Ain't nothin like a Jeep

[Masherbrum]

 

[Widewing]

Negotiating is part vehicle and part driver. Was it the same driver for both rigs? If not, its not a true test...

I couldn't tell you how many times Ive seen guys that dont know when to stay in 4 High or go to 4 low range

Kam

How about guys who feel that they have to lock the differentials every time they roll onto dirt? Only the most difficult and technical terrain requires locking the diffs. Locking them means being in low range, where low range may not be the best. Last summer, I came across some genius plodding along on the beach with his Jeep TJ Rubicon, diffs locked in 4 Low (4 wheel drive, low range). I drove past him going a good 15 mph faster. What was amusing to me was, I was in 2 High (2 wheel drive, high range).

How about the idiots who air down to below 5 PSI for deep snow. 5 PSI is, essentially, flat. Not good for the sidewalls, and a sure fire way to pop a bead off the wheel. Can't fix stupid, so just enjoy the knuckleheads.

You can meet some really nice folks on trails. Many are savvy off-roaders and technically capable. On the other hand, you're just as likely to meet some of the dumbest people on earth there as well. It only takes about 5 minutes to learn who is what.


My regards,

Widewing

[saggs]

Jeep
Land Rover
Chevy
Ford
Dodge
Penzgreuwhatever
Toyota
Isuzu
Etc....

Only one of the names listed above is legendary.




Todd

You do realize that they have been building Jeeps in other countries for years now. The last country to buy the rights to the Jeep and start production was India. Climbing some mountain in your land cruiser does not make you legendary, Helping win a war does. The durability of the Jeep in itself is legendary as they have a reputation for being very dependable. If the land cruiser was so dependable the US post office would have bought those instead of the Jeep.

In the end you can try to compare any other vehicle to a Jeep but it won't stack up in durability, dependability, and affordability!



Todd

Jeep = Legendary?!? REAALLY  Talk about WW2 all you want, but Willy's was a whole different animal from the Chrysler.
Affordable... ... come on... $30k+ for a Rubicon is affordable?!?  It's a square box with a plastic roof, a Chrysler engine, and D30 D35 axles.  That's highway robbery.
Reliable... ... It's been by experience that Chrysler drivetrains rank near the bottom of the pack when it comes to reliability.
The Post Office  The P.O. buys Jeep because the HAVE to buy American, and it's not just Jeep, the Federal Gov. buys Ford Explorers, and Suburbans too.

It is ignorant statements like that from Jeep owners, that is the reason I indulge in some good natured ragging on Jeeps.   

Go someplace like Iceland were they build rigs to drive up snow laden volcanoes and glaciers.  You'll see things like the Nissan Patrol, Toyota Hi-Lux and Land Cruiser, Isuzu Trooper, and Defenders greatly outnumber Jeeps.

How many African Safari vehicles do you see that are Jeeps?  Mostly Toyota's and Range Rover I see.

What did Top Gear drive to the North Pole?  Ohh yeah...  a Hi-Lux  NOT A JEEP

Jeep would be dead by now if the government hadn't bailed out Chrysler.  Jeeps may be popular in the USA with all the "follow the crowd" sheeple, most of whom never even see a dirt road in one.  But worldwide they are vastly outnumbered by many other SUV brands.  I'd hardly call that legendary.

Don't get me wrong Jeeps are a very capable off-road vehicle (when they work  ).  And I don't snub or turn up my nose at anybody I see on the trail, no matter what they are driving, as long as they are having fun, and being responsible, it's all good.  It just seems that many uniformed folks think they are an off-road superstar just because they own a Jeep, even if the most challenging thing they've seen is a muddy farm road.  They are gullible and have fallen for the clever marketing of Jeep, while being completely ignorant of the many other capable off-road vehicles.  Knowledgeable people like Widewing are obviously excluded from this generalization .

BTW I met a guy the other day who leads EJS trails in his Isuzu VehiCross.  He said the Jeep people usually make fun of him and his VX, till he pulls 3-4 of them out every trip.   

[saggs]

How about guys who feel that they have to lock the differentials every time they roll onto dirt? Only the most difficult and technical terrain requires locking the diffs. Locking them means being in low range, where low range may not be the best. Last summer, I came across some genius plodding along on the beach with his Jeep TJ Rubicon, diffs locked in 4 Low (4 wheel drive, low range). I drove past him going a good 15 mph faster. What was amusing to me was, I was in 2 High (2 wheel drive, high range).

How about the idiots who air down to below 5 PSI for deep snow. 5 PSI is, essentially, flat. Not good for the sidewalls, and a sure fire way to pop a bead off the wheel. Can't fix stupid, so just enjoy the knuckleheads.

You can meet some really nice folks on trails. Many are savvy off-roaders and technically capable. On the other hand, you're just as likely to meet some of the dumbest people on earth there as well. It only takes about 5 minutes to learn who is what.


My regards,

Widewing

So true, I drive a lot of FS roads and cross-country through the Sagebrush in WY in the summer.  One time I had a kid from Texas with me while we were going off trail across sagebrush in a Dodge 3/4 ton. 4wd was not needed, only enough clearance to not get hung up on sagebrush or rocks.

He says. "Wow, I really wish my Ranger was 4wd so I could so I could do stuff like this!!"
Me    "You could probably do this in your Ranger, you know I've been in 2wd the whole time."
Him  "Really!!"
Me  "Yea, you don't have as much clearance as this truck, so you'd have to be more careful of rocks and big bushes, but you could make it."
Him  "I'm not sure, I'd think I'd be more comfortable if you put it in 4wd now... ... please."
Me   "No, we're fine."
Him  "Come on, I don't wanna get stuck out here."

We didn't get stuck.

One of my big annoyances is people who drive far to fast on snowy and slick roads because they have 4wd.  They think they are infallible because they are in 4wd, without realizing that even with 4wd, your still only stopping with 4 wheels, and those big heavy Suburbans and trucks they drive will take longer to stop on an icy road then a small front wheel drive car.  I'll be going 35 mph on a slushy highway in a blizzard and some soccer mom in a Suburban will pass me doing 60.  I always wanna smack those idiots.

[RTHolmes]

strange thing, I never see jeeps around here (apart from the odd 90s cherokee) then yesterday saw a wrangler and a willys MB on the road within 10 minutes

[CAP1]

How about guys who feel that they have to lock the differentials every time they roll onto dirt? Only the most difficult and technical terrain requires locking the diffs. Locking them means being in low range, where low range may not be the best. Last summer, I came across some genius plodding along on the beach with his Jeep TJ Rubicon, diffs locked in 4 Low (4 wheel drive, low range). I drove past him going a good 15 mph faster. What was amusing to me was, I was in 2 High (2 wheel drive, high range).

How about the idiots who air down to below 5 PSI for deep snow. 5 PSI is, essentially, flat. Not good for the sidewalls, and a sure fire way to pop a bead off the wheel. Can't fix stupid, so just enjoy the knuckleheads.

You can meet some really nice folks on trails. Many are savvy off-roaders and technically capable. On the other hand, you're just as likely to meet some of the dumbest people on earth there as well. It only takes about 5 minutes to learn who is what.


My regards,

Widewing

my chevy had warn hubs on it. when i took it off road, i'd lock the hubs, so that if i needed 4 wheel drive, i didn't hafta get out.

 rarely ever needed it. that's the nice thing about a chevy, and posi rears. 

[Masherbrum]

I have no choice, my ZJ is full time FWD until I swap the T-Case out.      

[RichardDarkwood]

Jeep = Legendary Willy's was a whole different animal from the Chrysler.

If you would have read more you will have noticed that I said I don't claim the yuppie newer Jeeps. My Jeep is a 1965 Kaiser Willys and it will go any where that any of those vehicles will go plus side ways in a one car garage.

It's a Jeep thing is a life style that many enjoy.



Did you look at the photo at all?



Todd

[Widewing]

If you would have read more you will have noticed that I said I don't claim the yuppie newer Jeeps. My Jeep is a 1965 Kaiser Willys and it will go any where that any of those vehicles will go plus side ways in a one car garage.

It's a Jeep thing is a life style that many enjoy.



Did you look at the photo at all?



Todd

I owned a 1963 Kaiser-Willys CJ-5. The old flat head four was replaced with an 245 hp intercooled, turbocharged V6 salvaged from a wrecked 1986 Buick Grand National. Suspension lift, body lift and 35" Cepeks. Welded-in roll cage, Rancho shocks and dual steering dampers. Not only was it scary fast, it could climb a tree.... Gas it up to 4,000 RPM, dump the clutch and you could yank the front wheels two feet off the ground.

My next 4x4 was a Suzuki Sidekick 4dr. Cheap, reliable all-weather transportation. On the beach, it was flawless. Light enough that you didn't have to air down. I bought a used '92 YJ, with a 1.5" lift and 30" BFGs. Primarily used as a beach rig. After my kids were grown and on their own, I bought a 2008 Wrangler. My wife drives a 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara. This SUV is often beat-up in the car magazines as being too truck-like. It is, however, quite capable off road.

Really, it doesn't matter what your ride is. If you enjoy wheeling, buy or build what you can afford. If you need it as a daily driver, don't go nuts with the mods.

My '08 Wrangler is my daily driver. So, it will not get lifted. Upgrading to 33" tires and some additional armor is pretty much my limit.


My regards,

Widewing

[RichardDarkwood]

I owned a 1963 Kaiser-Willys CJ-5. The old flat head four was replaced with an 245 hp intercooled, turbocharged V6 salvaged from a wrecked 1986 Buick Grand National. Suspension lift, body lift and 35" Cepeks. Welded-in roll cage, Rancho shocks and dual steering dampers. Not only was it scary fast, it could climb a tree.... Gas it up to 4,000 RPM, dump the clutch and you could yank the front wheels two feet off the ground.


My regards,

Widewing

What would make someone not own the beast in which you have described?



Todd

[RichardDarkwood]

Found out some other things Jeeps can do

Put out your fire





Lay some pipe




Plow your field




take you to the best spot at the lake!




take a short cut after a long day at work





or winning a bet!





there really isn't much a Jeep cannot do is there?             



Todd

[Widewing]

Jeep = Legendary?!? REAALLY  Talk about WW2 all you want, but Willy's was a whole different animal from the Chrysler.
Affordable... ... come on... $30k+ for a Rubicon is affordable?!?  It's a square box with a plastic roof, a Chrysler engine, and D30 D35 axles.  That's highway robbery.
Reliable... ... It's been by experience that Chrysler drivetrains rank near the bottom of the pack when it comes to reliability.

Since 2007, Rubicons have D44 axles front and rear. All other Wranglers have D44 rear and D30 front. That plastic roof has detachable panels and comes completely off in about 10 minutes. Mine comes off next month, and I'll install the Trektop soft top. The doors are removable (both off in about 5 minutes).

Rubicons are quite specialized. Locking diffs, 4/1 RockTrac crawl ratio transfer case. Electric sway bar disconnect. 32" BFG KM2 tires. Amazing "Yes" fabric seats.

As to reliability, no trouble whatsoever with my JK. The current 3.8 V6 is bulletproof. The Pentastar engine due for 2011 should be outstanding. Finally, the Wrangler will have more power than an Xterra and considerably more than the FJ Cruiser.

The down side is that being so specialized, the Rubicon is not the most pleasant vehicle for road use. Yesterday, I drove my JK 300 miles (family funeral). I drove much of it with the roof panels off. When I got home, I was thinking that I should have taken my wife's SUV instead. My JK has the same springs and shocks as the Rubicon. So, the ride is considerably more stiff than that of a Wrangler Sport. The combination of rough ride, wind, noise and sun glare... It leaves you more fatigued than would be the case in more road friendly SUV.


My regards,

Widewing

[rstel01]

This thread is funny, the ironic part is my wife and I are down in VA right now getting ready for tomorrows ride (with about 6 other JK's) into GWNF.

Sorry, but some of the thread replys I have read so far must have been written by those who must think "Big Wheeling" is parking on the Snow Bank at Work. Or, the ones who park on the parking lot curb islands at Wal-Mart.

You could have the argument until hell freezes over about what and which is better. However, like Smokey Yunick used to say while building race cars 'How Fast Do You Want to Spend".

Dollar for Dollar (BTW, 30K is very reasonable) the new JK among the most competent Swiss-Army Knife type on-off road vehicles ever built. Sure if given the option, I'd dream of having a new L/R Deffy. If I was going across the Kalahari I'd take a Land Cruiser. But, for a very reasonable uber capable vehicle you cant beat it. I started with a base X equipped with nothing but posi and a/c. It's grown up majorly since then as has my skills. Plus the memories, friends and adventures we have and will have with this Jeep are priceless.

Pretty much this sums up uber Jeep fun now. Wheeling through new territory with friends, guided only by an NPS or Topo map, trying new trails, finding new great places to set up and camp 



The other wonderful thing is building it as you go

I started here
 

And Getting to here, along with all carnage, fabrication and learning was all part of the fun



I will say there are now an ass-ton of Pavement Princess/ Mall-Crawler Jeeps. Same Suburban Commando demographic as a large part of the H-D crowd. The group that squeakes endlessly about wind-noise and water leaks. That makes me laugh

For fun, our windshield banner says "I'm not a pavement princess, Im a Jeep I do Jeep toejam"   

 

 

 

[RichardDarkwood]

The other night a fellow Jeep owner told me this:

The only people who know anything about Jeeps are the people who work on them!






Todd

[WWhiskey]

i will stay with my Chevy thank you!

but don't get me wrong i like jeeps, just not enough to own one!

that was my last daily driver
 and this is my last river truck

this is where i play

 and one of my buddies jeeps

a chevy on the same hill

even the VW made it!

come on over to my river, and bring your jeeps,, i promise we will drag them back out after you get them hung up or sunk!
 and if you don't get hung up,,,,well welcome to the party, now who brought the steaks?