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It's jeep weekend at our local beach this weekend, which inspires the question. What's so great about jeeps and their cult like following they have? All I see is a body style that hasn't been changed in 40 years
Whats so great about Jeeps?
- Thread starter The motor guy
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Are they not reliable?
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They are until you mod them. Lots of ways to get it wrong.
Jeep death wobble is common on lifted jeeps. The typical solution is a steering damper. The correct, and often overlooked, solution is to keep the panhard bar and tie rod in parallel. This is accomplished with a draglink flip, dropped pitman arm, or both.
Another example of problems with lift kits is that lifting the vehicle will change the pinion angle as well as caster angle. This leads to excess driveshaft wear and way oversensitive/uncontrollable steering. You'll see (expensive) adjustable control arms that are advertised to address this problem. They don't maintain geometry through the entire suspension travel. The bushings also wear out pretty fast, even if lubed. When you hit a bump the caster angle still changes because it isn't constrained to maintain parallel. The correct solution is a fully boxed control arm bracket. It uses the stock arms and maintains geometry through suspension travel.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-bar_linkage
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They have a certain panache to them or a cult following.
As mentioned, they're a go anywhere type of vehicle that also offers some soul.
When you drive a Jeep, you feel that you're part of something special.
Jeep isn't only the name, it's also the type of vehicle that people who are not in the know call that kind of vehicle.
To some, that kind of rugged off-road vehicle is a Jeep regardless of which company makes it.
Just like, "Kleenex" or "Band-Aid" or "Armor-All" or "RollerBlade"
^^^These are the actual brand names of products, not the type of product.
As mentioned, they're a go anywhere type of vehicle that also offers some soul.
When you drive a Jeep, you feel that you're part of something special.
Jeep isn't only the name, it's also the type of vehicle that people who are not in the know call that kind of vehicle.
To some, that kind of rugged off-road vehicle is a Jeep regardless of which company makes it.
Just like, "Kleenex" or "Band-Aid" or "Armor-All" or "RollerBlade"
^^^These are the actual brand names of products, not the type of product.
My daughter is a new 2024 2-dr Jeep Wranger owner. I test drove and have been the passenger mainly. First impression, it's a very solid vehicle which I see lasting for a very, very long time. Drove surprisingly well and was quite quiet on the highway. (Her Sport S has the all-weather tires/hard top which most certainly are a factor.) Very easily maintained speed and the V6 Pentastar was very smooth and powerful. She absolutely loves the thing which for me, her father, is very comforting. Relatively for the price (considering inflation and what new cars costs these days), I'd say new 37K was reasonable. Depending on the usage and the weather conditions, very necessary. Easiest oil and filter change I have ever done. Not w/o issues elsewhere, but nothing is as simply as a straight six in a Chevy pick-up.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
It’s pretty hard to resist a smile with the naysayers who’s F350 FX4 you just pulled out (frame deep) from the soft stuff 
Military heritage is in the forefront of the brands image.
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When I see them driving around with ducks on the dash, it seems that it's not hard to start trends and it's a certain mindset. I've only driven one once to VA, and almost went off the road taking an off ramp in the rain. Had to get used to reminding myself it's not a car. People like what they like. All kidding aside, I've never cluttered my dash with anything, but that's me. People cover their seats with Hello Kitty, place things on the rear deck, attach portholes to fenders, etc. Folks who do these things enjoy doing them. Another trend is to have limo tints on all glass including the windshield.
What’s so great about Jeeps? I don’t have to own one!
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They are easily flat towed without extra equipment. Which is one of the reasons you see alot of them behind motorhomes.
I think Jeeps have that cool outdoorsy factor that is sought after by many. Most of the Jeeps around here have never been off road to any extent. I would rather have a nice riding pickup that gets close to the same mileage.
The comments about mods are spot on. I can’t tell you how many threads on Jeep forums start with “Not long after I installed my lift…..”
I’ve had three. They were not Toyota Corollas but they weren’t problematic either.
I’ve had three. They were not Toyota Corollas but they weren’t problematic either.
What else is on the market that offers incredible off road capability and that specific look / function and open air driving ? Nothing….. Ford Bronco tried but is recent .
The body style drastically changed and rocket their sales . The introduction of 4 door made it turn mainstream and more appealing as everyday vehicle.
They are unique vehicles that can do things most others can't. Come in Manual transmission and with 2 or 4 doors and look cool. Nothing not to like IMO. I wouldn't want one as my DD, but as a 2nd or 3rd car why not? I enjoy my Samurai, which is essentially a Willys Jeep from the 80's size wise.
