Merry Jeeps-mas!!! Gifts for Jeep Lovers!

Greetings, Jeep Lovers!
Today we're going to have some fun!  The holidays are here and you know what that means...new gear!  One the best things about driving a Jeep is the community of awesome people and businesses that have built up a community around a fabulous brand.  Let's just sit back and talk Jeep for a bit, who knows, maybe we can solve that pesky present holdout issue?  Of course, there's always the "one for them, one for me" approach.  You may want to employ that as we get going...

Holiday Deco
Ornaments?  Oh yes, there are Jeep ornaments gallore.  Styles include: traditional bulb, flat cut velvet and more.  Don't be afraid to deck that tree!  There's also a decent collection of holiday cards for mailing to friends and family, reminding them that you're a Jeep lover and they should be too!

Stocking Stuffers
Stocking stuffers are small gifts that don't cost an arm and a leg.  We found Jeep stockings to hang by the chimney, as well as great little gifts to stuff them with.  Jeep mugs, key rings, magnets, jewelry (think Jeep dogtags), belt buckles, bottle openers, phone cases, novelty license plates, bumper stickers and more.  Many of these items can be had for under $15.

Small Gifts
In the under $25 category you'll find t-shirts, gym bags, hats, pocket knives, coaster sets, toys and games.  When you progress up the ladder to the $50 gifts, sweatshirts, towel sets, novelty signs and remote control Jeep toys join the mix.  I even found a Jeep Holiday Baking set, complete with cookie cutters, an apron and a novelty tree!

Gear Level Gifts
As you ease closer to $100, things become less novelty and more utility.  You can get some pretty sweet gear for 100 bucks.  Things like heavy duty floor mats, metal tool boxes, seat covers, window rolls and jack mounts.

Above and Beyond
From there the sky's the limit.  If you want to surprise your Jeep lover with a new bull bar or light kit, by all means go right ahead!  With a little creativity you could assemble quite a gift pack...maybe combine some of the items we talk about here with off-road driving lessons or a trip to a great driving location.  Have you considered a pack of car wash tickets to keep that Jeep looking sparkly through the salt and slush season?  You could also plan a Jeep-cation for later in the year, or load up the skis and hit the slopes (and snow banks).

If you support the Shop Local movement, come on in to Lahti's Jeep and we can talk Jeep gifts for as long as you'd like.  If you are doing your shopping on line, there's tons of great places to find Jeep gear. AllThingsJeep.com comes to mind, but just about any off-road or car part supplier worthy of the title will usually have a section designated to Jeep parts and accessories.  Remember, half the fun is in the hunt!  Get out there, page through the catalogs or sit at home in your PJs, scrolling thru the internet for the perfect gift.  Just have fun with it!  Until next time, we're wishing a very happy, safe, rubber-side-down holiday season to everyone.
- J.M. for Lahti's

Three Aftermarket Items for Jeep Lovers

Greetings, Jeep Lovers!
When it comes to accessorizing, Jeeps in general and the Wrangler or will give any A-list celebrity a run for the money.  As with any incredibly popular product (iPhone, Barbie, Harley-Davidson), a number of accessory options develop, as people want to personalize and equip their belongings.  There are so many options available some people don't know where to start.  Before you pick the right wheels, tires, bikini top or stereo package, there are a few important items you may want to give thought to.

Spare Tire Cover -There are 100s of versions of these, everything from your favorite cartoon characters to company logos to custom made versions that have whatever you want on them.  Looks aside, however, the real benefit to these are that they protect your spare from the elements.  Rust, road debris or salt from winter roads are not what you want reaching your spare.  As a side note, when you have your inflated to proper air pressure, be sure to include your spare in the cycle. 

Bumpers - There are a number of alternate bumper/protection add-ons that you can choose for your Jeep, depending on what you plan on doing in it.  There are thick, projecting loops known as "Bull Rings" that can include a skid plate, both of which may be useful in protecting the front of your vehicle should you choose to do some off-roading.  Other versions can include light guards to stop limbs or other debris from hitting the grill or corners of the Jeep, should you be trekking through high brush that could whip or snap while riding.  Rear versions may modify or strengthen the spare tire mount, allow for towing or reinforce the corners of the vehicle.  Take your time, look through the options and determine both what will be useful and what will give you peace of mind. 

Recovery Gear - One particular front bumper version is known as a winch shelf.  This is a bumper with a container built into it to house a particular recovery tool known as a winch.  This is a powered coil of wire that may be rated to different strengths, in terms of pulling power.  Should your Jeep get bogged down in mud, water, snow or sand and require recovery, simply shift to neutral (or keep in drive for particularly difficult snags), pull the cable out, attach or loop around a stationary object, and turn on the winch.  It is designed to slowly move your vehicle forward without causing unnecessary damage to the vehicle or the surroundings. There are even versions that have remote controls to make it easier to use. 

That's all for now, sports enthusiasts...but there's lots more where these came from!  Enjoy your Jeep, keep in touch and have fun shopping for accessories.  Remember, it's hard to put a price on peace of mind, and you can go as far as you want to down this road...we'll highlight more products in the future.  Thanks for reading, stay safe out there!
J.M. for Lahti's

Emergency Car Kit - Don't Leave Home Without It!

Greetings, Jeep Lovers!
This past week we were hit with snow and sleeting rain here in central Mass.  True, the storm never reached epic proportions this far from the coast, but then again, most people living in the tri-town area have to commute for work.  A friend was stuck driving home from work after the snow had changed to sleet.  His trip includes time on the 495 and Rt. 2.  He saw cars on the side of the road, others having a lot of trouble making safe progress, even an overturned flatbed truck.  This is when we are happy that Jeeps seem to have just the right amount of weight to be stable, as well as the four-wheel drive to maintain traction and secure driving.  Once he got past a certain point on Rt. 2 he had no problems.  That's New England for you...concentrated messy areas surrounded by large areas of natural beauty. 

So we know Jeeps rock...and we know winter's tough around here.  But there is something we can't account for: chaos.  Another friend flipped his truck going 20 mph and hitting black ice which carried him over an embankment.  It was very early in the morning and normally no one is on the road at that time.  Luckily a police car was right there at the time, because the officer had just had a very similar problem!  You may have heard of the woman who went off the road and wasn't discovered for a week.  She survived on a packet of peanut M&Ms and melted snow!  I love my Jeep and have no doubt that it would take a lot to get me off the road and in trouble, but what ifs can be scary.  That's why I have an emergency kit in my car!  Here's some ideas for items to include in yours.  Believe me, it's a weight off my mind, just knowing it's there!  You can make your own for under $100, but in the event of an emergency it will be PRICELESS.

Container:
- Toolbox (to keep everything together and tidy)

Shelter:
- Emergency Blankets
- Ponchos
- Handwarmers
- Duck (duct) Tape


Illumination/Fire:
- Glowsticks
- Flashlight w/batteries
- 50 Pk of Tea Light Candles
- Sterno Cans
- Lighters
- Waterproof Matches

Automotive:
- Tow Straps
- Fix-A-Flat

Nourishment:
- Freeze Dried Food Packets
- Bottled Water
- Five Hour Energy Drinks


Medical:
- Advil
- First Aid Kit
- Potable Water Tablets
- Hand Sanitizer
- Any vital medication

You can add to these suggestions, of course.  Perhaps an axe, rope, tent or saw?  Whatever makes you feel comfortable, but I think this is a great start and isn't so expensive that it can't be replaced if lost. If you or someone you care about is going to be on the road this winter, this might make an excellent holiday gift.
Until next time, stay safe!
J.M. for Lahti's Jeep

Announcing...I Heart Jeeps! The Lahti's Jeep Blog!

Only in a Jeep.

As the oldest off-road vehicle/SUV brand in existence, the go-to means of travel for soldiers in WWII and a vehicle that has become so much more than a form of transportation for millions, there is a lot that can be said about Jeeps.  That is why, as of today, we are starting a blog.  Here’s the sort of things we will be talking about:

• Jeep related activities, such as;
• Workshops
• Off-road driving courses
• Places to go, things to do
• Ideas for outfitting Jeeps with accessories
• Sale items
• Occasional personal stories
• Lots of Jeep love regarding the feel, ride, attitude of being in a Jeep
• Anything else of interest to jeep owners

We’ll be open to suggestions, and love to hear what you have to say.  We’re a close knit group…there’s not a lot of car owners that wave to each other.  So stick around, check us out when you have a chance and keep in touch!

- JM for Lahti’s