Off-road business lifelong dream for owner

Technician Jason Brown installs
aftermarket tires and rims on a
Chevrolet Truck at the 4X4 Headquarters shop recently. Noah
Hoedebeche is also a
technician there.
Off-road business
lifelong dream for owner
F
or Jim McHugh, owner of
4X4 Headquarters, going
Jeepin’ has been a lifelong
passion. As early as the
age of 9, he remembers driving
a Jeep around a family friend’s
property.
After retiring from the hotel
business, McHugh and his fiancee, Janet McDaniel, started
tinkering with their Jeeps in
the garage. That was when he
realized he wanted to start a
business dealing in all things four-wheel drive. The business
sells all types of off-road aftermarket products, along with doing
a large variety of work on four-wheel-drive vehicles.
“I’ve loved Jeeps as long as I can remember,” said McHugh,
adding he and McDaniel came up with the business model on a
bar napkin while on vacation in Chicago.
Opening their doors in the winter of 2010, business immediately caught traction.
“We were booked with work three or four weeks out from
when we opened for a year,” said McHugh. “That was when we
knew we had a good idea.”
Both natives of Effingham, they knew off-roading was a popular pastime in the area, enjoying it themselves. While the original business model was for Jeeps, trucks and SUVs were added.
“There really wasn’t anything like this in the area,” said McHugh.
Currently, 4X4 Headquarters does aftermarket suspension
lifts, bumpers, LED light systems, tires and wheels, side steps,
bed covers, exhaust systems, ring and pinion setup and differ-
42
•
Progress
ential lockers and leveling
kits (add any other services
here).
When a person comes
into the business, which
has drawn customers from
all over the United States
and countries as far away
as Costa Rica, McHugh can
offer a vision for how to
modify a vehicle.
“Sometimes people
know exactly what they
want,” said McHugh. “Other times, I help the customer figure
out what looks good together. When the customer comes in after the work is done and says ‘Wow!,’ that makes it all worth it.”
McHugh is also able to offer advice about how to set up your
off-road vehicle to do what it is made for. At outdoor parks,
where people off-road their vehicles, certain items are required.
For instance, tow hooks on the front of the bumper are needed,
said McHugh.
On the horizon, their business is looking to add an online
store for off-road enthusiasts to shop and order parts. With
popular brands like Mickey Thompson, Rough Country and
Pro-Com, along with next day-delivery to the store currently
available, it has never been easier to set up your Jeep, truck or
SUV.
According to McDaniel, 4X4 Headquarters hopes as many
people as possible participate in one of their three charity
Jeep Runs throughout the warm months to have fun and raise
money for a good cause. Check out www.4X4headquarters.net
and their Facebook page for dates of the runs
“There really wasn’t
anything like this in
the area,”
said McHugh.
•
February 2014
Specialize and Customize
in Jeeps, Trucks & SUV’s
Mon-Fri 8-5 • Sat 9-1 • 217-540-Jeep (5337 or 5338)
18086 N. Rt. 45 • Effingham, IL 62401
www.4x4headquarters.net or fourxfourheadquarters.com
February 2014
•
Progress 2014
•
43