Shibadog
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2021
- Threads
- 16
- Messages
- 1,920
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- 3,136
- Location
- Bowling Green, Ky
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 Wrangler Sport S hardtop
- Occupation
- Safety &Fire Protection Engineer (Retired)
- Thread starter
- #1
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.
) 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.
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