Well, I try to keep my mouth shut and just get my answers BUT since you asked...The online Jeep community seems pretty harsh to newcomers. Like we should all know all the ins and outs about Jeeps before asking. A lot of the information IS available with a search but sometimes you don't know what to search for or just want a second opinion OR just want to revisit the answers you found. I've frequented Tech/Cave diving forums for decades and I THOUGHT they were the kings of hardassery but nope. It's like some people have pent up anger/contempt looking to vent or something. It's not a big deal and well worth it to get access to the true gems of wisdom from certain people who really do know what they are talking about have to offer. I mean, the point is discussion anyway... isn't it? Pretty much everything related has been discussed at some point so ANY question is going to be something already covered.
So about Jeepers...I almost bought a FJ actually because I found one newer/cheaper than my TJ but they have a much smaller aftermarket and are arguably less capable w/o lots more extreme mods. It appears most of the jeepers I see around my area besides the college-girls(God Bless them) and such are Mall-Crawler types, the Amazon Jeep Accessory-Kings etc...I told my wife before buying my TJ that it seemed like most of the Jeep owners I have encountered are either Idiots, Jerks or some combo of the two. I had and still have concerns w/being associated w/the types that seem to gravitate to Jeeps. I would say that doesn't apply to the folks here in the forum(just to be clear). My buddy and I sold our SideBySides to get Jeeps so we could ride more places legally...so far I'm really glad I did.
I have done every single mod/repair myself since I got it and it's refreshing to have a vehicle that allows that. I could have bought a JK for less money but they are too far from being a Jeep and too close to being a Fiat
I get that. I think it depends on where you are, specifically. There are some groups on Facebook, for example, that are super welcoming to newcomers and their noob questions, and others that are not so welcome to those questions (what tire size can I fit with no lift?). I think old hats who've seen the same thing a million times get salty. I guess I can't blame them but they should just not comment if it bothers them so much. As you've seen what gets people here is when people don't accept the consensus advice. That advice is not always right, but often is. We should avoid acting as though we don't have to justify our position, though. That's why I appreciate Jerry's comments, he typically gives a reason why. Some are just like "because I said so, I know it all." OK, that may be close to true, but... not convincing. I'll take the word of the Youtuber I've seen in action and seen the results of their labor over some rando on a forum. Not that there has been anything I necessarily disagree with yet on
this forum, but that's my attitude. If you can't even explain your position, shut up.
But I got off topic there, didn't I? haha Hopefully you find us here more welcoming than other places. But I hear you and I have seen that myself. I hope it isn't unique to us Jeepers.
As for the Jeeper stereotypes... man I didn't become aware of that until well after I had my TJ and now on rare occasion I will think about it. When some random dude in a pickup flicks me off for no reason I remember there's some mad hatred out there for Jeepers. I see comments from "normies" on Facebook about Jeepers and how they're all assholes who park like douches etc. Not a lot but it's there. But as in all things we should be careful not to give a shit what other people think.
I find that interesting about side by sides - here in PA we have far more legal places for them than Jeeps (although we don't have a shortage of Jeep legal places either).
Your last sentence hits the nail on the head. I don't care how salty some of the veterans of the community may be or what the new Jeeps are like... I love that our TJs are so easy to work on, so classic looking, rugged, reliable and capable. Best Jeep out there,
for me/us.
