Why do folks say, "Jeeps aren't expedition vehicles?"

[njtaco]

I don't understand when forum members write that the expedition industry has forgotten Wranglers as expedition vehicles.

<<SNIP>>


Why, pray tell, do folks here claim that Wranglers have been left in the dust as expedition vehicles? I just don't see any support for that comment in the real world.





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I honestly don't get that "feel" here on ExPo. Sure, there are a few members with stronger "brand" preferences than others, but overall "we" are a pretty tolerant bunch. Maybe I've missed too many "Jeep" posts...IDK.

For me, having never owned a Jeep, I see no reason not to drive one overland any more than an FJ40 or similar sized vehicle. As has been mentioned, there seems to be plenty of aftermarket support, and what they don't sell OTC, a fabricator can make.

Another thought...just how much "expedition aftermarket" does one need for a given platform to validate its usefulness on "expedition"? I personally think very little. It is not like a fridge is make or model specific, nor is a Scepter fuel can. Or a winch, or a GPS, or tires...you get my point.

 

[AndrewP]

I have to think it's about parts and support outside of North America where Jeep's presence has never been strong. Or, that a short wheel base Wrangler is just too small to be useful on an extended trip where wagons are the norm.

I do think it's ironic, that just when Jeep finally gets it's act together, the fuel runs out! The new 4 door Wranglers look like a good platform even to a Toyota guy, especially if a real wagon body was made available. Reliability has always been Jeep's achilles heel, so let's hope they addressed that too. Time will tell.

 

[tdesanto]

It is interesting that generally most folks, not in the sport/passion/hobby, call every vehicle out in the woods a "Jeep"


:::

This is so true. My Montero has been called a Jeep on more than one occasion.

 

[Zeero]

We run the new Unlimited JK Rubicons, and we're in the final stages of fitment for their respective futures. There are so many accesories and parts and aftermarket manufacturers out there that its making our heads spin!

We are desperately trying to keep modifications reasonable, not over the top, and trying to avoid the "Bubbleboy" look that has the typical Jeep look that so many non-Jeep drivers have of the Wrangler.

We get alot of people who say "So you're going to hit the mud and rocks tomorrow huh?" or "You want moster that thing man, get it up on a long arm kit, 44's and some serious bling rims" and we smash those words into the ground.

Its all about function OVER form with these trucks for us. If it works well and looks ugly, GREAT!

We aim to beat back with an ugly stick this whole "Jeeps aren't for expeditions" attitude.

I know this site doesn't say that, but the global opinion seems to be that.....even to my Father who is a retired expeditioner who rode Triumph motorcycles around Europe and Range Rovers all over Africa when he lived in Lagos, Nigeria....EVEN hot air ballons around the UK.....he says "Wow its a capable truck, and I never thought Jeep would have something you could use"

Even look at the Jeep Commander.....WOW, if I ever saw a Land Rover beater in my time, that would be it.....fantastic truck, whatever happened to them?!

We took Libertys across Canada and down through the Continental Divide.

Jeep has a great line up of expo ready trucks, they just don't advertise it that way, and with their backing out of the "Jeep Jamboree" in Canada, they are aren't building any steam to show their capability.

When I was 16 years old, my father bought a Ford Explorer, and we drove across Canada into the Rockies out west and had ourselves a great old travel and he would call that thing a "Jeep" endlessly.....so I hear that argument to, FJ's eat your heart out, you're driving a Jeep hahaha kidding.

As Scott said, I don't see an issue with the type of vehicles being driven, it who's driving it, and what they are doing with it.

With the versatility and customization abilities that a Wrangler has, you make it your own, and even though alot LOOK the same, they truely are a unique vehicle in the hands of their drivers.

:friday:

 

[kcowyo]

Why do folks say, "Jeeps aren't expedition vehicles?"

Dunno... I don't see a lot of those comments here on the Portal...

I was rockin' an '84 CJ-7, with an interior sleeping platform and a gear storage solution 12 years ago, while most everyone else was trying to build a 'mudder' or a 'crawler' out of their Jeeps. I thought I was an odd-ball then, living out of the CJ and making long trips for weeks & months around the western US. Turns out I was just ahead of my time. <pats self on back>

I couldn't have pulled off the same set up with a passenger or even a dog, but it worked well in my bachelor days. With the advent of the Adventure Trailer, a family can now easily operate out of a Wrangler for multiple days or even weeks. Just make sure to return the trailer if you rent it from AT.

:rockon:

 

[Metcalf]

The first vehicle to do a LAND crossing of the Darien was done by Loren and Patty Upton in a Jeep. Not to take anything away from Mark Smith and the Landrover guys, but they used the rivers to there advantage. The Uptons only used the rivers as crossing points, they did not go up or down.

I think Jeeps get a bad rap as expedition vehicles because of the lacking international support system along with there smaller overall size. Toyota, Rover, and Benz all have far better international parts networks. Also the lack of diesel powertrains in the Jeep line tend to hurt there international marketability.

I would also like to see more trail serviceable parts on the jeep lineup like re-packable wheel bearings, full floating axles, etc.

You can have my jeep when you pry it from my cold dead hands. I love my old '42 Willys MB but I don't know if I would want to drive around the world in it...

 

[gpwpat]

The Long Range Desert Group used Chevrolet 30cwt trucks loaded with 3 weeks supply of food and water and with a range of over 1,100 miles. David Stirling did use jeeps to great effect, but they depended on support vehicles (Chevrolet 30cwt trucks) and re supply points because of the limited payload and range of the Willys Jeeps.

True

but they did venture off by themselves.

this is a typical sas jeep rebuilt up from photographs. I count 13 jerry cans. there is usually a 14th strapped to the passenger side. Plus the 15 gallons in the tank. a couple were probably watter cans though.

that is 85 gallons of fuel. that gives a range on pavemnet at 15 mpg is 1275 miles. probably half that in the sand.

Today is there parts support for jeeps in the remote third world? probably not as much as for LR where the British imperialists flooded thier territories with their own vehicle after the war.

Today a jeep is hot in the desert. The hard top is not insulated. The soft top only works to keep the sun off but radites the heat in even faster than the hard top. Of which the AC can barley compete with the heat.

But I love my jeeps. I own 4 WWII jeeps and a 2007 unlimited. I love driving with the top and doors off. When it is really hot I keep the top up to keep the sun off. You don't have that kind of versatility with other vehicles. I think today a jeep is seen as having more toy features. You can play with it more. Think of it like dolls but for men. we can dress them up in so many ways. Top on, doors off, windshield down, rack, lift, exo cage, half doors. Oh so much fun.

Still nothing comperes to my origional though

 

[BruceNP]

The Grand Cherokee Overlander has the 3.0 L Diesel engine now. That would seem to be a great platform for an expedition vehicle.

I'll stick to my Taco for now ... it's paid for ...

 

[Big D]

Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel is a superbe vehicule. Now, lets hope Jeep will stick to it's plans and put one in most their line up.

 

[madizell]

Plus the 15 gallons in the tank... gives a range on pavement at 15 mpg is 1275 miles. probably half that in the sand.

The under seat tank generally held 10 gallons. Mine does, and I believe so did the one in my old CJ2A, which had almost the same running gear as the M38 or other WWII variants, like those shown. There may have been some that held 12, but I don't think any held 15.

I also rarely got better than 10mpg out of the 4 cylinder, even after it was overhauled. They were not economical, and sand had little to do with it. Jeep practically invented parasitic drag. Continuous use of low range gives poor gas mileage no matter the terrain. 80 gallons of gas off road in a WWII style Jeep would get you about 800 miles if you were lucky. If Gerry was chasing you around (driving with your foot in it), a lot less.

 

[Jake5326]

As stated before, Jeep markets for the US and the weekend/rock crawling crowd.

I have been on every continent and alot of countries and Jeep is basically non-existantat.

The NGO organizations consistantly use TLC or LR, as well as do any expedition companies or races. Even the US teams in expeditions use TLC or LR.

The JK Unlimited is what it should have been years ago. Jeeps only competition was TLC and the FJ-40, later followed by the king of all, the FJ80.

Even the Jeep Commander missed the mark for international travel and expeditions in its build.

Jeep has lost to the Exterra, the Disco, and lately to the Tacoma crowd as they have world wide marketing, parts, usage and multiple fuel options (Diesel).

I just ordered a JK because I promised myself I would buy one if they ever came out in a 4D. The 110 was always an option, but if you have ever driven one, it is crowded in the drivers compartment, yet very roomy everywhere else.

Until Jeep and US drivers begin to participate in worldwide events using Jeeps, it will always have the weekend crowd and less high end capable parts.

Just my two cents.

I want Jeep to run its own G4 and build the Rescue to compete w/the TLC FJ80and the LR3.

 

[Zeero]

Well getting Jeep to run its own version of G4 or Camel Trophy or even something Dakar inspired is only a voice away.

If you have the right organization and supporters/sponsors, an event like that CAN be done....

It would increase the brand through global exposure immensly and put the name back on the world market as a SERIOUS contender for these other types.

You're at the right website to get some interest in this, what would it take...could you, or anyone else be COMMITTED to starting and running something like that? :exclaim:

 

[Jake5326]

Heck, even look at the Exterra Races, Xgames, any off road triathlon, bike races, etc....Jeep is just not there, even w/a support vehicle. They just don't seem to have an interest in that/our crowd or so it seems.

Hell if people saw Zero's Libertys or AEV Libertys esp in the CRD, at those sites......

Don't get me wrong...I love my Jeep and all my old Jeeps, I just wish they had the exposure and worldwide support as other standing brands.

Land Rover is consistantly used for round the world travel/expeditions.....Want Jeep to get behind and sponsor/recruit for those type of trips. It would go a long way in relations.............

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

My jeep blew its water pump, a head gasket, shocks, and radio all went out before 80K..... and this was a grandma's truck for the 60K before I got it....Was a 2000 model. Its traded hands twice since i had it, but its still in town.

Cool trucks, but not my choice for a expedition vehicle.... not stout enough in my opinion.
But what do I know?

 

[Alaska Mike]

Until Jeep and US drivers begin to participate in worldwide events using Jeeps, it will always have the weekend crowd and less high end capable parts.

Madizell on this board ran the Outback Challenge in Australia a couple times in a CJ-7. Another guy up here I know did the Rainforest Challenge in a TJ.

However, the majority of vehicles in international competitions usually end up being European and Asian designs.