My Retrospective Look at Toledo Trek 2018

It was many months back, early spring of 2018, that I forged the idea in my rat’s nest-of-a-brain to take my 25-year old Wrangler YJ and set a course northward. To drive to the land long-revered as the birthplace of the Jeep- Toledo, Ohio. Looking back, I was a bit distressed that my old Jeep…

Toledo Trek 2018 Day 2: From Smalltown America to a Jeep Mecca

We pulled out of London, KY under a heavy cover of fog shortly after sunrise. After spending half an hour replenishing fluids, torqueing lugs and icing down drinks, we hit the road with a real sense of mission. The only thing between us and our destination was a six hour drive (that’s eight actual hours…

Toledo Trek 2018- Day 1: Washboard Roads & Soggy Ankles

Our first day of driving from Georgia to Ohio via a newly antiquated ’93 Wrangler YJ went remarkably well. We started out in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains, and, in true Jeeper fashion, chose to take the scenic route as much as possible. Although the interstates provide a much quicker rate of transit, there’s far…

Ed & Diane Balcer’s 2013 Wrangler JK

Our newest Rugged Rigs inductee is Ed & Diane Balcer from DePere, WI and their 2013 Jeep Commando Green Wrangler JK. And what a beauty it has become. When the Balcers first purchased the JK, it was with the intention for Diane to drive it to & from work. That plan was all but abandoned…

Kris & Lisa Lavery’s 2008 Wrangler JK RuBARKon

Our newest Jeep to be named an official Rugged Rigs honoree is a 2008 Wrangler X that belongs to the Lavery family of Old Forge, PA. It’s far from stock and since its painted Detonator Yellow, it’s pretty hard to hide in. If you’re wondering about the name RuBARKon, you’ll probably be happy to know…

Justin Howling and his 2014 JK Unlimited #souperwulf

Our very first official Rugged Rig inductee hails from way up north in Windsor, Ontario. Justin began his Jeep journey as innocently as the rest of us. He bought a Jeep because he thought it would make a pretty cool daily driver but with the added bonus of being able to strip the roof and…