As our Project Jeep Wrangler draws to a conclusion, we’re tackling the finishing touches and what better way to conclude than with a visit to Goodwinch for something to fill the gap on that front bumper. This called for a conversation with David Bowyer, and thoughts about additional battery power

Words and photography: Matt Carson

Turn the clock back nearly 30 years and you’ll find David Bowyer putting together what was the UK’s first general magazine dedicated to all things four-wheel drive. Overlander 4x4 was a good idea then, and today that heritage is in the magazine you have in your hands. David’s publication was bought by specialist publisher Link House magazines, and re-named Off Road and 4 Wheel Driver, and David handed over the reins to a young, fresh-faced and even hirsute editor called Nigel Fryatt. Fast forward those thirty years, and the publication is now named 4x4 magazine, it once again has the same editor, and David Bowyer remains in the 4x4 business, proving that he has staying power to add to what is now an enviable and serious level of experience. However, that experience is not in the writing about 4x4s, because David is a ‘doer’, running both off-road driver training courses at his base at Crediton, in Devon, and offering the wide range of off-road equipment now available through his company, Goodwinch. Top of that range are the winches that David has been supplying to the 4x4 scene, which has cemented his reputation. If you want to talk winches, a long conversation with David Bowyer is a must.

With a background like that, David was the obvious choice to find a suitable winch for our Project Wrangler. In making the decision to decide the specification you first have to consider the vehicle’s weight, which for the Jeep Wrangler is about 1450kg, then the intended use you intend to put that vehicle and its winch. In our case, it’s for occasional off-road recovery and greenlaning, plus perhaps pulling the neighbours out of the ditch, should they get it all wrong this coming winter! These were the factors that we told David, to determine the required type of winch rating needed for our vehicle.

This month we visit Profusion Customs, largest importer and stockist of Magnaflow exhausts in Europe and official UK stockist.  It’s an exhausting business, but the Jeep’s all the better for the visit

Words and photography: Matt Carson

Profusion Customs is the type of company I like to deal with; a family business with a strong emphasise on customer service. The team are true specialists in that they only deal with exhausts and only sell market leading Magnaflow exhaust products.  So often nowadays, companies profess to specialise in everything!  Which, in my opinion, demeans the term specialist. A peek into Profusions stock room confirms this fact, it’s floor to ceiling packed with exhausts and all the necessary fitting components.

After a warm welcome to the comfortable and modern premises near Heathrow, the Jeep is up on the ramp and along with the Profusion crew of Raj, Jag and Ash, we all take a look at the crusty mess that is the stock Jeep exhaust system. Most likely all original, the exhaust has done well to last 14 years but is no longer at its best. The silencer is blowing slightly and no doubt half full of rusty flakes, while the tight pinched turns of the system no doubt rob power and hamper performance. The replacement exhaust that Profusion will fit aims to release these valuable extra horsepower and present a much smoother flowing exhaust, which in turn will also improve torque and fuel economy. 

Profusion supplies Magnaflow exhausts in a direct fit, pre-bent format or as individual components. This flexibility allows you to create an exhaust just how you want it. Multiple exits, side exits, louder, quieter - you get the idea. It also means Profusion can create an exhaust for any vehicle. If you’re handy with the spanners you can do it yourself as Profusion can also supply all the extras such as their excellent heavy duty clamps, hangers, bends, catalysers and more. The thought of more horsepower, improved torque and economy are hard to resist, so let’s get started…

The TJ is really coming together now, but we mustn’t get ahead of ourselves and overlook the basics, and with that in mind this month we visit G-force Autos based in Halifax for a thorough mechanical check over and service.

Words and photography: Matt Carson

G-force is a relatively new company, but has quickly become established, and gained a well-deserved reputation for selling, servicing and supplying Jeep accessories. G-force is a Rugged Ridge accessories premier dealer and Skyjacker Suspension main dealer and can order in just about anything you might want for your Jeep. What marks G-force out is that they also maintain a comprehensive stock of bumpers, suspension and the more popular accessories, therefore minimising any shipping delay from the USA.

Proprietor of G-force Autos, Trevor Taylor, is a long time Jeep fan and he and his team know their way around a TJ so I shouldn’t have been surprised that while I was helping myself to a cuppa in their showroom, they had lifted the TJ onto the ramp and already drained the oil and were asking me to pass over the new filter. I’ve chosen to use a K&N filter for the TJ following previous positive experience with my Grand Cherokee. The filter is more expensive than most but the quality is top drawer and I’ve every confidence in K&N’s claims regarding superior filtration and high flow rates. I also love the one-inch nut moulded into the top of the filter case, making it the easiest filter on the market to remove.

Now the Project starts to get interesting. This month, our Wrangler gets a significant lift, and some serious rubber to make a big statement, and a big footprint. Let’s go off-road and have some fun…

Words and photography: Matt Carson

If you’ve been following our Project TJ, you’ll know that we’ve now got our Jeep protected from the elements with help from Rustbuster and so it’s now time to get stuck into the more exciting area of modifying. First step has been to visit the Essex base of FTE 4x4 Specialists Ltd, Jeep specialists for over 14 years. Owner Steve Fagioli, is a veteran of modifying all kinds of Jeeps, although naturally Wranglers are the most popular, so he seemed the ideal place to start. Steve will be well-known to regular readers and he certainly practises what he preaches as an active participant in the UK Jeep scene; an all round good guy who knows his stuff. Which is just as well, as the last time I looked at modifying a Jeep was 15 years ago and the market has moved on since then. With the internet at hand as a research tool and credit card at the ready, the world is your oyster, which means you need a guide!