If you recall, at the beginning of the year I had a set of Coyote Enterprises Boltless Beadlocks installed when I got the new Cooper S/T Maxx tires mounted. Coyote Enterprises Boltless BeadlocksWhat do they do and are they worth it? Although beadlocks are common in the rock-crawling world, the question we are seeking to […]
Read MoreAs the year winds down I’ve been taking the time to do two things. First, reflect upon 2017 (spoiler alert – awesome year). Second, look ahead to 2018 (no spoilers, you’ll just have to keep reading). One of my all time photos from my 2017 adventures.Tanto National Forest, Arizona I like to think of myself […]
Read MoreI’ve made it a point to keep the content here on the ECOA blog my own. Part of that is just because this is my own little slice of the digital world. Also because I don’t have the funds currently to pay anyone else to contribute to the site. As such, the job of content […]
Read MoreA while back I penned an article on winching basics. I’d like to pick up where I left off with that article and take a more in-debth look at the winch accessory kit that I got from Warn when I got my 9.5xp winch. What’s in the bag?!? The Epic Recovery Kit is an all-in-one […]
Read MorePrevious I wrote (or more accurately ranted) about the whole what is or is not “overlanding” debate. Truth be told, I’m not opposed to calling a spade a spade when in fact it’s actually a spade. In this case, I spent the last three weekends of October car-camping. Was it “overlanding?” No, not really. Does it matter? Of course […]
Read MoreThere was a 500 foot cliff to my right. That same cliff swept across in front of me. To my left was an escarpment of unknown height. All the GPS was telling was, “Turn left here.” Alone, with no spotter, in unfamiliar territory, I had only one option. I couldn’t go back. I couldn’t go […]
Read MoreAlthough the original plan for my trip to NC for the Appalachian Rendezvous and Overland Expo East this year was scrapped, it still managed to pull off a two week trip to one of the most beautiful states on the east coast. Even though Vol 2 of the 2017 No Highways Tour was postponed,I still […]
Read MoreOverland Expo East 2017 is just around the corner. This week I’ll be leaving for two weeks in North Carolina. First I’ll be dropping down to Uwharrie National Forest for the annual American Adventurist Appalachian Rendezvous. Then the following weekend I’ll be in Asheville for Overland Expo East. With such a high profile event like […]
Read MoreThere are a few iconic accessories that come to mind when envisioning a vehicle outfitted for overland adventures: snorkels, lights, and of course a winch. I’ve already discussed my thoughts on snorkels and lights. Now it’s time to discuss winches. A winch is a mainstay for most 4×4 vehicles.Despite their ubiquity, are they really needed? […]
Read MoreRocking 255/85R16 Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx tireswhile exploring Jefferson National Forest in central Virginia In January of this year I got a set of Cooper® Discoverer S/T Maxx™ tires mounted on the LJ. In the last eight months I’ve logged over 15,000 miles of cross-country highways, around-town errands, and backroad overland adventures. Read on for the next […]
Read MoreIf you’re not aware of Hurricane Irma by now I’d like to know the rock you’re living under. In the next few days a (currently) Category 5 Hurricane is going to make landfall in Florida. While that does not immediately affect me, within a few days the remnants of the storm are projected to drift […]
Read MoreAlthough it was a bit last minute, I’ll never turn down a chance to head to Virginia and hang out with the folks at Blue Ridge Overland Gear. They decided to host another Overlanders’ Hangout along with Mountain State Overland this month. Matt also offered up a chance to camp on his farm. I promise […]
Read MoreEach year a few hundred overland adventure enthusiasts descend upon the Henwood Farm near Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. The Henwoods are a trio of brothers behind the Main Line Overland shop in southeast, PA. The Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival is their way to bring together like minded enthusiasts and celebrate the overland adventure lifestyle. It’s that time again.2017 […]
Read MoreAs part of the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival this year the Henwoods organized a tour of the Woolrich Woolen Mill in nearby Woolrich, PA. Arriving at the Woolrich Woolen MillIt’s like living in an “How It’s Made” episode. This was by far the highlight of the trip since it combined a little overland adventure through […]
Read MoreFor the third year in a row I’ll be heading over the mountain to the annual Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival. I can’t complain that this event is all but in my back yard. I also can’t complain that it’s always one of my favorite events of the year. And, for once, it looks like I can’t […]
Read MoreA while back I wrote the first of a series of articles on recovery gear. Eventually I’ll get around to the next articles in that series but in the meantime I wanted to address a question I have been asked a lot since I posted that article: “How do you store your recovery gear?” To […]
Read MoreIt’s been a while since I’ve done anything with the electrical system on the LJ. Thankfully that’s because everything has been working just fine <knocks on wood>. That said, a recent addition to the Jeep led me to upgrading the battery on the Jeep. Had to go to the local freight terminal to pick up […]
Read MoreThis will be a relatively short report, but I thought I would type it out while things are fresh on my mind. This past weekend I attended the PA Jeeps All Breeds Jeep Show, for the tenth time, but the first time I had my own booth. Loaded up and ready to roll to York, […]
Read MoreIn the fall of 2014 I was faced with a pretty tough decision regarding what to do with my life. I had recently lost my job and had my plans to finish a doctorate degree in education derailed. I had a lot of swirling emotions to deal with that ran the gamut from anger to […]
Read MoreEver since the very first day of the 2015 No Highways Tour I have been plagued with rear suspension issues. This is partly because the LJ is 15″ longer than a base TJ. This increase in length translates into an increase in base weight. 15″ more frame. 15″ more body. 15″ more hard-top. Ounces become […]
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