My name is Kevin Swan with Road Rash Off Road. I am just an adventure filmmaker who is passionate about my Jeep, overlanding, camping and off roading.
Modding my Jeep is a hobby of mine. Maybe it makes me feel like I'm 18 yrs old again - #midlifecrisis. We all know this hobby can be quite expensive but it doesn't have to be. I personally don't have "deep pockets" to get all of the things done I would like to so I often begin to search and find deals on quality, inexpensive upgrades and DIY install them myself in my garage.
Follow my channel to see the next upgrade and / or review of my favorite and least favorite mods to my Jeep as well as my overlanding adventures with my friends and family.
Great video, love the changes to the Road Rash machine. The Ocoee was beautiful, I’ve never been there You ain’t lying bout them Gnats!!! They tore me up in April. I didn’t know you got gnats north of Macon
oh man... you HAVE to go explore the Ocoee Wilderness. I would say wait until Fall when the leaves start to fall. I bet the views overlooking Lake Ocoee are amazing.
@@Gunmetalbluejeeptjs you’re right. Because of the back window, I could run this top all year around and be comfortable. Even in winter. However I usually put my hardtop back on around October because of my RTT and i enjoy going camping during the fall months.
We did camp there.There is alot of camping there, open and not congested. They even have "facilities" on the property. For an OHV park, the camping is very nice. If you are going with your wife, they also have small cabins you can rent if she doesn't like to tent camp.
There is actually no way to "prove" it 100%. Jeep has an app for your phone that is GPS activated. when you are near the trailhead, you open the app and a "check in" button will appear. you push check in on the app. Once you complete the trail, you open the app once again and push the finish / submit button. that will let the app know you completed the trail. additionally, you can add photos of the trail like a normal social media app but it's not required. some people will get close to the trial and start the trial but not actually do the trail. then they will submit it defeating the purpose of accomplishing the trail.
Absolutely. I’ve used this Badlands 12k about 60 times, both winching myself and others out. Never failed, never binded, great winch. Unfortunately, i still have the steel cable on it. I have a great synthetic line in my garage ready to swap out. I just need to find the time to do it since I will be shooting a video on that. I am not using the stock bumper and winch plate anymore. I got a new steel stubby bumper by GoRhino so when i installed that, I just moved the Badlands winch over to the new bumper
Hey man im looking into getting something like this and was wandering if you could get me the measurements of the one you have because I am seeing two different sizes. Thanks!
In my opinion, the best rack for the Jeep. it's low profile, holds all the weight needed for a RTT (or heavy load) and does not hinder the ability to take off the Jeep hard top. I know these racks are a bit more pricey but for a "permeant fit", it's the best option. The model I have is the larger one... 72". On a 4 door JKU, it goes from the back of the hard top to the middle of the freedom tops.
You will fill it up, then continue to squeeze the black hose on the drivers side. You sill see bubbles coming out.When the bubbles stop. coming out, close the coolant cap, drive it short distances and open it back up when it's cooled down to see if you need to add more.
Just a word on those M/T tires you better rotate every 2 ND oil change. If you want them to last..I know you aren't familiar with those type tires they won't last if you don't do it..
thank you Scott. I welcome all advice from others. I can tell you I have been pleased with these M/T's by Kenda Klever. I rotate them religiously every 4000 miles, even rotating in the 5th spare on the back. with that said, I have gotten over 70,000 miles on this set of tires and have maybe 7,000 miles left to go. I have put them through hell and have never had an issue with them. I will be replacing these with another set of Kenda Klever M/T's.... that's how much I like these tires.
Dude it's a jeep with a 4.5" lift that's more in your lift, why you say I'd not buy these again I'm a flatlander guy not rock crawler. Whyd you put the lift on then? Makes absolutely no sense. Change in milage is lift and a 35" tire. If you thought you were creating a gas sipping jeep buy buying and adding all that someone told you wrong. I have a simple leveling kit up front and wheel spacers and have true 35" tires where your tires are foreign made are 33" at true size..notice the tape when you measured them.. And have no issues or complaints on my mud tires. I think you messed up with a cheaper 4.5" lift personally.
thank you for your input Scott. a couple of things: This jeep is my first jeep and also probably my second RU-vid video on the Road Rash channel. I bought it to build it out as an Overlander, not a rock crawler however if you've seen any of my videos, I enjoy the challenge for myself sometimes. Like many new Jeepers, I research, read blogs, etc and build my Jeep the way I like it. Now, 3 years later, I still have the same 3.5" lift and I am still running the same exact 35" Kenda Klevers, now with over 70,000 miles on them and have never had an issue with suspension, never had an issue with tires even when dropping the PSI to 12 PSI, and still have maybe another 7,000 miles left on them. The rig is build exactly like I like it with my rooftop tent, awning, kitchen, etc. I have NO complaints with my tires or suspension setup. Additionally, you call it "flatlander" which is not how I would describe overlanding. When I am overlanding, I am typically deep in a wilderness somewhere, disconnected from all people and all community. I never know what I am will come up against, what obstacle I will be challenged with and knowing if I get stuck, no-one is coming to find me. That is why my rig is set up with the lift, suspension, tires, etc. I have found myself crossing creeks and rivers almost 3' deep only to get to a "horse wagon trail" that shoots up the side of a Rocky Mountain with large boulders. Even though I am not seeking to be a rock crawler, some of my adventures put me in places where I am crawling rocks. However, you keep doing you Scott.... "TO EACH HIS OWN"
You'd be surprised actually white is the hardest color to match...for future painting projects like this, you need to wipe these flares ( not fenders) they have a oil coating from the factory you need to remove. And on something like those flares I would scuff them at best before spraying.
It matched really really close and after a day of driving, the fenders and jeep looked the same. I also like that every year, just before summer while preparing it for summer, I touch up the fender paint easily from an fall / winter of hard overlanding and off roading
So far, this refrigerator has been great. We just went on an overlanding trip this week where we put it to use. We packed it full with eggs, water, bread, steak, oranges, ketchup, Dr Pepper, etc. it held everything we needed for the trip. (New Video Coming Next Week) I noticed on startup, it drew about 50w to get to the temperature but once it got there, dropped to 9w power draw. I’m still putting it to the usage test but so far, a great refrigerator for the price
Right off hand, I do not. Next time I open it, I’ll measure it. I can tell you that I am right at 6’ tall. Laying down, I can stretch out the full length. Sitting up inside the tent, I have an estimated 1’6” from my head to the ceiling. I’ll measure it for sure and will let you know.
Thank you John for the compliment John. The chains come down so slow, they don’t do anything to the top. (Also, this jeep has been through some really really rough places in the woods… these chains are the least of my concern 😅)
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m waiting for my tent to arrive, this is great, so informative! I’m so excited to set up my tent! Let the adventure’s begin.
You are going to love it Christy. It was super easy to install. We went on an adventure last week and it was soooooo comfortable. I slept so awesome (except for the obnoxious group of young campers about a quarter mile down the road who wanted to party until 4:30am 😢)
suppose YOU could do that if you want to, however the top of my Jeep is right at 7.5 foot high.... I am only 5'11". I would be climbing up and down a ladder instead of walking around the top like normal. Also, while the platform is only about 60lbs, it is very awkward to lift and position in the correct spot on the roof while you are also adjusting the feet. My hoist can hold it into position slightly above the feet so it will just hang there. Since I have the hoist already installed in my garage, WHY NOT USE IT to make my life easier? I guess every video has to have 1 unhappy person that has something to say.... TAG, YOUR IT!
great video and cool product. Need to get you a hinge support system for that tailgate if your going to be adding more weight. Don't want to break your tailgate weld seams.
Agreed!!! As of now, I’ve only had a 35in tire on it (which is probably the max weight for that stock hinge). The great thing is, I have an ambassador ship this year with Real Truck sponsoring the Road Rash channel. They just sent me a new tailgate hinge that will hold up to a 38 inch tire. be installing this probably in the next week.
@RoadRashOffRoad think they advise 85 for stock limit. I have the kenda klever RT on Rubicon wheels and it's right at 95. Just installed new redrock hinge setup on over the winter. Will look for that video for your new support
I could absolutely just put a hoist on the ceiling… but as I said in my video, 2 things I wanted to accomplish…: 1. It had to be electric so my wife (who weighs less than that top) could lift it off the jeep by herself. Manuel hoist would be hard for her 2. My home is a condo / townhouse which means my garage is very small so I needed to maximize the room in my garage. Using a hoist attached to the ceiling would make the hard top hang down about 1ft from the ceiling. Since I had the available space above the garage that is not being used for anything, why not accomplish both goals and build something custom and cool.
@@RoadRashOffRoad Looks like 9ft ceiling. I mounted the electric hoist to the roof trusses in attic. I can also use it to move junk into attic.Nice job
Awesome video as always RoadRash. This song Psalms 90 was so amazing keep praising JESUS CHRIST and keep praising our GOD was your awesome voice and your awesome music.
I don't know the actual answer to that, however my assumption is that it would be very difficult to overload the switch. I have only 6 added to my rock light switch however these rock light LED's draw very very little power. I would say load it up and let that truck SHINE
Dude....where's the 40 oz Colt 45 sitting on the hood?😂 Slam (2) of those, make a vid and report back "You know dudes we're going Gut Buster tonight....NO WINCH!!!!
The Set Power units are very nice for those of us that are on a budget. Great features on a solid build. We actually have 3 different refrigerators - small medium and large ones. The Set Power is the medium sized one and we really like it the best for weekend trips. Just remember that a refrigerator works best when it is at capacity on the interior.
Thank you Todd. I haven't had the opportunity to fully test this outside of the video shoot. ive had it plugged up for about a week now and noticed when the compressor is on, im drawing about 50w of power but as soon as it reaches temp, I only draw 5w. That is awesome.
On min I am sure that it will use even less wattage. I usually run mine at max during my drive to camp and then while camped I switch it over to min. My large frig I leave plugged in 24/7 at home with drinks inside it and it has been running for 4 yrs like that. Be sure to use your air compressor after every trip to blow out the dust from the compressor area of the frig after you get home.
Thanks for the review Kevin! I’m currently using a yeti cooler, but I get what you’re saying about the wet contents after a few days! I’ve been looking at Set Power refrigerators and this gives me a lot to think about! Thanks again! I’m really enjoying your Overland Overhaul series!
Thank you 🙏🏼. I’ve only tested it for about a week but it’s held up perfect so far. Once it reaches temperature, it only draws about 5w of power. Glad to get rid of that old one I had that never stayed shut.
I already knew Gutbuster is pretty much impossible even for the most equipped rigs. Needs to be removed from the BOH program. But this video makes me even contemplate even going for the other 2 now. I'm only on 35s with a 2.5" lift and no lockers. Great video nonetheless but I may need to reevaluate lol
Thank you Sarge. Overall, Stoney Lonesome is a fun park with nice camping. There is ALOT to do there. Technically, 404 Trail is super easy and short… but the trial is we took to get there was quite difficult. There may be other trails to get to 404 but the one we took was a bit adventurous. Same with Switchback… the trail itself is not difficult but the trail to get to Switchback had some challenges. If you wanted the badges, your Jeep could probably do Switchback and 404. Just be a bit more intentional on choosing the trails that get you there
The J scan that I plug into the Jeep gives me the code for the check engine light. However, it also has the ability to clear codes as well. I went into my J Scan and cleared all of the engine codes
Thanks for the video! Much better than the instruction manual. One minor thing, next to the door surround there are little plastic strips to be installed just like the tonneau cover.
Thank you Jason. I love this top. It’s by far my favorite top for the Jeep and stays on almost all year. The only time I take it off is when I am on an overland trip and I need the hardtop and rooftop tent
That camplux shower is awesome, Lisa and I purchased one last spring and it is definitely a product well worth the money. Glad to see you putting it out there for others to see and hopefully enjoy.
Oh man i’m so excited to put it to use. I’ve only tested it in my filming and it was amazing. I can only imagine when i come off a trail at camp and im sweaty and dirty…. That’s going to be awesome.
@@RoadRashOffRoad I put a filter on the suction end of the water supply line and attached it to a fishing rod holder so I could put it in a stream for water and keep it above the bottom from sucking up any dirt and the filter is to help with that as well and the unit mounts on a free standing piece of plywood I made for it so we have an endless supply of water as long as we camp by a stream, works great so maybe this will help you out with a way to use near streams while camping. I have a short on my YT channel from last year if you would like to take a look at it when I first set it up for the first time at Sarah’s Creek
I remember you saying Jacks Creek Campground was a nice spot. We just spent Monday there, space 4 where the 2 creeks come to one, what a great spot. We started in SC, some trails closed, did the south frog loop, and on to the end. Had a great time. You videos inspired me to just do it.
Yes, you’re absolutely right. Most of it if not, all of it is just beautiful scenic overlooks in Forest roads, but you will come across some of the most beautiful waterfalls and landscapes in North Georgia. Pack your hiking boots, some food and your tent and just get ready for an awesome four days Exploring North Georgia
I have 3 words for your club members - Air Down More. I know you are going to say that "we did" but if you look at the video in the first 4 minutes you will see zero flex, very little tire grip and lots of bouncing of the tires on the trail. Maybe it is a west coast thing as we drop it down to 10 - 15 psi for non deadlock wheels on every trail.
Thank you, Todd. That is the big benefit why I chose this tent, to have windows on all four sides. It’s really nice however the trade-off is it’s not as easy and quick to close as the traditional clamshell rooftop tents. But I really do like open windows on all sides
I am back here on the east coast again for another vacation of wheeling. For some reason, I have not seen your videos pop up on my computer. I retagged the "all" bell so we will see if that makes a difference.
Oh man, thank you for the support, Todd. I hope I can catch you on the trails on one of our upcoming trips. I know we are going to turkey Bay, land between the lakes in about a month. Maybe you would like to jump on that trip?
