all the way up to grand gestures over $300 that will be sure to fill the Jeep owner in your life with cheer! 🎄GIFTS FROM $10-$55🎄 Christmas gifts dont need to break the bank to show the Jeep owner in your life how much you care! Our selection of affordable gifts help to inspire the adventerous spirit for any Jeep or 4x4 owner who is lucky enough to unwrap them on Christmas morning. Full Windsor Spliter Multi Tongs | Full Windsor Magware Magnetic Flatware The Splitter Multi Tongs from Full Windsor are a must-have for anyone who loves grilling or cooking up delicious meals while camping, barbecuing, or backpacking. These tongs feature a titanium spatula and a long titanium spork that can be connected to form a pair of tongs, offering practical usabili...

Rancho 2″ Lift Kit For Your Wrangler JL – Install How-To

10 November 2024

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Lifting Your JL With The Rancho 2″ Lift Kit: We’ve done a quite few lifts on Wrangler JLs here at the Northridge4x4 DIY garage, however there has been one lift we haven’t installed yet and have been looking forward to…. The Rancho 2″ Suspension System. Not for any particular reason other than Rancho is one of those legendary names in 4×4 suspension and they are known to build a good lift kit. How legendary is Rancho Suspension? Rancho Performance was one of those companies that helped start the off road aftermarket parts industry. They started out as family ran Jeep parts and service business back in 1955 and progressed to their current status as one of the best known 4×4 suspension manufacturers in the world. Originally called Rancho Jeep Supply and ran by father Clarence Shook, the small shop sold Jeep parts, designed many of their own parts and did Jeep build-ups. In the 1970’s, sons Gene and Keith Shook took the reins and Rancho Performance soon became the premier 4×4 suspension company of the time. Then in 1990, automotive parts giant Tenneco purchased the company and has held it since then, slowly growing and changing. Over the 60+ years Rancho has been around, they have seen a lot of changes. You could say that they have been there, done that and unlike so many of the other early day companies, Rancho performance is still around and still going strong. What’s In The Box? The Rancho 2″ kit Suspension Kit comes with variable rate coi...

Bestop Sunrider For Jeep Gladiator JT

10 November 2024

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While the weather outside might be frightful, now is the perfect time to prepare for the sunny days ahead! The easiest way to enjoy the sun in your JT is to just pop the Freedom panels out and store them in the backseat, bed of the truck or at home. This may seem like the best option until a rainstorm pops up out of no where and your panels are in the back of your Gladiator or maybe even left at home. The Bestop Sunrider top is the perfect answer to that problem. It opens in seconds, folds back out of the way when open, so you don’t have to worry about storing any panels and if that sudden rainstorm catches you off guard as it only takes seconds to close. The best thing…. this is a super quick and clean install you can do right in your own driveway or garage. The only tool needed is a T40 Torx bit and a ratchet or driver to run that bit. What’s In The Box: Header and Deck Assembly for the Bestop Sunrider for the Gladiator JT and the Wrangler JL (PN# 52452). Bracket and Hardware kit for the Gladiator JT/Wrangler JL Sunrider top by Bestop. How To Install The Bestop Sunrider: Start out by removing your Freedom panels. Attach the Z-clips on the sides of the deck assembly to the door rails. Installed they sit flush in against the door rails. Align the mounting holes in the door rails to the sides of the Sunrider deck assembly. ...

Warn JL/JT Elite Winch Bumper Install

10 November 2024

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How do you know when it’s time to install a winch and winch bumper on your Jeep? Seriously? You have a Jeep, of course you’re going to put a winch and winch bumper on the front of it and the sooner the better! Most times, its not when you’re going to put one on, it’s which one you’re going to install. With the huge selection of winch bumpers out there, it can sometimes be daunting to chose one. But we decided to make the choice easy, we knew we were going to install a Warn Zeon 10-S, so why not install a matching Warn Elite Front Winch Bumper while we’re at it? Warn has been building winches and winch bumpers for decades and with the recent departure of Superwinch, they are the only high end consumer winch company left. A few months back we did a tour of the Warn factory in Clackamas, OR. That really wetted our appetite to install a few more products from Warn Industries. The Elite series comes in four flavors, the Full Width Elite bumper and the Stubby Elite bumper and then with or without the hoop. They all mount up the same, so it doesn’t matter which one you choose, the mounting is the same. So follow along as we show you the How-To DIY on the Warn Elite bumpers. What We Used: Warn Elite Series Full Width Front Bumper with Tube. Warn Zeon 10-S Winch, 10,000 lbs w/ synthetic line. Removing Factory JL/JT Rubicon Plastic Front Bumper: Start by removing the top side trim piece between the bumper and grille. It is held in place wit...

Upgrade Your Gladiator JT with a Soft Tonneau Cover – Install How-To

10 November 2024

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The great thing about having a truck bed is the ability to carry a ton of stuff in the back of the truck…. the bad is that your gear is left out in the open to prying eyes, inclement weather, and is vulnerable to dust and debris on the trail. One of the quickest and easiest ways to protect the gear in the bed of your Gladiator is a tonneau or bed cover; out of sight, out of mind. Bed covers also keep your items more protected from the weather and trail debris. For our install, we chose to go with a genuine Mopar bed cover on our 2019 Gladiator JT, however there are other great options out there. It fits great, and so far the bed has been fairly protected from the weather. We’ll have to wait until the fall PNW rains start to see how weather protected things really are. What’s In The Box: The Mopar soft cover is a tri-fold and comes in the box already folded in threes. Mopar Soft Cover instructions and hardware kit. As you can see, not too much to it. This will be a quick and easy install. Tools Needed: Utility Knife T30, T50 Torx Bit 3mm Hex Key The How-To: Start out by cutting out the bed rail cut-outs on the inner edge of the Gladiator bed rails. Pro Tip: We used a plastic panel tool to hold the bed rail cap out away from bed rail to keep from cutting into the paint. Once the cut-outs are removed you can access the mounting holes for the Tail Brackets. Install the Tail Bracke...

Rugged Ridge Spartacus HD Tire Carrier Install Guide

10 November 2024

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The rear tailgate hinges on the Wrangler JLs are leaps and bounds better than the older JK model. That said, they still aren’t designed to handle added weight and JL owners can start seeing worn out hinges and bent tailgates as a result of carrying a full-size 37″ or bigger spare tire. To help combat the problem, Rugged Ridge developed the Spartacus HD Tailgate Hinge Assembly and the Spartacus HD Tire Carrier for the 2018+ Wrangler JL. The Tailgate Hinge Assembly is a cast unit that has burly hinges designed to handle the weight of larger spare tires. The HD Tire Carrier is a fabricated welded steel assembly that bolts up to the HD Tailgate Hinge Assembly, replacing the OE plastic tire carrier. Our test mule for today’s install is the 2018 JLU Sahara that belongs to Meg, Northridge4x4’s Customer Service manager. You’ve seen her black Sahara on Northridge Nation before, this is one more step closer to her goal of building a mild, yet capable trail and exploration Wrangler JLU for the family. What’s In The Box? Rugged Ridge HD JL Tailgate Hinge Assembly Rugged Ridge HD JL Tire Carrier Go from this: To this in less than an hour: The How-To: Start out by removing the spare tire from the OE tire carrier. Amazing to see how dirty it can get behind the spare tire. Use a plastic trim tool to pry up the edge of the inner trim panel of the tailgate and continue to work your way across the panel un...

Adams 1350 Extreme-Duty Driveshafts for your Jeep Wrangler - Review & Install

10 November 2024

Blog

Big lift, big tires, big wheeling trips…. you’ve now embraced Jeep life in a BIG way and you are also starting to find parts that are not holding up to all this BIG action. Driveshafts are one of those items that take a lot of abuse, especially if you are running a tall lift. The driveshafts in the Jeep JL, like the previous model JK, use CVs at both ends on the rear driveshaft and at the transfer case end of the front driveshaft. They are a wear item and a weak point in your Jeep’s drivetrain. As you start to lift a Jeep, the CVs are operating at a steeper angle, which will cause the rubber boot to tear, allow water and debris in, causing wear, then vibrations and ultimately failure. In the JKs, it was lifts taller than 3″s and 50-70,000 miles before it started happening. For the JL, typically driveshafts start to become a requirement at or past a 3.5" lift or if your shocks extend longer than 28". However, its never a bad idea to upgrade to heavy-duty driveshafts even if you're running less than 3.5" of lift! The CVs in the Wrangler JLs and JT's have a new, slightly larger CV, but they are still just a simple CV with a rubber boot, which will see the same problems as the older JK CVs. The CV on the left is from a JL with 15K miles on it. The JK CV on the right was ran with a lift and had around 80K miles on it. The boot was severely thrashed, the CV was packed with dirt and it had worn out enough to cause a serious vibration while driving down the r...

A Look Back at The 2012 Jeep JK Arctic Edition

10 November 2024

Blog

Take a Jeep Wrangler Sahara, add on some custom Arctic badges and Yeti footprint decals on it and what do you get? The Jeep Wrangler Arctic edition, an appearance package that was offered only in 2012. Available in Bright White, Winter Chill, or Bright Silver paint only and decked out with black painted Rubicon wheels and tires, this special edition was an appearance option that added $3,000.00 to the price of the Jeep. The 2012 Wrangler Arctic Edition premiere. Yeti Badges, Decals and more: When you think of the Arctic and snow you always end up thinking the Yeti. For the Arctic edition, Jeep paid homage to that big white hairy critter with custom badges and footprint decals on this special edition. This super cool “Yeti” Arctic Badge adorned the front quarter fenders. On the hood and front fender flares you’ll find Yeti footprints. The front seats in the Wrangler Arctic edition even got the Yeti styling with the Arctic Badge stitched in. Along with the badges, the front seats were also equipped with seat heaters to help warm your tush on those cold winter mornings. Covered in black Tectonic fabric with Polar White accents and Orange stitching, these seats were pretty sharp looking. The well appointed Arctic edition interior had the orange accent stitching throughout, including the steering wheel, armrests and console lid. The door t...

S&B Filters Cold Air Kit For JL 2.0 Turbo

10 November 2024

Blog

S&B Filters give the 2.0 Turbos folk some love with the release of their new Cold Air Intake for the 2.0T Wrangler JL. Built to same exacting specs and high quality as their 3.6 Pentastar V-6 CAI kits. The new 2.0T Cold Air Intake kit is quick and super easy to install. You only need a few hand tools and an hour or less of your time. S&B Filters has released two versions. One with an extended-use paper filter and one with a cleanable, reusable cotton filter (pn# 75-5129). We decided to go with the oiled cotton filter for this install. The OE intake flattens out in the center, slowing down incoming air. S&B uses an oversized intake tube that is much larger through the whole run. They picked up 50% better flow than the original air intake system! Just think how much better your turbo could be breathing… *Picture courtesy of S&B filters. What’s In The Box? Tools Needed: Flat Blade Screwdriver 8mm, 10mm Socket Ratchet Extension 10mm Wrench 5/8″, 3/4″ wrench HD Diagonal Cutters Removing The Stock 2.0T Air Intake Assembly: Lets first take a look at the anatomy of the stock Wrangler JL 2.0T Air Intake Assembly. Remove the Christmas tree plug holding the wire harness for the IAT (Intake Air Temp) sensor. You can use a screwdriver or needle nose pliers or a specialty trim tool to pull the clip free. Remove the IAT sensor from the factory intake tube. Twist the sensor counter-cl...

Teraflex Falcon Stabilizer for Jeep JL/JT

09 November 2024

Blog

Adding a lift and bigger tires to your Jeep can start a flurry of upgrades as each item snowballs into the next needed upgrade. One of those is upgrading the factory steering stabilizer to something designed for the added force from bigger tires. Original equipment Jeep steering stabilizers are designed for factory sized tires. When you start lifting your Jeep and going to larger than stock tires, you’ll find that the stock stabilizer is quickly overwhelmed and the shock load dampening can feel weak and loose. TeraFlex offers the Falcon Nexus EF 2.1 and the Falcon Nexus EF 2.2 Fast Adjust steering stabilizers that are a direct bolt-in for the 2019+ JL and JT. The factory JL stabilizer has bushed eyes on each end that bolt into the tie rod assembly on the RH side and the axle mounted bracket on the other side. Any replacement steering dampener needs to either have two eyes on it or an eye on the RH side and an axle mounting bracket on the LH side, which is what the TeraFlex Falcon JL steering stabilizer has. Removing the Stock JL Stabilizer: For both stock and aftermarket tie rods, the first step is to remove the stock stabilizer. The stock JL stabilizer is held in with four (4) bolts. Three bolts securing it to the axle side and one bolt over on the tie rod assembly. Use an 18mm socket to loosen the nut at the tie rod end of the stabilizer. Then use a 18mm wrench on top to hold the bolt while you ratchet o...

Upgrade Your JL/JT with a Rugged Ridge Multi-Mount System

09 November 2024

Blog

The Rugged Ridge Multi-mount system for the 2018+ Wrangler JL is designed to help you keep your electronics at hand in a handy location on your dash. The most obvious use is to hold your phone. We found that it can also be used for smaller hand-held type GPS units and for small sport cameras like a GoPro. Follow along, this is an easy, quick and inexpensive mod for your Jeep. What we used: Rugged Ridge JL Dash Multi-Mount system What is in the Box: Tools Needed: A Phillips screwdriver That’s it, nothing more… Ease of Installation: Two screws, we told you it was an easy install! The How-To: Peel out the OE rubber liner in the JL dash pocket. Use the Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws in the dash pocket. Set the Rugged Ridge Dash Multi-Mount into the dash pocket. Push it down into the pocket. Reinstall the two dash screws in through the holes in the Rugged Ridged multi-mount and tighten. The retaining nut holds the phone holder onto the ball mount. Push the retaining nut over the ball mount. Push the phone mount onto the ball mount. It should snap into place. Slide the retaining nut up and screw onto the phone mount. That’s it, told you this one was simple…. You can adjust the phone mount to have your phone vertical, horizontal or anywhere in between...

Currie Digital EZ Deflator Review and How-To

09 November 2024

Blog

The Currie EZ Deflator with an analog (mechanical gauge) has been around for many years and has been the go-to cool gadget for deflating tires when on the trail. They are quick and easy to use, very reliable and after many years on the market, Currie has decided to update them with a digital gauge. Enter the Currie Digital EZ Deflator Pro (PN#CE-9029PRO) It is second generation to the original EZ Deflator we’ve all come to know and seen used for years. Two major upgrades to the Currie EZ Deflator from the first gen to the second gen. Currie EZ Deflator Improvements: #1) The Valve Core Chamber is longer, allowing the EZ Deflator to fit beadlock wheels with tall rings. #2) They are equipped with a digital gauge for easy read-out. Digital is Less Expensive: The cool thing about today’s digital world…. adding the digital gauge actually dropped the price by a few dollars.That’s right you can now get the new Currie Digital EZ Deflator for less money than the older style deflator with the mechanical gauge. The benefits to the new digital gauge: Backlight – Makes airing down in the dark easy. Tougher – The digital gauge can take more abuse than the mechanical gauge. Being digital, does it have a hard to find, hard to replace battery? That’s a big negatory. The digital gauge is powered by two AAA batteries accessed through the back. That’s right two AAA batteries, super common and inexpensive. So you may be a...

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