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Since when is it more about what we do TO our Jeeps than what we do WITH our Jeeps

MarkN

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I took mine on the first part of Fins and Things in Moab, pulling a 14’ flatbed trailer to rescue a RZR. Didn’t take any pics, I was two busy winching, but I got it out. I have some mods, but I’m not going to discuss them here. This thread is for wheeling, ………damnit!

Mark

Jeep Gladiator Since when is it more about what we do TO our Jeeps than what we do WITH our Jeeps 858D434B-4D35-4895-AD7A-D51F18B2BE03
 

Hootbro

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Escape.idiocracy

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I'm an old school Jeep guy. On my 9th Jeep if you include my FJ40 and Roxor. My 1st new Jeep is a JT and Ive driven plenty of other Jeeps along with other off road vehicles US and internationally. For work and pleasure. Since I retired last year I've gotten in to RV hauling now only drive 1/2 and 3/4 t trucks and RV trailers from IN and OR to Anchorage Alaska. I say this because I need to be clear where I'm coming from before someone with 3 years here calls me a newb. Do we even do this anymore? OK, before that guy who got his 1st new Jeep 4 years ago and sank $20k in it and been to 3 trails.

As of this post trip Journals and Reports account for 3,344 messages. This topic involvement is dwarfed by tech section, builds, and basically "what tires can I fit without a lift" topics. Not only here but FB pages. In fact, under this General discussion there are two subjects threads. One is what did you do TO, with 1293 pages and WITH 53 pages. We have the most trail capable 4x4 ever made in history being sold right now, but seems the almost sole discussion is who has what trim and what other crap can you buy for your Jeep.

I see some of the most well built off road Jeeps with the best graphics.. with an impeccable paint and finish. I swear I know a guy with a 99 Suzuki Vitara that has seen more trail use in a month then that a built $110k JT.

I've had my JT for 10 days. And yeah, I've modded a bit. It's a Sport trim. Did 285/70 (33's), knock of rubi bumper, 1.5 level spacers, take off rub rails and that's it until I get the next thing. The day after I got my JT we had to go to TJ, drop off BIL ATV in SD, and other things, Tooled around San Diego a bit and drove back to AZ. Yeah, I realize its not a trip report to Imogene Pass, but that's next. Have you driven in Mexico? A Jeep is made for Mexico no question about that. Also plan to take local trails. Nothing crazy, yet. I also want to take my Jeep to Alaska since I'm familiar with the road, summer and winter.

And to also say, Jeeps aren't the only ones. Name any brand. Seems like only Adventure bikers are the ones bragging where they've been. Guns too. It's all about some crap they put on and not about a course, range report, or hunt.

So how about we add some Arizona pin striping and hear about getting a flat or stuck somewhere more than hearing about who has the best trim level, or the 1 millionth will 35 fit... We have the most versatile vehicle ever made in production. So let's hear more on these adventures and where you've been. Who cares if its bone stock or the most mods.

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I too find it comedic. As many have posted here already- it’s to each their own.
I find it challenging to rationalize a lot of peoples choices- I live by function. Why by a vehicle that was made to go off road if you aren’t going to go off road? It doesn’t get very good gas mileage, their history shows they are not cheap to own…. If you can’t turn wrenches you need to have deep pockets.
We lived just outside Death Valley for a few years. Tons and tons of places to go wheel, tons of built jeeps. Very few of them ever wanted to actually go out and wheel. It’s like a new stigma thing- mine is this big, as representation to how much cash can be thrown into a vehicle. This became more apparent in places like big bear. $100-125k rigs all over the place. More were interested in watching one dude get through an obstacle and coming up with 50k hypothetical Scenarios that they would roll, because they had on anti rocks. Or it’s not challenging anymore because they are over built.
I found it funny- we have a Jeep because we like to get out. I like to challenge what I can and can’t do. Our JK was built to the T- and frankly it became not so fun so drive on the street, pulling the inside tire off the ground when cornering at speed, driving at a constant lean when driving down 395 because of side wind etc. we parted ways, picked up the JTD, moved up north… same scene up here- not many folks actually wheel, or consider fire roads wheeling ?
It is what it is. I guess I’m glad for the community- more people driving jeeps because they think they are cool. It’s just a different community from 20 years ago…
“It is what it is” some folks like to throw money at appearance.
 

SargeDiesel

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‘22 bought new in Feb. Finished last weekend. First trip to the local (PA) off road park tomorrow to begin to shake it down for a Rubicon & Moab trip in the Fall.

We kept it as simple as possible. Nothing flashy or not “necessary”. Clayton 3.5, 37s, 5.13s and all the normal stuff.

One could argue that the trailer is not necessary I suppose. But I prefer to keep the rig as “light” as possible for the trails, and leave the camping gear at camp.

One exception to this will be running the Rubicon with the trailer in tow. But that’s just because I want to do it. Obviously, this goes against what I typed above.

Last clean, not pinstriped, photos…
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Freya (the dog) howling “you’re gonna scratch it!”
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Looks great, how are you liking the Clayton lift ? I'm considering adding their diesel specific springs to my Mopar lift to level it out after the winch/winch plate install.
 

SargeDiesel

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I like it. I obviously haven’t had it off road yet, but those triple rate rear springs definitely handle the weight of the spare in the bed, spare axles in the pelican case, 100 qt cooler, HD steel rear bumper, swing out cases with recovery gear, High-Lift, and trailer tongue weight well. I know it would really he sagging with traditional coils.

The 3.5” inch number is conservative. There is more lift than 3.5” per Clayton themselves.

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Yeah Clayton stated to me the 2.5 gives 3 and the 3.5 gives 4. Is that what you were told ?
 

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ShadowsPapa

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Eh, IMO, there are multiple types of JT buyers:
  1. Die hard Jeepers
  2. Outdoor adventurers
  3. People needing a decently priced 4wd for practical reasons
  4. People wanting a vehicle that retains value
  5. People wanting something that's got a ton of aftermarket options
  6. People just wanting something fun to go topless with
  7. People that just like the look and need to get to work
  8. People that pull a small trailer for their business
  9. People that just like to hunt and fish
I'm sure the list could go on and on. Stories and adventures are still shared all the time, but like someone said earlier, most people's situation don't afford them them opportunity to go crawling, cross country camping, etc. And one person's adventure is another person's boredom. I could be at the beach in 20 mins, but a pic of my JT on the beach is boring as shit to me, so I'd never post it. Just my $.02
I could also add to that list. Wanted a Jeep - something capable of Jeep stuff, something that could be wide open, but a truck was a MUST HAVE. I found I could downsize trucks with this and have my Jeep, too. I need to tow, I need to haul, I need a 4x4 a lot of times, and most of the reasons you listed.
This is Iowa. No real trails, unless I drive through the neighbor's cattle land or I drive for many hours - time and money just to get anywhere. Yes, it's really hilly in much of the state, but it's still mostly farm land, livestock, no real trails, no adventure, you are almost always within walking distance to the closest farm house. Trucks and Jeeps have other purposes and reasons here.


I read the whole thing. Including the part where you complained about people posting mods and then proceeded to post mods. I further read the part where you used this as yet another place to brag about what you did and how you're so much cooler than anyone else who hasn't owned a bunch of Jeeps. No, trust me, I read the whole thing.
Sometimes attitudes show through, eh? Even the very words used almost imply something about those who don't do certain things or for a reason. I see a "if you aren't keeping up with my mods and adventures, you have no place with one of these". Even the very verbage used is derogatory to some. Why say it that way if it's not to convey an attitude. Why bother commenting with terms like "poser" if not to imply something, a looking down upon. There's reasons people use certain words and if they try to tell you no, there's not - they are lying. It's psychology 101. You use certain words to make certain points and express feelings or attitudes about the thing being described.

I've been in various hobbies for - well, since I was 14 I've been into cars and trucks and whatever. I've done restorations, I've done modifications. Most of the time I enjoy seeing what others have done with/to a vehicle (mods) - except putting an LS engine in something - give me a break LOL
I was a member of an antique engine and tractor list serve before there were forums and it was sharing, it was "how-tos" and more.
And really, so what if a guy has a setup like this and it's just a show vehicle? (this one may truly go off the beaten path, but around here it likely doesn't. I just love looking and seeing what was done - creativity, ingenuity and so on)
Jeep Gladiator Since when is it more about what we do TO our Jeeps than what we do WITH our Jeeps 1657304494777



I'd say to some - so I have a car that looks like this - what's it to ya? Judging me as it's not been on a track for several years, I just enjoy driving it and making mods?
Jeep Gladiator Since when is it more about what we do TO our Jeeps than what we do WITH our Jeeps 1657304672823


Winch on my JT - what's it to ya? I have found it useful in helping other people. Oh, poser, eh? That term is judgmental just in saying it.
Besides, by my doing such a thing, I've been able to help others looking to swap bumpers or install winches and so on. It's what I do. (my HS shop teachers and a couple of my college instructors suggested I go into teaching but I prefer doing - although I did teach classes on Symantec corporate security products years ago)

We have the most trail capable 4x4 ever made in history being sold right now, but seems the almost sole discussion is who has what trim and what other crap can you buy for your Jeep.
See, you ARE judging. You go on about how capable it is and are disgusted by the other posts, not the hard core guys taking a 5" lifted Jeep on 40" tires up the side of the Grand Canyon and risking life and limb. That very statement, as well as certain others in the post, is judging. You can't stand that it's not all about maxing these things out.
Ya know, if it wasn't for people like me, and many others who don't fit your definition of worthy, buying these - you would not even have your precious Jeep brand. If people only bought these for reasons you believe are valid - Jeep would be all Cherokee, Compass and Renegade.
WE keep Jeep in business, not those who are only out to seek daily thrills and adventure.
Sorry most of humanity doesn't live up to your expectations and that MOST Jeep buyers aren't making you happy with their life and death adventure stories.

Sit in your garage making engine sounds?? PPPutt PPUUTTT,grroungg…..roofer…..varoommmm
Rats, I gotta start keeping the garage door down...........

Most owner forums are geared to how to work on the vehicle and where specific parts were found.

There are outlets to view where the vehicle has taken people and the things it has done. Any more most of these are self promoting commercials of ones UTube page to gain more hits and links for products given to the person to promote so they can make money on every purchase that starts from their UTube page.

Personally, I'm tired of the self promoters and appreciate the tech savvy that shows up in posts on here.

There are several AWESOME contributors on this Forum. I have my favorite because she dives right in, gets her hands dirty, and actually fabricates some of her stuff. @Kindafearless probably gets tired of me singing her praises, but there are people here that would learn a LOT more if they would pick her brain.

For sheer electrical knowledge, @ShadowsPapa can and will give long, detailed lectures on a subject.

@DAVECS1 is probably THE person to talk to about tuning the 3.6, but he has gotten down on Jeep and himself for the hardware/software change they did and screwed him all up.

I could go on and on, but those are the PRIME examples of what these Boards are about. NOT the self promoting wannabe video stars.
I've learned quite a bit here myself - and track a couple of members you have mentioned. I like seeing how others have come out with certain products or parts, have found better places to buy certain things. It's a way to learn faster than trying things out - the experiences of others.

I dislike YT for many reasons - one biggy came back up when I was searching for info one something and a guy with a lot of followers, who supposedly was a car guy who knew his stuff - I seriously had to laugh and was concerned at the same time because he was spewing pain garbage, some of it possibly dangerous if people really did it - but then I read the comments below and found his followers were less than uneducated - they believed some scary stuff about engines. OMG, those people are working on cars, or DRIVING them after working on them! Thank goodness for my air bags LOL.

I'm to the age that I've done almost everything or anything I've wanted to do with cars, met most of my goals, and age and health dictate that I slow down a bit on the heavy stuff - work smarter, not harder, and downsize a bit - and share experiences.
I've won my awards, more trophies than my wife will allow in the house, it's time to give back, to share. I was told I should take my little car to the next level at AMO - go for the top prize in the top class and I aid no, I've done what I set out to do. I'm done with that.

I try to learn something new every day - a bit of time here or a couple of other places does that for me. In exchange - you give back. If all you do is come in to take - there's no one left to give, is there?
 

ntwrkguru

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Since 2007 when Jeep decided that the wrangler should no longer be a niche vehicle and should appeal to the masses
Hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but there’s been people driving Jeeps and not modding or off-roading since LONG before that. I had a ‘91 (in ‘94) that only saw dirt/gravel when pulling off highway 50 in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas in California. But, I was the one who helped carry people and things when the military housing complex in Sacramento was flooded up to the bumper in my stock little Jeep. And it was plenty capable of driving through snowy mountain passes on the highway. I didn’t buy it for that, specifically, rather because I just loved how Jeeps looked. I’d say that it hasn’t been a niche vehicle since it left military service.
 

BA33

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My first Jeep was a Toyota 4Runner.

Here's what I did WITH it. Or is that what I did TO it? I'm not sure.

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Poor thing had a rough existence.
That picture is a lot easier to stomach than if it was a picture of a $60k (stock) rig and probably the biggest reason most of us don't try to push them to their full capacity.
 
 







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