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Why you don't need a modified Jeep to have fun

Submitter: Bill (Admin) Date: 2006/5/17 23:43 Views: 701 Rate: 9.44/9

Author:Bill (Admin)

Summary: An example of why stock Jeeps can be just as much fun as super-modified ones.

Keywords: stock jeeps

Having fun with your stock Jeep

Author profile: Bill (Admin)

Bill has been a Jeep freak since 1995 and has since owned and modified three Jeeps, all YJ's. He lives in East Tennessee. Although his wife calls him a cheapskate, Bill prefers to be thought of as "budget-minded".

I'm going to say it over and over again but the TNVJC is for everyone, from those with $50k super-modified Jeeps to those who run completely stock. I posted a picture of my modified Jeep the other day and someone mentioned how cool it was and how he couldn't wait to modify his own Jeep. Now to me, my Jeep is cool and I love all the neat modifications I've done to it. But I'm occassionally reminded of just how much fun it is to take a stock Jeep offroad.

Case in point: When I lived in Arizona, the Arizona Virtual Jeep Club had some great how-to clinics and one day I signed up to attend a free "how to install a kill-switch" gathering. It was hosted by one of our most involved members, Joe West, a detail-oriented engineer and Jeep fanatic. Joe invited us all to his house and while there I got to check out his monster Jeep (see pic). It was awesome. A TJ with 38 inch tires, a huge lift, onboard air, onboard welder, Atlas transfer case, huge expensive beefed up axles, lockers and tons of cool gadgets inside and out. It's one of the coolest Jeeps I have ever seen. Not long after that, Joe took a trip to Hawaii and while there rented a stock Jeep. I remember him saying it was one of the most fun Jeep experiences he had ever had and that he had forgotten how much fun it was to experience the challenge of offroading in a Jeep you also had to drive everyday. He was able to go on trails his awesome TJ wouldn't have had any trouble with.

So bottom line is, when you're Jeep is super-modified for the hardest level trails and sits on a trailer most of the time...well that can be fun but once you've achieved that level of ability, the easy trails aren't fun anymore.

So for those of you with stock Jeeps, don't worry about it. Don't wait for mods...go four wheeling! Go on trails that match your rig and have a blast. Learn how to overcome obstacles with driver skill, explore the abilities of your stock Jeep, even if it means you might need a tug with a tow rope every once in a while (make sure not to go wheeling alone). Putting another $20k into your Jeep doesn't necessary make it more fun, you'll just have different fun.

Any discussion? Feel free to comment and discuss this by clicking the "FORUM" link below.

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Why you don't need a modified Jeep to have fun

Posted: 7/8/2006 19:15 Updated: 7/8/2006 19:15

Oohntah

Home away from home
Joined: 6/23/2006
From: NASHVILLE, TN
Posts: 289

I personally love stock JEEP's and that goes back to my childhood. I like the everyday-work look to them and I personally want to go military with mine with decals. We all approuch JEEP's from a different angle but we're all the same in that we love JEEP's and can't live without them.<br />"On the 8th day God created the JEEP....and then he finally rested".

Re: Why you don't need a modified Jeep to have fun

Posted: 3/15/2009 11:44 Updated: 3/15/2009 11:44

stephan

New to TNVJC
Joined: 3/2/2009
From: clarksville
Posts: 14

I completely agree! Back in 07 before i deployed to iraq my buddy nick and i went to land between the lakes for some camping hicking fishing fun and of course took my jeep what else. Well both being new to the area we didnt know there were trails there so while deciding where to fish etc. we came across one and i showed the city boy what a jeep with stock 205's is capable of nothing beats mud rolling in the open door wells and the look on your unexsperianced friend when he can bairly see his feet let alone the hood of the jeep but when we emerged the other end of the trail he wa shooked and is now since being back from iraq looking to buy a jeep of his own.

Re: Why you don't need a modified Jeep to have fun

Posted: 5/31/2009 13:43 Updated: 5/31/2009 13:43

quickster47

New to TNVJC
Joined: 5/31/2009
From: Crossville
Posts: 2

I agree very much with your article. Starting with a stock Jeep you will develop very useful driving skills that will only get better with time and then when you start doing some modifications your driving skills will allow you to do some more challenging runs.

Carl

Re: Why you don't need a modified Jeep to have fun

Posted: 10/10/2009 22:53 Updated: 10/10/2009 22:53

BAM

A Regular
Joined: 8/25/2009
From: Knoxville
Posts: 51

I enjoyed your article! I am a new jeeper and I keep seeing bigger tires and lifts and it makes me a little sad cause I can't afford to go "up" just yet. I have enjoyed taking my stock jeep out in the mud and some trails. It has always amazed me every time I try something new. My favorite thing is when my girlfriend has a scared look on her face when my undercarriage guard runs against something and of course I always say That's what it's there for! -BAM-