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How To and DIY Articles
The Muddy Ruttzz Gazette

Check out my many and varied How To Articles


Hidden Danger: Essential Jeep OAT Coolant Maintenance for Your Gladiator or Wrangler
We all lead busy lives, and sometimes vehicle maintenance takes a back seat. I recently realized I had fallen behind on my own Jeep Gladiator upkeep. The "hidden danger" I discovered is that the coolant reservoir often develops a stain at the "Max" line. If you just glance under the hood, it looks full, but looking closer reveals the actual fluid level is much lower. Proper Jeep OAT Coolant Maintenance starts with a careful inspection of that tank to ensure you aren't being f
5 min read


Mastering Jeep Grille Removal: The Easy DIY Guide
Today, I’m walking you through a procedure that every Jeep owner should know: Jeep Wrangler JL & Gladiator JT Grille Removal. This process is identical for both, so whether you’re driving a truck or a classic SUV, this guide is for you.
5 min read


WARNING: Don't Do Your EcoDiesel Oil & Filter Change Until You Read This!
This guide provides the complete, proven maintenance method (all four filters + oil) that ensures peak engine health for your 2020 Jeep Wrangler EcoDiesel (and Gladiator/Ram models). You’ll see exactly what my quick, 6-minute video demonstrates, but here, we dive into the details. As a fellow Jeep owner here in dusty Las Cruces, NM, I’ve refined this process to be fast, efficient, and cost-effective, allowing me to service my truck every 5,000 miles.
8 min read


Easy DIY: Ecodiesel Main & Auxiliary Battery Replacement Guide (10 Steps)
When it comes to car batteries a 3 year warranty means 3 years and it pays to swap them out before you get left stranded. In this DIY article I will tell you exactly how to swap both batteries and show you with lots of detailed photos to make it easy.
6 min read


The Ultimate DIY Guide: Building a Gladiator EcoDiesel Overlanding Rig
Welcome to Muddy Ruttzz. I’m done building this Gladiator. It took 3 1/2 years but I think I really found a combination of vehicle and parts that makes this 2022 Gladiator Rubicon Ecodiesel a great daily driver and a very capable off-road vehicle and overlanding rig. In this article I want to show you the parts I installed, tell you why I chose them.
7 min read


DIY: How to Change Dual Washer Valve for a Leak-Free Laundry Room
After pulling my hair out with indecision, I settled on a choice many folks call the "Pizza Cutter" size: the tall and skinny 255/85R17 Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T. The general wisdom says bigger is better, but this narrow profile is engineered to be a premium extreme hybrid all-terrain tire with an E-rated sidewall that promised performance, longevity, and a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty. Now that we've clocked 5,000 hard miles, including an eye-opening stint at the Ouray
6 min read


Bombproof Your Dana Diff: Spicer Performance Differential Cover Installation
There are a lot of great covers out there, but today we’re talking about the Dana/Spicer Advantek Performance Front Differential Cover (Part #10044799). This part fits the Dana 44 M210 axles found on the Jeep Gladiator (JT) and the Jeep JL Wrangler.
I chose the Dana/Spicer Differential Cover for a few simple reasons: it’s reasonably priced, and who knows your axle better than the guys who built it?
7 min read


How to Bleed Air and Add Fluid to Your Hydraulic Floor Jack for Optimal Performance
A hydraulic floor jack is an essential tool for any home mechanic, but over time, or even right out of the box, air can get trapped inside the system. When this happens, your jack won't perform correctly—it might not lift a load efficiently, or it may slowly drift down after being pumped up.
6 min read


5,000-Mile Diesel Filter Changes: Value Over the 'Made in USA' Label
The core reason I trust quality Doc's Diesel kits is their quality control assurance. They guarantee their filters meet or exceed OEM specifications, regardless of the country of manufacture. I learned this the hard way after a no-name filter failed on me once—you're paying for the confidence that the filter will perform exactly as your engine was engineered to expect.
4 min read


Jeep Gladiator Spare Tire Access: Where Is It- How Do I Get It Down?
AAA is not always available especially if you are off-road. Can you find your spare? Do you know how to access it? Jeep Gladiators and most pickups, store the spare tire underneath the bed. Many vans and SUV's store it under the back of the vehicle in similar way. This article will help you if you find yourself with a flat and need to change a tire.
6 min read


DIY Bilstein Shock Replacement: Mopar Warranty & Your Labor
The Warranty Process With Quadratec And Mopar: Have Patience And Get The Right Person On The Phone
6 min read


Why Steel Wheels are the Best for Off-Roading: A Steelies Setup Guide
You might have seen them on rugged Jeeps and off-road trucks, those no-nonsense, classic-looking steel wheels. In my latest YouTube video, "Why Are Steel Wheels The Best For Off-Road? (Steelies Setup Made Easy)," I dive into why steel wheels for off-roading are a great choice. I get so many questions and compliments on my steel wheel setup, so I wanted to break down the reasons behind my choice and share the details.
5 min read


Mopar Jeep Trailer Brake Controller: DIY Install in 17 Steps (JL/JT)
So, I've got a bit of a thing for Mopar parts. They just fit like a glove, and I love knowing they've been put through the wringer by the ma
10 min read


DIY Car Battery Replacement: Save $$$ (Change Both Batteries in Your Wrangler and Gladiator)
I do a lot of solo remote traveling on my Overlanding trips, I figured it was smarter to replace the batteries now than risk getting stuck.
7 min read


Xventure Off-Road Trailer: Extended Range with Jerry Cans (Diesel & Water)
I installed Jerry cans on my Xventure off-road trailer to carry extra diesel and water for extended overlanding trips. See how I did it.
5 min read


2 Best Tools For Inflating Off Road Tires: CO2 vs Compressor (You Need Both)
This articladdresses a topic that is essential for any off-road enthusiast airing up your tires after a day on the trails. Compressor vs CO2
7 min read


Discover The Manual BAR FOLDER: Unleash This Tools Power (Folding Sheet Metal Easily!)
The tool that my coworkers carried the least but borrowed the most, was my Bar Folder. Bar folders are invaluable for turning flanges, foldi
5 min read


DIY Floor Jack Restoration: A Step-by-Step Guide (Resurrecting a Classic)
If your floor jack fails to support a load or cannot hold itself up it needs to be rebuilt. Even if it does not leak it has internal issues
5 min read


Delete Diesel Discriminator From Wrangler Ecodiesel Fuel Filler Tube
Without the safety feature, there is a risk of accidentally filling it with gasoline. If there are several drivers who refuel your vehicle,
5 min read


How To Save Money Changing Oil & Filters On Jeep 3.0 Liter Ecodiesel
For the price of one Oil Filter from the Jeep Dealer, I purchased four Doc's Filters.Doc's offers a convenient and cost-effective solution.
5 min read


How To Install A Lift Kit On A Jeep Gladiator Or Wrangler For Beginners
The reason behind my decision to install the Mopar 2" Lift Kit was due to the Gladiator hitting the bump stops after I added a Warn Bumper a
10 min read


"Ultimate Bug-Out Bag Checklist: Essentials for Emergencies And Surviving Off-Grid as a Solo Adventurer"
What if you have to abandon your vehicle when traveling off-grid? Maybe you want to hike out to get a part from the nearest town.
8 min read


Conquer Any Terrain: Why You Need an Articulating Hitch for Your Off-Road Trailer
All good off-road trailers have 1 thing in common. They all have a Tri-Axis Articulating Hitch connecting the tow vehicle to the trailer.
4 min read


How to Install a Winch Electrical Disconnect for Off-Road Vehicles
Something goes wrong you want to be able to cut power to your winch instantly. A simple on/off battery disconnect will accomplish the task.
5 min read


Desert Diamonds | How to Find Geodes While Off-Road and Process Them
"People are fascinated with Geodes because they have semi precious stones inside. Sometimes with beautiful, interesting colors inside.
6 min read


10 Things I Learned Building My Titanium Mountain Bike
Thinking about building your own bike? I'm sharing 10 tips I learned while I was building my titanium mountain bike.
9 min read


60 Years Old, Retired, Why I Started a Youtube Overlanding Channel
It seriously makes my day when people enjoy my videos, and it’s even better when they find them helpful. Right now, I’ve got over 100 advent
4 min read


Jeep Purpose-Built for Overlanding And A Everyday Driver
I picked up my Wrangler Ecodiesel back in early 2020, and I’ve just wrapped up outfitting it for some serious overlanding adventures. I’ve really focused on making it purpose-built, which means I’ve taken a good look at every part to ensure it’s all about utility and value—no extra weight or costs that aren’t needed.
Fun fact: the factory version of the Wrangler Ecodiesel is already about 300 to 400 lbs heavier than the gas engine models. So, without any modifications, just
5 min read
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