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

[1996XJ]

I think something that a lot of veteran Jeep owners overlook about the Gladiator is that it's a truck with a usable bed. I would venture a guess that with the immense popularity of the pickup truck (esp in the US), just as many people buy it for its utility as a truck than as an off-road wheeler.

For me, I bought it because it's a kick-ass truck that can be a convertible and also a Jeep when we go to the mountains or camping. I coach baseball, basketball, and soccer, so most of the time, my JT has a wagon filled with gear in its bed. The dirt you see on the side of my truck is from the baseball field. The Jurassic Park decals are because I'm a kick-ass Dad and my sons think they're the sh$t when I drop them off at school.

So utility truck, off-road 4x4, topless beach comber, mall crawler, etc. - I think that's the beauty of the Gladiator and why Jeep hit a home run - it's what you want it to be.

The usual - buckets of balls, clipboards, ball bags, and a wagon full of crap (yes my garage needs serious attention).

Want to go camping? Yeah, try that in a Wrangler!

Have you had any haters try and tell you its not a real truck? I have had a few jealous lunkheads tell me that lately and i just laugh.

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[Gvsukids]

In regards to time, it's often easier to do something to my truck than it is to wheel with my truck.

 

[OngsterA]

And...FWIW...you've taken a pretty hard stand about the fact that attitude and tone can't be conveyed in text form...but...you might want to "soften" your position there. That is exactly how writers convey things in books. As someone already pointed out there are phrases/words that are meant to be inflammatory/derogatory/etc. and the use of those will trigger visceral responses from people. Do a google search on "conveying tone in email" and you will see 5 million + hits about it. It is a thing and if you aren't aware of it, maybe it could help you avoid the blast you've been put on this week in your future posts. And if not, be prepared for the types of responses you've been getting.

EDIT: I had an afterthought…one of the issues with trips and trip reports is that if I say “I went to this place” then someone always wants details or specifics about how to get there or this obstacle or that or any myriad questions that are probably better and easier answered by using AllTrails or Trails Off-road or one of the other similar apps. Maybe a piece of me avoids posting what I did with my Jeep just to avoid questions about the trip that I don’t feel I can answer better than one of those reference sources…

It's the tone that I got out of this post, maybe not intended. Anyway, what I like most about posts of trips and wheeling in general are the scenery and local conditions, NOT the truck, nor any Jeep for that matter, no matter how much built. I love photography and learned a lot about lighting and angles on these posts. Been honing my drone skills also, what a great media!

The build posts are useful to me ONLY if adds value to set up for trips, campouts, wheeling since serves my purpose. There are plenty here. I have yet traveled across the US and this is in the planning stages.

 

[Sprinkler-Fitter]

Have you had any haters try and tell you its not a real truck? I have had a few jealous lunkheads tell me that lately and i just laugh.

I laugh when people say it’s not a real truck.

What is a real truck? Only a 1 ton Dually?

We are on a food vending trailer, yesterday we took the gladiator to get supplies for our food trailer, We had $2000 worth of product, food, containers fill in the back of the truck and the backseat including 72 #10 cans of cheddar cheese sauce, 200 pounds of brisket, 60 pounds of coleslaw, and about 300 containers to serve the food in, this truck handled it all just fine.

 

[DocMike]

Wait....you mean you don't REALLY wrangle dinosaurs with that?

Nicely done. I get it.... I have the most fun with my kids and my jeep.

I think something that a lot of veteran Jeep owners overlook about the Gladiator is that it's a truck with a usable bed. I would venture a guess that with the immense popularity of the pickup truck (esp in the US), just as many people buy it for its utility as a truck than as an off-road wheeler.

For me, I bought it because it's a kick-ass truck that can be a convertible and also a Jeep when we go to the mountains or camping. I coach baseball, basketball, and soccer, so most of the time, my JT has a wagon filled with gear in its bed. The dirt you see on the side of my truck is from the baseball field. The Jurassic Park decals are because I'm a kick-ass Dad and my sons think they're the sh$t when I drop them off at school.

So utility truck, off-road 4x4, topless beach comber, mall crawler, etc. - I think that's the beauty of the Gladiator and why Jeep hit a home run - it's what you want it to be.

The usual - buckets of balls, clipboards, ball bags, and a wagon full of crap (yes my garage needs serious attention).

Want to go camping? Yeah, try that in a Wrangler!

 

[DirkG]

Have you had any haters try and tell you its not a real truck? I have had a few jealous lunkheads tell me that lately and i just laugh.

No I haven't. And I'm around a lot of families and guys with full sizes. If that actually happened, I would literally start laughing and say, "yeah thanks, I needed that." I'm in my 40s and luckily have learned in life that if I wanted to listen to an a$$hole, I'd fart.

I laugh when people say it’s not a real truck. What is a real truck? Only a 1 ton Dually?

Exactly. There's always a bigger fish. Dude is seriously compensating for a lack of something else if he's trying to rag on another's guy truck.

Wait....you mean you don't REALLY wrangle dinosaurs with that?

You haven't met my 6 year old. He may be the missing genetic link between human beings and Velociraptors.

 

[ScottDB]

Really? Other people's preferences bother you that much? Don't stress mate. Enjoy what YOU have!!

 

[sharpsicle]

I love how as soon as someone says something you don't agree with, you immediately attacked them, saying things like they have fragile egos or have their underwear twisted up. And then you accuse others of being hostile.

Enjoy your Jeep the way you want to, and let others enjoy theirs how they want to. Stop making veiled attacks on others just because they live life a little different than you.

 

[mdh67]

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. I think often times, one person checks off a lot of those boxes. Other times, just one. I'm not a die hard jeeper that rock crawls, or an overlander. Will I go camping? Sure. But when I do, my focus isn't documenting the adventure, it's living in the moment, and I think a lot of people do the same thing. Will I take a pic when I think of it? Absolutely. But my adventures aren't centered around my Jeep. Not that there is anything wrong with those that are, because I see some awesome shit on here that the die hard jeepers/off roaders/overlanders do. Have I sunk a shit ton of money into my JTR? Yep. I have customized every vehicle that I have ever owned, that's who I am.

Another thing, is that this is a forum about a particular vehicle, accessible to anyone with access to the internet, so you're gonna get all kinds of folks. I'm here to absorb and share knowledge, recommendations, and discuss JTs in general. And the forum is good for an occasional laugh too. I think that's what this forum is for. Almost like an online car show where 99% of the cars are all one make and model. 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

3,4,6,7,8 for me. Thanks for the menu of options! Bet you own a Jeep>>>

 

[HooliganActual]

It's the tone that I got out of this post, maybe not intended. Anyway, what I like most about posts of trips and wheeling in general are the scenery and local conditions, NOT the truck, nor any Jeep for that matter, no matter how much built. I love photography and learned a lot about lighting and angles on these posts. Been honing my drone skills also, what a great media!

The build posts are useful to me ONLY if adds value to set up for trips, campouts, wheeling since serves my purpose. There are plenty here. I have yet traveled across the US and this is in the planning stages.

I get what you are saying but that's generally not what these forums tend to focus on. Since it is a forum for a specific vehicle, people tend to post about the vehicle; problems, troubleshooting, upgrades, what to buy or not buy in order to not waste money on cheap or incorrect fitting items, and so on. There are so many other places to get trip reports, trip planning resources, etc. because that type of information is not brand specific. Hoping that this forum will become something that it is not will probably drive somene crazy.

Since you mentioned photography and trip planning both, take a look at Expedition Portal. They have great stories and I use that site a lot. They also have a forum section that really does spend a lot of time talking about non-vehicle specific things. Not only do they have trip planning resources, but also sections related to roof top tents, awnings, or other vehicle related travel tools.

 

[Josh00333]

I don't know bout the rest of you, but how am I supposed to shop when I have no cell signal?

I mean really, the rock crawling (curbs at Starbucks) is hard enough. If I really get into it (non-paved part of the new mall's lot) truck will get dirty, and as long as the wax and shine lasts washing it will wear it down sooner than faster.

Come on man, lets be real, the darn bugs on the windshield and that rock chip are more than man card enough for my rig.

Oh ya all see that Amazon sale is this week?

 

[DJPodratz]

My only mod to my Sport was a roof rack for skis. Too long to fit in bed with tailgate closed and tonneau cover on.

Not a big off-roader or rock crawler, but I do like to get the cabin in the winter to X-C ski or go skijoring.

JT (Vlad the Glad) lets me get down the driveway without shoveling every time!

 

[Bbannongmu]

By and large for most, Jeeps are expensive Barbie Dolls for grown men. We like to play dress up and show our friends.

Ahemmm. Action figures we like to dress up and show our friends.

 

[NachoRuby]

JT (Vlad the Glad) lets me get down the driveway without shoveling every time!

Easily one of my favorite things about having a jeep

 

[Stan H]

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.

M'eh ,huh? I think its the opposite. I come on here to read about mods. We all are doing trails aof some type or fishing,hunting trips this is where I come to read about mods I didn't know about or maybe recalls,fixes,etc.. Just go trail dude . Later

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