She Gets Dr. Vern
Have to give an extra mention to Dr. Vern's column this month about the Mystery behind battle of the sexes (May 2008). I loved the story! It made me think about myself growing up and my Dad doing his best to get me into dresses and out of the garage. The Jeep bug hit me early and I haven't shaken it since. My childhood toys were Jeeps, and I read Chilton repair manuals with my Dad. I've had five Jeeps in my life so far, and maybe two dresses. One day, when I have children, I hope I can find the balance that Dr. Vern was talking about it. Jeeps and dresses, and maybe a little Victoria's secret! Awesome story that put a big smile on my face!
I've attached a couple of pictures. A fun day spent playing in puddles.Gabriela SladkovaCalgary, Alberta
Strap On
Hazel's Hi-Lift Hi-Jinx tips were great, especially the tenth one. Last but not least, strap or bolt it down! I survived a rollover crash by the highway with a 60-inch all-cast Hi-Lift lying across the tailgate area of my Cherokee. Fortunately the jack decided to hurl itself out the back instead of the front, ripping right through the C pillar instead of my head. I also had my 5-pound steel hitch receiver lying on the front seat. I don't know how that one missed me, but I'll be sure to strap that one down too. I came out with only some minor scratches from all the glass. The Cherokee was still running, but was missing a wheel, the roof was crushed in, all the windows were out, and the driver's seat ripped out of the floorboard laying me on my back. Sorry I can't find my pictures. Now I have a Wrangler and the Hi-Lift is bolted to the front bumper. Maybe Bree could come back and give us some instructions on strapping things down?Poole, ChadFlowery Branch, GA
At-Home Onboard Air
I want to start off by saying what a great job all you guys do. Jp is definitely my favorite magazine. There is one thing though. Could you do a few more write ups on YJ's? I have a '94 YJ but there is never a lot of info just for YJs like for TJs. I know you and most Jeepers are always trying to do things for cheap, and after the write-up on the tire deflators ("Drop Em'", Sept. '08), I though I would give an idea of mine. As with all Jeeps, I needed a way to air up my tires after airing down for the trail. I really liked the engine-driven compressors, but the price is way too much for a college student like myself. I had an A/C system that leaked out of every possible hose and I didn't have the time to fix it myself or the money to have it fixed. I decided to try and convert it to an onboard air system. Using the diagram from Kilby's website (kilbyenterprises.com), I pieced together a system. There's a filter for a paint gun and an inline oiler on the compressor intake and on the output is a moisture trap and a manifold with a blow-off valve. The air passes into small copper tube for durability and ease of bending to a shut-off valve that can isolate the tank from the compressor and another manifold. This has another blow-off valve, a pressure gauge, two air chucks and then input into a 5-gallon tank. This is all activated by a switch wired to the compressor clutch. Most of the parts and fittings are from Tractor Supply including the tank. What you end up with is a simple and easy to use onboard air system that will fill a 33-inch tire in less than two minutes. It will fill the tank to 125 psi in about two minutes as well, all for around 150 bucks. Thanks again for the great magazine.Grant RuddWichita, KS
Fire-Fighter Approved
I just got the August '08 issue, sitting at work, reading when I should be earning my paycheck. I came across the section labeled as "Trail Tools Blowout". At the bottom you list the TNT 4-in-1 tool as a great buy and that it's been tested in Iraq. I'll tell you that it is a great tool and will stand up to even the worst conditions. I'm a firefighter, and these tools have been used in the fire service for years. Just clean the crud off of 'em and you're good to go for the next one! If you ever find the need, you could also use a Halligan bar, which combines a prying fork on one end with an adze and a pick point at the other. We usually carry the tools together, "married" into a "set of irons".Adam BrautiganWarrington, PA
Write Us!
Got a question or comment about Jp magazine or the village idiots at the helm? Drop us a line. Don't forget to include your full name and where you're from or we'll make fun of you. Actually, we may make fun of you anyway. Keep it short and to the point or we'll hack and chop your letter as we please. We get a lot of mail, but we read every letter. Unfortunately, we can't print or personally answer every request. We're too busy surfing the Internet on the company dime. Digital images should be no less than 1,600x1,200 pixels (or 2 megapixels) and should be saved as a .tiff, an .eps, or the maximum-quality .jpeg file.
Write to:
Jp Magazine Editor6420 Wilshire Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90048E-mail to:john.cappa@jpmagazine.com