Colorado 4x4 Rescue and Recovery - Storm Mountain DOA jeep

Wednesday the 17th Colorado 4x4 Rescue and Recovery was dispatched to a call west of Loveland, Colorado on Storm Mountain's eastern side.
The day prior the owner was exploring the area and came upon a nice camp spot to sit and enjoy the view, after shutting the jeep off for a bit, the ignition was not responding to the key and was throwing a bunch of codes about low circuit voltage etc.
We suspect a wire shorted somewhere either in the engine bay or under the dash, and possible took out the computer. The battery was fully charged and there was power to the usual always on circuits in the fuse box, but we had found some blown fuses on accessories that were installed (by a previous owner) and think that it might have taken out the computer onboard when it shorted. The act of shutting the jeep off severed the connection to everything and then it was just dead.
we couldn't even get the dash cluster to respond!
we did try turning the key on in case it was actually working, and just the dash was dead. but manually jumping the starter relay proved to be ineffective. the starter was not engaging with the flywheel at all.
we jockeyed the jeep around and proceeded to FDT "flat dead tow" the vehicle out to the spot the tow truck would pick it up from.
All in all a pretty simple recovery, just a slow drive out as there are some rocky loose and steep spots along storm mountain on the way out.

[@adamschoenfeld3284]

That's a power group!!! You, Eric, and Jasmine! Gonna miss this!!

[@JustinKingOffroad]

dude you're gonna have to come back from time to time. somehow some way!!! we're gonna miss you big time!

[@bobvincent4841]

I hate how traction control kills power right when u need it, in sand, snow, or pulling someone just like you were, so in my 2016 PW i ran wiring to a switch inside my cab that kills power to the traction control relay, basically i can manually bypass my traction control and i LOVE that i can go around that Nanny crap. Great video Justin!

[@markreetz1001]

You guys were playing a game of "Dead Jeep in the Middle". Great seeing you guys out on the rescue trail!

[@JustinKingOffroad]

dead towing vehicles up and down trails is quite the tag team effort. i pull uphill, brake vehicle slows downhill. on the flats we try to sync speed.

[@UncleElroy21]

ahhhh the sound of that Hemi just humming right along. Love seeing the big boy PW putting in work!

[@Harry-zz2oh]

Shows a great way of towing when no power exists on the broken down :( Jeep. Excellent method for controlling the vehicles speed from behind. Great lesson for all of us; keeping some type of communication just in case something goes wrong. Thanks for the video, I learned another good lesson. Harry (2011 JKUR)

[@ajw007white4]

Great video sir thank you for sharing cheers🍻

[@mbiker345]

I had two of these wranglers. This isn’t surprising.

[@killahjeep]

Check all fuses under dash, and under the hood, there is likely a blown fuse, or a bad ignition switch... simple electrical probe and you should be able to diagnose its issues easily. Start with simplest items first, keyed ignition on should be easy to diagnose with a jumper and test light.

[@frankansley7941]

Thanks for the video. Love that Hemi!

[@davidr.4699]

That was good, was wondering when we were going to see another rescue video. Good teamwork.

[@JustinKingOffroad]

there have been tons of missions going but i'm so far away from them in just drive time that it's difficult to pull away from clients (my businesses) for a week day.

[@davidr.4699]

@@JustinKingOffroad It's a terrible thing when work gets in the way of fun lol. And the truck still sounds good on my surround sound lol.

[@JustinKingOffroad]

i always tell people my boss is a dick! (but i'm the boss so.......) lololol!!!!

[@gilbertarnold8666]

Great video thank you!

[@yjjeeper1]

Kinda my issue with these newer Jeeps, they took out little things. YJ's even have redundant main fuse blocks and many parts of the electrical system to minimize the chance of things like this, doubt this things got any of that stuff anymore. In any case, there's a separate ground fed to the fire wall for all the ecu's that most forget to check, possibilities.

[@JustinKingOffroad]

they are certainly computer controlled anymore. one thing goes out of wack and they freak out.

[@mbiker345]

Had two of these wranglers. This isn’t surprising at all.

[@jedironin380]

Great job, as always! Nice weather and daylight for a change, too. :) It looked like you had a short strap connected to two points on the Jeep, did you have the strap just run through the loop on your rope, or did you have a D-ring shackle there? Still learning...

[@JustinKingOffroad]

to reduce the weight on the rigging i just ran the strap through the bubba rope. both are acceptable, but you have a tendency to work the bow shackle pins loose in long pulls like this. we actually had to stop and tighten up the pin on the driver side front.

[@everready19373]

I've read that having too much weight on your key ring can cause premature wear on the ignition cylinder....

[@JustinKingOffroad]

i actually think that is true!

[@rogerhector8323]

like the brock formations

[@Colorado4x4]

Awesome

[@danielkleinheksel8853]

I’m a Jeep guide for a Colorado based company and one of our Jeeps (08 JK) constantly has issues with the neutral safety switch. Just one of those gremlins.

[@JustinKingOffroad]

this wasn't a safety switch in this case, the ignition wouldn't even respond to cycle power to the dash. nothing would come on at all.

[@wylonparker5042]

So just a quick question... love your videos .are you guys a paid recovery group or volunteer???

[@JustinKingOffroad]

100% volunteer

[@wylonparker5042]

Thats awesome. Love watching the videos learn alot of stuff from them and they are fun to watch

[@jdreaper2176]

On some trails that are hard I don't shut off the rig till I'm back on pavement.

[@JustinKingOffroad]

That is actually a wise idea. I tend to leave mine run too.

[@daveb8378]

Justin, I don’t know much about recovery but why is there a Ford truck with what looks like a tow rope behind the Jeep?

[@JustinKingOffroad]

That is the downhill brake vehicle so the Jeep doesn't ram my bumper

[@daveb8378]

Justin King oh ok, thanks. Enjoy your video’s.

[@tannermanning8118]

Justin. Would you say the power wagon has fully replaced your Jeep? I have a 2019 JLU I am in debates of trading out, however I also have a 2017 ford raptor that I wouldn’t trust on some trails I take the Jeep on I.e. hells revenge or metal masher.

[@JustinKingOffroad]

not yet at this time. while the truck is absolutely amazing to wheel offroad (it's just planted and sticks when going through the obstacles), there are a lot of trails I still want to do that the truck isn't setup for. Things like Holy Cross, Iron Chest, etc... I could get the truck to that point with some extra lift and larger tires, but this is my daily driver and work horse. The jeep will remain the primary offroader for personal trips for now.

[@andrewbrenneman9592]

Does the RAM use a dial to change Forward & Reverse? Where did the column shifter go?

[@JustinKingOffroad]

the new rams do indeed have the dial shifter

[@gretchenlhommedieu6352]

Is this Storm King Mountain where the Hotshot firefighters were killed?

[@greywolfoutdoorshomestead9962]

When you guys rescue some one.does your outfit send a bill or is it fully volunteer?

[@JustinKingOffroad]

Totally unpaid volunteer

[@greywolfoutdoorshomestead9962]

I thought so.my off road club is thinking of getting into what you fine people do We have probably 60yrs experience between us all.

[@fordlav]

I gotta asked iam sar in Virginia I heard the covid update on the radio. We have had a few searches during all this. Did yall have to change any of your call out protocols during all this. Are stuff was a bit hard for a true team to work together efficiently. With protocol changes and members in vehicles.

[@JustinKingOffroad]

we absolutely had to change things up, no ride alongs (member or non-member), no touching anyone's recovery gear other than your own to the fullest extent possible (i did handle the green shackles on the DOA jeep and the keys in the ignition), and we have to each have at least one method to wash/sanitize your hands. I had wipes in my door, i just didn't record any of my hand scrubbing. If you can't maintain 6 foot of spread you're asked to have a face mask on. by in large on this operation we staying that distance apart. (my neck gaiter was in the truck cup holder if i had to have it - also very handy for the offroading dust).

[@fordlav]

Yeah its definitely not the easiest on a team to work together. Sounds very similar to yalls. Face covers hand washing no riders. We do a lot of ground searching and tracking so that 6ft is good till we have a subject to help or carry out. Plus getting team in or out to base wasn't the easiest thing to be doing right now. Thanks for the time. Keep up the great videos and searches. Be careful and be safe.

[@coloradoswesternslope8622]

Should have had a suki then never break down😁and they are a better 4x4

[@pcbmale]

not ignition, loosing starter not cranking or spining, ignition is spark

[@andrewbrenneman9592]

Is the silver dial your gear shift? (In the RAM power wagon)

[@JustinKingOffroad]

yeah, it's taken some getting used to honestly... i still grab for the column shifter every once in a while haha!

[@searching4adventure85]

Hey Justin, new to Colorado area. Looking for trails beween Denver and Colorado Springs area, that wont get me stuck. Do you have any resources to help identify recreational roads in this area?

[@JustinKingOffroad]

i am not terribly familiar with that area since i'm basically 2-3 hours north of that. but i know there's a bunch of easy access roads. try the avenza maps which you can find the MVUMs (motor vehicle use maps) or even try Gaia GPS (that's what I run in the truck/jeep) which will allow you to overlay forest roads. super handy to have.

[@searching4adventure85]

@@JustinKingOffroad thanks for the leads

[@kirbymcd1]

Rampart range road. Fair warning, RVs can make it down most parts so it's not a challenge but it's a really nice drive. Trails off road has a site and a channel that can help you find what your looking for too.

[@woodyholland9437]

Wonder how a Jeep from Georgia got in trouble in CO? Long was from home

[@JustinKingOffroad]

relocated here for work.

[@andrewbrenneman9592]

Diesel swap? To what size diesel? Cummins? Would have the low end needed.

[@5cyc]

BT4

[@jessepitt]

Mercedes or the 2.8 Cummins kit. 4bt is too heavy, vibey and low revving.

[@rogerdavies6226]

Empty tool box?? never saw one like that out of a showroom floor

[@JustinKingOffroad]

i took my work gear out lol!

[@daviduplinger387]

Justin are you gonna put a lift on the power wagon or just leave it stock

[@JustinKingOffroad]

for now just 35s, i still have the jeep. power wagon has almost more clearance than the JL as it sits now.

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

An FCA product with electrical gremlins? No...

[@JustinKingOffroad]

right?!?! LOL!!!

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

@@JustinKingOffroad I have had a Hellcat and a couple of Wranglers, love them, but...

[@bansh2003]

It's probably the secondary battery under the fuse block on the passenger side..

[@janethouck9763]

Fiat - fix it again Tony

[@redneckhandyman4481]

Why didn't the dudes keep buddy tow him out?

[@JustinKingOffroad]

the three of us in the video are all part of co 4x4 rnr, there was nobody else that had a rig to get in there. and we towed it out with trucks because it would have been pretty hard on a jeep. i warmed up my transmission 35 degrees alone just working our way out and up the steep hills. i saw 186 at the highest point, and it usually runs 150-160.

[@Coduckhunter]

Do you have the locker bypass on the power wagon

[@JustinKingOffroad]

no, though on the 19 the rear will lock no matter what, but i cannot do the front without being in 4x4 and rear already locked.

[@Coduckhunter]

Yea I would like to get the able Electronics bypass for my 2018

[@AZFrank4x4]

Hi Justin, thanks for another great video.... recovery season starting up. Is there, I've looked, and can you recommend a product to protect my synthetic winch cable from a hard edge?

[@JustinKingOffroad]

there are rope covers you can buy to put on which will help, but moving blankets are really great for it.

[@Pops_607]

Do you guys have a Facebook page or website? Love the videos....

[@JustinKingOffroad]

we sure do! the facebook page is facebook.com/CO4x4RnR/ and we are in the process of a total website revamp, but www.co4x4rnr.org

[@franksmith8210]

What dashcam do you use?

[@JustinKingOffroad]

gopro hero 5 actually (when i'm offroading)! and then the "24x7" always on cam in the truck is a blackvue dr900s.

[@franksmith8210]

Got cha, thank you sir!

[@grampabadger]

Neutral switch?

[@JustinKingOffroad]

not in this case, the ignition wouldn't turn on the dash cluster or anything.

[@grampabadger]

@@JustinKingOffroad Had the same thing happen on my F450 a few times and found the shift lever wasn't engaging the switch that tells the electronics it is in PARK. I could shift to neutral and everything worked. It could be a switch somewhere.

[@ToAstYNaChO]

you happen to have any noisy ticking? my new stock 6.4 rattles so load i cant even hear the motor lmao

[@JustinKingOffroad]

A little on cold starts, but not that loud. I also straight piped it lol.

[@bobvincent4841]

They say if you baby a 6.4 you can have your lifters fail because they don't get lubed. They oil up better from crank shaft windage when engine is at 1500 and higher, but a lot of idle time flat kills life expectancy. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnqcZGCQmd2SpLs

[@ToAstYNaChO]

@@bobvincent4841 welp, when i first got the truck id sleep in it on lunch breaks with it idling and the AC on, got a couple hundred idle hours on it, oops lol

[@DesertPackrat]

You put the pin in the wrong way. If you screw it bottom up then if the pin shoots it it goes toward the ground. Somewhat unlikely but still possible.

[@JustinKingOffroad]

Screw down so you don't "screw up"

[@sidewithwerewolves]

i know this is a long term video. but do a series (not ever week but just a playlist) of you and your buddies doing a denver county emissions legal diesal. i know you got a friend who wants the challenge, not so i can guilt trip a denver shop.,... no,,.,,,,

[@harrysteeletreo1]

a bad ground on a jeep? no way, lol

[@JustinKingOffroad]

Lol!!

[@kevinstarkey1455]

Isn't that jeep off trail?

[@JustinKingOffroad]

technically no, it was parked at a campsite which you are allowed to be 300 feet from the centerline of the trail.

[@kevinstarkey1455]

@@JustinKingOffroad ah, it looked like a nice view for a campsite.

[@jamesglenn520]

In Idaho if there is no dirt track you don't drive on it. You would have to pack your gear to camp. We are losing access to public lands all the time because people don't care! 🥺

[@sailingjacobe]

jeep seems to be off the trail.

[@JustinKingOffroad]

it was parked at a camp site, in noco, you can be 300 feet from the center line of the road off of it for dispersed camping without breaking any rules.

[@TomJones0065]

Very Pretty, But where his jeep died it does not even look like a trail? Did he make his own? Ah problems with the Newer stuff, Old School its simple Hot Wire the bitch! been there done that! Great Place to play though!!

[@JustinKingOffroad]

it was a camp site but this area doesn't see much use anymore after a big fire 20 years ago.

[@phantomwalker8251]

typical jeep..crap electrics,change all the running gear..70k for a body..bit rough id say..jeep need to up there game.down the amount of vehicles they have.like,just 1- 4 door rubicon,diesel.gladiator,2 door with decent tray,& 4 door,both diesel or hemi..1 suv body style with various motors..not 6 jl variants.ect..

[@tomconnally7961]

what’s your call sign mines kg4tfe

[@hijinks21]

That's what happens when you buy a Fiat

[@jamesglenn520]

It's not a JLU. That is a Jeep JKU. 👍👌

[@ColoradoAdventureClub]

Lol Karma

[@craighazelton4407]

Jeeping off of trails on untouched ground is illegal. This video encourages the destruction of our pristine forest lands.

[@JustinKingOffroad]

Actually it does not reason being is you are allowed to drive your vehicle within 300 ft of the center line of the road in order to dispersed camp. We are actually at a campsite that was within the 300-ft distance off the center line of the road. This area just does not get used very much so it looked like we were just driving through the grass. Trust me if we were actually outside of that 300-ft area or not at a campsite there would have been a stern talking to about being off trail.

[@jamesglenn520]

Still looks very Sad that you guys were driving around on all that pretty land 😢 I think 1 rigg to get it over to the trail or pushing it would have been an idea. 🤔

[@jamesglenn520]

No Tread Lightly on this one! 3 Riggs to get 1 jeep on flat ground 300+or- feet back to the main trail. 😳🥺😭