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CURT Manufacturing
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CURT Manufacturing
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Photo from the 2017 Easter Jeep Safari in Moab Utah
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Words By Tracy L. Teuscher
The kids at Rebuilding Generations (RG) aren’t complaining about ditching the smart phone or the video games for a wrench, a welder or maybe a ditch.
Over the past few years, they’ve been wrenching on Jeeps with the help of the team at Bucks 4x4 to help make their Moab Easter Jeep Safari dreams come true.
“A lot kids are into technology rather than spending time outdoors, wrenching on stuff and getting their hands dirty,” said Jeff Buck, owner of Bucks 4x4. “I loved seeing these kids forget about technology for a whole week this year when we took them – and the Jeep they built – out to Moab.”
Founded in 2013 by Kevin and Jenny Keep with the support of Lynn Hawkins and Joseph Callahan, Rebuilding Generations (RG) is an aftermarket nonprofit that pairs seasoned auto mechanics, builders, fabricators and welders together with youth (aged seven years and up) to learn hands-on skills. The kids are mentored and guided by pros that share tips, tricks and, of course, industry passion.
“There is a wealth of experience and knowledge in the industry,” said Kevin Keep, Rebuilding Generations founder. “These older guys want to pour their experience and passion into these kids. We help bridge the gap to bring them together.”
Shops like Bucks 4x4 partner with RG alongside industry product manufacturers to help provide the space, tools, equipment, and know-how for a successful build.
“We took more than a dozen kids out to Moab so they could see what it was all about,” Keep continued. “Some of them even got to get some off-road driving experience, and it was amazing.”
Team RG’s Moab fever started in 2017 with the “AdventureCon” build – a Gobi clear coat Jeep Rubicon JK completely outfitted as a camping-ready overlander with incredible rock-crawling capability. The team started with a bone-stock Jeep, and completely customized and modified both the interior and exterior with the help of a group of great parts sponsors from the off-road industry.
In 2018, the team built a white 2018 Jeep Rubicon JK called “Little Polar Bear.” It was built as a street-ready machine with incredible off-road capability. In between, they built “Practically Magic”, a purple Jeep Rubicon JK that was displayed at SEMA 2017, and hit the trails at Moab EJS this year alongside “Little Polar Bear.”
“The kids did virtually all the work themselves on the Jeep this year,” said Jeff Buck. “It’s great seeing everyone - including my guys - enjoying something so much that they’re still willing to stay late at the shop to work on a build after school and work.”
Active off-road industry parts sponsors include Lincoln Electric, Aries Automotive, Warn, Fox, JKS Suspension, Yukon Gear and Axle, Alpine, Kargo Master Safari, SOTA, XComp, Falken Tires, MagnaFlow, OPTIMA Batteries, GEAR Forged, BDS, Bartact, Up Down Air, Genesis Off Road, Rigid Lights, Factor 55, Genright, Sprintex, Hoffman’s Auto Body and more.
“Rebuilding Generations has the secret sauce,” said Kathryn Reinhardt, director of marketing for MagnaFlow, and dedicated product sponsor and ambassador for the organization. “They share our passion for the industry, and they also know that it’s important to work with kids starting at a young age. Together we’re supporting the next generation of builders.”
More than a dozen youth have graduated from the RG program to go on to degree programs, technical school programs or employment related to the RG experience including roles in the military.
“One of the best parts about this program is the way it prepares kids to enter the industry, even at a young age,” said Glenn Burman, an RG graduate that’s now employed as a full-time welder and fabricator. “I came in fresh out of high school, and was just learning how to weld, and I had an opportunity to learn from older guys in the shop.”
In the five years since it was founded, RG has completed a dozen vehicles – from rock-crawling Jeeps, to hot rods and muscle cars. The group is scheduled to showcase an array of project vehicles at about 10 events this year, including the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
“When we first started, I thought it would be great if we could finish one or two vehicles in the first five years, but everyone has been so committed and worked so hard, that we’ve finished 12 with more to come,” Keep said. “Next, we’re going to modify our 2008 Chevy Crew Cab Dually 4x4 that will be built as a tow vehicle for all of our events. And, man, we’d just love to go up to Canada.”
Link to RG video of the build:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgAXzMu-YDo
Link to the Team Aries video of the build: