News, beaters, and brutal lessons—with details you can use. We hit the week’s biggest off‑road stories (Stellantis earnings pain, ongoing 4xe overheating chatter, and Banks’ Cummins grid‑heater fix), then stack an under‑$5K beater build list with real‑world pros/cons: axle strength, IFS vs. solid‑axle tradeoffs, gearing, cooling, parts costs, and where rust hides. You’ll also get a practical day‑one upgrade checklist—tires, fluids, brakes, recovery points, and a $300 “don’t‑get‑stuck” kit. Finally, we pause the fail clips and break down exactly what went wrong—bad rigging, unsafe anchors, no spotter, and throttle panic—and show the quick habits that keep you wheeling instead of wrenching.
📍Trails and Destinations
🛠️ Gear and Tools
🚙 Community Shoutouts
🌎 Advocacy & Conservation
📰 News Topics
Stellantis posts $2.7 billion H1 2025 loss; Jeep & Ram the lone bright spots 🔥
Jeep 4xe overheating woes & Moab charging-station debate
Cummins 8-speed upgrade & Banks Monster-Ram grid-heater fix
SEMA 2026 build plans + Black Crows & Queens of the Stone Age announced for 2025 show
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