A lift kit is a set of parts that raises a vehicle higher off the ground. People usually do it to fit bigger tires or to make the car better for rough roads.
A full-size spare is a spare tire that’s basically the same size as your regular tires. That means it’s usually safer and easier to drive on than the smaller temporary spare.
They’re talking about getting a spare wheel that matches the other wheels you bought. It’s easy to buy four at once, but the exact same one can be hard to find later.
JKS suspension means aftermarket suspension parts from a company called JKS. People upgrade it to help the Jeep handle rough roads better and often to get a little more ground clearance.
A “fifth full size tire” means the spare is a normal full-size tire, not a small emergency-only one. That makes it easier to keep the vehicle behaving normally if you have a flat.
“OE” means it’s like the factory wheel. A “20 inch aluminum wheel” is a larger wheel made of aluminum, and that size can be harder to match with a spare.
The Jeep Wrangler is Jeep’s off-road SUV. They’re contrasting how Wrangler owners typically handle tire rotation with how the Gladiator’s spare tire is set up.
“Five tire rotation” means you rotate all five tires, including the spare, so they wear more evenly. Some Jeeps are set up for that, but others aren’t.
A transmission build means rebuilding the gearbox inside the car. The shop takes it apart, checks parts, replaces what’s worn, and puts it back together so it shifts correctly.
“T176” is the name of a specific Jeep transmission type. Different versions made in different years can use different parts, so what’s available (or fits) can vary.
Synchronizers are parts inside the transmission that help gears engage smoothly. If there’s a tolerance problem, it can prevent the gears from lining up correctly, which can cause rough shifting.
A “tolerance issue” means a part’s measurements are slightly off from what the transmission needs. That can lead to parts not fitting right or not working as intended.
If the transmission can’t fully disengage, it may act like it’s still in gear even when the shifter is in neutral. That can cause shifting problems and odd driving behavior.
“Leak-free” means you’re trying to stop oil or other fluids from seeping out. It usually takes careful reassembly and new seals so everything seals properly.
A gasket kit is a set of replacement gaskets used when reassembling an engine or transmission to restore sealing. Using a new gasket kit matters because old gaskets can compress or deform, leading to leaks after reassembly.
A bench test means checking a part while it’s out of the Jeep, on a workbench. It’s a way to make sure the fix actually worked before you put everything back.
The Jeep CJ-5 is an older Jeep model that a lot of people restore and modify. They’re using it as an example while talking about what DIYers often get wrong.
Brand
Quadra Tech
Quadra Tech is another company name tied to Jeep parts. They’re bringing it up because people were criticizing where they got parts or how things turned out.
Brand
Quadra Trek
Quadra Trek is a name people associate with Jeep parts or accessories. The discussion here is about what customers experienced and why some people were upset.
A reseller is a company that sells items made by someone else. The host is saying that if a reseller just repackages and sells the product, the quality may depend on the original manufacturer.
This is talking about a clear roof/cover accessory—either made of glass or plastic. The host thinks the plastic version was too thin and didn’t perform the way the buyer expected.
Extreme Terrain is a company that sells Jeep aftermarket parts. The hosts are talking about how their customer service works and how it relates to the parts people buy.
Barricade is a brand that makes Jeep accessories like bumpers. The speaker is saying it’s usually the cheaper option people choose when they want the look or function without paying top dollar.
Brand
tactic wheels
The host mentions “Tactic” as a wheel brand. They’re using it as an example of the different aftermarket brands people might be buying through the same retailer.
Walmart is being used as a metaphor for a cheaper, value-focused option. The host is comparing that idea to how certain Jeep parts brands are marketed.
Amazon is mentioned as an alternative place someone could have bought parts, but the speaker emphasizes the customer bought from a Jeep supplier instead. This highlights how the retailer/source can matter in customer expectations and support.
Term
value brand product
A “value brand” is basically the cheaper version of a product line. People choose it to save money, but the quality or support can be different than the more expensive options.
Synchros help the transmission smoothly switch gears by getting the gears spinning at the right speed. If the synchros are worn, shifting can feel rough or may grind.
“Cores” are the old, used parts they collect so they can rebuild them. If they have enough cores, they can keep rebuilding and sending out replacements.
Concept
used part sales game
They’re talking about selling used parts to customers. They’re saying they stopped because the used parts weren’t consistent enough to guarantee correct fitment.
A “reproduction part” is a brand-new part made to copy an older factory part. They’re saying they check whether it matches the original so it will fit correctly.
“Thread pitch” means how closely the ridges on a bolt or screw are spaced. If it’s slightly different, the bolt may not screw in right or may not hold securely.
Alibaba is a website where you can buy products from many different sellers, often directly. The comment suggests skipping middlemen/resellers to try to save money.
They’re talking about hookroad.com, a company that sells aftermarket parts for Jeeps. The discussion compares it to other aftermarket brands and focuses on quality and customer support.
Rough Country is a company that makes aftermarket off-road parts for vehicles like Jeeps. The hosts are comparing how Rough Country’s quality and customer support stack up against Hook.
In the episode, EAG is a shorthand for a Jeep parts seller/brand. They say it stands for “E-Commerce,” meaning it’s connected to selling parts through online channels.
Term
JK
“JK” is Jeep-speak for a specific Wrangler generation. The hosts are saying that when that Wrangler was popular, more aftermarket Jeep parts businesses had a chance to sell a lot.
Term
EconX container
They’re describing how the parts were made overseas and shipped in a container before being sold. It’s basically the shipping step in getting aftermarket parts to the market.
Term
OPAR
OPAR is mentioned like a specific Jeep parts brand or product. The speaker doesn’t fully explain what it stands for here, but they’re saying it was interesting.
A lift raises the car. A 3.5-inch lift is a pretty noticeable height increase, which can change how the Jeep fits tires and how it drives.
Term
manufacturer quality issue
This means the problem likely came from the way the part was made, not from something the owner did wrong. The goal is to get the maker to fix it.
Term
drop ship
“Drop ship” means the product ships straight from the supplier to the buyer, rather than sitting in a middle warehouse. The point is that the maker may not notice problems quickly.
A “dyno shop” is where they test an engine on a machine that measures how much power it makes. It’s commonly used to tune the car so it runs better.
Term
AMC bell
A bellhousing is the part that bolts the engine to the transmission. Saying “AMC bell” means they used a specific bellhousing style/part to make the Turbo 400 fit correctly.
Valve seals help keep engine oil where it belongs. If they wear out, oil can leak into the engine and burn, which can cause bad smells and smoke.
Term
exhaust collector
The exhaust collector is where exhaust gases come together on their way out of the car. If it’s not sealing or flowing right, you can get fumes/smells and the engine may not run as smoothly.
Motor mounts hold the engine in place and help reduce shaking. If they’re worn out, the engine can move more than it should and the car can feel rough.
The transfer case sends power to the front and rear wheels on 4x4 trucks. A part-time setup lets you use 2WD most of the time and switch to 4WD when you need it.
“Bone stock” means the Jeep is basically as it came from the factory, with no big upgrades. They’re saying this one isn’t being turned into a custom swap build.
The upper radiator hose is a rubber hose that moves coolant to help the engine stay cool. If it comes loose, coolant can leak out and the engine can overheat.
A misfire is when a cylinder doesn’t fire properly, so the engine runs rough or loses power. They’re saying the cylinder misfire matched what they found inside.
Spark plugs are the small parts that create the spark to start combustion in each cylinder. If they’re damaged, the engine can misfire and run poorly, and it may point to a bigger problem.
On a spark plug, the electrodes are the parts that actually make the spark. If they’re broken or bent, the engine may not ignite fuel properly.
Part
filter
A filter is there to catch dirt so it doesn’t damage the engine. If a filter gets “plugged,” fluid can’t flow well, and that can cause serious engine problems.
Concept
fly-by-night guys
“Fly-by-night” is a way of saying someone is sketchy and not trustworthy. In car terms, it usually means they try to hide a real problem instead of fixing it correctly.
This is a described “old school” scam where sawdust is added to absorb oil and temporarily quiet engine noise. It doesn’t fix the underlying bearing or lubrication damage and can make the situation worse over time.
Rod bearings are small bearing surfaces that help the crankshaft and connecting rods move smoothly. If they wear out, the engine can start knocking and may suffer major damage.
These are shops that rebuild old engines so they work like new. They usually inspect and replace worn internal parts, rather than just selling a used engine as-is.
A salvage Jeep is a car that was written off after damage. If you buy parts or an engine from it, you may save money, but you often don’t know how the engine was treated before.
They’re mentioning Chrysler because the engine has guidance from the manufacturer. The point is that Chrysler expects certain failures can happen and tells you what should be replaced.
This means the engine has suffered a major failure. Once it gets to that point, the damage can be so bad that the right fix is often to replace parts (or the engine) rather than trying to patch it.
They’re describing how older engines might get worse over time until they seize and stop. Newer engines may fail suddenly, so you might not get as much warning.
When a car detects a problem, it stores a code in its computer. “Clearing the codes” wipes those stored warnings, but if the problem is still happening, the light can come back.
Term
f-head motor
An F-head is an older engine design where the valves and combustion chamber are set up differently than modern engines. It matters because it affects how the engine breathes and how it’s built or repaired.
A carburetor is the part that mixes fuel and air for the engine. If it’s not working right, the engine may run rough or refuse to start, so mechanics often check it first.
Term
f head l head situation
“F-head” and “L-head” describe different flathead-style cylinder head designs used on older engines. They’re mentioned because oiling and timing layouts can differ, affecting how systems like the oil pump are driven and why timing matters for lubrication.
On older engines, the distributor is like a switch that sends spark to the right spark plug at the right time. If it’s put in wrong or timed wrong, the engine can start firing in the wrong order and run poorly.
The engine is supposed to spark in a specific cylinder order. Here, it’s sparking the wrong cylinder (#4 instead of #1), which usually means something is installed or timed incorrectly.
The hosts are describing a troubleshooting strategy: when multiple shops have “layered” fixes on top of an initial mistake, the best approach is to identify and correct the original root cause. Otherwise, later repairs can mask the real issue and create additional problems.
Term
3b
“3B” sounds like a nickname or code for a particular engine setup. The speaker is using it to talk about which engine/head version someone has.
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car built for fast driving and performance. People who like Corvettes often form strong communities around the model. It’s mentioned because it’s a well-known car that many enthusiasts talk about together.
They’re saying the Jeep’s engine design is based on something much older—like ideas from the 1920s. The point is that this Jeep kept using an old-school approach longer than other cars.
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer is a big Jeep SUV. The hosts are using it as an example of a time when Jeep still used older engine tech while other brands had switched to newer systems.
“Carbureted” means the engine uses a carburetor to blend fuel and air. It’s an older style of fuel system, and it usually needs more careful tuning as parts wear out.
A “4x4 shop” is a repair shop that mainly works on four-wheel-drive vehicles. The point here is that even specialists may not know every old or unusual setup they see.
An engine builder is a specialist who rebuilds an engine’s internal parts. The hosts are saying that a good one is more likely to know what to do when a normal shop might not.
“Hemmies” is a common enthusiast nickname for Chrysler HEMI engines, known for their hemispherical combustion chambers. The hosts use it as shorthand for people who work on or talk about these engines, and they’re saying not everyone knows the older head-layout terminology.
Right-hand drive just means the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. That can make repairs and wiring more complicated because the layout and parts may be different than the left-hand-drive versions most people are used to.
Charging the batteries means topping up the car’s electrical power before you try to start or test things. It helps avoid weird electrical errors that can happen when the battery is weak.
Beadlocks are special off-road wheels that grip the tire more tightly. That helps the tire stay put when you air down for rough terrain, and KMC is the wheel brand they’re using.
“37s” means tires that are about 37 inches tall. Bigger tires can help the vehicle handle rough trails, but they’re also heavier and may need extra clearance.
Fender flares are add-on pieces around the wheel area. They help cover wider tires and protect the body from dirt and rocks.
Term
standard maintenance
“Standard maintenance” is the regular upkeep a vehicle needs to stay reliable. Think routine checks and servicing of common wear parts, not big upgrades.
Term
Crawlover
“Crawlover” sounds like a specific off-road-focused evaluation or build category. They’re using it to describe what the vehicle needs for crawling use and to give a straight assessment.
They want an outside opinion that isn’t influenced by what someone else might have done. The assessment is based on what they can see and measure, not on assumptions.
They’re describing an inspection like “detective work” for a Jeep. Instead of guessing what was done before, they look at what’s going on now and what needs fixing.
“Automatic” means the Jeep changes gears by itself. That matters because if you want a different driving feel (like a manual), you may need to replace parts or choose a different Jeep.
The “drivetrain” is everything that helps power get from the engine to the wheels. They’re saying they want those main parts to be in good shape before they start modifying.
“Axles” are the parts that connect the wheels to the drivetrain. If they’re changing them, it usually means upgrading for durability or better off-road capability.
“Suspension” is what helps the Jeep ride over bumps and keeps the wheels in contact with the ground. If they’re changing it, they’re likely improving off-road handling or preparing for other upgrades.
An auction is a place where cars get sold to the highest bidder. They’re guessing the Jeep was sold quickly and then sent to an auction channel.
Concept
44s or or better, you know jk 44 axel swap project
They’re talking about a Jeep project where they plan to upgrade the axle setup so the Jeep can run bigger off-road tires. An “axle swap” means replacing the axle parts to handle tougher driving and bigger wheels/tires.
Concept
long armed
“Long armed” usually means the Jeep’s suspension has been modified with longer parts. That helps the wheels move more over bumps and uneven ground, which is useful for off-roading.
“General maintenance” means the regular stuff you do to keep a car running well. It’s not a big repair—more like checking and replacing parts that wear out over time.
“Bolt” here appears to refer to a specific fastener/part (a bolt) used in the repair or installation. The speaker says they “ordered the wrong part,” implying the bolt/fastener they needed didn’t match what they bought, which then prevented proper reassembly.
“Wrong part” means the component ordered doesn’t match the vehicle or the intended job (wrong size, type, or application). The speaker highlights that this is a common DIY failure mode: once the wrong part is installed or attempted, you end up needing extra time to fix it.
Term
expeditious service
This just means “fast service.” The idea is that a shop can usually get the job done sooner than waiting around for parts and fitting it into your schedule.
Term
drag took something apart
This phrase describes repeated disassembly during a repair—taking things apart to correct a mistake. The speaker’s point is that when the wrong part or incorrect installation happens, the job often turns into a cycle of teardown and reassembly.
“Vintage vehicles” here refers to older Jeep models being restored and maintained as collector or enthusiast cars. Restoring vintage vehicles often involves sourcing period-correct parts and dealing with prior modifications or inconsistent repairs.
The master cylinder is the part that creates the pressure for your brakes when you step on the pedal. If it’s not working right, the brakes won’t stop as strongly as they should.
“Front end” means the parts at the front of the vehicle that help the wheels steer and handle. If it’s not set up right, the car can feel off and braking can be less effective.
The Acura CL is a luxury coupe, which means it’s a smaller car with a two-door body and a focus on comfort. The episode mentions it in connection with front-end checks—like making sure parts are installed and adjusted correctly. That’s important because front-end issues can affect how the car drives.
A full rewire means replacing much or all of a vehicle’s wiring harness and electrical connections. On vintage vehicles, rewiring is often done to fix recurring electrical faults, but it must be done carefully to avoid shorts and overheating.
The Jeep Wrangler is an off-road SUV made to handle rough terrain. The episode specifically mentions a 2001 TJ Wrangler, which is an older version of the Wrangler. People talk about it because it’s a well-known model in the Wrangler lineup and is often associated with trail driving.
Term
jeep beach
“Jeep Beach” is a Jeep fan event where owners get together. It’s basically a community meet-up rather than something built into a Jeep.
Here, “modified” means the vehicle has been changed from how it left the factory. The idea is that the owner likes to personalize it instead of leaving it alone.
Concept
make financial sense
They’re basically asking whether the project is worth the money. Sometimes it doesn’t pay off financially, but people still do it because they enjoy it.
A restoration project is when someone brings an older vehicle back to a really good condition. It usually takes a lot of work and money, so it’s more about the love of the car than saving money.
A “Jeep build” is when someone takes a Jeep and modifies it—like adding upgrades or changing parts—to make it do what they want. The hosts are saying they get to work on those custom projects for customers.
Concept
soft pennies
They’re using a funny phrase (“soft pennies”) to talk about money/value in a casual way. It sounds like they mean the payoff from doing builds and keeping customers happy.
A side-by-side is a rugged off-road vehicle with seats next to each other. People use it on trails or around property, and it’s built for rough ground.
Dana Spicer is a company name that makes drivetrain parts, especially for axles. If you see it mentioned with axle parts, it usually means those parts came from that supplier.
The Ford Ranger is a pickup truck, meaning it has a cargo bed for hauling things. It’s built to be useful for work or everyday tasks. In this episode, it’s mentioned as part of a playful reference rather than a detailed car review.
LIVE
SFJ 4x4 Studios presents
In my oversized four-wheel drive Jeep
A Jeep podcast starring industry experts
Cure monocity
What? Say that again!
With mad scientist Scott Brown
I use my drill press as a sort of lathe
Our host, Neil Simpson
If one light goes on they all go out
Phil Bruce Shenanigans
We are really professional with Jeeps
This is I Speak Jeep
SFJ 4x4 Studios presents
In my oversized four-wheel drive Jeep
A Jeep podcast starring industry experts
Cure monocity
What? Say that again!
With mad scientist Scott Brown
I use my drill press as a sort of lathe
Our host, Neil Simpson
If one light goes on they all go out
Phil Bruce Shenanigans
We are really professional with Jeeps
This is I Speak Jeep
Good morning, afternoon, evening, wherever, however you are joining us
This is the I Speak Jeep podcast presented by SFJ4x4.com
My name is Neil and I am joined in Grandma's couch studio
Right, that producer guy over there
The Italian Stallion here this week, not last week
Obviously with our sweet sound effects and transitions ourselves
Yes
I had the goat last week though
Nice
So you're learning
Yeah
And then we've got the maddest mad scientist
Scott Brown sitting on the other couch over there all by his own sum
We need a guest over there sooner than later
I think we just got a giant stuffed animal for him to snuggle
I got my lion
I know, I know there's significance to that pillow
There is, everything in here
Actually on that particular couch
Scott posted a picture on our socials this weekend
I have a sitting right here too
Yeah, you are
Yeah, if you didn't see it
That is Scott's spot
I encourage you guys to go and check it out
It's so awesome
It's an 11 or 12 year old picture of you and I on that particular couch
And Scott's couch though
If you're unfamiliar with our studio because you're only ever listening in your ears
Which we really do appreciate
That's the vast majority of you
It's before the couch got its lift kit
That is, before that seat got a lift kit
So quite literally just as a refresher
The couch that I'm on is literally out of my grandmother's house
And has some significance as far as nostalgia
And a gift that my dad had done and blah blah blah
And then the couch or seat that Scott is on is quite literally the back seat out of a Cherokee chief
That Greg did arts and crafts on and gave it a lift kit
After the picture he's talking about
After the picture
And that picture is just so epic because it's you and I at the very earliest era of this business full time
We had been in part time for some years at that point
But this business full time
And we had our one year old boys or less than one year old boys
They were pretty small
They were very small, definitely not that small now
Definitely people encourage a recreating that photo and I'm here for it
You should
I'm here for it
Look at my lap of pep talk
Listen to you
That would be a fun Saturday gig
I would
And not only did the kids grow up but the couch grew up so
Aw
Wow
I'm so glad Jeff's back
I knew you missed me
Uh huh
So in the comments Nate is first and he says good morning if you're near Mesquite, Nevada
Come see us on May 2nd and 3rd for Trail Hero X
Guided trail rides, meet and greets, etc
That is pretty cool
If Nate, if you have a chance to go out and see Nate, you should definitely do that
Jeanie says good morning
Morgan, yeah Daddy Jeep says good morning guys
And Crittle and Jeepers, morning fellas and Jigga Jeepers, good morning
Good morning, good morning to everyone
And those of you who are listening at a later date
Understand that you too can get involved just about every Monday morning
You can jump into the comments as you see fit
You can jump online via the YouTube's or the Facebook's
And you know fall along, hang out, comment
You know just in general get involved in the process and we do appreciate that
Today
You know I thought it was interesting
I was talking to one of our customers
And for the life of me I actually don't exactly recall where the brain child came from
But
A conversation to expand upon
The number of projects or vehicles that are under our care at any given time
But explicitly right here and now
Meaning a lot of folks are used to our Tuesday updates
Where they get a brief look into all the Jeeps that are on property
And a number of the projects and the processes that we apply to it
Which if you're not aware, that's a good way for you to come in and kind of see
Say your state's away from our physical location
You can tune in on Facebook Tuesday lives
It has been a little more shaky since Jeff's predisposed in other places
Because now he's up to me and Neil and we are busy and we forget things
But we do our best and sometimes on Wednesday to do this update
And we will go through what is currently getting worked on on the shop
So if you want to see like cool builds and cool process of what we're doing
You can tune in and do that
Right, and you get to see some updates
And while I try to periodically give a call
And when Jeff was here in his full-time capacity
He would do a call and just kind of a friendly update
Likewise, if you are a more longitudinal build
You might get assigned a photo album
It's again something kind of unique that our long-term project customers
Or if you're just a longitudinal customer
You might have a photo album
If you're just in for some rudimentary
Even if you're just in for some rudimentary services
You still might just get a photo album and an update there
And so while those things are normal enough for us
Doing the Tuesday updates kind of this is that further extra act of transparency
And the ability to just kind of share like
Hey, this is Scott uses the term sprinkling
He'll try to sprinkle himself
Greg really likes to do dedicated project work
The biggest challenge is constantly parts logistics and flow
That's he's got a great great great mindset in that now
I say all of that to kind of contextualize a little bit of a it's always
It's your perspective more so and your priority more so than
Hey, um, you know, I've just got I'm independently wealthy and I'm just going to make it rain
That's pretty uncommon in the jeep community. Yes. Um
But recently enough and this is as I as I look forward to our you know performance side projects
We do have a customer coming in who is ready to rebuild
their
Old jeep. Yes, and this hurt me and uh and they're they too have a great attitude and perspective
Uh, and and they're going to do a little bit of modifying in the process
The way you said old jeep. I'm very scared same conversation
Uh as james was right it owes them nothing. They have some nostalgia. It's not going to make financial sense to the average bear
It's going to be a first time we're restoring. It's a restoration project. Oh, no
Oh, no a jk on a jk. Oh, there it is
Wait, wait, what year jk? Well, what year jeff? You throw me a throw me a bone here
I'm gonna go with a 15. Uh, you know what? I I knew you're gonna do that. So
As the most produced. Well, it's
2011 I was gonna say the 15 is the one we had all the trouble with and totes totes my goats
But an 11. All right
2011 a little bit older
Restoration ready to do a a full jeep restoration
I would like to do as you as you had kind of mentioned some hot rotting
They recognize that it's not going to make sense a little bit like harley for the braids who was just in recently
It doesn't have to make sense to your friends. All right, you know what I mean? It makes sense to you
And uh, and I suppose I I leave our listening audience on that note
This was and I want to point out that jerry goes, uh, sounds like the dance card is full for big projects at sfj for the next year
Um, it is and I think that uh with that I do need to
Make a a further public declaration and obviously on air
Not quite, you know two months ago or so jeffrey said he was stepping away from the business to pursue his dreams full time and and so his
Um, so his full time residency here at sfj was had come to an end
Um, but jeff's a little bit like a rash. It's hard to get rid of him. So he's
Ah
Wow
He hasn't had that love for a while
I know
That's so true
And I didn't have to be the one to bring it up
All right, guys, let's see how you really feel. Oh, I mean, I don't have to come back and you know, listen
Listen, how is this? This is no different than when you've been
Gamefully employed in full time for five years. I I know when when the term dj doesn't mean disc jockey anymore
Or when and when your employer lovingly refers to as a cockroach
That's that too
Weirdest nickname I've ever got
Any who's uh, it is with uh, a really really heavy heart that I announced that
um, but I obviously wish him the best that uh
Davey the savage thompson our media marketing specialist who has you know, been so vital in the
I'm a growth of I'm gonna use the term he hates our cameraman
Yes way way so much more than than just a cameraman way more than that. Um, he too has been uh, inspired
uh to to kind of chase his dreams and and he has headed off to
Kind of to pave his own road and do
You know some sports photography videography full time under his own
And under his own direction. So this will be his last time with us. So, um
Should have made him get up get on your air for this
Yeah, right couldn't get him on air when he was actually collecting the paycheck
I don't he's he's leaving. He's definitely not coming on here. You know should have been like, nope
You're required to at least come on and say goodbye. Right, right. So
Um, you know, so, you know, it's been a fantastic five years and you know, obviously Jeff and Davey leaving at the same
So Jeff leaving left a gap
massive for our just day-to-day operations and
Uh, the savage, you know, I think that means he misses you Jeff. I do miss Jeffrey
Well, you know, the savage was kind of having to pick up some of the pieces that I left picked up
Yeah, I picked up a in that very short interim, you know, did a lot of phone calls answering calling people back even
um
And uh, you know, and and so that was very beneficial. So with that said our listening audience understanding that we have some holes to fill
um
I will specifically say that we'll probably be doing some restructuring as far as
Uh, those guys's positions and which in which will be available next
um
And I'll kind of you'll have to watch for my socials and and our general marketing to see
But in the meantime, if you're interested come on in and talk. That's true, too. That's true, too
Yeah, uh, that's not to say that we're immediately pursuing those those positions full time, but um
We're looking for the right people. We're correcting correct and uh, we're looking for that customer that comes in to buy a lift kit and won't leave
It's like that rash again
So
So, uh, if you are trying to reach out to us as we as we have indicated and we are so very fortunate because the jeep
Just keeps showing up like uh on fun tow trucks and people just drop them off at night and whatnot
We just ask for your continued patience because our ability to do what makes us uniquely us
Uh, does have to transition a little bit as you know, these great individuals, you know
Kind of follow their their hearts and pursue some some of their own passions
Um, obviously we will look to continue to refill some of these positions
But those positions might change a little bit and in that restructuring
We just ask for your continued support and patience in the process to
Um, you know allow myself and scott and and greg to kind of keep doing our thing greg's famous line and granted
I need everybody to know greg will step up and he I mean he pounded the show circuit with me in 1415 and 16
You know, you you never see greg on air. You don't see the videos of him per se
You really don't even see him at shows obviously last year the best time at bannum and whatnot
And I mean he was a trooper. He slept in tents on floors under vehicles. We drove through the night did daily, you know, whatever
I I I love the man desperately. Okay
Um, but he will step up and he'll answer the phone
But he's so desperately wants on a regular occasion to be like I can't work on your jeep if I'm talking to you on the phone
I will say that now for our listening audience
And then obviously as by extension, you know, anybody who might see this cut online
Please don't make greg say that
Let the man work. So, uh, what's really funny is uh, Nate just comes in healthcare dental and 401k
Healthcare is a curb. We'll take you out to the curb
Dental is a where mouth card if you're worried about dental
and uh 401k is um, you can pick up pennies that fall off of the
Bottom of the jeep from I mean if you get lucky you'll have a jeep
That you own
You know increase the value and you can sell that and retire. It's fine. It's fine. It's fine. It's more about passions
Yes, right now. That's a passion pursuit, right? And uh, we're here for our customer base and the and the jeep builds themselves and
We get to do some pretty cool crap though. We get to do some pretty cool crap
It's about the soft pennies, right? I mean and I'll just I guess I leave this piece
You know when people pull that into star contrast every day we wake up and and and play with jeeps
And very rarely can people
Say that there's so many people out there who are hoping and and dreaming about that opportunity
and to viably wake up and to just work on jeeps and to build cool jeeps and to hear people's stories and to share
and to go to events
And to go to las vegas to go to florida to go to georgia to go to these different places and be immersed with the jeep culture
um
Is a soft penny and not only that I know uh
A lot of people my dad were friends with they had this mantra of when I retire
I'm going to do this when I get older. I'm going to do that when money is right. I'm going to do this and
uh
I know too many people that retired a year later. They're they're in the ground
The heck with that right live your life and here we're all about chasing dreams, man
Whether they're you know personal professional whether you're going to start a metal shop randomly and you're you're accidentally
You know accidentally greg's got a spectacular wood shop
You know, we're here to to lift people up and support them through the process and
You're not just a cog in the wheel per se and that's what makes losing people really hard
to
Um, they could be him family. Yeah 100 percent in that in that regard. So
Uh, we wish they'd be the best in that process
Charles said he can only do yj. So is that is that an opportunity for sfj yj texas garage sfj yj texas
That's a great spin off
It's a great spin off
I love the concept. I love the concept a whole you're always gonna be a yj guy at heart
I am a yj guy
at heart
I
I'm not this we've got to be done for today folks. This is dragging off. It's such great parts vehicle. Oh
Moving on
Oh
The shots fired
All right, folks, you know what? It's been a fun one and uh look for kind of the the the video piece
On the book of faces tomorrow on the actual tuesday live and until next time jeep on jeep on jeep on
Not a
No, jeff is here. Thanks jeff is here. I don't even know what he clicked. I got to be honest with you
I don't remember magic weekend updates
He tried that. Yeah, no, see that's not easy. No. No, it's not
I don't know
Oh, it's like a train wreck
Welcome to why we're so successful at our podcast
Humans love ambulance chase eat it. Here we are. So
Anyways, uh, how was your guys's weekend? So my weekend was pretty good. I got to uh continue working on the t
I got the quarter panel patch
Made and welded in
Got the wheel well piece kind of figured out. I haven't welded it yet because my son
decided
In true ambition that he's going to make an iron man hand
Out of sheet metal. That's cool. That's okay
Okay, and uh, I love that. That's I love that for him. My dad did a lot of that's not practical
Yeah, 100 and you can't do this. Yep, and 100 let me weld this god love fred
So I am letting him make mistakes fall down pull the tv off the tv tray onto his head a couple times
Yes, while i'm there to pick it back up
So I am letting him
Do his thing and it's actually he's got a vision
Um, his his expectations of time investment are a little bit there where he's like i've been working on this for a day
It should be done homey
That's because he watched the marvel movies and that's cinematic literally brought up that's cinematic overture in a cave
Yes, um aiden that's not real that's a movie. Well, I know but
So I I I was like
I have realized that the I have come full circle where the garage was my
My zen and where I went to get away from people and now he's I'm like, hey, can I use the welder?
Hey, hey, I use my cutting tools
Hey, um
You don't pick up that or put that away
I'm like, holy crap. I'm my dad
I'm gonna totally play off that here in a second
Uh in that he uh decided he was gonna go out on his own and and shape metal not weld metal
And he learned that finger between hammer and anvil hurts. Oh, yeah got it right in the corner of the nail
Uh
The reaction was not equal to the injury
Was he dying? Oh my god
It's dropping
Yes, it's dripping blood. I see it's dripping blood go to the bathroom because now it's on the floor
Oh, it's like I've I've done this and you're it's like you're not even going to lose the nail
Right. Yeah, I did not enjoy that. He's like
But but on his behalf a finger injury on the tip of the finger does it hurts?
You feel that I blew the tip of my bone apart on one of the fingers. I know. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. So anyway
Uh, he was supposed to be taking a break
So we decided as a family once a year. We like to go down the road and pick up trash
Uh get out in nature a little bit. Give me an excuse to use a side-by-side for
Something so it was fun
And this is walking you're you're driving the side-by-side. Well, they walk and pick up trash
Well, I would drive it a little bit and not my reasoning was then they can see that and they won't hit us as much
The guy was just an excuse. So it's just an excuse to ride your side-by-side. Well, that your family. Yeah, so
Uh, and this is alluding to earlier. I was like, I hate ticks because
while it could have been far worse
Everybody had to get ticked nobody got bit thankfully, but there's just those they're the worst gosh darn little
They're yucky little guys. They're yucky and they're little and they're in everything and then you get the icky crawlies
Yes, so lots of showers happen lots of sanitizing
Yes, yes, there's a great opportunity to sing your wife. I'll check you for ticks though. All right, there is there's a
That's a personal favorite of mine
One thing I was happy with only two bags of garbage this year. Nice. So last time it was like
Oh, first of all, that means that you you're you're keeping your your space your neighborhood, which is it's a country block
Yeah, uh, you know nice and tidy, but it also means maybe you're setting up a precedent for the people around. I'm hoping there was a lot of uh, small
Glass-ish bottles. I didn't enjoy finding no vapes though. Got that going for us
It's unfortunate when people are throwing back a shot and throwing it out the window. Absolutely. The tomb of the energy drinks
Um, but any which way our little bit of heaven's a little cleaner got the users side by side
Grash trash man's on take it all the way on tuesday. So that's good. Awesome. Good for you guys
So did think about if the tick
Explosion wouldn't have happened. I thought about trying to ride it over to see what you guys were up to
But once that happened I was done put it
Put a nail in it. We're done with the ticks. They gross me out. Yeah
Uh, I will I will I'll I'll kind of you know use your your conversation as a segue as well. Obviously
um, really have a
I I have as an individual I feel strongly that um
I having I have endeavored into a number of things that
The average person may or may not uh do regularly and I
You know, I I talk about I don't really watch tv. I actually don't even watch youtube
You know with with much
I don't watch it. Um, I will watch a a
Episode or two with my wife to like binge something or whatnot, but like that's just not
As part of our mo
But so I I took on this house project years ago. Obviously that's on top of the vehicle projects
That's on top of the business. Um, very ambitious. I then obviously took on I'm on the board of the local, uh
The festival for the the 4th of july a very big community celebration
And then by extension the big fireworks celebration and then my most
And yet my most recent was then kind of the re-endevering back into football and coaching
So, um, you need a couple more things to do looking at my my dance card. Um
Personally, I have recognized that you know having to realign especially because I was I was able to do that
in part because of
uh commitments here at the shop because
We had such a good team in their leadership roles and and whatnot and that allowed us
And jeffrey may probably feel this way as well in his current pursuits with his restaurant and bar
um, you were able to attend to things at your homestead
because
When you were here, um
You know because there things were moving a little more smoothly
Right and as we were talking about this morning up until just very recently
You've been pretty much 24 7 bar restaurant. Yes. And so, you know, I can appreciate that
You know what I mean?
And so as things ran smoother and smoother with sfj 4 by 4
I was able to diversify my own interests that then satisfy certain aspects
and hobbies of my own
at this point in time
Based on some of the challenges that i'm endeavoring with my my primary passion as the business
I've had to like look at other stuff, you know, and be like, hey, where did my priorities align with that said
My homestead project is very fun and it's very fulfilling
the back
of the
Space the back 40 if you will I was going to allow my son or I'm allowing my son to build an airsoft field to
Play it's a hobby. He would like to have he would like me to have that hobby
I am having a hard time. You guys shot each other. How many times well?
I'm actually I have no problem with the shooting myself or each other conversation. It's literally like
Where does that fit?
in my dance car
so
And and and so this conversation, you know, that's got saying so I've encouraged that and I found a great use for some of these extra extra
Dana Spicer crate axle crates. We have nice
Now they are just they are used as obstacles heck
Yeah in the woods behind my house and I've taken pallets out there
And I've taken some some old 55 gallon drums we have and I've encouraged him to
build
But exactly what you're saying
Is that now he is 100 occupying my little workspace that I have carved out of my own
And as I walk to this space that I've kind of carefully curated when I drive into my little homestead
It looks neat and tidy and whatever now it is overrun with barrels and
drums and crates and pallets
And there's wood where he's you know taken hammers and just knocked off boards and saws
And he's made them little peep holes for him to put a barrel through and everything
And I had to take a deep breath last night
It's a conversation Greg and I actually had this this past week
He said are you going to finish that house or are you going to chase your kids around because
This week when it was also tech week and I'll get to that real quick
And I said, you know what they're only young ones and I'm going to let him tear stuff apart in this workspace
Um because he won't be able if I do my job, right? He won't do that forever. He won't be in my space
Uh forever. In fact, I probably only have less than 10 years with him living in my my personal hula hoop
If I do my job right and that obviously should be the goal of a good parent
And so I said, you know what?
I'm going to teach him to put stuff away from my workbench
Uh, but I'm going to just
Pick up the wood that's and and pile it over here and recognize that
Yes, he should be responsible with his workspace. He's doing really good. He's doing 80 90% good over here
I'll just pick up that that those last couple pieces and not make a big deal. You're taking care of the 20%
I'll take the thank you. Yeah, yeah any 20 the Pareto principle. Yep. I'm doing the same thing
And and exactly I know you are and that's why I was I was going that the last piece is
My daughter and I really really really appreciate so many of our our friends family and followers on the socials
Who do are so encouraging and talk to me in person about my wife or my my wife my wife and my daughters
pursuits in dance
but long story short
These troopers these soldiers just wrapped up a eight or nine day straight dance
Tech week marathon they get uno day off today is monday the recording of the podcast
They get one day off
Otherwise they they went straight for eight or nine days of tech week leading up to
three
major primary performances that take up the bulk of our weekend
Um
Where they'll they'll have tonight off and then they'll go tuesday through sunday
Yet again this week. So pretty much the extent of my jeep projects is
Racing from here to there putting fuel in vehicles making sure that everybody can get where and how they're supposed your current jeep maintenance
Is putting fuel in it. That's right. I understand and jeffrey bring us home on this over over
I I have a couple fun things. We uh, we had a gift card for
Texas road house. So we as a family got to go to that on tuesday. That was pretty cool
Had a great experience
Especially it's kind of a now being in that position of a restaurant bar and understand how things work
Yeah, and and uh, you know, I had to harass the waitress because they didn't have voodoo beer
She came back. She's like we have voodoo ranger on tap and like get out of here. That's not our beer
That's not your beer. I've seen that advertise and I've seen I I get it 100%
But it was it was entertaining. Uh fun story. She mentioned that she was actually wanting to work for voodoo
Um, and she goes to college at gannon right next to our restaurant. So she will start uh, wednesday
Uh
That's cool. It is it was it was super fun. I I told her come in for an interview
She came in for an interview the next day and um, yeah, we hired her so
Uh
But there was so we had great experience there
But then on friday, uh, my wife and I actually took a trip down to meadville
So we drove in
Literally opened the doors let the employees in and I said see you by and we drove straight down to meadville
And we did the brew tour down in meadville at the at the main compound where it's all being brewed at and
That was really cool. Uh, honestly, they were in the middle of brewing some beer
So we got to see the whole process
Awesome from from mashing it all the way over to boiling it to the whirlpool all the way into the fermenter
It was just such a cool process
um
So we hung out there for a while then went back kept working and then
yesterday, um
My hands are like super dry had broken out with uh, eczema or whatever because I was deep cleaning all of our tap systems
We do tap line cleaning, uh, basically weekly. Um, but last night I went above and beyond and I deep cleaned everything
Nice and what a challenge things that they don't talk about
Absolutely, right. I mean, oh, yeah, I I mean we closed at 6 p.m. I left at 1 a.m. Wow
So it was it was a lengthy process to really do a very thorough job
Like there's a regular maintenance cleaning. Yeah, and and we do that week
Essentially weekly we do four one week and 16 the other week because of the way our taps are set up
but
um last night I did the 16 but I also took every single tap handle every single
um
Keg I even flushed out the tops of the kegs and and deep cleaned the walls and the floor and just really reset
So that we have a good forward projection
And I think those intangibles are the piece that really differentiates high quality experience both for
Uh, the ownership the employees and the consumer regardless of where you're at
And it takes a lot of initiative to do that. Yes, and that can be it
And it was really really fun too because I mean I've been extra picky about the cleanliness of the restaurant in general
So I if I see things left out. I'm like, hey guys, we got to take care of this. Hey, don't leave food over there
Hey, don't do this, you know, we're
probably
Too picky to be honest
but
Last night as we were closing up. We had a several employees
Come out and we get give them a free shift beer at the end of their shift or whatever
And one of the ones that has been there
Before our ownership
Literally said to the rest of the team
This is so cool guys. There's no fruit flies in this bar
Usually this time of year
They're everywhere. Huh, and I said that's because of our cleanliness standards. That's cool. So
It's a neat that was kind of rewarding to have that 100 percent 100 percent
I'm looking forward to jeep night at your bar, by the way, so
Soon as somebody wants to organize it, we'll set it up. I know right well in my free time
I think he's got him
Yeah, we'll put you on the board for that
There we go. I'll be a consultant
Well, I think that that's enough. We've gone over our time limit as the as as usual
But I think it was a fun one and I appreciate everybody who's who's kind of hung he hung in there that long
We got a lot to get to as always jeep on jeep on jeep on
You
About this episode
The hosts use a Tuesday shop update to walk through current Jeep projects, from a transmission rebuild and bench testing to a CJ-7 refresh and a badly damaged JL 3.6. Along the way they dig into parts logistics, reseller-brand customer service, and the reality that hidden problems often surface only after teardown. The conversation also covers vintage-engine timing issues, staffing changes, and the shop’s ongoing push to keep big builds moving while life and family projects pile up.
This episode is essentially a deeper dive into our weekly Tuesday Facebook Live shop updates. Instead of quick walkarounds, we’re taking the time to really get into the details behind the builds you see in the background every week at SFJ4x4. From vintage Jeeps getting a second life to modern rigs being dialed in for performance and reliability, we break down what each project needs, where it’s at, and what challenges we’re working through. If you’ve ever wanted more than just a quick update and a glance around the shop, this episode gives you the full story behind the builds keeping us busy.
Thanks for listening, give us a review and check us out on YouTube -SFJ4x4 and visit our website to grab some great gear or products for your Jeep, SFJ4x4.com. Don't forget, you can email [email protected] for special content requests, blind react videos, suggestions, special guests, or general questions. Check out our Patreon patreon.com/ISpeakJeep
