After navigating Maui’s washed-out Road to Hana in a rented Jeep Wrangler in 2012, I knew I had to have one, one day. The joy of going with confidence where few tourists were willing to risk travel, made an otherwise disappointing, rain-soaked trip, an unforgettable adventure. I knew that back home in Canada, a vehicle like that would open up a whole new world of travel possibilities. Hence, I made my foray into the world of off-roading and overlanding with the purchase of a 2007 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, in the winter of 2014—eager to blend my love of travelling with a passion for wrenching on anything with wheels and an engine.
While Wranglers have skyrocketed in popularity since the introduction of the four door JK Unlimited models, I remain attached to the nostalgic look of the two doors, with a nimble, short wheelbase and limited interior space that screams impracticality. It’s the Jeep that hearkens to the legendary Willys, which for me it has a personal connection after growing up with stories of my late grandfather dodging Nazi patrols in Belgium with a crazy driver from Kentucky behind the wheel.
While a quick Google search will turn up a plethora of JKU overlanding builds, the challenges the standard JK make it a less popular platform. That’s ok. I’m up for the challenge.
Check out my ever-expanding list of mods and accessories that’s making my JK the loveable money pit that it is.
The Nooblanders 