bigcale
Active Member
I was scrolling through FB the other day and came across this post and it has been on my mind. I figured I would share this here and see what you guys think.
www.facebook.com
For those who don't want to click the link here is the post:
Are Jeepers a Dying Breed?
By Doug Russell | Colorado SxS Adventures
Not dead. But definitely outnumbered.
There was a time when Jeepers were the backbone of offroading—low gears, lockers, and crawling through canyons long before the term “Side-by-Side” even existed. Back then, you didn’t just buy a Jeep—you built it. You wrenched, you welded, and you EARNED your stripes one trail at a time. I know .... because that's the world I came from. I built a ground up rock crawler. You couldn't really buy a out of the box hard core, ready to go serious off-road rig back then. You had to build it. This is were the term "built not bought" came from. Our clubs were tight and that came from the built not bought mentality.
But look around now…
It’s not that they’re gone—it’s that they’re being outnumbered. By rigs with more suspension travel, less effort, and a whole lot more financing.
What Happened?
SxS Culture Blew Up
Let’s be honest—Side-by-Sides are easier to buy, easier to haul, and easier to drive. You don’t need to be a mechanic to hit the trail anymore. You just need good credit and a free weekend.
That lowered the barrier. And with it came a flood of new riders who never even considered a Jeep.
Cost and Complexity
Modern Jeeps are pushing $60K–$80K stock. Then you lift it, armor it, regear it, and you’re $100K deep before you’ve ever hit the trail. That’s a hard sell when you can pick up a capable SxS for half that—and actually use it.
Trails Are Changing
Jeep trails are getting tighter, bumpier, and more rutted. Why? Because they’re being used more by SxS's. And with more narrow, technical routes and 50-inch trail restrictions popping up, Jeepers are slowly getting squeezed out.
But Here’s the Thing—It Takes More Skill to Wheel a full size rig... Yep, I said it.... hate me if you want....but it's true!
No offense, SxS crowd—I'm one of you—but let’s call it like it is:
Off-roading in a full-sized rig takes more skill. Period.
You’ve got a longer wheelbase, less visibility, more weight, and a higher risk of body damage. You have to drive the trail—not float over it. Then, for most .... you gotta drive it home.
You don’t “point and shoot” a Jeep like you can in a turbocharged SxS with a 72-inch stance. You crawl. You pick lines. You understand clearance and articulation. One wrong move and you’re in for a long day with a winch and a dented ego.
That kind of skill? It’s earned. And it deserves respect.
Don’t Count ‘Em Out
True Jeepers? They’re still out there.
Still wrenching in the driveway. Still waving to other rigs on the road. Still showing us how to crawl instead of conquer.
They taught a lot of us how to tread lightly, fix what breaks, and wheel with precision. And in this new world of throttle-happy weekend warriors—they still matter.
The Bottom Line
Are Jeepers a dying breed?
No. But they’ve gone from the main event to a side act in the off-road circus.
And honestly, we could use more of that old-school patience, skill, and trail etiquette today.
So next time you pass a Jeep picking its way up a rock garden, don’t blow by in a cloud of dust.
Give a wave. Give a nod. In fact, stop and watch, you might learn something! Because they were here before us—and they’re still doing it the hard way.
** I wrote this because I care about all motorized trail users.
We need to bridge the gap, we need to get along. So...I'm asking for peace. I want to hear what you have to say....but be respectful.
Thanks
Log into Facebook
Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.
www.facebook.com
For those who don't want to click the link here is the post:
Are Jeepers a Dying Breed?
By Doug Russell | Colorado SxS Adventures
Not dead. But definitely outnumbered.
There was a time when Jeepers were the backbone of offroading—low gears, lockers, and crawling through canyons long before the term “Side-by-Side” even existed. Back then, you didn’t just buy a Jeep—you built it. You wrenched, you welded, and you EARNED your stripes one trail at a time. I know .... because that's the world I came from. I built a ground up rock crawler. You couldn't really buy a out of the box hard core, ready to go serious off-road rig back then. You had to build it. This is were the term "built not bought" came from. Our clubs were tight and that came from the built not bought mentality.
But look around now…
It’s not that they’re gone—it’s that they’re being outnumbered. By rigs with more suspension travel, less effort, and a whole lot more financing.
What Happened?
SxS Culture Blew Up
Let’s be honest—Side-by-Sides are easier to buy, easier to haul, and easier to drive. You don’t need to be a mechanic to hit the trail anymore. You just need good credit and a free weekend.
That lowered the barrier. And with it came a flood of new riders who never even considered a Jeep.
Cost and Complexity
Modern Jeeps are pushing $60K–$80K stock. Then you lift it, armor it, regear it, and you’re $100K deep before you’ve ever hit the trail. That’s a hard sell when you can pick up a capable SxS for half that—and actually use it.
Trails Are Changing
Jeep trails are getting tighter, bumpier, and more rutted. Why? Because they’re being used more by SxS's. And with more narrow, technical routes and 50-inch trail restrictions popping up, Jeepers are slowly getting squeezed out.
But Here’s the Thing—It Takes More Skill to Wheel a full size rig... Yep, I said it.... hate me if you want....but it's true!
No offense, SxS crowd—I'm one of you—but let’s call it like it is:
Off-roading in a full-sized rig takes more skill. Period.
You’ve got a longer wheelbase, less visibility, more weight, and a higher risk of body damage. You have to drive the trail—not float over it. Then, for most .... you gotta drive it home.
You don’t “point and shoot” a Jeep like you can in a turbocharged SxS with a 72-inch stance. You crawl. You pick lines. You understand clearance and articulation. One wrong move and you’re in for a long day with a winch and a dented ego.
That kind of skill? It’s earned. And it deserves respect.
Don’t Count ‘Em Out
True Jeepers? They’re still out there.
Still wrenching in the driveway. Still waving to other rigs on the road. Still showing us how to crawl instead of conquer.
They taught a lot of us how to tread lightly, fix what breaks, and wheel with precision. And in this new world of throttle-happy weekend warriors—they still matter.
The Bottom Line
Are Jeepers a dying breed?
No. But they’ve gone from the main event to a side act in the off-road circus.
And honestly, we could use more of that old-school patience, skill, and trail etiquette today.
So next time you pass a Jeep picking its way up a rock garden, don’t blow by in a cloud of dust.
Give a wave. Give a nod. In fact, stop and watch, you might learn something! Because they were here before us—and they’re still doing it the hard way.
** I wrote this because I care about all motorized trail users.
We need to bridge the gap, we need to get along. So...I'm asking for peace. I want to hear what you have to say....but be respectful.
Thanks
