Jeep Drivers Categories

[Apexcars]

I was in category 3, but I'm sticking between 1 and 2 while I'm under warranty. Haven't had any trouble keeping up with my JK buddies yet, and that's all I care about. I'm not here to impress anyone. Still gotta break 'er in.

Bumpers and winches are practical and functional. You need at least two unnecessary light bars and a set of fake-beadlock Fuel wheels to rate "bro-out" status.

Well it’s an XR so fake bead locks. Check. Pair of ditch lights on the a pillar and the bumper includes a light bar in the overrider. I guess I’m getting close.

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[Uncommon Sense]

I guess I am in group 4 since I wont' be taking my 392 offroad. It will go down a gravel road every now and then but that is the extent of it. I daily drive it and like the utilitarian aesthetic more than anything.

The reality is that all of us engage in cosplay with cars and other things all the time. How many sports cars ever go to a track day? Guys rocking Rolex Submariners and don't even know how to swim. People will have DSLR cameras and have zero idea how to use any of the features. Sport bike guys with huge "chicken strips. People with huge pickup trucks because they happen to get a few bags of mulch once or twice a year from Home Depot.

 

[Asuriyan]

Well it’s an XR so fake bead locks. Check. Pair of ditch lights on the a pillar and the bumper includes a light bar in the overrider. I guess I’m getting close.

Nah, you're fine. XR wheels are beadlock-capable, even if the rings aren't 100% functional, plus they're OEM which is negative bro-points. And I failed to mention that one of the extraneous light bars has to be on the roof, and it absolutely has to make it impossible to put the roof down.

 

[Apexcars]

Ok, I’m feeling better. LOL

 

[Apexcars]

What category does an angry grill put someone in?

 

[entropy]

After playing around with Jeep’s (for the purpose of this discussion a “Jeep” is a CJ, YJ, TJ, JK, or JL-we will be ignoring those poor benighted folks who think a Compass, Patriot, Renegade, Cherokee or Grand Cherokee is a Jeep and think that you and I drive “Wranglers”?) I’ve found that there are four distinctive groups of folks who love Jeeps. These are:
(1). “Jeepers”. These are the folks who buy and drive their Jeeps pretty much daily. They’re not too interested in off-road, but like the high seating, maneuverability, and “convertible” aspects of the mark. Their rigs are basically stock, with a few extra dress up parts. You’ll find them in town, on the beach, or cruising country lanes. Usually the Jeep will be opened up in warm weather and they’ll have a big smile on their faces. Their Jeeps are usually pristine.
(2). “Off roaders”. These are the folks the original CJ was built for. They work and/or play outdoors and like to get away from the crowds. They’ll drive down old 2 track just to see where is goes. They’ll be running more aggressive tires than stock, will have limited slip or locking diff’s. Their rigs will carry a winch and basic self rescue and survival kit. They may have a mild lift. If these folks are on the trail and encounter a 4’ rock wall or a 3’ deep mudhole they’ll drive around it and continue down the trail. Their rigs will often be seen splattered with mud or covered with dust.
(3). SERIOUS Off roaders. These are the “wild and crazy” part of the family. Their rigs will run big lifts, monster tires, beadlock wheels, winches, compressors, heavy duty bumpers and rock rails, lockers, full belly armor and a range of heavy duty rescue gear, plus extra fuel. They are all about off road capability and will gladly talk at length about angles of approach and departure, amount of axle articulation, gearing, etc. when They come up on a 4’ rock wall or 3’ deep mudhole their reaction is “cool! I can get over (or through) that” and they do! Road manners, ride comfort and fuel economy are all gladly sacrificed in the name of capability. The various skid plate under their rig will have a lot of scrape marks. Their Jeep will be seen totally covered in mud or dirt. When clean it will show a ding here or there and will some fairly good scratches. These folks routinely go places most folks would say are impossible to access by vehicle.
(4). The “Walter Mitty’s”. These are the folks who love the look of group three Jeeps, but would never dream of actually attempting the obstacles that group routinely tackles. Their Jeeps will be lifted and have big tires (37’s or larger) often on the beadlock look wheels. They love the “look” and the image of a “go anywhere” image. Their rigs always attract a lot of attention because of the rugged looks combined with the pristine appearance of the rig. They will seldom have a winch or rescue equipment (don’t need it), though for some strange reason I’ve seen several with an exterior mounted high lift jack. They will not have skids, and if they do, the skid plates will be immaculate. They tend to be teased as “mall crawlers”, but it’s mostly good natured kidding. Unfortunately a few of these folks tend to expound to the newbies that a Jeep is incapable of going down a trail unless it’s running a lift and 37’s? (maybe they really believe it?).

That then is our family, warts and all. We have a wide range of interests and motives but are United by a common love of the Jeep. We can and do customize our rigs to suit our individual lifestyle. We ALL have a duty to help the newbies find their way, and give them sound advice. We also have a duty to leave the trails we travel in at least as good a condition as when we found them. Finally, we need to support and help one another. It’s ok to kid around or good naturedly tease the other guy a little bit, but If you see a brother or sister broke down or stuck, or whatever take a minute and give them a hand. You know you’d appreciate it if You were the one needing help.

The grand cherokee is a jeep. It is just not as capable as the real Jeep.

I think your definition of #2 is a bit mall crawlie. You jumped from the "overcamper" to serious off road. I am in between #2 and #3 even tho I am currently running 33inch tires on a 2 door.

My skids are dinged up and pretty scratched. ive got damage on both bumpers. A ding or two on the body. Ive had to use my winch a few times. I was somewhat closed to tipping once with both front wheels in the air when I failed a steep and off camber climb. a bit more momentum and bye bye. And I dont consider myself that crazy and have not tackled monster obstacles at all. I am actually pretty cautious and a bit of a wimp lol. I run a sport jeep with a locked front and rear LSD.

I think there is a group between 2 and 3 who say "you dont need as much rig as you think you do". I am on that group.

 

[OrneryBear]

Unapologetic #4 (whose had at least one Jeep in the garage for 25 years.) I lived at 8,200' in the Colorado Rockies where EVERY household owns a Jeep.

Tell you what: if you promise not to make fun of me for not going off-road in my off-roader, I'll return the favor by not rolling my eyes when you purposely take your $60K vehicle into harm's way.

As the OP pointed out: different strokes....

It's funny to me how many people (I don't know you, so not directed at you, your avatar just spawned the thought) roll their eyes at jeep people for taking their 40-60k+ vehicle on some "risky" off roading, but will have no problem taking their even more expensive corvette, porsche, bmw, etc out on a track day (or on fast twisty back roads). Having been around auto racing my whole life and offroading for the 10 years I have to say, people put their sportscars far more at risk on a racetrack than they do slow moving offroading. Sh*t goes wrong very fast, with a lot of force on a racetrack, and most of the rich guys with sportscars drive way past the vehicles envelope (or more likely past their own skill envelope and not their car's). Then they majorly run out of talent damaging their own car and possibly others, not to mention a miss shift and scattering a very expensive engine. Just a funny observation.

Hell I'd say our jeeps are far more at risk on road getting to the off roading than they are actually out in the dirt.

 

[OrneryBear]

What category does an angry grill put someone in?

Category 5, that's the only descriptor "angry grill"

 

[Smoke Showing]

1/4. I would be a 2 if I still lived in PA. Legal off reading is extremely limited here in Cape May County. What we have are mostly abandoned sand/ gravel pits that are known for destroying vehicles. No thanks, my couch is comfortable but not that comfortable.

 

[rickinAZ]

It's funny to me how many people (I don't know you, so not directed at you, your avatar just spawned the thought) roll their eyes at jeep people for taking their 40-60k+ vehicle on some "risky" off roading, but will have no problem taking their even more expensive corvette, porsche, bmw, etc out on a track day (or on fast twisty back roads). Having been around auto racing my whole life and offroading for the 10 years I have to say, people put their sportscars far more at risk on a racetrack than they do slow moving offroading. Sh*t goes wrong very fast, with a lot of force on a racetrack, and most of the rich guys with sportscars drive way past the vehicles envelope (or more likely past their own skill envelope and not their car's). Then they majorly run out of talent damaging their own car and possibly others, not to mention a miss shift and scattering a very expensive engine. Just a funny observation.

Hell I'd say our jeeps are far more at risk on road getting to the off roading than they are actually out in the dirt.

I agree with your assessment. And...didn't take it personally.

I don't track my GT3 either - I'm a disappointment across the board on the respective forums, but I'm the guy you want to buy a used vehicle from.

 

[Wkaz]

 

[Shibadog]

I was a solid 2+ for decades, but old age ?and more limited places for off road work have me down to like a 1.7 or so. I’ve ran a winch and carried basic self rescue and survival gear in the rig for more than 30 years (a nice 5 mile + walk in the dark through a cold, dark and rainy national forest gives you a lot of time to reflect on the error of your ways)

 

[Garry]

I'm a 1 for sure but when I move to Arkansas I hope to be in the 2 category, i'm getting ready. I think your spot on.

 

[Beachcomber72]

I drive a Wrangler…

 

[Booker]

What category does an angry grill put someone in?

We don’t talk about that group…

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