Show notes
Welcome to Episode 1407 of the Jeep Talk Show — now in our 16th year of unfiltered Jeep talk, trail tips, mod advice, and real community vibes!
In This Episode Tony breaks down the shocking news rocking the Jeep world: Stellantis has discontinued the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) 4xe models in North America starting with the 2026 model year. The Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe have quietly vanished from Jeep's build configurator — no press release, no fanfare.
We dig into the reasons:
- Ongoing recalls (battery fires, power issues, stop-sales)
- Shifting demand with lower gas prices
- End of big EV incentives
- Why simpler gas or mild-hybrid setups may make more sense for real off-roaders
Current 4xe owners — don't panic. Get your recalls handled. Jeep should continue supporting parts for years. Is this a smart pivot away from problematic tech, or a step back from "green"? We discuss the pros, cons, and what it means for the future of electrified Jeeps.
Classic Budget Mod Debate: Mud-Terrain Tires First, or Lockers? Tires are the foundation — they touch the ground and deliver instant gains in mud, loose dirt, rocks, and that aggressive stance. Lockers shine in extreme rock crawling when wheels lift, but on a budget many Jeepers start with MTs for better "two-tire grip" across the axle instead of four tires spinning. Real-world thoughts on why MTs often win for everyday wheeling, and when lockers become essential. What's your pick? Drop it in the comments.
Wrangler 392 Pricing Rant Why are these V8 beasts still priced so high (even after recent drops like the new Moab 392 specials coming in ~$20k cheaper than prior Rubicons)? With gas prices down and that Hemi torque and sound still loved, Jeep could move a lot more units by making them more accessible — closer to a loaded 3.6 Rubicon premium. Come on, Jeep — keep the go-anywhere spirit alive without luxury pricing!
Communications Corner: Is Ham Radio Obsolete? With GMRS, cell phones, and Starlink, is ham radio still relevant for emergencies? We explore why ham still rules as a resilient backup (no grid or internet needed, global reach in disasters like hurricanes or EMP scenarios). GMRS is great for easy trail chats, but a layered plan is best — test your gear, know your repeater backups, and stay ready. 73 to the hams out there!
Bonus Announcement Tony launches his new interview show — The Tony Muckleroy Show — on YouTube and Spotify. Wide-ranging conversations on anything interesting, starting with a personal talk on paranormal experiences with his daughter. Check it out for ghosts, stories, and random deep dives!
Timestamps - 00:00 – Show Introduction
- 00:51 – Ham Radio Basics and Licenses
- 02:04 – Four-by-E Plug-In Hybrid Phase-out
- 04:59 – Jeep Powertrain, V8 Debate and Fuel Prices
- 09:01 – Listener Interaction and Fuel Outlook
- 10:39 – Launch of the Tony Muckleroy Show
- 13:43 – Lockers vs Mud-Terrain Tires – Part 1
- 17:37 – Lockers vs Mud-Terrain Tires – Part 2
- 22:25 – Jeep Pricing and the March Model Discussion
- 25:06 – Additional Jeep Price Concerns
- 28:09 – Emergency Communications Overview
- 34:32 – Detailed Emergency Communication Strategies
- 40:35 – Planning Your Emergency Communication Setup
- 46:29 – Closing Remarks and Call to Action
Thanks for watching/listening, Jeep family! Smash that LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the bell for more.
Comment your thoughts on the 4xe news, MTs vs. lockers, 392 pricing, or ham radio.
Send voice messages or ideas via [jeeptalkshow.com/contact](https://jeeptalkshow.com/contact), DM on X [@TonyMuckleroy](https://x.com/TonyMuckleroy), or call in next live!
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Keep the shiny side up, rubber side down, and four wheels driving. See you on the trail!
#JeepTalkShow #JeepWrangler #4xeDiscontinued #Wrangler392 #OffRoadMods #HamRadio #JeepCommunity #JeepLife
Links Website: [https://jeeptalkshow.com/](https://jeeptalkshow.com/) Spotify: [https://jeeptalkshow.com/spotify](https://jeeptalkshow.com/spotify) Discord: [https://jeeptalkshow.com/discord](https://jeeptalkshow.com/discord) Newsletter: [https://jeeptalkshow.com/newsletter](https://jeeptalkshow.com/newsletter) Patreon: [https://jeeptalkshow.com/patreon](https://jeeptalkshow.com/patreon) Well hey Jeepers, welcome back to another jam-packed episode of the Jeep Talk Show with Tony and Josh. We open on a somber note with the recent discovery of a crashed 2005 red Jeep Wrangler off Highway 6 in Oregon's Tillamook area. Loggers/ODF personnel found the vehicle (linked to a September 2025 missing persons case out of Beaverton) along with skeletal remains believed to be those of Eddie Hair (Hare) and Scott Smith, both in their late 60s. Official identification is pending (dental records/personal effects), but the registration and circumstances point strongly to the two men who never returned from an outdoor/wheeling trip. We discuss the tragic accident angle, the "red Jeep curse" running joke since 2020, and some classic banter about James Dean and why red Jeeps seem to stick in people's memories.
Then we dive deep into California's brand-new Replacement Tire Efficiency Program (approved by the CEC in mid-August 2026). Starting with tires manufactured on or after January 1, 2029, replacement passenger and light-truck tires sold in California must meet a maximum rolling resistance of roughly 9.0–9.1 N/kN (with a minimum wet-grip requirement). Phase 2 tightens it further to about 7.1–7.2 N/kN beginning January 1, 2033. Industry estimates suggest this could eliminate ~70% of current tire models from California shelves.
Listener voicemails follow (including DR in Utah checking in after a long absence and sharing updates on the Jeep Scrambler/IFS talk plus personal notes, and Nicky G with a string of classic dad jokes).
Then it's Round Table time: When (and why) do you put the shopping cart/basket/buggy back? Tony fires off a rant about free labor and shaming stickers; the crew (Glenn, John Lee, Rick, Bob, Travis and others) share honest takes ranging from "always, respect/karma/old-school raising" to "only if it's right next to me—I'm not working for the store." Robots, Walmart in-home delivery, and future trail-side parts robots even make an appearance.
We close the "F*CK You, You F*CK" segment with a heated takedown of drivers who come to a near-complete stop to turn into a strip-mall, Burger King, or driveway—white-knuckle, wedding-cake-in-the-trunk style. Pit maneuvers and cow-catcher fantasies ensue.
Timestamps:
- 00:00 – Oregon Jeep Crash Linked to Missing Persons Case
- 02:46 – Red Jeeps and the Fatality Legend
- 05:57 – California's Upcoming Tire Rolling‑Resistance Ban
- 16:40 – Potential Phase Three and Mud‑Tire Restrictions
- 17:44 – Political Backlash to California Tire Regulations
- 18:52 – Policy Logic vs Feelings Debate
- 22:54 – Tire Market Impact and Personal Reflections
- 27:04 – Rant on California Environmental Policies
- 27:40 – Potential Legal Pushback Against California Policies
- 28:49 – Company Relocation and Exodus from California
- 29:39 – Show Promotion and Listener Engagement
- 32:33 – Fun Trivia and Jokes Segment
- 33:06 – Closing Remarks for Joke Segment
- 33:41 – Grocery Basket Etiquette and Future Automation
- 44:37 – Robotic Delivery and Basket Automation
- 47:36 – In‑Home Delivery Services and Their Impact
- 49:56 – Upcoming Episodes and Audience Engagement
- 53:59 – Final Closing and Call to Action
Key Highlights
- Tragic update on the missing Beaverton Jeepers and the red 2005 Wrangler found off Hwy 6
- Full breakdown of California's new tire efficiency standards and what it means for AT/hybrid tires, mud terrains (exempt), prices, and the broader market
- Honest Round Table on shopping-cart etiquette
- Classic JTS rant energy on terrible drivers
Got thoughts on the California tire rules (especially if you're in CA), the Oregon story, cart habits, or those crawl-to-turn drivers? We want to hear from you. Leave a comment, hit the video voicemail, email, or join the live Round Table.
Support the Show & Shop Jeep Gear Thank you for watching and listening! If you enjoyed the conversation with Tony and Josh, consider checking out some of the great products and upgrades we discussed.
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 (the iconic AT tire called out in the Phase 2 discussion) View on Amazon
Tire Tread Depth Gauge View on Amazon
Visit our website: https://jeeptalkshow.com/ Products From the show! https://jeeptalkshow.com/products Watch/Listen on Spotify https://jeeptalkshow.com/spotify Join our Discord Server: https://jeeptalkshow.com/discord Subscribe to our newsletter: https://jeeptalkshow.com/newsletter Help Support the show via Patreon: https://jeeptalkshow.com/patreon
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