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As people have become more concerned about the impact of their vehicles on the environment, electric and hybrid vehicles have become more commonplace in our society. One company that is moving with these changes is Jeep, which is taking steps to meet environmental concerns without sacrificing vehicle performance. Read below to find out how the rise of electric vehicles is changing Jeep products. Jeep’s 4xe Hybrid Technology One way that the rise of electric vehicles has changed Jeep products i

You can test a winch solenoid by doing bypass test to determine if the problem lies in the switch or solenoid. Use a lead of 12 gauge wire and jump from the battery +12V and contact the green wire on the solenoid. The winch should operate in one direction. Then apply the +12V wire to the black wire on the solenoid. If the winch does not work in the other direction then the solenoid has a problem. The direction of the winch movement, whether in or out, depends on which of the two two solenoi

Inspect the wire rope before and after each winching operation. If the wire rope has become kinked or frayed, the wire rope needs to be replaced. Be sure to also inspect the winch hook and hook pin for signs of wear or damage. Replace if necessary. Keep winch, wire rope, and switch control free from contaminants. Use a clean rag or towel to remove any dirt and debris. If necessary, unwind winch completely (leaving a minimum of 5 wraps on spooling drum), wipe clean, and rewind properly befor

By Jerrod Jones If you've got a solid axle and links in the front of your 4×4, then you can benefit from upgrading your track bar. While new adjustable track bars are included in most link suspension systems for Jeeps and trucks, a stock a leveled truck can see the same benefits, too. A Track Bar was previously known as a panhard bar or J bar to the old school 4x4 crowd but that term has become uncommon. Don't be confused by sway bars, traction bars, they are not a track bar and are very d

When building your truck or Jeep, there are a variety of suspension options to choose from. One of them that is seldom overlooked is what type of coil spring you’re going to get. Coil springs (aka helical springs) can be manufactured different ways, affecting the way they perform. There are two basic types that we refer to in the off-road world: linear rate (aka single-rate) springs and progressive rate (aka variable rate) coil springs. You can get variations of both from multiple manufacturers

Once you’ve got your truck together, and the trails start calling your name, where do you want to go?  In this series, we’ve done the research for you. Today, we’re looking at the gorgeous state of Oregon, where the offroad trails and beautiful mountain views call your name. Bennett Pass As it turns out, the Oregon Trail isn’t just a cheesy video game designed for 90s kids throwback memes.  And the Bennett Pass will get you onto a stretch of this long-storied pioneer trail. At a little ove

Once you’ve got your truck together, and the trails start calling your name, where do you want to go?  In this series, we’ve done the research for you. Today, we’re looking at the state of Colorado, where there are mountain views like nowhere else in the good old United States. Yankee Hill / St. Mary’s Trail About two hours outside of Denver in the Roosevelt National Forest, you can pick up the Yankee Hill trail.  Yankee hill is a fairly technical trail, so you’re going to want a small

Where to go? Once you’ve got your truck together, and the trails start calling your name, where do you want to go?  In this series, we’ve done the research for you. Starting with our home state of Washington, we’ll show you all the best trails near you, wherever you are. Walker Valley At about 3,200 square miles, Walker Valley is perfect for a weekend of offroading, and it’s pretty central in the state, about 70 miles north of Seattle.  Most of the trails are rated for moderately diffic

Where to Overland for Maximum Adventure If you’re just getting into offroading, you’ve probably heard a lot about overlanding.  If you’ve been in the game a while, you’re definitely aware of it. Overlanding can be really cool.  At its core, overlanding just means you’re relying on your own rig and what you have with you for an adventure, usually for longer than a couple of days.  Overlanding is offroading for the adventure of it, not necessarily for the most challenging trails. In this articl

Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going Next If you’re just getting into offroading, you’ve probably heard a lot about overlanding.  If you’ve been in the game a while, you’re definitely aware of it. If you’re aware of it, you’ve probably cracked jokes about the new breed of hipster overlanders.  We get it; we’re not exactly innocent. That doesn’t change the fact that overlanding can still be really cool.  At its core, overlanding just means you’re relying on your own rig and what you have wit

When you add larger tires, you can be guaranteed that your braking performance is going to be diminished. The inertia created by the increased mass of the tire, along with the larger diameter, requires more braking power to do the same amount of work. And so, you have a choice: You can ride around with worse brakes, making you and everyone around you a little less safe, or you can add some better brakes. The best plan: An entire brake package upgrade that includes larger calipers and rotors.

Our Favorite Places to Offroad in New Mexico Once you’ve got your truck together, and the trails start calling your name, where do you want to go?  In this series, we’ve done the research for you. Today, we’re looking at the state of New Mexico, where there are mountain views like nowhere else in the good old United States. Rio Bonito Rio Bonito trail is located about an hour and a half west of Roswell, just outside of Alto.  The trail is short, at just 3.7 miles, and most trucks wil

It’s about that time of the year -- the weather is finally starting to cool down, and the desert trails are looking appealing once again. The desert is a unique world all its own though.  How can you be best prepared to take on the desert trails? We’ll tell you all our best tips - check out part one here! Run Some Preseason Maintenance Even if you’re a slacker who can’t be bothered to do basic maintenance and checklists before each time you head out for the trails, make sure you give your

Fans of the Ford F-150 love the vehicle for its combination of capability and function. But drivers also appreciate that the vehicle gives them opportunities for customization so that they can add their own touches to the vehicle. Here are five modifications to make to your Ford F-150. Make Your Grille More Aggressive One modification you can make is the addition of an Armor Grille with LED Off-Road lights. The grill conveys a mean expression that will add to your F-150’s aggressive appearance

One of the most recognizable features of a Jeep is the seven-slot grille at the front of the vehicle. This feature has caught Jeep fans' eyes and intrigued them with its rich history and mystery. Read below to discover what's so special about the Jeep's seven-slot grille. The Origin of the Jeep The birth of the Jeep begins at an important point in world history: World War II. The car companies, Willys-Overland Motors and Ford, manufactured the Willys MB and the Ford GPW Jeeps, which acted as w

If you own a Jeep Wrangler, you likely have a lot of pride in your vehicle. That pride inspired the design of the Jeep Gladiator truck. As a Jeep owner, you may be on the lookout for additions that will enhance its look. Here are four must-have exterior accessories for your Jeep Wrangler. LED Fender Side Marker Lights One accessory that will add to the look of your Jeep is a set of LED fender side marker lights that display an amber turn signal. They will add an element of coolness to your Jee

As spring approaches, you will likely begin thinking about all the activities you will enjoy in your Jeep in the coming months. You should not only start planning what you want to do, but also get your Jeep in good shape so that it provides you with reliable performance on your adventures. Here are some tips on how to prepare your Jeep for the spring season. Remove Your Doors One thing you might consider doing to your Jeep is removing your doors for the spring. Not only is it easy for you to t

One of the first things people notice when they see a Jeep is its grille. The seven-slot grille has become an iconic feature of the vehicle. It also possesses an extensive backstory and value to drivers. If you are unfamiliar with them, you should learn why grilles are so important to Jeep owners. Grilles Have an Interesting History One reason why grilles are so important is that they have an interesting history that goes back to World War II. Willys-Overland Motors and Ford produced the Willy

After finding the right grille for your off-road vehicle, you might search for headlights that complement it. Thankfully, you have options to choose from when finding the best headlights to pair with your Jeep grille. Honeycomb Headlights You can pair honeycomb LED headlights with your grille, giving your vehicle a more aggressive appearance and increasing visibility at night. The lights are three times brighter than halogen and HID headlights. In addition, honeycomb lights consume 60 percent

A new year means new adventures to enjoy in your Jeep. Whether you want to upgrade your daily drive or elevate your offroad excursions, accessories can transform your ride. Discover aftermarket Jeep parts you should get for the new year. 1. Grille With Integrated Lights Your Jeep’s grille serves the practical purpose of keeping your engine cool and protecting your radiator and engine from debris. But the grille also provides the dominant form of ornamentation on the front of your Jeep, making

Update your Jeep to improve your driving experience. Make the best decisions for your personal safety, your wallet, and your vehicle by knowing what to consider when shopping for Jeep parts. How You Use Your Jeep There are so many ways to upgrade your Jeep, and it can be hard to know where to start. Focusing on how you use your Jeep will help you make the best decisions. You might use your Jeep only for off-road excursions, as a daily driver, or a bit of both. Do you want to enhance the perfo

Installing a new grille elevates the look of your Jeep more than almost any other change. Read on to find out why you should have an aftermarket grille on your Jeep. Wide Range of Designs Aftermarket grilles offer a wide range of designs you won’t find in original equipment manufacturer (OEM) grilles. The selection makes it easier for you to customize your grille with your personal style. Whether you want a dramatic or subtle look, aftermarket grille designs can make your Jeep look more rugge

Use Jeep accessories to upgrade the look of your ride and showcase your personal style. Many stylish accessories also add protection and improve functionality. Whether you want to make a dramatic or subtle change to the exterior or interior of your Jeep, you’ll find an array of possibilities. Try out these 10 must-have accessories to personalize your Jeep. 1. Headlights Changing your headlights can offer some of the most benefits of any modification you can make to your Jeep. LED headlights r

“What we do in life…echoes in eternity.” ​ – Maximus Decimus Meridius (Gladiator) I couldn’t agree more with the General. Isn’t that why we choose to drive a Jeep? And when it comes to wanting the very best for (and out of) your Jeep, many owners ​love​ to add accessories. Some to make them withstand the elements, some to simply make them more user-friendly for their specific needs, and many…just to armour them up to last. This is when ​Fishbone Offroad​ can serve as an excellent resource to

If you’re an avid night rider or just like lighting up your competition, then keep reading to hear about our latest lighting solution for your JL and Gladiator! We here at Fishbone HQ believe a light bar is an essential piece to any rig.  But mounting it to the top leaves your hood empty and barren and also makes it harder to see during rain storms at night. Introducing our Cowl Light Bar brackets.  These steel and foam padded mounts are perfect points for your favorite cube lights, or a 40

After recently attending a local off-road park, I concluded that not one vehicle I saw was void of some type of modification. Modifying Jeeps and Trucks is almost a necessity for outdoor adventure seekers, but not all mods are the same. I saw everything from massive builds, rendering the vehicle unrecognizable to its original design, to simple modifications that were designed to represent the owner’s personality and style. I also saw the impact of modifying with inferior parts. In my opinion

If your Jeep Wrangler JL is a trail blazer or your rig is lifted with new tires, then keep reading to hear about our latest JL upgrade to keep your Jeep Wrangler JL looking like new. Introducing the Fishbone Offroad Rocker Guards and Step Sliders for 2 Door and 4 Door Jeep Wrangler JL's. Hardcore trail riders understand that tall rocks are your body’s worst enemy. One wrong turn could send dents and scratches up your rocker panels and doors.  These 2in steel tube guards mount easily to factor

The Baofeng DR-1801 (also called the DR-1801UV) is the newer version of the venerable DM-1801. The old DM-1801 was one of the most popular entry level DMR radios around. It was an excellent balance of capabilities at an inexpensive price for those just getting started in digital radio who still wanted dual-band analog capabilities. View the full article

The Baofeng UV-32 is one of several radios recently released that are just plain big. The Hamgeek APX-8000, Baofeng  UV-25, and the Baofeng AR-152 are all close to the same size. These are definitely not meant to be pocketable radios. The AR -152 was basically an oversized UV-5R, with a really big battery on the bottom. The question is, is this more of the same? View the full article

The Baofeng UV-17R, UV-17 Plus, and UV-17 Pro are essentially the same radio, except the Plus adds a USB-C battery and the Pro adds GPS and a UCB-C battery, and they both jack up the price. They are reasonably new Baofeng radios that have the new 1.77" color screen and in most advertising claim to be upgraded versions of the UV-5R (no doubt to get hits from using the most popular model number on the planet). View the full article