ETA Open House

The date is set, the planning is underway, mark your calendar for the 24th annual Eastern Open House & Customer Appreciation Day in May 9th, 2026! This event is always a highlight of the year as we celebrate the shop, our customers and raise money for charity. This year we’ll be bringing back the truck show with several categories to judge, complimentary lunch and desert served to all, manufacturer reps on site, winch/recovery training, large auction of truck/offroad accessories and custom V8 Jeep YJ to be raffled off (more info below). As always ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT CHARITY. To date this event has raised nearly $1 million for various charities, this year we’ll be raising money for the American Cancer Society (ACS)! Bring your 4×4 and the entire family for a day of fun and entertainment up at the ETA shop from 10am-4pm, rain or shine.

Itinerary:

10am – event & truck show kick off
11am-1pm – vendors on side, 4×4 classes, etc
11:30am – cutoff for truck show entries
12-1pm – lunch served
1-4pm – auction, truck show awards and Jeep raffle
*times are proposed, more to come

Raffle Jeep:

Each year we build a custom vehicle to raffle off at the open house with 100% of proceeds going to American Cancer Society. This year we’re building a custom V8 Jeep YJ and you have a chance to win it. Tickets can be purchased for $20ea or 6for$100. Stop by the shop or call (757) 461-2600 to purchase yours, must be present at event to win. Keep an eye out on the @ETAoffroad social channels for more from the buildup.

Build Partners:
BDS Suspension  |  FOX  |  Motobilt  |  Nitto Tires  |  Method Race Wheels |  Bestop  | Optima Batteries

Watch the Build Video Series:

1990 Jeep Wrangler YJ Build Plans:
Suspension/Drivetrain:
GM Performance 350ci crate motor
AX-15 5-speed manual (Advanced Adapters)
NP231 T-Case w/ Advanced Adapters SYE
Custom Driveshafts
JK Axles (w/ Artec JK2TJ truss mounts)
BDS 4-Link Long Arm Front Suspension (converted from Jeep XJ kit)
BDS 6.5″ coil springs, FOX 2.0 IFP shocks, Artec coil buckets
BDS 2″ rear leaf springs w/ SOA conversion and HD shackles
38×12.50r17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers
17×8.5 Method Race Wheels | Series 709HD BeadGrip

Exterior:
Motobilt Aluminum Hatchet High Fender Kit w/ 4″ Flare and Inner Fenders
Custom Hi-Line Hood Trim
Motobilt Rocker Armor w/ StepsMotobilt Hatchet 2″ Stretch Rear Corner Armor w/ 4″ Flares
Artec Front Stubby Bumper
MileMarker 10,000lb Mission Winch w/ Synthetic Line
Smoke LED Headlights,Taillights, and side marker lights

Interior:
Bluetooth Stereo w/ Kicker Speakers
Corbeau Race Seats
Tuffy Locking Center Console
Bestop Supertop

Vehicle will be raffled off on May 9th, 2026. You can buy your raffle tickets in store, $20ea or 6for$100 or call in to purchase tickets for “will call”. *Must be present during raffle drawing on May 9th to be eligible to win*. ALL RAFFLE PROCEEDS WILL GO TO AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY (ACS).