Mr. Dick SpeaksI have been an entertained subscriber of Jp since it hit the market. You guys have gone through a lot, but you haven't lost your basic scope - entertainment of the reader.
You can't bat a thousand every issue, granted some issues aren't "memorable." The June '06 issue was not a technical Pulitzer Prize winner, but it was entertaining as hell. Hazel's rendition of a $3,700 Jeep being sold to a self-described poverty victim with a Hemi Durango was simply entertaining. I have pulled this stunt before (I do believe I missed the sick wife thing, though).
The 211/42-ton military truck for $8,500 ("Baddest Jeep Ever") brought back memories of driving one and a M715 in about 1971 for Uncle Sam. Sorry, but I still don't want one.
Anything written by Willie Worthy is worth reading several times. Remember Granville King?
The story about loosening rusted bolts ("Rust Welded") was a good piece. I have used PB Blaster, it's OK, but JB80 is better. The JB80 is hard to find, it's expensive, and it's retailed by Justice Brothers - it's worth every penny. Try some.
Ten ways to tell your Jeep is outdated ("Livin' In The Past") hit too close to home. I loved the comment about the lift kit/deer stand.
Finally, guys, my opinion only, the Ask Bree Three stripper/hooker thing is fun to look at, but it doesn't do much for your publication.
Keep the entertainment coming, and I'll keep subscribing till I'm on fixed income.Mike Dick (not a typo) Via e-mail
Type-O AnswerI am e-mailing you in response to Mr.Drennen's "Type-O" letter in Mailbag (April '06). I have a '95 ZJ with a 4-inch Rock Krawler lift, 31x10.50R15 BFG All-Terrains, K&N cold air intake, swapped-in NP231 transfer case (used to be NP249), and a few other mods. I am working on getting the front driveshaft rebuilt so I can join the Lowcountry Jeep Club here in Charleston, South Carolina, and finally hit the trails. I would really like some front-end protection, though. So if I am the winner of this little contest, I would really appreciate a Trail Ready front bumper. But if that is out of the question, then I will take what you're willing to give me. I found 47 errors in Mr. Drennen's letter.Mike KlineMt. Pleasant, South Carolina
Well Mike, you got the closest. We found a total of 48 errors ... A bumper, ehh? I suppose you could duct tape your new Jp T-shirt up there. Good luck with that.
Whining About HazelI think the "Steal-J" (June '06) article was titled wrong. It should have read, "How to Be a Weasel and Score a Jeep." The only thing that didn't surprise me was Chrisboy didn't offer himself or his wife to the guy to get that real fine ride. He sure was proud of his extreme weaselness. If Chrisboy came to my place and began weaseling like he did, he would have gotten a quick kick in his weasel ass and sent home to his pretty wife, so she could tell him, "It's OK, weaselboy, you already have enough Jeeps. Now get outside and wax my $40,000 Hemi Durango, or I'll kick your weasel ass too!"
Hey Chrisboy, here's a bulletin for you. That $40,000 Dodge is worth about $25,000 now (that's if it has less than 15,000 miles on it). Come on, guys, you can do better than this kind of drivel. Real Jeep enthusiasts have more integrity in their glovebox than Chrisboy has in his Jeep-filled garage. Forget karma, weaseldog, it's more about how your head hits the pillow at night.Mike GillernFort Myers, Florida
Butt-Hurt About Steal-JIt is with total disgust that I am forced to respond to the quality of the article "Steal-J." I do not believe "lie and cheat" to be options. If we don't have integrity, we have nothing. I've enjoyed Christian's articles, for the most part, but this one gives insight into a disgusting individual that gives all Jeepers a black eye. What happened to looking a man in the eye and sealing the deal with a handshake? I have no qualms about showing up with a wad of cash and letting the money talk. I do have a problem with being a total punk and lying and cheating and bragging about it! If you need to stoop this low for readers, then you have lost me.Mike BrewingtonVia e-mail
Bitch and MoanI discovered your magazine last weekend and was eager to read it because I am restoring a vintage Jeep. As I read Christian Hazel's article ("Steal-J"), I learned only that he succeeded in taking an informative and resourceful Jeep magazine and quickly turned it into a high school student publication, if only measured by his article. Sad.
Working hard to get a great deal or "a steal" is commendable. Repeatedly lying and demeaning another in the process speaks of poor character and weak personal credibility. Lying to get a deal is suspect, but all the boasting and cynicism completely draws the reader away from useful information while setting the magazine apart, in a poor manner, from other professional publications.
Some examples:* Insisting he e-mailed right from the start as a way of "starting slowly."
* Proudly stating he did not listen to the seller's answers on the small talk.
* Telling the seller his wife drives a crappy minivan when she actually drives a $40,000 Hemi Durango.
* Claiming he wants to save his wife's lousy holiday season. "She got everything on her Christmas list and then some." How impressive.
* Offering to pick up medication for the seller and then telling the readers he hadn't bothered to pick it up after loading the Jeep.
* Contemplating charging the seller a couple hundred dollars to return the $400 cell phone.
* For whatever reason, he closes with a reminder of his wife's $40,000 SUV with new information on a "pert and pretty" wife. Now I'm impressed.
Even if there is no thing such as karma, there is a more important and certain daily power: personal integrity and character.Teige McShaneOrlando, Florida
Crying CarlYou have an opportunity to produce a really good magazine, but unfortunately you miss the mark by printing articles such as "Steal-J" by Christian Hazel. Why do you allow this kind of crap in your magazine? He states in his article, "Fair is for fairies." How about lying is for losers or cheating is for cretins. This guy actually seems proud of the fact that he is a liar, a cheat, and an overall jerk. In the article he complains about scammers on eBay. Is he any better? I think not.
The end doesn't justify the means when the cost is your honor and self respect. Of course, he probably lost that a long time ago.
I sincerely hope there is such a thing as karma. I know this doesn't matter to you, but I will not renew my subscription to your rag.Carl GilbertVia e-mail
Now, let's see. I gave the seller every penny he was asking for the Jeep. That's right. Full asking price, despite the fact the interior was a total throwaway, the top was a throwaway, the A/C didn't work, the turn signals and brake lights were inoperable, one headlight was out, and the rear axle was completely destroyed. How did I rip him off? Not only did I overlook all of those items, I smogged the Jeep myself and got it to pass inspection so the sale could go through, despite the fact that in California the seller is responsible for getting the Jeep ready for the smog inspection, which would have included rebuilding the rear axle ($750 minimum), replacing the turn signal multi-switch ($80), and the headlight ($10). I also paid the back registration because the bonehead had let it lapse - again, that's his responsibility. Technically, I did him a favor. The only thing I may be guilty of is taking steps to ensure I was gonna be the buyer of this Jeep and not some other yahoo.
As for the story and how it was written, apparently some people have never heard of a little thing called humor. I pity them. What shallow, unhappy lives they must live. For them I submit the following amended version: I saw a Jeep for sale and persevered until I was able to buy it. The end.Tech Editor, Christian Hazel
OD Road TripI read your article on the deuce ("Baddest Jeep Ever," June '06). Yes, they can be fun to drive. I have had an M35A3 up to 65 mph or so on the open road in the mountains of New Hampshire (on the downhill side, specifically). The guys with me were nervous, but they tend to worry a lot. It is not often that you look down on a moose from the driver's seat. Anyway, your idea of taking deuces across the Rubicon is a great one. Now, since it is always best to go with at least one other vehicle that can assist with recovery, you will need a partner.John BrennanLebanon, New Hampshire
Hmmm, how about an OD Road Trip open to all military vehicles instead? Tell us about your rig if you're interested in tagging along on a West Coast Olive Drab on- and off-road trip. Your vehicle must either be a real discharged military rig or still in the military, if you can swing that past your commanding officer. At the very least it should be painted Olive Drab, Battleship Gray, desert or snow camo, and so on. Flat black or gray primer don't cut it. Send info and pics to Jp Magazine, OD Road Trip, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048 or e-mail john.cappa@primedia.com with OD Road Trip in the subject line.
Jp Loves LandWow, your May '06 editorial (Trail Head) sure described how many Californians feel today! Great job. While your rant may have held just a few exaggerations (smile), your point was well taken. The radical excessiveness of some special interest groups has caused California to become a ridiculous place to live by some standards. Our only hope is to stay involved in the process, especially as it relates to our beloved Jeeps and four-wheeling experiences. Groups like the BlueRibbon Coalition (www.sharetrails.org) and the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs (www.cal4wheel.com) are still fighting for us here in California. I tell folks to join these groups and to help with at least that much of the fight. It's a start. I know you remind your readers often to do the same, and I want you to know we appreciate that. Jp Magazine is helping us keep our lands and trails open by doing that. Thank you.Del AlbrightBlueRibbon Coalition 4WD Ambassadorwww.delalbright.com
Bree's Belated Anniversary LetterI'm writing this e-mail to tell you how much we used to love Jp Magazine. Our lives revolve around the Jeep. I love Jeeps, am married to a Jeepaholic, and am the mother of four little gearhead boys. Every other word my three-year-old says is rockcrawler. Those boys will be the rockcrawler builders of the future. When your magazine would come, all the boys would get together with their dad and look at all the great pictures in your magazine and make plans for the Jeep/rockcrawler he's building. I hope to someday see that Jeep in a four-wheel drive magazine, but not particularly in yours now that your magazine is nothing but a poor excuse for Playboy that includes a few cool Jeeps - it is on the bottom of the pile!
Fortunately, the subscription runs out this month, and I will no longer have to worry that my kids choose the Jp out of the four other off-road magazines we receive. It's too bad when a great magazine has to become a dirty secret in our house. It's not worth the worry. If your readers want Bree in there, then they can have her. If you ever get rid of her, let me know and we'll renew and maybe even give you a picture of our Jeep when it's finished so you'll have something decent to print!Leah SloanVia e-mail
We're Lonely. Please Send Us Letters!Apparently we've scared off all of our pen pals. How come no one writes us anymore? We'd really like some friends. Tell us we suck. Tell us Christian Hazel should wear a wig you made from tennis-ball fur. Tell us to do an all-Bree bikini issue. Tell us anything; we're desperate for attention! Write to Jp Magazine, Be John's Pen Pal, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048 or e-mail john.cappa@primedia.com.