by Matt Konkle
Quadratec Channel Editor
Family.
It is a simple word that can mean so much more than just a few letters. As a noun, you can define it as a group of related people. A mother. Father. Brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents. People you don’t necessarily choose, but who you love unconditionally. For the most part.
Or, perhaps, it identifies more as a wife, husband, sons and daughters. Maybe even group of close friends. Teammates. Partners. People you choose because they mean something more to you than just the normal, everyday someone.
Sometimes the word can even switch up a bit to an adjective, throwing the meaning more to the side of family friendly things. Like, for example, Jeep Jamboree USA events.
It’s a big word, this family.
And for Tyler Sutton, this year's winner of Quadratec’s Ultimate Fly And Drive Jeep Jamboree Giveaway Contest, it means everything. Both as family related by blood, and those by, well, Jeep.
”I’m really big into family,” Sutton said. “I stand by the quote from the Fast and Furious movies: ‘I don’t have friends, I have family'.”
Sutton, from Westfield Massachusetts, was randomly picked recently from over 375,000 contest entries for a trip to Moab, Utah to participate in Jeep Jamboree’s 21st annual Moab event October 24-26.
Once there, Sutton and his guest will have an JL Unlimited Wrangler to use for both event days as they negotiate some of Moab's most iconic trails.
Like Kylen Hill, our 2016 Fly and Drive winner, and Ed Tripp, the 2018 Fly and Drive winner, Sutton will be immersed into the Jeep family at the Moab Jamboree—spending time with other trail ‘family’ members traversing obstacles that may, at first, seem impassible. But one of the best parts of family is the encouragement and guidance they provide. All to help overcome any obstacle in the way.
"When (Quadratec Video Host) Rob (Jarrell) called, I was shocked and thought he was messing with me," Sutton said. "I wasn't expecting to win the contest since I never win anything. I always enter these things with no thought of winning, so when he called I was like 'you're joking'."
"I'm super excited for this trip, it is the trip of a lifetime. I'm looking forward to being out on the trails and experiencing something like never before. In Massachusetts, we don't have trails like out in Moab, so I'm excited for this. I hope to see the sights and have a blast with all the other Jeepers out there."
Growing up in Westfield, around ninety minutes or so west of Boston, it didn’t take Sutton long to know his major interest lay beyond the Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots and beautiful fall days enjoying the different foliage colors.
”I guess you could call me a car, truck and Jeep enthusiast,” he said. “I’ve loved them since l was a little boy and it grew into a passion l really enjoy.”
Sutton owns a 2013 Wrangler JKU Sahara that sports a Commando Green finish. It is a one-year-only color which, Sutton said, makes him feel like it is a rare color.
”I think I really fell in love with Jeeps when my best friend and l went off-roading on a trail we call the top of the world in his TJ,” he said. “It just felt so cool and fun. The trail was off a main road where others would pull off on the trail, and we'd all help each other like family. When it came time to climb to the top, that was the most nerve racking point, trying not to roll."
Among other things, Sutton has modified the vehicle to include a 3.5” Pro Comp lift on 18x10 black off-road wheels wrapped in 35” Nitto Ridge Grapplers.
In the front, he chose a steel stubby bumper topped with a 12k winch with synthetic rope, while swapping out the factory halogen head and fog lights to Bluetooth halo LEDs. Inside the engine bay, Sutton added an AFE Stage 2 Magnum intake.
On the back end, Sutton installed a DV8 RS-10 rear bumper with lights and a tire carrier, as well as a single exit Magnaflow Cat Back exhaust.
Along the sides run some N-Fab Nerf Steps.
Among potential future upgrades, Sutton is looking to upgrade his shocks to Fox reservoir 2.0s along with Fox steering stabilizer.
It is a set up he likes—a family of products that altogether give his Jeep a look and style all its own.
”I belong to a series of car clubs and Jeep clubs, and it is like one big Jeep family," Sutton said. "I go to many car meets where l put my Jeep in the show. It catches lots of eyes and get lots of attention, and it puts a smile on my face knowing what I’ve built. I’ve taken it down some trails but nothing to ruin it.”
”I love my Jeep and love the feeling of owning it and getting the thumbs up and hearing nice rig from the Jeep community. The Jeep wave is a fun thing to be a part of as well. It is a family thing, plus it kind of helps you pay attention while driving.”
Quadratec's Ultimate Fly & Drive Jeep Jamboree Giveaway ran from May 1 through August 15 and afforded one automatic entry per person each time they placed an order with us (up to once per week). However, no purchase was necessary to enter as those interested could also manually enter via a form on Quadratec.com (up to once per week).
For more information about Jeep Jamboree as well as product suggestions to augment your own next adventure, check out our Jeep Jamboree USA page.
