• Legendary Jeep® 4×4 capability reaches new levels in Wrangler (JL) and Gladiator (JT) models
• New Bilstein monotube shocks with remote reservoirs deliver increased performance with
larger wheels and tires
• See the Mopar e-Store for more information or to purchase
Jeep® is taking its legendary 4×4 capability to a higher level for current Wrangler (JL) and Gladiator (JT) vehicles with an upgraded Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) 2-inch lift kit from Mopar that includes specially tuned Bilstein 46-millimeter monotube shocks with remote reservoirs.
The new Bilstein shocks complement increased ground clearance and larger wheels and tires by offering consistent, fade-free performance in all conditions. In addition, a self-adjusting, deflective-disc valve reacts instantly to surface changes, giving the driver maximum control.
Remote reservoirs increase oil capacity for greater heat dissipation, while a unique swivel banjo fitting allows for a 360-degree rotation of the flex hose for direct fitment while protecting the reservoir oil line from contact. The new bolt-on JPP lift kit is easily installed in stock mounting locations with no extra drilling needed.
“Our Jeep Performance Parts team at Mopar is always looking for innovative ways to improve
performance for off-road enthusiasts,” said Mike Koval, head of Mopar North America. “With more than 500 quality-tested, factory-backed performance parts and accessories for the Jeep lineup, our customers win with new options to upgrade and personalize their vehicles.”
Included in the new JPP lift kit are four springs, four Bilstein shocks with remote reservoirs, front lower control arms, front and rear stabilizer links, front and rear bump stops, assorted fasteners and the JPP badge. The kit is specially packed in a custom, reusable wooden crate branded with the JPP logo.
“We can’t wait for our Jeep off-road community to experience the new Jeep Performance Parts lift kit with Bilstein shocks on Wrangler and Gladiator this summer,” said Jim Morrison, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America. “There is nothing quite like legendary Jeep 4×4 capability for enthusiasts who want to tackle the toughest terrains.”
The new JPP 2-inch lift kit is available for the 2018 model-year and newer Jeep Wranglers (JL) and 2020
model-year and newer Jeep Gladiators (JT). U.S. manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $2,095.
The following are Mopar part numbers for each Jeep vehicle model. See the Mopar e-Store for more information or to purchase.
This year it seemed as though we were at an event every month. From King of the Hammers to Overland Expo Mountain West, Tread was there covering the action for our YouTube channel and for Motortopia.
Our event schedule for 2023 kicked off with off-road racing at King of the Hammers. One of our favorite events of the year, KOH provides over two weeks worth of racing action, with the most happening in an action packed 10 days. This year we got to root on some friends who were racing for Rusty Nail Racing in the Every Man’s Challenge on Friday before we caught the big race on Saturday.
If you’re looking to gain overland travel knowledge, the Overland Expo series is a great place to spend a long weekend. With the biggest show in Flagstaff in May, Overland Expo has expanded to 4 events a year and each brings its own flavor to the mix. Always action packed with vendor booths, classes, driving demos, roundtable discussions, and evening entertainment, Overland Expo does not disappoint and is worth checking out.
This year we attended two Jeep focused events, Easter Jeep Safari in Moab and Jeep Beach in Daytona, Florida. Both a week long, these events are great for those looking to be surrounded by likeminded Jeep owners. Easter Jeep Safari allows attendees to go out on group trail rides, and there is a vendor show at the end of the week. Jeep Beach runs the span of the Daytona Speedway with lots of booths and entertainment. Booths even spill out on to the beach where vendors and companies keep the entertainment going with games and fun activities for attendees. A great spot to work on your tan, take in some sea air, and show off your unique Jeep build.
Each event brings a unique experience and we’ve been excited to share it with you. If you know of an event worth checking out in 2024, let us know.
We had a blast at King of the Hammers this year. Sponsored by big names like Nitto Tire and WARN, the event kicked off our year in the dusty, rocky playground of Johnson Valley, CA. When we weren’t spectating some insane rock crawling and high-speed desert runs like the Ultra4, we hung out in Hammertown checking out the latest gear from some of our favorite brands, where we passed the mic to Sir William Goes, who captured some incredible moments.
In May, overlanders from all over the world converge in Flagstaff, AZ, for Overland Expo West. The year’s first big event in the Overland Expo series and arguably the biggest overlanding event of the year, it brought out 30,000+ attendees, officially the largest in its history. By the numbers, there were 417 registered exhibitors, 136 presenters, trainers, and VIPs, 448+ classes, seminars, demos, and activities, with over 509 instructional hours, not to mention the crazy amount of new product releases.
You might recognize some of the vehicles we spotted at Overland Expo PNW in this issue (and previous issues) of Tread. The Boreal Forest provided a stunning backdrop for a weekend of camping, vehicle demos, product debuts, and more. With so many PNW-based enthusiasts and brands showing out and Braxton Klavins behind the camera for Tread, we got the chance to catch up with good friends to explore the most innovative products and coolest new builds from around the Pacific Northwest.
It’s the biggest Jeep party of the year, every year. The variety of Jeeps that we witnessed at Jeep Beach 2023 as Andrew Rivera took us around Daytona Beach, FL was truly amazing. Sponsors like TeraFlex and Bestop set up a series of obstacle courses that challenged every kind of Jeep, from Rubicon to Willys to Laredo. It’s a full week of East Coast Jeep enthusiasts enjoying sun, surf, the new Jeep 4xe, new products, and all the custom Jeeps you could possibly dream of.
New Jeeps, old Jeeps, red Jeeps, blue Jeeps… and an Isuzu and a Bronco, too. Everybody jumps in on the fun at EJS in Moab, where we hung out with Enoch and Delia from MoLeisure Xventures on the trail ride, at the expo, and get the lowdown on a bunch of new concept vehicles from Jeep, including the Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Departure, Rubicon Sideburn, pictured below, and lots more, like the Scrambler 392, all-electric Magneto 3.0, and retro electric 1978 Jeep Cherokee 4xe.
Editor’s Note: A version of this article appeared in TREAD Nov/Dec 2023.
The crew at Go Rhino has been working on some new and exciting things that are coming our way. The shining star — literally? Their all-new Xplor Series lighting lineup. “At Go Rhino, we believe that exploring the unseen is more than just a pastime: it’s a passion that brings people together, tests their limits, and teaches the true meaning of adventure,” they explain. We agree completely, and we know that there are some essentials you need to explore in the dark, quality lighting being one of them.
Go Rhino released something unique with their Blackout Series and Blackout Combo Series lighting options. For those who like the blacked out look, these lights are for you. If that is not your thing, then the Bright Series is your genre. Both work with the compatible Go Rhino Switch Controller, to make a one-stop-shop opportunity and have it all work together seamlessly. Let’s dive into Go Rhino’s latest lighting evolutions: the Xplor Blackout Series, Blackout Combo Series, Bright Series, and Flash Series.
The Blackout Series offers more than just one innovative upgrade to your lighting system. Their high-pressure, cast aluminum housings double as heat sinks, preventing overheating. Also, all-black reflectors reduce glare. Not to mention, the smooth polycarbonate lenses are stronger and more durable than glass or plastic making them offer greater resistance to scratching and impacts.The lenses are also UV coated, making them more weather-resistant.
The OSRAM LEDs are rated for 50,000 hours and are IP68 certified to fight off dust and moisture for unlimited outdoor use. Plus, all black stainless steel mounting hardware and brackets give the whole setup a smooth, cohesive look. Each of the lighting options in this lineup are plug-n-play ready, with wire harness, fuse, and switch included.
Available in spot or flood optics, these lights emit a bright white 6000K beam. While both lights use 4 LEDs, the smaller Cubeit 2 puts out 20 watts, while the Cubeit 3 emits 40 watts. The Cubeit 3 is a more traditional size with powerful light.
With a wide angle of diffusion ideal for rock lights, the Sideline emits a bright white 5700K Beam using a total of 70 watts. Perfect for ditch lights, the side LEDs throw a broad pattern. They are available in flood or spot optics, allowing you to dial in to your specific purpose.
Six 5-watt LEDs totaling 30 watts put out a bright white 6000k beam on the Sixline. It comes available in both spot or flood optics. Single stud mount as well as flush bezel mount options make it easy to mount anywhere you need extra illumination.
Available in 7- or 9-inch options, the Maxline and Maxround are the highest output options in the Xplor series. This is for the user looking for max power with max capabilities. The 9-inch Maxline is rated at 144 watts while the 7-inch comes in at 108 watts. The 9-inch Maxround uses 170 watts to put out 14,280 raw lumens, while the 7-inch serves up 80 watts of power for 6,720 raw lumens. The blackout reflector and unique shape and style sets them apart.
The Singleline light bar comes in at just over 1.5 inches high, while the Doubleline – you guessed it – doubles it. Both light bars are available in 20-, 30-, or 40-inch options, with Singleline outputs ranging between 6,300 to 12,600 raw lumens. The Singleline light bar has side mount capability, is low profile to give a space saving powerhouse to fit anywhere on your vehicle. The Doubleline LED light bar comes in the same lengths as the Singleline, but with more robust power outputs, from 200, 300, and 400 watts, with some serious outputs of 16,800, 25,200, and 33,600 raw lumens respectively.
The Blackout Combo Series offers the same stealthy design as the Blackout Series, but with added color. While the Blackout Series puts out bright white light, the Combo Series lights also include amber and flashing amber.
Both Blackout options use the same OSRAM LEDs, with a white color temperature of 5700K, but the Blackout Combo also features R65 compliant amber warning lights, which also come with a strobe function. The Combos’ constant built-in white running/marker lights, or daytime running lights, have you covered for most on- or off-road driving, while the amber option gives necessary visibility in low-vis weather like rain, dust, and fog. The Blackout Combo Series is available in models Sideline, Sixline, Singleline, and Doubleline. They are just like the Blackouts in terms of wattage and output, but with the addition of amber LED marker lights that have both constant and flash capabilities to give users more versatility while out adventuring.
The Bright Series are the best bang for your buck when it comes to Go Rhino’s Xplor lineup. They’re just as reliable and high-quality as the Blackout Series, and a little friendlier on the wallet. The selection includes various sizes, models, and options to meet almost anyone’s needs. While delivering a more traditional look, the Bright Series has something for all your lighting needs. There are plenty of options for light bars, cube and rectangular lights for bumpers and a-pillars, and also round lights. Match any combination of lights to the Light Switch Controller and you’ll easily be lighting up the trail. The Bright Series is great for the user looking for the best ‘bang for the buck’ lighting in the Xplor lineup.
Cube 3 offers four interchangeable colored bezels as well as standard all-black construction and plug-n-play wiring. It’s sold in a set of 2 and available in flood and spot optics.
Available with all the same features as Cube 3 (except the colorful bezels), the Sideline Rectangle uses more LEDs to put out 75 watts. The sets of two are available in spot and flood optics, and it comes with a plug-n-play harness.
Each features aluminum housing, all black hardware and mounting brackets, and plug-n-play wire harness. Both are available with spot and flood optics, with LED configurations ranging from 2 for the small to 6 for the large. These also come in sets of two.
The same new & improved aluminum housing, and available in combo optics (spot and flood). It features all black hardware and mounting brackets, plus plug-n-play wiring. These light bars are available in 20-, 30-, 40-, and 50-inch sizes.
The Round 6 offers all the benefits of the other Bright Series, and has both driving and spot optics in addition to spot capability. They come with integrated DRL functionality and a plug-n-play harness.
An ideal floodlight, the Square 5 comes as a set of two in the same great package with flood optics.
The way to complete your Xplor Lighting collection is with a way to control all the lights. That’s where the Go Rhino 8-Channel Light Controller comes in. specifically designed for the off-road enthusiast and adventure seeker who wants to control all their accessories from a single compact unit. The controller features up to 8 channels with a sticker sheet to encourage customization to the user’s preference, whether lights or accessories. It also features a master on/off memory override center switch for those times you want to shut it all down quickly.
Small but mighty, the Flash Series offers a multi-function, white, red, and amber light bar in a tiny package. Less than 1 inch tall, it can function as a brake light, running light in white or amber, or a white flood light when needed.
Just like the Blackout series offerings, the Flash Series offers a high-pressure cast aluminum housing, patented all black opticals, no hardware, and a seamless polycarbonate lens. Available in 10-inch, 20-inch and 30-inch lengths, with adjustable mounting brackets included.
If your lighting setup has been lacking power, or you’re on the hunt for quality upgrades that won’t break the bank, check out the GoRhino Xplor series. From top-of-the-line Blackout and Blackout Combo to wallet-friendly Bright Series and more, Xplor offers tons of solutions sure to take your lighting setup to the next level. For more information or to shop the lineup, visit gorhino.com.
Editor’s Note: A version of this article appeared in TREAD Nov/Dec 2023.
