For me, it's simplicity that makes a "real Jeep". Unfortunately, the interpretation of the word is so subjective. What is simple to one may be a technical nightmare to another. By my own notions of what is "simple", then I'd have to say any of the rigs that were pre-electronic wizardry. Carbs, distributors, non-ABS...hell, even non-airbag equipped, because "I'm willing to die like a man in a crash, and I don't need no stinkin' airbags!" Okay, maybe not for that reason, but yeah...no airbags. But again, this is what I perceive "simple" to be. I love parallel leaf springs, but more out of nostalgia than anything else (if I were to be totally honest). The coils on our TJs are superior for a Jeep's intended purpose. Both are simple, though the former is somewhat more so. The YJ has a better dash, as far as I'm concerned. It was simple, but not as simple as the CJ. My brother has a WWII vintage Jeep that my dad put a Ford flathead V8 in. People don't expect to see that under the hood. It's simple, but archaic...antiquated, even. Hell, I don't know. Maybe a real Jeep is whatever you own and enjoy. I mean, it can't get any more real than that!
