2001 Wrangler TJ & Yeti-Built Adventure Trailer

2001 Jeep Wrangler & Yeti-Built Adventure Trailer

Many dream of dropping everything to go live life on the road. To roam freely on and off the road without any obstacles or limitations means complete freedom. As great as it may sound, to live a life like that does come with its own set of unique challenges. Holly “Yolo” Freeman, owner of this 2001 Jeep Wrangler, did just that and learned firsthand that its rewards far outweigh its challenges.

Being full-time adventurists is just what Yolo and her adventurist partner, Yeti Norvell, have committed to. They are currently full-time vehicle based adventurists that live out of their two Jeeps and adventure trailer. After living in a tiny 466-square-foot cabin in the mountains surrounding San Diego for a year and a half, they learned to live simple and small. Living in a National Forest also taught them to respect and connect with nature and the wild, and to appreciate the everyday things we take for granted such as shelter, running water and electricity.

“When you’re spending thousands upon thousands of miles on the road, you’ll care about what you’re sitting on too.”

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They also realized that they were spending more time outside rather than staying home. That realization gave them the motivation to make the change to a full-time adventure lifestyle. Yolo says, “We understand that living life this way isn’t for everyone, but since we started sharing it with the world via social media, we now see just how many other people dream of a life bigger than their current situation, a life on wheels and in the wild. It has given us the opportunities to connect with so many incredible people along our journey!”

People seeking advice on joining them in this freewheeling lifestyle ask them all the time, “How do I get started?” Yolo responds, “I guess you can say we make traveling Jeep life look easy, but really we’re just learning along the way.”

The Adventure Machine

For as long as she could remember, Yolo had always wanted a Jeep. When it came time to replace her nine-year-old SUV, she decided it was finally time. After a couple of months searching for TJs on Craigslist, she found a 2001 Jeep Wrangler that would eventually change her life. Miss Tina the Adventure Machine, as the Jeep is affectionately known, helped inspire Yolo’s thirst for adventure, to live life to its fullest, and to chase her dreams.

Miss Tina was built with many roles in mind. She acts as the basecamp anchor for Yolo and Yeti’s full-time vehicle-based lifestyle. She was also built to take on everything from multi-week overland trips to rally challenges and everything in between. But before any of that could happen, Yolo had to learn how to drive stick! The day she bought the Jeep, she had yet to learn and so could not take the vehicle home with her. It wasn’t long after that she learned (it’s truly a lost art form) and the rest is history.

The Build

Like many other vehicle builds, Miss Tina is an ongoing project that is constantly evolving. To get it to where it is today took about five years and a budget floating around $25k. The Wrangler is equipped with its standard 4.0-liter inline 6 cylinder but Yolo enhanced it with a K&N Cold Air Intake, a programmer, and an all-aluminum race radiator. Driving it forward is a 5-speed manual transmission with an upgraded Spicer Ultimate Dana44 front axle. In the rear, a 2005 Rubicon Axle swap was done using ARB front and rear lockers with 411 gearing.

To help her get over and through rough terrain, Miss Tina’s front and rear suspension was upgraded with a Rough Country Suspension Systems (RCX) 6-inch Long Arm Suspension Lift Kit with the addition of their 2.2 shocks. The RCX 2.2 series of shock absorbers contain an internal rebound disc spring that allows for greater energy absorption during suspension extension. The front also sports ACOS adjustable bump stops.

Bent rods and bars can end or at least delay a trip pretty quickly. Making sure she could get in and out of any excursion, Yolo opted to upgrade the steering with a Heavy-Duty Tie Rod and Drag Link System by Currie Enterprises. The manufacturer rates this unit to be 200% stronger than the stock components. Tightening up the details on the front end is a Rubicon Express Adjustable Front Track Bar. The track bar helps correct alignment and handling problems on lifted vehicles and allow for more precise steering response.

For even more off-road capability, Dick Cepek DC Blackout wheels were selected in 15×10-inch with 3.6-inch backspacing for both the front and rear. Each wheel is shod with Dick Cepek Extreme Country tires in 35×12.5×15-inch format. To allow clearance for its 35-inch tires, the Jeep’s plastic fenders were custom cut and Read Custom Wheel Wells were installed. Protecting the body from heavy drops are Smittybilt XRC Armor Rock Guards.

In the front, you’ll find a Yeti-Built Custom Winch Bumper with Stinger. It houses a Smittybilt X20 8,000-pound winch as well as Rigid Industries LED Pods, two flood and two spotlights. Focal Engineering JK LED headlamps and pillar-mounted P-40 LED setups in the front are also employed to light up the Jeep’s surroundings. Yeti-Built LED Flush Mount Taillights and a modified Smittybilt rear bumper and tire carrier bring up the rear.

On top there’s a Yeti-Built Custom Adventure Rack, where a Tepui Tent Autana Ruggedized XL Sky roof-top tent is mounted when needed. Designed for multiple uses, the roof rack can easily store essentials such as tool bags, gas cans, oversized trail finds, and storage bins. When the weather doesn’t allow for open-air exploration, a Bestop Trektop NX Soft Top can be deployed to keep the elements out.

Comforts of Home

Heading inside, you’ll find creature comforts as well as utilitarian tools for one who lives a life on the road. There might not be a more important upgrade than the TJ’s seats; Yolo chose a pair of Bestop’s TrailMax IIs. These high-back bucket seats feature 20-position racheting-lever recline, four-way adjustable headrests and enhanced seat bolsters. When you’re spending thousands upon thousands of miles on the road, you’ll care about what you’re sitting on too.

Helping Yolo route her way around—even where there are no roads—is a Garmin Nuvi navigation unit. Because Yolo does take Miss Tina on the occasional competitive rally, a Terratrip 202 Plus v4 miles to kilometers translator and trip computer was installed. To keep a line of communications open, PCI Race Radios in-cab communications were also installed. A Wagan Tech Slimline 1500 Watt AC power inverter powers the electronics.

Other gear you’ll spot on the rig includes an on-board mounted Krazy Beaver Tools Shovel, aka the Murder Spork, and Traction Jack recovery boards. Extra storage for gear is handled by a selection of Tepui Expedition Gear Bags. Furthering her capabilities, Miss Tina also carries a Gerber Gear 23.5-inch axe and Powertank air compressor.

Adventure Trailer

The stealth-fighter-looking trailer you see behind Miss Tina is a Yeti-Built Legacy Series Adventure Trailer. We spoke to Yeti, Yolo’s adventure partner and proprietor of Yeti-Built, about the inspiration for this unique build. “I set out on this build to exercise my skill set and to express my individuality while building a unique purpose built adventure trailer,” he says. “A lot like everything I do in life, I completely ignored what others where doing and colored outside the lines. I kept in mind all potential contact points and built it ultra rugged, much like a roll cage, allowing it to take a true beating.”

It not only has a pretty face, it’s practical too. The trailer has a 4×10-foot cargo box for hauling much needed supplies and gear that allow the adventurists to set up basecamp in very remote locations. The front hatch is a 4 x 2-foot area that holds a Goose Gear cabinet that has with plenty of room to stow away plenty of smaller pieces of gear.

Yeti further explains: “The trailer is built with an all-round tube sub-structure and bodied with both 18-gauge steel sheet metal and aluminum panels. It was designed to have an extreme rear departure angle and features integrated one by .120-inch wall round tube body armor. Scissor landing gear on all four corners enhance its toughness. Each landing gear is protected with 1-inch-round tube exo-cage, designed and used for self-leveling when setting up basecamp and the roof top tent, as well as self recovery.

“We now live full-time out of this trailer and Jeep combo as well as our other 1997 Wrangler TJ known as ‘The Yeti.’ We also just picked up a new Steel series Rock Box Offroad trailer allowing us to rotate in both vehicles and trailers depending on the current ideal situation.”

“Living in a National Forest taught them to respect and connect with nature and the wild, and to appreciate the everyday things we take for granted such as shelter, running water and electricity.”

The Challenges

When asked what challenges Yolo came across during the build, she says, “Once I got the Adventure Machine dream started I couldn’t help but want to upgrade everything. That’s when I quickly realized I was at a massive disadvantage, I couldn’t do anything myself. Doing a Jeep Build as a female in a world where I didn’t grow up learning about autos or even simple maintenance was more than challenging.”

She continues: “Even more trying than finding someone to want to help was finding someone that wanted to teach me as well! This sparked my curiosity and determination to learn more about the mechanics of my Jeep and how to install parts and wiring lights and electronics myself. I now have a much better grasp on what I am doing and still continue to learn new things every day.”

On how much Miss Tina gets driven, Yolo responds: “Miss Tina gets driven every day. We live full-time out of her, my adventure partner and I. We have taken her and our other Jeep that’s his, “The Yeti,” on our adventures all over the US.” The longest single trip that Miss Tina’s been on so far was a 3,500-mile on and off road West Coast trip from San Diego to the northern part of Oregon. That said, Yolo points out that her list of future adventures and long, hard miles is never-ending.

Memorable Moments

When asked what her most memorable experience with Miss Tina The Adventure Machine was, Yolo shared this story: “The absolute most memorable experience was during an evening as the sun was setting during the 2016 Rebelle Rally. 20 minutes before check-in closed at the finish line, I found myself bombing it through the silt beds, whoops and gnarly ruts across the Johnson Valley landscape toward Basecamp #3. There were about four other competitors’ rigs racing to the finish line too. I’ve never raced Miss Tina or pushed her as hard as I did in those moments. It was an incredible feeling to know that I was surrounded by a handful of brave and driven women out there doing what I have always dreamt of! I’ve never had more fun in my Jeep than I had in those moments. It’s memories and experiences like these that will live in me forever. I came flying to a stop at the finish with the largest smile on my face anyone had seen.”

She adds, “It was the most unbelievable feeling I’ll never forget. Since then, I find myself chasing my dreams of rally, motorsports and pushing my limits.”

Life On the Road

Yolo found inspiration in her Jeep to make a change that has profoundly changed her and her lifestyle and that in itself is inspiring. There’s no doubt that it takes commitment, dedication and hard work to live the adventurist’s life full-time. They’re not doing it only when the weather’s perfect mind you.

If you happen to spot Miss Tina or her partner The Yeti on the road, be sure to wave hello and snap a pic to post on social media. Follow their full-time vehicle-based adventures on Instragram at @thewildyolo and @thejeepcalledyeti.

UPGRADES

2001 Jeep Wrangler

Platform:
2001 Jeep Wrangler

Engine:
4.0 liter In-line 6-cyl, K&N Cold Air Intake, programmer, all-aluminum race radiator

Suspension:
RCX 6-inch Long Arm Suspension Lift Kit, RCX 2.2 shocks, ACOS adjustable bump stops

Drivetrain:
Spicer Ultimate Dana44 front axle, Rear 2005 Rubicon Axle, ARB front and rear lockers with 411 gearing

Wheels & Tires:
Dick Cepek DC Blackout 15×10-inch ; Dick Cepek Extreme Country 35×12.5×15-inch

Armor:
Yeti-Built Custom Winch Bumper with Stinger, Smittybilt XRC Armor Rock Guards, Smittybilt rear bumper and tire carrier

Trailer:
Yeti-Built Legacy Series Adventure Trailer, Tepui Tents, Autana XL Ruggedized Sky with Annex room, “SJK Slumber Jack” Roadhouse tarp system, GooseGear Custom Drawer System

Lighting:
Rigid Industries LED Pods, Focal Engineering JK LED headlamps, Focal Engineering P-40 LED lights, Yeti-Built LED Flush Mount Taillights

Accessories:
Currie Enterprises Heavy-Duty Tie Rod and Drag Link System, Rubicon Express Front Track Bar, Read Custom Wheel Wells, Smittybilt X20 winch, Yeti-Built Custom Adventure Rack, Tepui Tent Autana Ruggedized XL Sky, Bestop Trektop NX Soft Top, Bestop’s TrailMax II seats, Garmin Nuvi, Terratrip 202 Plus v4, PCI Race Radios, Wagan Tech Slimline 1500W Inverter, Krazy Beaver Tools Shovel, Traction Jack recovery boards, Tepui Expedition Gear Bags, Gerber Gear 23.5-inch axe, Powertank air compressor