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Why I love my JK and thoughts on the Jeep community....

11K views 48 replies 24 participants last post by  NukeJK 
#1 ·
This is probably a pretty pointless post and has been beaten to death, but I wanted to share MY feelings about all the JK and JK hate that goes on around here. Feel free to comment, disagree or just ignore!!

I am a gearhead, always have been. I'm a hot rodder, but I have wanted a Jeep for a long time, since my first ride as a child in a top down, doors off CJ. I still remember it. Big tires, rusty chrome wheels, metallic brown paint, beat up tan vinyl interior. But I though it was the coolest thing to not only have the top off, but no doors!! For whatever reason, I just never pulled the trigger until recently. I was in need of a new daily driver and after the 12+ feet of snow we got in the area last winter, I figured maybe it was time.

I searched the area for a clean, used Wrangler, and found several. I was in the market for at least a 2000 and up. Didn't matter much to me, I just wanted clean, low mileage and not hacked on. I saw some good candidates out there, but for what I wanted, I was looking at $15k minimum. After running some numbers, I figured out it was actually cheaper with the Tread Lightly discount to buy new than lightly used, so I ended up with a 2 door 2010 Sport S. Auto, 3.73's and the Trac-Lok diff.

I love this thing, I'm angry at myself for waiting so long!! I have driven plenty of Jeeps as I've had friends who owned them, but I finally got one of my own. I love almost everything about it. My only gripe is it could use a bit more power, but then it is a Jeep, how fast do you really need to go in one? I have my 55 Chevy when I want to go fast, anyway. I drive this thing every day and I personally enjoy the revised interior and seats. Not that I wouldn't drive an older model everyday, but the creature comforts afforded in the JK are appreciated. I like the updated body, I like the factory 32" tires, I like the sunrider top and most of all I like that it's just as capable as the older models, but is a little more comfortable to live with every day. I took a trip up I-95 to my mom's house yesterday and cruised along at 65-70 mph with no trouble at all. It still rides a little rough on the concrete highway, but I'm OK with that since I can pretty much go anywhere I need to now. I'm not going to be doing any rock crawling or serious off-roading, probably just some trail riding and beach excursions. No, I bought a Wrangler because it's the most capable vehicle out there and it just made sense to have something that can take me where I need to go in just about any situation if the need arises.

Now, about the Jeep owner community. Since joining, I have formed the opinion that most Jeepers are really good folks. Some people are just malcontents and like to dump on anything and everything (like the JK) that they either don't have any experience with or just plain don't like. That's fine, but it doesn't make the JK any less a Jeep. It's not like the JK is a creampuff, it will still do what you need it to do. The 2wd models, yeah, I'll give you that they are lacking a big part of what makes a Jeep a "Jeep". While I love to see a lifted, modded Jeep more than a stocker, it's none of my damn business why you bought your Jeep or what you use it for. But, I am thankful that you bought it, because it helps keep the brand going. Like it or not, if the Jeep doesn't continually evolve, it WILL die eventually. So if 100,000 soccer moms buy a 4 door Unlimited or 2wd so Jeep can afford to offer the Rubicon, that's just fine with me. So maybe some of us don't want to dump a ton of money into mods, maybe some of us CAN'T dump a ton of money into mods, maybe some of us have other toys that we spend our money on first. So what? Every single Jeep on the road, every single Jeep sold, helps keep the Jeep alive. At it's very core, the Jeep is still what it's always been. It's just a little more user friendly for the uninitiated now.

So who are the real Jeepers? The guys with high dollar rigs that get driven every once and a while? Is it the guys who call themselves "purists" and complain about everything they find offensive with every new Jeep? Or is it the people who drive theirs every day, deal with the little things that would keep most people away from a Jeep, because we love the Jeep for what it is?

Anyway, I'll keep waving at every Jeep I see. I might miss a few of you every now and then, but it's simply because I didn't see you, not some elitist nonsense or snobbery. If you wave back, thanks. If not, no big deal. I didn't buy my Jeep seeking anyone's acceptance or approval.
 
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#5 ·
Is this a disguised wave thread? :rofl: Don't get your shorts in a bunch when people put down the JK. I once owned a 1980 CJ7. You haven't seen uproar like when the Wrangler replaced the CJ. Softer suspension, wider track, lower clearance, and gulp, square headlights!

Then the TJ was scorned because it had coil springs. The YJ suddenly laid claim to being the only "true" Wrangler because it was the first. The JK is a different to the TJ as the first Wrangler was to the CJ, but in a good way. Everything got better!

There is also a small core group that is jealous. Some can only afford an older model so to justify their position they have to put down the new Wrangler. Some don't even think about what they are saying because they've been drinking the Koolaid. Just recently there was a thread in the TJ section bashing JK's. One guy was really getting on about how bad the V6 was. I looked in his sig and noticed he was driving a 2.5 4 banger!

Ragging on the new model has become part of the "Jeep thing". Take a t look at the new interior thread. everyone hated the JK interior because of the plastic. Now that they've updated it, everyone "hates" the new update.

The thing you need to realize is that deep down we are all family. If you get stuck, or broken down on the side of the road, you can rest assured that a CJ or wrangler will stop to help.
 
#7 ·
pffft... you wanna get hated on, buy a DJ ;) automatic only, 2WD only, only got 5 slots on the front grill instead of 7, 5 gallon gas tank, 27 MPG, won't go over 50MPH (because the wind will blow it over, it would probably get upwards of 100MPH if I put a fairing on it or something)...and so on.

Yep... been part of the "that's not a real Jeep" club for years n years...
 
#8 ·
So maybe some of us don't want to dump a ton of money into mods, maybe some of us CAN'T dump a ton of money into mods, maybe some of us have other toys that we spend our money on first. So what? Every single Jeep on the road, every single Jeep sold, helps keep the Jeep alive. At it's very core, the Jeep is still what it's always been. It's just a little more user friendly for the uninitiated now.

Anyway, I'll keep waving at every Jeep I see. I might miss a few of you every now and then, but it's simply because I didn't see you, not some elitist nonsense or snobbery. If you wave back, thanks. If not, no big deal. I didn't buy my Jeep seeking anyone's acceptance or approval.
Furthermore, maybe some of us don't want to add a shiitte load of modifications. Maybe we'd rather spend more time off-roading than staring at our Jeeps while they sit up on a lift or on some blocks waiting for the completion of the next build. Maybe the reason why we got a JK is because it basically has everything most Jeep owners cry and moan about always having wanted to add to their older model Jeeps in the first place.

I have an Acura CL Type-S that's in need of a full tune in a couple of weeks so I can keep on maintaining an average of 140mph on those long distance road trips and win a few road course races.

I'm sorry but I can't be made to feel embarrassed about my JK because it has a dynamic, built in 6 CD changing Infinity sound system with satellite radio, full doors, painted fenders and power windows. Last time I checked, having modern conveniences sure as hell haven't slowed me down from ripping through the trails.
 
#19 ·
ROFL... That's a whole other thread...

actually, a whole other subject area...

or heck, how about a whole other message board altogether...

DIY Electric Car Forums - Electric Vehicle Build and Conversion Community

:rofl:


A DJ5 is a good candidate for converting :) but I'd hafta go 4WD electric, and it would take a BIG battery pack, not only because you're pushing 4 wheels instead of just one, but you've also gotta get TO the trail, and I'm not big on trailering it out :)
 
#12 ·
Hey I like Jk's too!
Although they need to get rid of that traction control flamerjam that lights up when you get in the mud and won't pull the tires anymore. That safety control crap has no use in my Jeep but I've not seen anyone that's been able to disable it...

I'm jealous you guys can....
fit 35's on smaller lifts
and ...get a stronger d44 from the factory
get that sweet 3 piece hard top
quick disconnects
LIFETIME WARRANTY (Not sure how well that's really gonna work)
wider stance

but I'll keep my .... in line 6
ax-15
outside scratches and inside abuse
 
#17 ·
Hey I like Jk's too!
Although they need to get rid of that traction control flamerjam that lights up when you get in the mud and won't pull the tires anymore. That safety control crap has no use in my Jeep but I've not seen anyone that's been able to disable it...
I "soft" disable mine all the time (press the button) ;)

Haven't done a full disable, and honestly I doubt I ever will. the "soft" disable has worked just fine so far for me.
 
#15 ·
:rofl: My first truck was a 1986 CJ-7 and I remember how those square headlights they stuck on the YJ really stuck in my craw. Not to mention all that computer stuff and the low ground clearance.

A few weeks ago I bought a 2010 Unlimited and I love it!

I guess everybody has to grow up sometime ;)
 
#16 ·
You ever drive by a dirt road and wonder "where does that go?" Or see a large mound or dirt/rocky hill and have a urge to dominate it? Well I can't help myself... so it only makes sense to own a Jeep so I can act on those impulses. :D
 
#24 ·
:rofl::rofl:

Nope, and nope... It's a long story... I'll try to do the cliff notes:

2002 see a Jeep in the local paper for $400, had a CJ once, totalled it, and thought "hey maybe this is my come back Jeep"

Drove out to see it, and it's a 1971 DJ-5B. It was "stock" (*disclaimer: There is NO such thing as a stock DJ, they are by definition a frankenstein mishmash of parts from lord knows where) and I HAD TO get it. Yeah, it's a 2WD drive jeep, but how many people roll a DJ-5 down the road? And I'm a "macgyver gearhead" as my wife puts it, so the lack of parts is no issue at all for me (case in point... the "surge tank" radiator overflow bottle is an empty bottle of Gentleman Jack I had lying around... plumbed the lid, welded up a bracket, and bolted it on... MAJOR discussion point for anyone who sees it) built my own headliner, rear body armor plates, dashboard (diamond plate RHD dashboard... bet that's an original...), HEI, seat risers, and the list goes on a ways ;)

7 years later... a few promotions, two more kids (total of four now), a little more "grown up" about things, and really just too old to be rollin around in a 2 seater (a back seat in a DJ is a ridiculous idea unless you know some ommpaloompas), and lookie! Jeep makes 4 door wranglers! Kid room! Sweet!

Visit the jeep web page... see RHD as a 4 door sport option and BAM! I don't have to learn how to drive again!

They're both RHD, they're almost identical in color (which is odd cause the DJ is rattle and spray...) and basically it's more like I just upgraded than replaced the DJ... (and I still have it... I keep thinking I'm gonna sell it, but I'm lying to myself, and I'll keep it forever...)


Shoulda seen the dealer... told him I wanted a right hand drive and he went HUH???? :confused: spent 30 minutes trying to get me to look at a rubicon, and I'm like no I'm not looking at it, Rubi's don't come RHD... why do I want to look at options I don't want? Came back out saying he can do a dealer swap, but the only ones he could find were white and silver... then the words "I don't care what color it is" came out of my mouth and the poor guy just sorta gave up talking me into anything at all and started looking for my Jeep :)

*whew*

Ok, now having said all that: I get asked this question at least 10 times a day... and that's NOT the normal answer... well, maybe if someone asks who's sitting in a Jeep... I did ask a guy in a TJ at a stoplight if he wanted to pull into a parking lot for the long version, and we did... but normally the "canned answer" is:

It's a Jeep thing
 
#23 ·
You can fully disable the ESP by doin a steering wheel dance. Jeep added it to the owners manual as well. It's the only way to turn it completely off and for it to stay off. Pushing the button only turns it off partial and it will turn back to full when you start the jeep again.

I have mine full off and I wouldn't have it any other way. I like to have full control over my Jeep... And do the occasional donut ;)
 
#29 ·
OOOOH!!!

can't believe it... I left out a good feature of my DJ that was also a good reason to get RHD on the new one...

drive through windows IN REVERSE! I've had people pull into parking lots to take my picture at starbucks :rofl:
 
#31 · (Edited)
Mr. Sinister, I completely agree with you....but as for the rest of you, please for the love of "jeep," will you all stop arguing over what is a real friggen jeep or what is the better jeep. Whether you like it or not, all of the vehicles that roll off the jeep assembly line with the letters "JEEP" on them are keeps, regardless of whether they are 4wd, 2wd, or awd. No matter what your opinion, if the title says "jeep" it's a jeep. my advice to you all is, if you don't like jk's, tj's or yj's, don't buy one. and for god's sake, quit bitching. :wavey:
 
#33 ·
Mr. Sinister, I completely agree with you....but as for the rest of you, please for the love of "jeep," will you all stop arguing over what is a real friggen jeep or what is the better jeep. Whether you like it or not, all of the vehicles that roll off the jeep assembly line with the letters "JEEP" on them are keeps, regardless of whether they are 4wd, 2wd, or awd. No matter what your opinion, if the title says "jeep" it's a jeep. my advice to you all is, if you don't like jk's, tj's or yj's, don't buy one. and for god's sake, quit bitching.
:wavey:
right on


CJ's wave at everyone! haha!
So do JK driving DJ owners, but that might not be a "real" category... how many could there be? :rofl:
 
#34 ·
"CJ's wave at everyone!"

around here, they aren't waving.....they're trying to flag you down to get a ride to the mechanics place.....
 
#35 ·
So I picked up my first Jeep, a 2011 JKU Rubi 2 weeks ago. I love it. I wave at every wrangler and CJ I see, and had only a handful of waves returned and one full out middle finger type response from a modded TJ. I don't care about the hate I had great reasons for buying it, and I'm happy.. The funniest thing I read on certain forums, not as much here, is the hate from 07-10 JK's, talking about the 11's interior being somehow less Jeepish or rugged.

Today was a BIG Jeep day for me. I installed Warn 650d (I have my reasons..), my first mod. I also went out and did a meet and greet with a local Jeep group. Really friendly bunch of guys, all TJ, YJ and XJ's though, I'm the first JK. Before I left they all wanted to check out the 11 and all seemed to really like it.

People's online persona's are generally way different in person then what they write on forums. The tough guy that tried to pick a fight with everyone he talked to turns out to be the quiet guy in person..

So anyways, to sum it up, the further I go down the rabbit hole known as the Jeep lifestyle, the more I am diggin it. Glad I purchased a Jeep, even though it's a JK and I gotta roll with the soccer mom's ;)
 
#37 ·
one full out middle finger type response from a modded TJ.
That really pisses me off.. I had a 01 Full long travel suspension, fiberglass fender beautiful Tacoma about a year or two ago. I was driving down a road when a old rusty toyota pickup with some inbred-style lift and 35"+ boggers on it gave me a thumbs down. Jealously is a *****, don't let that put a bad taste in your mouth about all TJ owners. What a shame

Edit... wow, I bumped an OLD thread. That's what you get with the quick links in the bottom left corner LOL
 
#36 ·
This is funny. I remember thinking the TJ is the end of the real "Jeeps"... Then I got to thinking, YJ owners probably felt the same way when TJ's came out.. and the same thing when YJ's came out.

It's part of life, I watched two stock new rubicons on a trail ride last weekend and I have absolutely nothing bad to say about them. Creature comforts AND capability. I will continue to "hate on" the 2wd soccer moms in 4doors with color-matched everything.. That IS a shame to the real Jeep people in my opinion

Overall, the only thing I really do like about my TJ more than the JK's is the simplicity and 4.0 Many advantages to the JK too. Jeep on fellas
 
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