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Jeep Overlanding Basics. If you love going off-road with your Jeep and you love camping, it’s time to take things to the next level with Overlanding. After all, one of the best things about owning a Jeep is the ability to travel just about anywhere! It may not be ideal if you’re new to the lifestyle but with some experience, you can overland for days, weeks, and even months.   What is Overlanding?

Some years ask questions, while other years answer them~ My question to you: Did you enjoy your story? You may be thinking, “But my story isn’t over yet”. We get it, neither is ours, and yet in our pursuit of a life less ordinary, we spend hours each year discussing where we want this road to take us. And those answers help direct us along the right path. What we see around us is that although so many have so much, society has more and more people who are dissatisfied with their

.So we've got the 2020 Gladiator up on the rack here Scott's shop, Axleboy Off Road. Scott, tell us about what we're looking at here with a bone stock Gladiator. Yeah, absolutely. Moving up here to the front, we've got front and rear differentials. We've got those 3:21 gears we talked about inside here, and what that means is it means that this driveshaft turns 3.21 times to one revolution of a tire. That's what that means. As we put the bigger tires on, w

I’ve always been drawn to natural flora and fauna so it was an easy yes to admiring nature at Lankester Botanical Gardens on our Orosi Loop. The Jardin Botanico Lankester was founded in the 1940s when the British naturalist Charles Lankester expressed interest in the cultivation of epiphytic plants in Costa Rica. Although an amateur botanist, Charles dedicated his life to a private garden on his estate. The gardens flourished under his care and study and after his death,

Hey everybody, I'm Tom Shipley. I'm here with Scott Carline from Axleboy Offroad. We just purchased a brand new 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport and I worked very closely with Scott to spec this out. We talked to a bunch of different dealers, we did a lot of research online. We're going to do a walk around of the stock Jeep and talk about some of the things that we want to improve. We're seeking to walk through the process of buying a new Jeep and then doing modifications to make the Jeep precisely fit

When planning our trip to Costa Rica, I knew one highlight for me would be a couple of days touring the Orosi Valley. This lush valley set only two hours from the capital features a small town surrounded by adventure. As we crested the hills towards this tranquil town lovingly positioned in a scenic valley I knew I was in love. The lush hillsides were ablaze with the orange-red flowers of the Coral Trees that grow randomly where coffee is grown. The town of Orosi is easily walkable w

Top Tips for New Jeep Owners. Are you starting the new year off with a new Jeep? If so, welcome to the family! Before you dive right into Jeep ownership, there are a few things you should know about being a member of this special club.    You’re Officially Living the Jeep Life Welcome to a world where everything you do revolves around your Jeep. You probably have a picture of it as your phon

The ONE wildlife species I really wanted to see in Costa Rica was a sloth. I thought, how hard can it be? They literally move slower than molasses so it seemed as though they’d be easy to spot. I was wrong. Beginning on our first night walking tour outside Tortuguero Village with a guide I had my camera at the ready to capture one of these furry slow-moving mammals. Sloths are the sluggish tree-dwelling mammals found in the rainforests of Central and South America. An extremely

Hi, I'm Tom Shipley. I've been working with Axleboy Offroad to help them with their marketing efforts over the last year, and for 2020, we've landed on a big idea to get the word out about Axleboy Offroad throughout the St. Louis region and we're going to do a special custom build of a brand new 2020 Jeep Gladiator. So this series of videos is going to take you along for the ride. As we first take delivery of the Gladiator, we're going to do a walk aroun

Looking for a great hotel choice? Here is our choice in San Jose, Costa Rica. One of the first steps in planning any getaway is deciding on a place to stay. In a large capital city like San Jose, there are literally hundreds of hotels, apartments, hostels, and Airbnb as options. We could, of course, have gone with one of the big chain hotels that dot the city as regularly as Mcdonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises. However dependable such a choice is for a one-nighter in a stran

Great Gifts for Jeep Lovers! The holidays are right around the corner. Have you crossed everyone off your list yet? Whether you’re looking to score a last-minute gift for the Jeep enthusiast in your life or finding something to splurge on for yourself, we have a few recommendations for off-roaders and overlanders. When you spend as much time outdoors as you do in your Jeep, you need serious gear that’s seriously easy to pack away and store — and ma

So, you’re looking to plan a trip to Costa Rica? Here are some fun facts to help you plan your itinerary. Costa Rica sits comfortably between Nicaragua and Panama in Central America and is home to a little over 5 million people, with over 50,000 of those being American ex-pats. It has long been touted as one of the most biologically diverse and beautiful countries in the region and is home to an astonishing array of wildlife. Unlike Mexico, its famous cousin to the north, Costa R

Winter Weather in Your Wrangler! Winter weather has officially arrived in St. Louis, and while some snowbirds are flying to warmer areas, Wrangler owners in colder climates are getting ready to travel the snowy trails. Even if you have the gear to tackle snow, slush, and ice, it’s important to understand that the “rules” of winter driving still apply. The fundamental basis for winter driving is to avoid any abrupt turns, stops, and other potentiall

Recently we’ve been feeling in a bit of a funk. With a long and busy high season behind us life had slowed down at work but we were finding ourselves spending every weekend with errands, doctor’s appointments, and the like and began to fully realize how errant we were in not planning a fall vacation. With Costa Rica still two months away…an eternity when in a funk, and fall weather turning to winter my mood was grim. While speaking with a staff member asking how she was doing she men

Jeep Wrangler Tires. Let’s face it: There’s a good chance you bought a Jeep Wrangler because you’re ready to explore the great outdoors with off-road driving. In order to navigate trails that lead to the best fishing (or mudding) holes, it’s important to have the right tires — not only for your vehicle but also for where you’ll be taking it. Knowing what you want to do and where you’ll be going is the first step in determining which tires will be b

The rain increased as I stumbled along the path, tripping over tree roots. Confused, I realized I’d made a wrong turn somewhere along the way and turned to correct the path when I saw a group of men approaching in the ever-darkening Guatemalan evening. I continued forward while trying to project confidence with Aspen glued to my side. I uttered a greeting as we passed the group and received long stares in response before their gaze turned to the large black dog at my side. I hurried her along th

Top Jeep Wrangler Modifications. If you’re reading this post, there’s a good chance you’re ready to mod out your Jeep Wrangler but don’t quite know where to start. Don’t worry — you’ve come to the right place! Not only do you need the best mods, you also need top-notch service to match. We can provide both. Below is just a short list of the most popular modifications we offer for your Jeep Wrangler; don’t hesitate to ask us about others. Backup Cameras

What does adventure mean to you? Is it a weekend away to a new destination? Perhaps adventure to you means just pushing boundaries beyond your normal comfort zone. We have always gotten an incredible high from waking up in a new country or location with no idea how the day would play out. 2020 is not that year. http://thenextbigadventure.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/DSCN0365_2770-e1565815753723-768x1024.jpg The official definition of adventure even adds in a bit of danger. ad·v

The Dealer Told Me Aftermarket Upgrades Would Void My Jeep Warranty We hear it all the time during Jeep-build consultations. Picture this: Clients considering the purchase of a new Jeep come into Axleboy Off-Road with questions about suspension upgrades, new bumpers, fenders, new tires, etc. We enjoy taking about Jeep upgrades, local Jeep clubs, and trails so a discussion may take anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes. Somewhere dur

The light rising over the bay bathed us in light, but it was the waves that had woken me. Not crashing onto the beach but like a whisper. Similar to belly breathing in Yoga with a long deep inhale culminating in a soft exhale. Thus began another day in paradise. This is life on the Baja. http://thenextbigadventure.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSCN9840_2181-1024x768.jpg The waves are again caressing the beach as I write this….the life of a freelancer, forever searching for an office with a

Regearing Your Jeep. If you own a Jeep, there’s a good chance you’ve already heard about re-gearing — but do you know what it actually entails and if it’s right for your 4×4? What do gears even do? Would you know the right time to re-gear? Our pros break it down for you. What do gears do? The gears that were factory-installed in your Jeep are designed to fit the ratio and the torque of the package your vehicle came with. “Gearing” itself

A leveling kit is one of the most popular upgrades for Ford truck owners in St. Louis. It brings the front end up for a stronger stance, improves tire clearance, and reduces factory rake. But when installed incorrectly, leveling kits can create harsh ride quality, poor alignment, rubbing, and steering wander — especially on Missouri highways. Ford F-150 and Super Duty trucks respond differently to leveling, so choosing the correct parts

Install These Jeep Parts. Every so often we’ll have a customer come in with a Jeep full of parts that they just ordered online and ask us how much it will cost to have it all installed. We are excited that people continue to take an interest in modifying their Jeeps and that our reputation for quality workmanship has spread throughout the Jeep community. We don’t like to turn away opportunities to work on Jeeps, but several years ago we adopted a fairly standa

Many St. Louis Ford truck owners upgrade to lift kits for bigger tires, better trail performance, and a more commanding stance. But the wrong lift kit — or an incomplete one — can lead to steering wander, harsh ride quality, driveline vibrations, and unsafe towing behavior. Ford trucks require lift systems designed around platform-specific geometry. This guide covers how to lift your Ford F-150 or Super Duty correctly and avoid the commo

So, I moved into the Jeep world in 1996. I started off at a Jeep dealer, and I quickly rose up. I was a shop foreman, working through the service department. In the early 2000s, one of my best friends bought a brand new Jeep Rubicon when it came out, and he took me out Jeeping with him, and within seconds I was hooked. I knew this was something I had to do. I wanted to do it within the dealership environment. The owners of the dealership weren't really int

Steering problems are common among Ford truck owners in St. Louis, especially after adding larger tires or suspension lifts. Wandering on the highway, loose steering feel, and bump-induced shimmy are symptoms of worn components or incorrect geometry — but they are entirely fixable. This guide breaks down the most common steering causes for Ford F-150 and Super Duty trucks and the upgrades that restore stable, confident control.

When our jeeps are bought new they come out with an all season tire, and that all season tire it's really designed to work everywhere, drive, pavements, snow, ice, rain. They're designed to last a long time and they're designed to be quiet. They don't do us very much good off road, and so if you're planning on doing some trails, or you're getting into some mud, or some grassy fields, it's definitely not the choice. The next step up from there is going to be an all ter

Upgrading to larger tires transforms the look and capability of Ford trucks across St. Louis, but it also changes the final drive ratio. This leads to sluggish acceleration, excessive downshifting, and weakened towing performance. Regearing restores lost torque and optimizes your truck’s drivability. This guide explains why F-150 and Super Duty owners experience power loss with 35–37 inch tires, how differential gears solve the issue, and what gear r

Here at Axleboy, we have found that a lot more women are getting into the Jeeping lifestyle. We want to make them feel welcome. We want to get their questions answered. We build trust with them and making sure that they feel that they can come to Axleboy and get the service and quality that they're looking for. One thing that we often hear is that at other places or dealerships, they just didn't feel respected, or they didn't get their questions answered. We make sure that that does not happen h

Upgrading to larger tires transforms the look and capability of Ford trucks across St. Louis, but it also changes the final drive ratio. This leads to sluggish acceleration, excessive downshifting, and weakened towing performance. Regearing restores lost torque and optimizes your truck’s drivability. This guide explains why F-150 and Super Duty owners experience power loss with 35–37 inch tires, how differential gears solve the issue, and what gear r