# Jeep: A secret society? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 13, 2000, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253 "2000-06-13T18:09:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Vestal\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5e9695/32.png) [@Vestal\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vestal_Blue)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2000, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/21 "2000-06-13T21:33:47Z")
It’s not just Jeeps. I think it may be any vehicle that is percieved by its’ owners to be special or rare. I own both a motorcycle and an MGB. Motorcyclists will wave as they pass, at least 80% of the time. And British sports car drivers will often wave at each other in passing, regardless of Marque. ---
**Author:** ![dook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@dook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dook)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2000, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/22 "2000-06-13T23:08:35Z")
Myndephuquer: > [@](#): > > \*\* > dook: > > > [@](#): > > > > Hmmm, another reason to buy the older, tougher scout. It costs less to turn around and buy another one than it does to fix a jeep. 😛 > > Ya got me there. The day before I bought my Wrangler I was supposed to go to Charlotte to purchase an 84 CJ-7 for ~$3600 (I was hoping for some negotiation). I do like older vehicles, since they’re a hell of a lot easier to work on, and cheaper, too > \*\* Yes, and to be fair (_I hate being fair_), while the scout may outperform the old CJs, and _will_ outperform the wranglers (for the sake of argument, we’re talking completely stock, unmodified vehicles), the jeeps are smaller and can squeeze into tighter areas. The shorter wheelbase has its advantages too. But I’m still a scout man 🙂 \<— makes a hasty attempt to jump back onto the topic at hand… And don’t scoutsters wave to each other as they’re pissing on jeep tires? 🙂 -dook the obnoxious ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/23 "2000-06-14T00:14:08Z")
I love offroading! Never owned a 4\*4 myself, but I do have my share of experience with them. Hell, I totaled a Suzuki Samurai by rolling it. Lemme tell you, that thing has one bad lateral gradient 😃 But to play the devils adcoate for a bit: how about a good Land Rover? I love Wranglers and especially the older CJ’s, but a short wheel base Land Rover (preferably with a turbo diesel engine) can kick Jeep ass anyday in rought terrain. IMHO, of course. What do you guys think about the cross-atlantic comparison? I’m not even getting into Cherokees: those aren’t off-road vehicles. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/24 "2000-06-14T00:25:21Z")
> [@](#): > > I own both a motorcycle and an MGB Motorcyclists wave… unless you’re on a good bike and the other guy is on a Harley. Harley riders only wave to other Harley riders, probably a sign of sympathy or condolence. Since I ride a Japanese bike, I wave at everyone (even Harley drivers) to say, “Hey! You have seen the light, and have chosen to ride on two wheels. Hello!” I had three MGBs, a '66 my mom bought new, and two '77s that I bought in the 80s. Usually two were running. Sometimes only one. Fun little cars though. ---
**Author:** ![HomeSlice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9d8465/32.png) [@HomeSlice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HomeSlice)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/25 "2000-06-14T00:31:03Z")
The only real froader that LR makes is the D-90. Tjose things will kick any stock jeeps ass anyday, but thats about it. There is a MUCH bigger aftermarket for Jeeps. Trust me, Jeeps have been my life for the past year or so. Coldfire What about this [URL=“[http://jeepin.com/newtires63.jpg](http://jeepin.com/newtires63.jpg)”]Cherokee? What about this [URL=“[http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=107071&a=6095294&p=20874985&Sequence=0](http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=107071&a=6095294&p=20874985&Sequence=0)”]Grand Cherokee? ---
**Author:** ![HomeSlice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9d8465/32.png) [@HomeSlice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HomeSlice)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/26 "2000-06-14T00:33:49Z")
Screw it, y’all can cut and paste if y’all want to see the pics. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/27 "2000-06-14T00:44:14Z")
Well, HomeSlice, the [Land Rover Defender 90](http://4wd.sofcom.com/Landy/Defender/1995.html) was exactly the one I was referring to. The point is: this car has been in production for 50 years, and short of a few changes to the floor pan, springs and engines it has remained the same. A Wrangler might look like a Willys, but that’s just the skin. A totally different floor pan. Not to say that Jeeps aren’t cool or capable, but it’s the long breath of the Land Rover that impresses me so. The Defender 90 as you buy it now has been unchanged since 1985 or so. Those Cherokees look pretty rough, but in fairness, it’s easier to compare stock models, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/28 "2000-06-14T00:52:22Z")
I haven’t noticed the Jeep Wave. But then, there are thousands of Jeeps in So. Cal. I wonder how many (besides mine) have ever seen so much as an unpaved road? I used to have a '48 Willy’s CJ-2A that I’d drive around the desert. Pretty good at getting up hills, but you really had to be aware of the C.G. if you were on a slope. Top speed (with the windscreen down and the driver hunkered down low) was a blistering 60 mph. I sold it after I moved to L.A. (or Los Hideous, as I like to call it). I wish I still had it. I now have a '99 Cherokee. Why don’t they have a “colour translator for guys”? Who knew “deep amythist” meant “purple”? It looked blue in the catalog. Oh well, I kinda dig it. The only mistake I made with it was getting the automatic transmission (my first). I prefer the control of a standard transmission. Although I like the CJ-5 (the CJ-7 and Wranglers (known as YJ in Canada – a little trivia) never did much for me), if I get another vehicle like that I’ll look for a Toyota FJ40 Landcruiser. I think they’re better vehicles. It’d be nice to have another '48 Willy’s though. ---
**Author:** ![HomeSlice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9d8465/32.png) [@HomeSlice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HomeSlice)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/29 "2000-06-14T01:37:14Z")
But, i think that the D-90 has a very close competitor in the Toyota FJ-40. Those things are mountain goats and will take a beating. Both the D-90 and the FJ-40 are my dream vehicals.🙂 Wishful thinking Justin(me) ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/30 "2000-06-14T12:47:04Z")
How’s THIS for a successful first thread? I’m so proud. I now feel ready to be a member of the great Jeep conspiracy. I’ll handle quelling the BMW driving yuppies in the Blue Ridge you guys handle the rest! Do we extend some sort of ‘limited’ citizenship to Cherokee owners? Maybe they can fetch gas for us… ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/31 "2000-06-14T13:07:38Z")
> [@](#): > > Do we extend some sort of ‘limited’ citizenship to Cherokee owners? Hey! I’ve taken my Cherokee off-road more times than most of the people around here take their Wranglers out! Jeeps are Jeeps. Except for Grand Cherokees. Too “soccer mom-ish”. (BTW: A neighbour owns a Grand Cherokee. I drove in one day with the Cherokee covered with mud. She said she’d never take hers off-road. Hmph.) ---
**Author:** ![Myndephuquer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@Myndephuquer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myndephuquer)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/32 "2000-06-14T13:53:22Z")
Vestal Blue: > [@](#): > > I own both a motorcycle and an MGB. I have been playing with the Jeep so much that I haven’t gotten the Fiat out. You must be a good mechanic, and I must be a better one. 🙂 If someone does happen to have their Fiat running, and we happen to meet going down the road, we do exchange waves. Two operating Fiats on the same road at the same time is a very rare event, so it’s easy to see why I forgot to mention the European sports car wave. 🙂 Johnny L.A.: > [@](#): > > Harley riders only wave to other Harley riders, probably a sign of sympathy or condolence. Since I ride a Japanese bike, I wave at everyone (even Harley drivers) to say, “Hey! You have seen the light, and have chosen to ride on two wheels. Hello!” Most of the people I ride with only wave to other Harleys, but I share your sentiments – ‘a bike is a bike, and I hope you make it to your destination safely’. JohnnyL.A.: > [@](#): > > I used to have a '48 Willy’s CJ-2A that I’d drive around the desert. Sweet ride! I’m looking for a Willy’s as my next restoration project. Are parts hard to get? I’m on the east coast, and I don’t see too many (if any) of those around here. Coldfire: > [@](#): > > Hell, I totaled a Suzuki Samurai by rolling it. Yeah, you’ve gotta go over those speed bumps ‘square’ in a Samuri. Thanks for getting rid of another one of those pieces of crap. And I’ll have to agree with you re: the Land Rover – I’d love to have one, but for that price, I’d be scared to let a bird crap on it. ---
**Author:** ![HomeSlice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9d8465/32.png) [@HomeSlice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HomeSlice)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/33 "2000-06-14T14:50:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* > > Jeeps are Jeeps. Except for Grand Cherokees. Too “soccer mom-ish”. > > \*\* WHAT!!! :mad: DONT MAKE ME GET MORE PICS!!! :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/34 "2000-06-14T15:15:21Z")
All Jeeps are NOT created equal. Gotta have a removable top or you will be scoffed at when the revolution comes. I’m a little doubtful about the removable hard tops but I’m willing to be reasonable about it. How about people who don’t have to go off road to need a 4x4? Gravel drives, dirt roads, unmaintained roads during blizzards…I have faced them ALL in my Jeep! ---
**Author:** ![ReservoirDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8edcca/32.png) [@ReservoirDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReservoirDog)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/35 "2000-06-14T15:47:23Z")
I’ve never had a Jeep, but a similar phenomenon definitely exists with Volkswagens. My friend had a giant Westfalia van in college, and whenever I drove it, every damn hippie and town was waving at me. Usually as I was sledding down the hill in winter praying to God that there was nobody stopped at the bottom. And then she got one of those new Beetles, and it got even worse. Long haired crunchy people went out of their way to tootle their little horns at us. ---
**Author:** ![Vestal\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5e9695/32.png) [@Vestal\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vestal_Blue)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/36 "2000-06-14T16:27:21Z")
My vote has to go with the Toyota land cruiser; not the sissified ones you see today, but the FJ40. Mine was a '72. I still miss it! I also own 3 Volkswagens, none of which are beetles. For those who are curious, I own 6 vehicles curently. ---
**Author:** ![HomeSlice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9d8465/32.png) [@HomeSlice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HomeSlice)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/37 "2000-06-15T04:12:52Z")
I would never count out zukis, i have seen some very nasty ones. Also, sure you could buy a D-90 for about 30-40K (used) but for that price you could buy a TJ; and buy lift, ARB air lockers, intercos on beadlocks, protection, winch, D44 axles, Atlas II, cage upgrade, and even a AEV conversion to stretch the wheelbase to 105". I know which one I’d take. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Baglady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Baglady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baglady)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/38 "2000-06-15T04:59:38Z")
You are quite right, Mr. Chance (hey, if I sell you and the Mrs. a widget for $5.00 a person, does that mean it’s “$5.00 perchance???” sorry, I couldn’t resist). The “secret” jeep society is called the Jamboree. You can even find information about it at the [Jeep Jamboree Web site](http://www.jeepunpaved.com/jamboree/index.html). Apparently this secret cabal conducts several “field trips” out in the wild every year… Membership? Requires a Jeep!! No kidding!! The head of the organization, if I read correctly, is the Grand Cherokee. ---
**Author:** ![Rectangle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c4cdca/32.png) [@Rectangle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rectangle)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/39 "2000-06-15T09:25:32Z")
To help the wife, see the below link. It will explain all. And all Jeeps are great. Wrangler, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee. Just designed for diffent jobs. Now yall talk the wife into letting me take her Grand to a Jamboree. [http://www.dirtroad.com/wave.htm](http://www.dirtroad.com/wave.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253/40 "2000-06-15T12:23:13Z")
Now THAT’S one helluva Jeep link! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-a-secret-society/22253.md?page=3)