EXCLUSIVE Access to the Jeep Wrangler Proving Grounds

[@grandeoverland6787]

Crazy to think that when this all started you were out with a single camera and your JK and now you are in deep with Jeep. Pretty cool how you made it all happen (with plenty of work I'm sure) as time has gone on.

[@TrailRecon]

I never would have imagined this 8 years ago for sure, thank you!

[@dangrady0311]

Great to see the 2 door Willys in action! I’ve got one on order in Anvil!

[@ZboeC5]

@@dangrady0311 Too bad Jeep won't tell us when they plan to start 2024 manual production. I'd like to get my 2024 Willys before the end of time.

[@dangrady0311]

@@ZboeC5 ordered mine June 7th. Has a vin # but still in confirmation status.

[@vancejohnson4395]

You lucky dog, Brad. I'm happy you got to experience this. Thank you for your service from a fellow Sailor.

[@TrailRecon]

It was an honor to be allowed to see this place, I only wish I could have seen more... the place is massive! Thank you shipmate!

[@johnangelastro]

Thank you Brad! So, while off the camera, was there any mention as to why 35’s are not offered on the 2dr’s? I thought the RubiconX came standard with 35’s?? Also, will there be other powertrain options in the near future for the 2dr’s?

[@carolynslette6073]

This makes me even more happy to be a Jeep owner! Thanks for taking us along on such an awesome day!

[@TammysTrailsNTravel]

No better person to represent the Jeep community than you. Congrats on getting this opportunity. That’s awesome

[@steveh1620]

Awesome Brad great content. I worked for Chrysler, now retired (and all the changes in-between before becoming Stellantis) for 28 years. I was super blessed to be able to part of the manufacturability prove-out at the technical center and get to go to the proving grounds and drive the preproduction vehicles the plant I worked at was going to build. People do not realize how much testing goes into each vehicle that is built. Stellantis has the 3,850 acre site at Chelsea MI which you visited, a 3,840 acre proving ground in Yucca AZ for hot climate testing, and a 530 acre evaluation center near Naples FL for hot and humid testing (they used to share this facility with Harley Davidson). These facilities give Stellantis an opportunity to test vehicles in a range of climates, humidity, and elevations. I know they also do high altitude testing in CO.

[@tonkovich123]

Was such a pleasure having you out at the PG, Brad. Great video!

[@RR-24]

Is there a part number for that hoop with integrated light yet?

[@thegreenman78]

I hope Alex wasn't one of the engineers given the shaft by Stellantis

[@tonkovich123]

​@@thegreenman78 Nah, I'm still kicking and alive

[@jeffquick7917]

Privilege is an understatement, to not only be there but have the folks that are in the trench’s go through the obstacles and in’s & out’s of the new JL is just wickedly fun, and cool! Amazing to see honestly how far they’ve even come from just my ‘14 JKU Rubi! Thanks Brad!

[@TempestOverlandAdventures]

That warn winch light is slick 👍

[@DefiantOffroad]

"Envy" and "Jealous" don't properly articulate how I feel about this! Man, that's so awesome that you were able to do this!

[@d.williamvitt3869]

You are now not just a KZbin Channel but you have developed into a true Auto Show!

[@josenateras6478]

Congratulations Brad, you are taking this channel to a whole new level!

[@mikesters3532]

We can only hope when Jeep’s next refresh happens the 2 door gets some love in the way of a slightly longer wheelbase. Save the 2 doors.

[@larrygriffiths5039]

love this video!! I could listen to these Jeep People all day, really!!!

[@TrailRecon]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gregbarringer1021]

Brad, thanks for all you do. After watching your video about the 2024 Wranglers I went to a local dealer to prove to myself that the 2024 Rubicon with the four banger would not be suitable for me. Thanks in part to you it now resides in my driveway.

[@SpoolinVR]

Loved this experience you had with Jeep. I am super excited for my first Jeep Wrangler that I ordered 2024 Willys with a 6 speed.

[@SlumpTia]

lucky!! my first wrangler is the Sahara 2018 JkU i recently got a few months ago. it’s such a treat being in the jeep family!

[@GaryDrumm]

This is so freaking cool! Congrats Brad and thank you for taking us along! 👍🏻

[@Flo-ig6cj]

Just 20 minutes south of where I live. Welcome to Michigan!

[@Jpulido91]

Let me tell you, jeep coming after bronco nasty! What a great interface! And now Willy’s standard with 33’s and a rear locker. Very good sale and package!!!! All this coming from a bronco owner but I love all offroad builds! Great video!!!

[@SilverFoxCooking]

I just got my Willys… I cant find the trails offroad maps on mine. Any idea how or why??

[@tristansundquist1834]

Wym??? Bronco coming after jeep😂

[@MetallicA29]

Thank you for sharing!

[@RR-24]

So happy for you! It is great to see someone working hard at their passion and getting recognized for it. Glad jeep recognizes your personable, positive style and experience. Can't wait for the next adventure! Is that winch guard hoop with integrated light going to be available soon?

[@justinmoore4088]

@TrailRecon Wow...what a treat! Although their getting some substantial exposure from your channel, it's a big deal for them to let you run it. You're a fantastic ambassador for us to Jeep!

[@fahadm8260]

I really enjoyed this video and the insights from the well spoken and articulate engineer Brad is such a good host and the perfect rep for Jeepers

[@TrailRecon]

Thank you!

[@tri-cityjeepclubK-W-C]

Awesome! Great to have a new KZbin personality from the Club!! Looking good Aleksander!!

[@edwardsimmons3721]

I always love the places you go but to see what’s coming for next year and run the track they use to test the next legend is awesome. Because of this video I am getting the 24 Willys 4 door on 35s.

[@Minnesota_Vance]

Congratulations, Brad, on getting exclusive access to both the factory and the proving grounds. You are one of the people so deserving of such a privilege. Thanks for giving us a glimpse of how our favorite vehicle is made.

[@skiptheroad]

Another awesome opportunity Brad. I am so jealous. A couple of points, please do a special short video of the 2 door Willys set to accordion polka music. You may convince some that the music is coming from the Willys soft top. 😊 Also, this brings back some childhood memories of wheelin with my dad in my mom's Bronco at the Ford proving grounds which was across the road from our house on 36 mile road in Romeo. Thanks for all of your hard work getting these videos out to us.

[@dirtroadreligion9376]

Totally jealous and wish I got to got to all 3 of these Jeep Wrangler places. Glad the person to get this kind access is a Veteran.

[@dazzlelance12]

I live in chelsea, I was able to visit the Proving Grounds with my grandfather to ride on some of the track once when I was little. It's a very cool place

[@patandjessicasjeepadventur3227]

That’s really cool that Jeep invited you! Thanks for bringing us along

[@lakertang]

I see why the Bronco went Bye Bye!! 😅 what a privilege to go behind the scenes. Thanks for sharing.

[@orientxprsoffroad]

Brad - much deserved exclusivity with Jeep. You are the MAN!!! 👏👏👏

[@markperza384]

Glad you got to do this!!

[@bsmukler]

This is so cool. It’s always refreshing to get a sense of the depth of engineering expertise coupled with genuine enthusiasm of the people behind the Jeep brand. And, I have to say that seeing and hearing that 4xe climbing the rock hill was really something. In a marketing world of “Pro” this and “Commercial Grade” that, it’s refreshing to see a product that actually performs at least as well as represented.

[@TrailRecon]

It was great to get to talk with these guys on and off camera and the changes they've done to the 4xe really made it perform well in my opinion.

[@ZboeC5]

@getbusylivenordien5394 Engineers need something called "repeatability" for proper testing. They need to be able to test every model, every combination the same exact way to validate any changes they make. Yes, they do take vehicles to test in the real world but this is where those changes are validated. For instance Jeep wants to use a different tire on a Rubicon...the engineers need to know if that tire is better or worse. Without a valid test course it would be a guessing game. With this track they can equip two identical Rubicons with the only difference being the tires and then compare them back to back to see if the new tire is really better or not. Does the new tire cause the BLD to activate more, does the Rubicon now not need it's locker activated on that particular rock where it did with the old tire, etc etc. It has to be repeatable to be a valid test. It's not going to be super gnarly...it just needs to be hard enough to validate what they need to. Further testing does take place, but that's not what this proving grounds is for.

[@danielsalm6410]

It was super cool Brad that you got to test that Proving Ground. One thing you should ask the Jeep people though is how they expect customers to afford their vehicles nowadays! No one in my zip code can afford them. And if they do, it's a lease Jeep. Turned in immediately after the lease is up. My local dealer has the used Jeeps to prove it.

[@jamesc2072]

What an awesome experience bro! Thanks for sharing! Jim from Temecula.

[@BucksMom218]

Wowee that was fabulous! What a cool playground Brad!! Thanks for taking us along! 😎🥾🥾

[@destinationunknown3809]

Man what an awesome experience. This is fantastic! I really appreciate seeing that Jeep actually puts their vehicles through some testing situations like what many will experience in real life. That is so much better than just a concrete track. I

[@Billsadventures13]

Great video. Thanks for giving us a glimpse of this place and the new jeeps

[@lloydrage]

This video was so great. It was cool to learn some of the tests they do for our Wranglers.

[@JarradShaw]

So, so amazing! This access you were given has been fabulous! Proving grounds for Jeep is so neat. Knowing that there are/maybe more than one is just… God… so Koch cooler. I guess… why I love Jeep still to this day. I hope one day I am able to see, even a little, of the other Jeep proving grounds. And also find out(!) what it is they are testing (figuring out) to be the best in that part of this vast country landscape. Thanks so much Brad and Jeep ❤

[@shmac96]

Oh! I'll take the 2 door that you drove. Love it!

[@cjleon1104]

Wow, really cool insight on Jeep and their testing of the wranglers. Pretty neat, thanks Brad!

[@JacobShepherdEngineer]

So cool and lucky. They're trying to make sure you stay a Jeep fan.

[@robert5712]

Thanks Brad excellent video on the proving grounds. One item you asked is can you upload a track to the new Jeep in dash GPS and you can't. Good point and good you asked as it was my first thought. Jeep is behind the times on that! On the camera person that videoed you in the 2 door going through the "slot" did and outstanding job.

[@chinothedreamgiver1629]

Love that you tested out in the 4xe

[@henrystanislawski591]

Excellent tour! Thanks Brad and Jeep!

[@TrailRecon]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@joeallison2779]

A totally awesome video. Thanks Brad!

[@23Elit3]

You know you are doing something right when you get an invite like this. Awesome video 👍

[@krisorendorff]

I just acquired my Very First ever: Jeep Wrangler.... And I'm Totally Diggin' IT !! [A 2024 V6 four-door automatic]

[@270billjones]

This is sick! Thanks for taking us along

[@AndrewTurner251]

I love this channel, thanks for making this content. I know it’s a lot of work.

[@88rushrocks]

We have the 2024 4xe Willy’s with now 10,000 hard miles on it and we still be loving it and it hauls my 4x10 trailer full of firewood like it’s nothing and since I live in the Oregon cascades mountains we have all different weather conditions and back roads that goes for 100’s of miles

[@timothyamerman6521]

This is cool. I have lived 20 minutes from the proving grounds for 30 years and I've never seen inside!

[@xtina818]

Brad out here living all our dreams.

[@michaelryan9143]

I'm even more excited to get the 2024 4xe that I have on order, thanks!

[@backwoodscountryboy1600]

Great video, good to see they're proving grounds is something that jeep drivers like myself would use when going on the trail nothing too radical but just right whoever laid that trail out did a great job.

[@ishicroy1176]

Being American Indian I love the 4xe I always said I love off-roading but hiking is my jam because I can experience the whole natural side of trip.. 4xe definitely allows that! Gotta come out and hit trails on socal reservations

[@willlange9978]

Terrific channel. Thanks Master Chief!

[@ascentoffroad]

Cool to see Jeeps proving ground. I dig it!

[@Day7Reset]

Thank you so much Brad for sharing this with us. Amazing to see so much effort put into making the Wrangler what it is. Trick question, what size tire will I need for my Gladiator to pass the concrete break over mounds 🤣

[@Missourilonewolf]

very cool. I changed my radio unit in my 2014 JKUX to a unit that has what they are now putting in the 2024. The ability to have saved trails un the unit that you can still use when you can't hook up to a satellite. That is big to me. That was the one reason I pulled my stock unit. I may need to wait for the 2024 jeeps and really look at what they have. Tell them all Thank You for letting me/us see this.

[@darrylblackmon458]

Great job Brad. You just keep expanding your content and its very interesting. I'm from Michigan, great place, great people. Served in the Navy like yourself and love Jeeps. I had an opportunity to experience Ford's proving grounds north of Romeo and ride in a Raptor. Blown away by all the rigorous testing done on these vehicles.

[@floridasunshine330]

Love that Jeep is keeping up with the times by using OTA updates like Tesla uses. The 4Xe did a great job. A 2-door would be awesome! Another great video. Brad is the man!!!

[@leightonoc]

Love this, Brad! Great video with lots of information. Thanks for bringing us a long!

[@raymondforbes4295]

I am even more stoked to get a 2024 Rubicon X 4xe!

[@RANGER2992]

As always Brad, great video! My dream is that one day you come out with my club So Cal Jeep Junkies and do a run with us, With over 2800 fun, friendly, and helpful members, we can show you a good time on a trail of your choosing.

[@bruceklassen8261]

Thank you so much for sharing this 😊

[@TrailRecon]

My pleasure!

[@overlandingsmith]

That's so cool and interesting. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. Too sad some of the cool stuff like steel bumpers, big tires or the 392 aren't available from factory here in Europe but you can build it all 😄. One more awesome video Brad 👌🏻🙏🏻😎

[@TrailRecon]

Glad you enjoyed the video! It's cool that they're making more options available from the manufacturer here in America but part of the fun in owning a Jeep is creating your own build. Thanks for watching!

[@LookJohnItsaRubicon]

That Engineer seems to know his Stuff. Must be a Jeep Guy! Tricity represent!

[@TJY2K]

Thank you Brad!

[@frazerwarwick3153]

My dream family car. One day I would love to be able to own on of these .

[@DirkvanReenen]

Very cool, thank you for sharing this experience!

[@Moving_Chicane]

Great stuff - Thank you Brad and Jeep!

[@MikeUtah]

That was amazing Brad!

[@mikecon7634]

Good stuff Brad. Alex knows his product.

[@campcrafter4613]

Thanks to JEEP For the access . Rare.

[@abnpthfdr2934]

Awesome to just be there, beyond belief to drive the course!!! Some of us would do their job for free!!!

[@mattclegg1086]

Great video. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Man how awesome is that! To be able to play around in such place! I love my jk Willy’s wheeler, it’s exactly like the one your son has, 2015 Baja yellow, two doors bone stock! And trust me! Even in stock form I’ve been impressed where I’ve have taken mine! I live in Tucson, and we have some of the best crazy trails, and I’ve taken mine in most of them! I love it! You’re one lucky dude to be able to have access to such places like that proving ground! I definitely enjoyed the video!

[@stanleyfurash7929]

This guy just confirmed the 2024 Willy's has a Dana 44 front and 4:10 Straight from horses mouth This is an awesome package

[@Krystof.Veritae]

Yes except the web site doesnt allow it yet to config the 2024 Willys with Dana44 4:10 and a locker ....Jeep will get that ordering right in few months i guess ....huh ..... I guess maybe in person at the dealer they would allow that set up ordering .

[@stanleyfurash7929]

@@Krystof.Veritae the impression the guy gave is that's just how it comes. I think the website is wrong and they haven't fixed it. It would be cool if Brad could confirm with them as he is the first KZbinr to get that info.

[@tonkovich123]

@@stanleyfurash7929 You're absolutely correct: unfortunately the website is incorrect but every Willys comes with 33" and 4.10 axle ratio. Then the 35" 4dr is optioned up to 4.56.

[@romanmartinez3360]

Great job! Looks like you were having a blast! Some very cool features on the new Jeeps, but I’ll stick with my ‘21 4xe (unless they can’t figure out my rear locker sensor problem)! Great video, awesome course.

[@santoshshetty6838]

Absolutely love the present jeep wrangler unlimited in white colour ❤

[@jonleslie]

What an awesome opportunity and great video!

[@TrailRecon]

Thank you, it was great to see some behind the scenes testing stuff!

[@JEEP-N-DIRT]

Love the jeep content and inspiring how you've grown. As a little channel myself (jeepNdirt) and an Engineer, I really wish I could do something like that all the time. So cool how far you've come. You had me fooled at first because I thought Alex was the actor "Will Sasso" from back in the Mad TV days. lol.

[@bwofficial1776]

Lucky guy, getting access to Jeep's secret proving ground. Looks like a good time. It makes me happy that Jeep is still making 2-doors and that big screen looks nice. If you ever go to Germany see if you can get access to Mercedes-Benz's proving grounds for the Unimog or G-Wagen.

[@rodneydavis8454]

Great video love my jeeps keep them coming.

[@loveracing1988]

Now just drive up to drummond island and have some fun

[@FourLowAdventures]

Gosh I wish I could own them all. Also wish you would bring the 392 into Australia I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Though that 4XE looks cool too, especially for camping. Mitsubishi just crossed the Simpson desert here in their Outlander PHEV, would be cool to see Jeep do something similar like Cape York or Fraser Island or something like that.

[@johnreno8909]

most extremely heart-breaking thing is no diesel for wrangler anymore. thanks God we still have it for gladiator. I wish they could keep making diesel for wrangler at least to the end of 2025. it soo sad. :(

[@horaciolopez7721]

Same I have 82,xxx on mine and love it. Now I need one for the wife so we are thinking used diesel wrangler or new 4xe….. life is hard sometimes.

[@ahmednesbitte4906]

Hi Brad, very nice content. Thank you for sharing.😊

[@asmrrelaxationtv8673]

Amazing Content. Thanks For Sharing. Have a nice day!❤👍

[@user-kr3fo4nx1n]

Rubicon 4xe 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Desde Madrid 🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸

[@bonita3710]

Great video Brad. Keep 'em coming 🙃

[@TrailRecon]

Thanks! Will do!

[@petersantulli2337]

Amazing video!

[@matthewsutphen5492]

Wondered if some of the 4xe features would trickle down to existing models over updates. Also if the power cord adapter would work on older models as well. Would be nice to gain features in our 4xe.

[@UrbanOpsOffRoad]

Keep up the good work chief! ⚓️

[@modsquad3123]

These manufacturers are so aware of the free advertising channels like trail recon bring to their brand! It’s a mass metric in buyers decisions in what they choose to buy, its why they give them access, and it gives us the information to make those decisions.

[@itsmemicke]

Great video! I really enjoyed it. Keep up the good work! ✨👍😋

[@garykarczewski6678]

Very cool! I am very interested in the new Jeep 4xE Hybrid. Love the design, features, and the improvements! I held off thinking their will be a new update for this Wrangler and sure enough its coming! I will most likely order one.

[@kilohotel6750]

I ordered the 2 door 24 Willys in Sarge Green like that but with the hardtop and manual but who knows when it will come, they don’t seem to interested in actually building the two doors. My salesman was upfront telling me it could take six months.