Latest News
Cars in Taylor Swift Music VideosIt’s a Jeep Thing: Jeep Fandom Explained
Leaving souvenirs? Showing off? Discover the Jeep Duck and other habits that have Jeep owners saying, 'It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand.'
An Enthusiasm Like No Other
The Chevy Corvette has a large number of enthusiastic owners. The Volkswagen Beetle is another vehicle that has a lot of loyal fans. Ford pickup truck owners have been faithful to their brand, too. Being the owner of a certain car brand can sometimes evoke the same kind of enthusiasm as supporting a favorite NFL team. Owning a lot of those iconic vehicles means being part of a certain culture that goes along with them. Jeep owners may be in their own category though.
With current models like the Renegade and Gladiator along with previous models like the CJ-5 and Liberty, more than 22 million Jeeps have been sold since the 1940s. It’s no wonder Jeep has so many avid fans. These owners don’t just slap a Jeep sticker on their laptops or back window and call it a day. They drive their Jeeps proudly, develop ongoing traditions that other Jeep owners can take part in, and usually won’t hesitate to tell you all about it. Take a look at some of their habits that can best be described as, “It’s just a Jeep thing.”
Jeep Clubs
When you buy a Jeep, you don’t just become a Jeep owner. You are part of a club. It doesn’t have to just be a figurative club either. There are actual official Jeep clubs that host events so members can gather together on weekends, usually in some off-roading areas, and enjoy the outdoors while testing the limits of their vehicles together. Jeep has helped support events like Jeep Jamborees, the Rebelle Rally, and the annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. The Jeep Safari has been going on for over 50 years. Whether you’re a part of an official club or not, if you’ve got a Jeep, you’re a member of the Jeep family.
The Jeep Wave
You’ll notice city bus drivers waving to each other. Motorcycle riders usually give a head nod to a fellow rider, too. Well, Jeep Wrangler owners also acknowledge each other. They are very particular about how they do it, though. They wave at each other, but it has to be in a specific way. If your hand is on the wheel, you raise two to four fingers upward towards the fellow Wrangler you’re crossing paths with.
It can’t be that easy, so there are more rules to follow. There’s an entire hierarchy that’s based on model (CJs are at the top of the ladder), appearance (the dirtier and more open it is, the higher the ranking), and modifications (bigger tires and bumpers boost your Jeep status above others). If your Jeep ranks lower, you initiate the wave. If your Jeep ranks higher, you return it.
Nobody knows, for sure, when the tradition started, but it’s said to have begun sometime during or after World War II. One theory suggests that soldiers driving Jeeps would wave to indicate they were an ally. Then, when those soldiers returned home and purchased Jeep models of their own for personal use, they carried on the tradition, knowing it was likely a fellow soldier behind the wheel.
Regardless of how it started, it’s a tradition. If you’re already the owner of a Jeep, you’ve probably already perfected your Jeep wave. If you’re planning to become the owner of a Jeep, you’d better study up and start practicing!
Making Mods
A factory Jeep is OK … I guess. A modified one is better, right? That seems to be the opinion of a lot of CJ, Wrangler, and Cherokee owners. Many of them use aftermarket parts and accessories to make their models bigger, stronger, and better. From lift kits to fender flares to bull bars, they use it all. You’ll especially notice modifications when it comes to the wheels and tires. They’re tough, large, and, of course, all-terrain capable. Another popular Jeep modification is changing the regular headlights to LED lights, increasing the amount of light available when taking to trails at night. If you’re a fan of mods, or need a little modification inspiration for your own vehicle, take a look at our list of the Most Outrageous Mods on Normal Cars!
Unique Parking Abilities
You may see it in parking lots. I’ve seen it in our own lot at work. Where there’s one Jeep, there’s usually another nearby. Not only do Jeep owners like to park in packs, but they also try to park just about anywhere! It doesn’t matter if there’s snow in the way, a tree in the way, or some other kind of cement obstruction. A Jeep can probably fit. You’ll even see them pull their tires right up onto another nearby Jeep. It’s an impressive feat, not one every vehicle can pull off. It seems Jeep owners are always up for a challenge, whether they’re on the road or in a parking space!
What’s with the Ducks?
Have you heard of the connection between Jeep owners and ducks? Not real ducks, but those plastic little ducks that kids play with in the bathtub. You know, the Ernie from Sesame Street kind of ducks. Jeep owners will take those toy rubber ducks and leave them on the vehicles of other Jeep owners. It’s a real thing. Or, I guess, you could say, ‘it’s a real Jeep thing.’ I saw a Rubicon parked in front of a restaurant just last week and there was an entire row of ducks in the cabin on the dashboard. Apparently, that Jeep has been ‘ducked’ a few times.
This bizarre, fun trend started in 2020 in Canada. A Jeep owner hid some rubber ducks around her friends’ house as a joke. She had leftover ducks, so, when she saw a Jeep on her way home, she wrote ‘Nice Jeep’ on the duck, and left it on the Jeep. It was posted on social media and the trend took off! Now, Jeep owners are none too surprised when they find a rubber duck of some kind perched somewhere on their vehicles. Jeep has capitalized on the popularity of this idea by offering official Jeep rubber ducks in their online store. The automaker even unveiled the world’s largest rubber duck at the 2022 Detroit Auto Show. ‘Mama Duck’ is 69 feet wide, 79 feet deep, and stands 61 feet tall!
Off-Roading Masters
A lot of other companies promote their own vehicles’ off-roading capabilities, but Jeep is one brand that will be forever intertwined with it. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon made our list of the Best Off-Road Vehicles of 2021, but let’s be honest: it would probably make our list in every model year. It’s that good. That’s why Jeep owners take whatever path they want to. If you’re known for off-roading prowess, then why would you stick to the paved and gravel roads? Jeep owners make it a point to show off what they can do. That means pulling up on rocks, inclines, and declines (sometimes at unbelievable angles)! If you’re out in nature at a national park, or near any kind of big rock formation, you may just end up seeing a Jeep conquering it or perched on top while the Jeep owner inside enjoys a breathtaking view!
Mudding It Up
What goes along with off-roading? Proving it! Jeep owners get their vehicles muddy and are proud to show it off. It’s a badge of honor to showcase some dirt and grime that they picked up on their adventure. Mud isn’t something you wash off right away. You have to leave it for a few days. You should probably post it to social media so everyone can see the mud, too. Once it’s washed, find time to take it out again. Explore, rinse, repeat. That’s how you ‘Jeep’ properly. If you’re a new Jeep owner, just follow that guideline, along with the others listed above, and you’ll be part of the Jeep culture in no time!
For even more Jeep content, click over to our Jeep Wrangler Through the Years feature, read our Jeep Wagoneer Through the Years piece, or get a one-of-a-kind analysis on the latest models with our 2022 Jeep Wrangler review, 2022 Jeep Cherokee review, and 2022 Jeep Gladiator review.
