Our love of the outdoors here at SKILLSET is no secret. If you’ve been following the brand for any length of time, then you know we’ve been bitten by the overlanding bug, like much of the world. After selling my old trusty 1993 Police Packaged Equipped Cherokee, I was left Jeepless and without an off-road rig as springtime approached. We needed a solution, and we needed it fast. But first, a little backstory.
My love for old, well-worn, beat-up jeeps is also pretty common knowledge. Many years ago, I bought a 1990 Renix-era Jeep Cherokee from a lovely, retired old couple. The old XJ spent most of its life getting dragged around behind an RV, so the high mileage didn’t scare me. I only bought it to haul mountain bikes up north and for occasional work. I had no idea my love affair would begin with one of America’s most beloved brands.
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Jeep Wrangler Comes Home
Fast forward to 2026. I decided the responsible grown-up thing to do was to let it go and find something the aftermarket supports more openly, like a 15-year version. The XJs of old were permanently retired back in 2001. Instead, I decided to see what all the hype was about by buying one of these Jeep JK Wrangler things. Ah, yes, one of those things I swore I’d never own. The Dashboard duck-collecting, jeep-waving, check-engine-lighted, soccer-mom commuter of Scottsdale was now taking up space in my driveway. But why?
As I mentioned above, the reason is simple: aftermarket support. There are many companies and accessories for the now beloved Wrangler platform. Working with brand partners to test and evaluate their gear makes more sense with this rig than with most. Then there’s reliability. Getting off the beaten path requires a rig that is not only capable and roadworthy, but also easy to source parts for if trouble arises. Parts stores across the country readily stock replacement parts. Tire shops anywhere on the planet stock this tire and bolt pattern. So with that, the decision was made.
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Overland Build Begins
Over the coming months, you can tune in and follow along as we upgrade this Jeep from an off-road rig into a more adventure-ready overland machine, capable of handling whatever we throw at it. Or at least, we hope to arrive at the next Overland Expo in style. I encourage you to ask questions, offer friendly advice, and send us links to your favorite aftermarket brands. But please, don’t send us any rubber ducks!
