Curious as to Where You Learn about Jeeps and Jeeping

JeepnDel

Administrator
Staff member
So many folks these days are a little new to jeeping and seem to be more virtual rather than club joiners and such. Meaning, a lot of what is learned seems to be online, like here (which is not bad). But joining clubs and going on local runs is not as popular as it once was. HOW do you learn about jeep builds and what you want to do with yours?
 

Tuley11

Weekend Wheeler
So many folks these days are a little new to jeeping and seem to be more virtual rather than club joiners and such. Meaning, a lot of what is learned seems to be online, like here (which is not bad). But joining clubs and going on local runs is not as popular as it once was. HOW do you learn about jeep builds and what you want to do with yours?

I primarily utilize the forums to learn more about builds, products and trail info. I had joined a local DFW club that became a major drama fest which ended up defeating the whole purpose of joining. I wanted my wife to understand why I get so ramped up about the off-road community but instead she walked away without having that feeling and instead believing the Jeep community to be full of dramatic adult children.

We have recently moved to a new area and haven’t pursued any local off-road clubs yet. I would like to pursue that in the future but i know that will take some convincing.
 

ratchettt

Jeep Owner
In 2012 I attended Jeep Jamboreee USA's gathering in Cullmine, AL in my fist Jeep with less than 1000 miles on it. Never had been off road on any thing but dirt bikes. My eyes were opened and I have about 25 Jamborees under my belt now. I learn and grow in confidence every time. Very professional instruction and a far cry from the amateurism so common in local clubs. Typically 20-30 states and 130-150 Jeeps represented. My picky wife loves the people and trail rides. Anyway this is where my bedrock lies. jeepjamboreeusa.com
 

Harried

Jeep Newb
I grew up in Colorado where the mountains are premier and so is the off-roading. I've since learned how I had done things where others, with more sense, dared to go. I retired back in 2010 after working for the Army; I had spent a lot of time traveling all over the USA as well as living in Germany. I had been going off road since the 1960's but seldom in a 4x4 (the Army always had 4x4 or 6x6 vehicles). I decided to buy a Jeep to try to get more off road than I could in my Dodge 4x4.

I also found a local 4x4 club, which I joined after attending meetings for four or five months. I found the group was family oriented as well as concerned all members, from the youngest to the oldest, from the newest owner to the aged owner, could learn to do things in a safe, sane, and proper way. For me, this was exactly what I was interested in learning about. Since then I've worn out one Jeep ('00 WJ) and bought two as replacements. My wife has the '14 Grand Cherokee and I have an '11 JKU Rubicon, which has been lifted and lots of safety stuff added like a winch, fire extinguisher, and skid plates. The best thing, IMO, have been the Las Cruces Chile Challenges I've attended. I've learned so much by joining and by getting to know other people who participate in this sport & way of life.

How to learn about groups or clubs? I searched the Internet as well as looked at other Jeeps to see if any had decals I could identify. Many 4x4 dealers have related groups & forums which list clubs in an area. All of these should be researched. I found attending meetings is the best way to decide if I wanted to become a paying member. Some groups I've belonged to in the past did not meet my needs. (For example, I try to avoid organizations which are surrounded by consumption of alcohol. In the long run, they have proven to be very dangerous for my peace of mind). I try to be a good will ambassador and I'll talk with anyone about off-roading. I also have business cards from our club which I hand out so people can easily find our website and find out more about our club (LasCrucesFourWheelDriveClub.com Las Cruces, NM)
 

Mike_H

Jeep Newb
To build, for me, its reading forums. I'm in a club, but a lot of the guys are running JK's and I'm in a TJ... Plus there are a lot of rough country lifts and stuff. That's fine, but not great quality or proper geometry, IMHO. I read and research A LOT so I can separate the wheat from the chaff, and get good parts the first time. Building using proven theory and good parts really saves money and time in the long run.

As far as driving off road, recovery, spotting, etc, nothing beats experience. That is why I'm a member of a club. You can only learn so much about wheeling from reading. You need to go try it. Fall off a rock, get stuck, bump a tree. That is really where you learn. Listen to those that have been there, done that too. Experience teaches us lessons that are not soon forgotten. It's the teacher that gives the test before the lesson!
 

Dorkchop

Weekend Wheeler
Driving experience via a club that I belong to here in NorCal, Esprit de Four, and technical stuff from forums like this one.
Also for newbies, many clubs have Newbie runs that allows new people a chance to get their feet wet and also allows them to see if the club is a right fit for them. Another suggestion is to go to an OHV park and just putt around. We're lucky here to have Hollister OHV and Prarie City OHV parks where folks can play around without too much consequence
 

Pthorpe84

Moderator
Staff member
I have always used forums since the beginning. It was the only way to really learn. I would google something and then click on the first 5 or so links. Since then I have met some really savvy folks that have helped me along the way. “Dirtman” has always been a huge help, along with Jason Cooper from rock your 4x4, Dan from Fusion 4x4, and Matsonian. It’s pretty easy to see who has some common sense and who dose not. I get little to nothing from Facebook. But I do get cool ideas from Instagram. Despite the popularity wars, forums are the only source for consistent content that you can find over and over.
 

JKJOURNEYS

Jeep Newb
Forums are awesome but I learn most things from the University of YouTube. If there is a piece of equipment I am looking to purchase or install I can typically find a video about it. It also a great place to find out about trails. There are so many channels that produce trail run videos. You can get a good idea at to whether the trail is easy or difficult.
 

ModernJeeper

Administrator
Staff member
I primarily utilize the forums to learn more about builds, products and trail info. I had joined a local DFW club that became a major drama fest which ended up defeating the whole purpose of joining.
Yes, "drama fest" we hear about often. It is so sad too because we all love Jeeping and going with other peeps. We at ModernJeeper are committed to helping this lifestyle stay alive. If we can help with club issues, be sure to contact our land use guy, @JeepnDel .
 

Todd Ockert

Moderator
I learned about Off-Roading from my dad growing up in Michigan. We called it "Two-Tracking" back there when I was young.

For more on builds and local trails, I have used forums and such to learn of places to go and what equipment to install or have on my Jeep.

My buddy Del is always a good source of equipment, as he has the best!

Todd
 

RhuntMT

Jeep Lover
I learned about Jeeps when my wife was stationed in Iceland for the US Navy. We were there for 4 years and I had bought a '84 CJ with a blown out rear on 38' Cepeks and a spring over lift from a buddy of mine for $1000. It still had the I-6. That is where I fell in love with the community, culture, and brand. Back then (1997 - 2001) I spent hours on line in forums much like this one.

I did research and I talked to "the Club" (Just a bunch of guys that had 4wd experience and some mechanical knowledge that were also in Iceland). We hung out and helped each other with whatever needed fixing. It wasn't just Jeeps, so I took a lot of ribbing from those other guys, which told me I was in the place and picked the right brand!

I would read about issues I was having and how other solved the problems. I don't have tons of off road experience, but I am not a newb either. I get a lot of enjoyment out of the build. I listen to the people that actually want to help and I use some common sense and some trial and error.

I have owned 3 additional Jeeps since that first one. I wont own anything else and I am a glutton for punishment. So to answer the OP's question, I learn from wherever I can find the knowledge on the topic. Forums and folks that are like minded.
 
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