Is This the NEW JEEP TREND?

Talking about Jeep trends here in Florida there are tons of show Jeeps that shine really well. There are very few of us that actually use their Jeeps for what they were truly designed for. I would venture to say that 95% of all Jeep owners here have never planned an off road venture for multiple days outside of the city they live in much less planned an excursion out of state. Jeeps were designed to get off the beaten path and explore yet most will never see more than a dirt road or a beach which in my opinion is a shame considering all the amazing places there are in this great country we live in.

That said my Jeep gets shined up also however if I had no intention of using it to get out there my wife and I would buy sports cars or luxury cars instead.
 
Talking about Jeep trends here in Florida there are tons of show Jeeps that shine really well. There are very few of us that actually use their Jeeps for what they were truly designed for. I would venture to say that 95% of all Jeep owners here have never planned an off road venture for multiple days outside of the city they live in much less planned an excursion out of state. Jeeps were designed to get off the beaten path and explore yet most will never see more than a dirt road or a beach which in my opinion is a shame considering all the amazing places there are in this great country we live in.

That said my Jeep gets shined up also however if I had no intention of using it to get out there my wife and I would buy sports cars or luxury cars instead.
There must be a lot of off-roaders there. I would guess that 95% of JL Wranglers in Dallas have never driven on a dirt road at all!
 
From what I've observed from several local clubs it seems to be that 'parking lot' events and driving on back roads that are paved is gaining popularity.

It's almost a corvette club but instead of jean shorts, high white socks, and collared shirts they have ducks, colored stick on hinge covers and angry eyes.
 
Last edited:
Around me it’s tall lifts with deep dish 20-24’s with rubber band tires and a whole bunch of rainbow lights and I get gawked at because mine has scratches and 17s. That being said though after that hail storm when I get it back from the body shop it will be all shiny paint new again aside from three panels
 
I live in Indiana, and its very difficult to find anyone that will actually take their Jeep off-roading. I regularly go to Badlands in Attica but its rutting is so bad from the SXS that its not much fun anymore. I don't want to majorly damage my Jeep so I get worried going by myself and getting stuck or into a pickle. I had a work injury and traded fishing for Jeeping. I hope it makes an off-road come back soon..
 
I live in Indiana, and its very difficult to find anyone that will actually take their Jeep off-roading. I regularly go to Badlands in Attica but its rutting is so bad from the SXS that its not much fun anymore. I don't want to majorly damage my Jeep so I get worried going by myself and getting stuck or into a pickle. I had a work injury and traded fishing for Jeeping. I hope it makes an off-road come back soon..

I was at Badlands 4 years or so ago and thought it was a perfect SxS park. Jeep not so much. Not for that long of a drive.
 
I live in Indiana, and its very difficult to find anyone that will actually take their Jeep off-roading. I regularly go to Badlands in Attica but its rutting is so bad from the SXS that its not much fun anymore. I don't want to majorly damage my Jeep so I get worried going by myself and getting stuck or into a pickle. I had a work injury and traded fishing for Jeeping. I hope it makes an off-road come back soon..
Jeeping won't make an off-road comeback until jeeps are affordable again, and are actually designed for heavy-duty use from the factory. It is crazy to take an $80k (or more) vehicle off-road, when a single mishap can immediately remove $20k of value. People who intentionally put their Jeep in harms way do so with the expectation that there may be damage.

Jeeps are not delivered from the factory actually fully ready for off-road use. The exterior body components are very expensive (e.g made out of aluminum). It is common for bumpers to get bent on the first trail run, tail lights get ripped off, body panels creased, and spare tire hangers/tailgate get broken.

This problem is not specific to Jeep. The Ford Bronco is known to crumple almost immediately (rear bumper is even worse than the Rubicon steel bumper). Other brands have fancy 4x4 features, but insufficient clearance, and a body design which will be harmed immediately by even so much as a twig. The problem is that the market addresses 4x4 in name only, and really addresses well paid urbanites who are unlikely to ever go off-road.

There are plenty of people here who are aware of the cost (and dangers), yet they still take their Jeep on aggressive off-road trails.
 
Jeeping won't make an off-road comeback until jeeps are affordable again, and are actually designed for heavy-duty use from the factory. It is crazy to take an $80k (or more) vehicle off-road, when a single mishap can immediately remove $20k of value. People who intentionally put their Jeep in harms way do so with the expectation that there may be damage.

Jeeps are not delivered from the factory actually fully ready for off-road use. The exterior body components are very expensive (e.g made out of aluminum). It is common for bumpers to get bent on the first trail run, tail lights get ripped off, body panels creased, and spare tire hangers/tailgate get broken.

This problem is not specific to Jeep. The Ford Bronco is known to crumple almost immediately (rear bumper is even worse than the Rubicon steel bumper). Other brands have fancy 4x4 features, but insufficient clearance, and a body design which will be harmed immediately by even so much as a twig. The problem is that the market addresses 4x4 in name only, and really addresses well paid urbanites who are unlikely to ever go off-road.

There are plenty of people here who are aware of the cost (and dangers), yet they still take their Jeep on aggressive off-road trails.
Jeeps have never been more capable from the factory than they are today.
 
how do you define off-roading and at what level do you start accepting damages as not a possibility but a probability? 99.9% would say no vehicle damages - I gotta drive this to work. For those people the jeeps now are perfect and if you buy a Rubicon are the most capable ever. Ovie said it these things are crazy good Offroad warts and all. Broncos aren’t even in the same class unless you’re talking about mudpuddles.

I think what is being lost is the casual offroader that was sucked into the Jeep world by all of the great videos like Eddies and seeing all of the lifted Jeeps popping up everywhere. Not too hard to admit - not too many better looking vehicles than a lifted Jeep.

I think a lot of the folks that got into it while their kids were young are getting back out because of economics and time. The economics speak for themselves, and when you have younger kids they go where you go. When they hit 5th-6th grade and the overwhelming suck of the 'need' for them to participate in travel sports takes over your life. If you have 2 look out - you'll see each other in passing. If you have 3 forget it. There is literally no time for anything else. Honestly its why I didn't jump back into anything 'til they were out of high school.
 
Last edited:
Jeeping won't make an off-road comeback until jeeps are affordable again, and are actually designed for heavy-duty use from the factory. It is crazy to take an $80k (or more) vehicle off-road, when a single mishap can immediately remove $20k of value. People who intentionally put their Jeep in harms way do so with the expectation that there may be damage.

Jeeps are not delivered from the factory actually fully ready for off-road use. The exterior body components are very expensive (e.g made out of aluminum). It is common for bumpers to get bent on the first trail run, tail lights get ripped off, body panels creased, and spare tire hangers/tailgate get broken.

This problem is not specific to Jeep. The Ford Bronco is known to crumple almost immediately (rear bumper is even worse than the Rubicon steel bumper). Other brands have fancy 4x4 features, but insufficient clearance, and a body design which will be harmed immediately by even so much as a twig. The problem is that the market addresses 4x4 in name only, and really addresses well paid urbanites who are unlikely to ever go off-road.

There are plenty of people here who are aware of the cost (and dangers), yet they still take their Jeep on aggressive off-road trails.
Agreed
 
Top Bottom