James Ndungu

James Ndungu is an Automotive Service Writer, Jeep enthusiast, and seasoned off-roading expert with over 40 years of experience. He lives in California and has become a trusted authority in the Jeep community. He holds an I4WDA certification and shares his extensive knowledge with off-road enthusiasts.

Jeep Passion & Journey

James’s love affair with Jeeps began at 16 when he received a 1970 Jeep CJ-5 as a gift from his father. Over the years, his passion has only grown, culminating in his current ride, a 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe. Dedicated to off-roading and customization, James thrives on exploring the great outdoors with his beloved Jeeps.

Credentials & Achievements

In addition to being a seasoned Automotive Writer, James is the proud owner of an automotive parts shop. His unique blend of skills allows him to enrich the Jeep experience, offering valuable insights into Jeep culture and customization.

Specialization & Training

As a dedicated off-roader, James has not only competed in various Jeep Trails and off-road competitions throughout the United States but has also honed his skills through training with the International 4-Wheel Drive Trainers’ Association. This premier organization sets the global standard for 4WD instruction, ensuring James’s proficiency as a 4WD Instructor.

Other Automotive Projects

Since 2021, James has dedicated over 10,000 hours to mastering EV charger installations. While not holding a state electrician certification, his passion for the field drove him to achieve certification through the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP). James’s unparalleled expertise and hands-on experience emphasize his unique position as an expert in EV charger installations.

James has delved into the electric vehicle industry, launching Electric Vehicle Geek—an authoritative platform for electric vehicle charger reviews. This endeavor showcases his commitment to innovation and sustainability in the automotive world.

Mr. James’ Epic Jeep Fleet

An Exclusive Tour of the Badass Off-Roaders in James Ndungu Possession!

Jeep Runner

James owns various Jeeps, Including the latest 2023 Jeep® Wrangler 4xe, 2019 Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon, Jeep Gladiator, and the Jeep Cherokee; he also owns a 1970 Jeep CJ-5 that is more of a sentimental Jeep in that it was a gift from his father when James turned 16.

Now let’s talk about some of the Jeeps in James Garage:

Jeep® Wrangler 4xe

When it comes to plug-in hybrid electric SUVs, I like to keep them up to date with the latest trends and newest types of Jeeps; that’s why I always sell my old SUVs to invest in the new plug-in hybrid electric SUVs to enjoy the new technological features, for these reasons I own the 2023 Jeep® Wrangler 4xe that powers most of my short trips close to my home in California, USA.

The Jeep® Wrangler 4xe is different from the Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon that I also own in that the Jeep® Wrangler 4xe combines both a traditional combustion engine with an electric motor that delivers 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of instant torque.

The traditional combustion engine and electric motor allow the Jeep® Wrangler 4xe to run on both gasoline and electricity; this improves my fuel efficiency when running short errands close to my home, which are more frequent; it also helps to reduce the emissions on most of my city driving compared when I use my other Jeeps which are known to emit more CO2 to the environment.

I have customized my Jeep® Wrangler 4xe and bought some aftermarket level 2 chargers, allowing me to charge my Jeep® Wrangler 4xe fast at home. In most cases, I use the electric mode, which can travel up to 25 miles, making the Jeep® Wrangler 4xe ideal for short errands such as grocery shopping, picking up kids from school, etc.

The Jeep® Wrangler 4xe also has off-roading capabilities, having offloaded with it in various Jeep trails such as the Hells Revenge, Fins & Things, Rocky Gap Trail, Gold Mountain, Holcomb Creek, Red Canyon Jeep Trail, and the Miller Jeep Trail as you can see in the image below of some of the Jeep Badge Of Honor Badges displayed on my Jeep Wrangler 4xe Fender, I can attest to the Jeep® Wrangler 4xe off-road capabilities for adventure seekers for the ability of the Jeep® Wrangler 4xe to handle tough terrains.

I choose the Jeep® Wrangler 4xe for its fuel efficiency and its latest technology features, such as the Uconnect infotainment system and the latest safety and technology features, such as regenerative braking, responsive handling, and advanced driver assist.

My Jeep® Wrangler 4xe has allowed me to test and experiment with various hybrid Jeep aftermarket accessories such as chargers and factory parts and accessories; you will find me writing about my Jeep® Wrangler 4xe fuel efficiency, features, accessories, parts, guides, eco-friendliness innovations and also write on Jeep guides and tips that I discover when using and experimenting with my Jeep® Wrangler 4xe offroad and also as a daily driver.

Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon

My most customized Jeep is my 2019 Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon, which I documented on my custom Jeep Wrangler build post; this is the Jeep that you will always spot me in when it comes to Jeep off-roading activities, Jeep camping excursions, and Jeep Overlanding expeditions.

It’s a highly customized Jeep Wrangler with exterior modifications, off-road modifications, and interior modifications; on the exterior, I have installed all-terrain tires, custom front and rear bumpers from Smittybilt, and a roof rack that supports my camping tents. On the interior, I have upgraded the seat covers and installed a Jeep phone mount to mount my communication and navigational accessories and storage lock boxes, amongst other interior customizations.

The Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon is my go-to off-roading Jeep due to its high clearance and customization I have done, including installing super heavy jeep lift kits that enhance the Jeep’s capabilities and performance when off-roading; it also makes my Jeep look rugged and allow it to conquer some of the most competitive terrains.

I love my Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon due to its off-road and on-road handling capabilities; coupled with off-road tires, my Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon can provide maximum traction and stability in rugged and off-road Jeep trails; some of the features that made me choose the Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon is the Rock-Trac® 4×4 system that includes the Dana axles, locking differentials, and transfer case.

The Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon came with heavy-duty skid plates from the factory; however, we have replaced them with aftermarket skid plates to protect the undercarriage of the Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon.

Similar to the Jeep® Wrangler 4xe, my Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon has the latest technology features such as Uconnect systems which is an infotainment system that allows me to monitor the innovative Jeep off-road parts such as wheel articulation, amongst many more amazing things. I also listen to my favorite artists such as Blake Shelton, AC/DC, Five Finger Death Punch, and Upchurch; I also stream Off-Roading Jams when off-roading or camping from my Jeeps Uconnect is connected to the internet. Uconnect is not free, but it’s worth it.

All these features make my Jeep ideal for Jeep off-roading activities, Jeep camping excursions, and Jeep Overlanding expeditions; I have added other Overlanding gear, Recovery gear, and Camping gear to make my Jeep expeditions secure and enjoyable – did I mention it easier to get Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon aftermarket parts and accessories compared to the Jeep Cherokee or any other SUVs, I find it easier to customize my Jeep Wrangler due to the accessibility of parts than any other Jeep in my Garage.

My Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon is one of the most expensive Jeeps with the highest market value I own, due to the high customization parts and accessories added into it to make it the ideal off-roading companion for exploring the outdoors. I understand Jeeps last a long time, based on the years I have owned the 1970 Jeep CJ-5, and I plan to invest even more into my Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon, so keep checking Jeep Runner for more updates on the parts, accessories, and guides that I will add over my Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon ownership.

Jeep® Gladiator

Since James has owned a Jeep Parts and Accessories store since 1989 located in Oakland, CA, United States, he needed a Jeep that he could use to transport his business inventories from manufacturers to his store and also to the warehouse; for these reasons, he needed a rugged Pickup truck and had to have off-road and powerful enough to haul Jeep parts and accessories from wholesalers and distributors or the airport to his Jeep Parts and Accessories Shop in Oakland, CA, United States and also have the capability to tow a trailer, fifth wheel or a cargo trailer.

The answer lay in investing in a Jeep Gladiator since he has experience in Jeeps for a long time, and knew and understood the capabilities of the Keep Gladiator.

The Jeep Gladiator is also a family truck for James, “In case I need to go off-roading, Overlanding or Camping with my family, I prefer going with my Jeep Gladiator, James”

James’ Jeep Gladiator is equipped with a Jeep Gladiator rooftop tent that makes his family Overlanding more enjoyable and comfortable. There is various Jeep Gladiator Overland option that James has tried in his Jeep Gladiator. Still, currently, his Jeep has a Jeep Gladiator camper that he prefers instead of a rooftop tent.

Since a family truck needs to be lifted to support the weight of James and his family, plus his various Jeep accessories mounted in his Jeep Gladiator, James has upgraded his tires with Jeep Gladiator 37-inch tires and Steel wheels. James’s customization of his Jeep Gladiator, coupled with the Jeep Gladiator 3.6-liter V6 engine that delivers 285 horsepower, and four-wheel configuration, makes the ultimate truck for James’ Business and his family which they can rely on the Jeep Gladiator for their day-to-day business trips and Family Adventures.

Jeep® Grand Cherokee

Another family SUV in James’ garage is a Jeep® Grand Cherokee, “My wife and I decided to buy a Jeep Grand Cherokee because of its design to be a family SUV; we have owned several generations of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, it’s one of the SUVs that we would use as a family trip SUV, either for vacation or any other family-oriented drives”

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is an Urban full-size SUV but has offroad capabilities, this means we can get to use it for family trips, and also use it as a daily driver it’s James’ wife’s favorite SUV and she gets to use it on a daily since the Jeep Grand Cherokee has 3^rd-row seating and the kids can easily fit in there alongside their dog, which has a dog barrier on the third row.

The reason we chose the Jeep Grand Cherokee as the ultimate family SUV is the wide range of safety features that we were looking for for the safety of our kids and ourselves; some of the features that won us over include blind spot monitoring, lane monitoring and forward collision warnings where the Jeep Grand Cherokee can apply emergency brakes to prevent front collisions, the interior is also massive and equipped with innovative technology just like the Jeep® Wrangler 4xe such as the Uconnect infotainment system that we entertain the kids with when on long drives.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Supercharged 6.2L V8 Engine is so powerful to accommodate all my family and various accessories we have included in the Jeep Grand Cherokee for a more comfortable and safe Jeep Grand Cherokee Overlanding and Camping Expeditions. Additionally, the Jeep Grand Cherokee engine offers an impressive towing capacity of 7,200 pounds, that ideal for towing our DIY trailer and other accessories such as our boats.

At Jeep Runner, you will always see updates from James recommending the Jeep Grand Cherokee as the ultimate family SUV because the Jeep Grand Cherokee combines comfort, technology, and offroad capabilities into one ultimate full-sized SUV ideal for families. James uses his Jeep Grand Cherokee for urban drives and offroading; this means no matter how you use your Jeep Grand Cherokee, as an offroader or just a Jeep enthusiast, you will find something just for you, documented by James on Jeep Runner.

My Personal List of Jeep Recovery Tools.

• 30+ Essential Jeep Recovery Gear for Jeep Off-roading & Overlanding