Broadhead qualified for the sweepstakes by having his '98 Dodge sprayed with a Rhino Linings bedliner at Rhino Linings of Utah in Murray.
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Support Our Troops!
I read your magazine as often as I could while I was deployed in the Indian Ocean. We were supporting OEF and later OIF by building and delivering bombs. The shot with me and the missiles was taken about a week before the Iraq War started. Shout out to all the brave troops on the ground: Fight the good fight!SRA Matt KenneyMinot, ND
My name is Jeremy Agner. I am 21 years old and have been reading your magazine for about five years. I am currently deployed in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division, 1-187 Infantry. This picture was taken on a patrol near the Tigris River, where part of our unit was receiving fire two days prior from a sniper across the river. I hope this makes it into the magazine. If not, my '83 Dodge Power Ram surely will when I get home.
Environmental & Political Watch
Our friends, the government watchdogs of the SEMA Washington D.C. office, have alerted us to a bill currently making its way through the Massachusetts legislature that would ban the sale or installation of "an exhaust system which has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust." The bill's approval by the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Public Safety came after a non-publicized hearing that was clearly intended to keep opponents of the measure at bay, says SEMA. The bill has now been referred to the House Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee. H.B. 1722 ignores the fact that aftermarket exhaust systems are designed to make vehicles run more efficiently without increasing emissions; does not supply law enforcement officials with a clear standard to enforce, allowing them to make subjective judgments on whether or not a modified exhaust system is in violation; and makes it difficult for hobbyists to replace factory exhaust systems
with more durable, better performing options. Contact your local state legislator (especially if you live in Massachusetts) to voice your disapproval of this bill.
Drivelines
Jeep Rescue Future Uncertain
Remember the brawny Rescue concept SUV that Jeep unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show? Don't hold your breath waiting for it to go into production. DaimlerChrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche, speaking at a press event (and quoted in Automotive News) noted that his company is trying to determine how to expand the Jeep brand, but he's concerned that borrowing parts or entire platforms from other DC lines may have a negative effect on Jeep's go-anywhere reputation. That parts- and platform-sharing practice is common with other automakers; think of how many products have been spawned from the basic F-150 platform.
So what does this have to do with the Rescue? Underneath the futuristic Jeep bodywork was a platform derived from the Dodge Ram pickup.
On the other hand, Zetsche acknowledged that what makes a Jeep a Jeep doesn't necessarily have to do with which bin its parts come from. He realizes that Jeep-ness has more to do with capabilities, characteristics, and a certain style that stays true to the brand.
All this seems to fly in the face of recent reports that Chrysler is planning to soften the off-road capabilities for some new Jeeps in order to broaden the line and sell more units. Let's hope so!
131-0407-driv-5
Trevor Creed, Chrysler's senior vice president of design, introduces the Jeep Rescue at the Detroit Auto Show.
NOTE:
Rick has shot new photos for this page about the Jeep Rescue. There may also be new copy included.The Jeep Unlimited may also be shown here. This page will be finished on April 12th after we get back from Moab.-Alan
Zetsche, later that same article, thinking he can meet Jeep buyer expectations regardless of vehicle engineering. He needs to read this magazine more often.