All Things Jeep Blog & Musings

By far the post on this blog with the most comments was the very first one I posted about the "Jeep Wave" and Jeep JKs. Still getting comments 6 months later. For those who missed it, you can read it here:

The Jeep Wave Debate Continues...

I simply asked why no one was showing me the love when I was in a 4 door Jeep JK? I get plenty of waves in the old CJ-8.

Yesterday we got this post and I couldn't agree more. So I had to post it here. Plus Colin epitomizes the Jeep lifestyle. Now all I want to know is if he'd take me with him. Colin?

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Normally, I tried to avoid religious discussions -- Canon vs Nikon, Apple vs Microsoft, Krystal vs White Castle -- but I can't help but comment on this thread.
I am a new Jeep owner, having waited over ten years to put my first Jeep under my backside. I have owned my new Jeep Wrangler for just about five days. And yes, I chose an Unlimited.
Based on the comments above, either I'm a woman on a cell phone, someone who doesn't "get it", or someone who shoulda bought a Hummer. You couldn't be more wrong. (And for those of you keeping score at home: not a woman, not on a cell phone, I *do* "get it", and I don't think I could swallow driving a Hummer day-in and day-out -- nothing wrong with any of that, but that sweeping generalization doesn't fit me.)
I have gotten waves when driving my Jeep, and I've waved back. Where I grew up in the rural parts of this great country, that was fairly common, no matter what kind of vehicle was carrying you and your gear/family/life, and it was common courtesy to wave back.
So, just to answer the critics that Unlimited owners are just enslaving their Jeeps in a morass of dull tedium, I thought I'd tell you about what my Jeep was purchased for, and what it'll spend its first month doing.
I'm a photographer, and I wanted a vehicle that I could carry my cameras, lenses, tripods, telescopes, and camping gear, and that would allow me to access places that simply weren't doable in my TrailBlazer. It's not an issue of cupholders or cell phones or power windows (although there might be a touch of mid-life crisis in there) -- it's a simple math problem involving cubic feet of stowage, and protection of that gear.
That's the "why" an Unlimited was right for me. Now let's examine whether I "get it".
In eight days, I leave from Missouri, driving to San Francisco, returning up the Pacific coast to Portland, through the Columbia River gorge area, on to Spokane, Coeur D'Alene, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, the Badlands, Minnesota, and south again to Missouri. This is a three-week trek, with man, wife, 14-year old daughter, and enough gear to cripple a mule, covering between 5000 and 6000 miles over three weeks of journey.
Like others have said, I have a ton of respect for folks jacking their Jeeps up, modding the heck out of them, making their Jeep reflect their own personality. That's just plain cool, and at a gradual pace, I'll probably be doing some of that too.
For me though, it's not the destination of how modded I can make my Jeep, it's the journey I plan to take in it. Roughly translated: my Jeep journey may be different than yours, but it's still my journey, and just as valid as yours.
And to that I add, one size of Wrangler does not fit all. I happen to like my Wrangler in the XL format.
Wave or don't wave -- that's your call. My parents raised me to be courteous, and I'll be waving.
Hope you'll wave back. Sorry for the rant.

posted @ Wednesday, May 28, 2008 10:06 PM by Colin W.

We started this blog a few months back and I'm really wondering who is reading it. Are you? Are you a shopper on our website www.allthingsjeep.com too? It's fun to look at the stats .... "372 visitors to your blog today", but I don't really know if this is just Mom and Dad and all my relatives reading this (hi Mom and Dad) or if it is really some of our beloved customers from our website. No one says much of anything here, so if you shop us, let me know by saving some $ on your next order.

We've just added a few dozen items to our ATJ Outlet Store and the prices on many items are 50% off the regular price. But here's a chance to save more. 

When you check out, enter the discount code " BLOG5 " in the coupon code box and save yourself an additional $5.00 off any $50 purchase. That's another 10% off your order. Go wild.

(This offer is for blog readers and your friends, so you may pass it along. It expires June 15th and can't be combined with other offers.) Use the code and you'll be able to buy 1 more gallon of gas for your Jeep. Whee.

Happy pretty much summer! What a fantastic Memorial Day weekend it was here in sunny and warm Massachusetts. The top was down all weekend.

Last week we got a very large order from Brazil that included lots of kids stuff and lots of duffel bags. It was big enough that it made me wonder whether this customer was going to resell these items somewhere, or whether it was legit., so we inquired by writing this note,

"Thank you for your order. What are you doing with all of this stuff. Are you a giant Jeep fanatic who travels and has Jeep kids or are you reselling it? We are curious.  - Jean"

And we got back the most amazing reply. No matter how many times I talk to a other Jeep enthusiasts, I continue to be overwhelmed by how passionate everyone is about our sport. Jefferson, I hope you don't mind that I posted your email. It was just too good to keep to myself.

Jefferson's reply:

"Jean,

I have been a fanatic Jeep collector, traveler and driver since I was one year old. My father had one military CJ5 and he worked in the brasilian country side, near Pantanal and Amazon. Of course, when I was not at school, I was in my father´s jeep.

From 1980 and 1988, my family crossed the Amazon Rain Forest and the Pantanal at least 15 times.

In 1988, I was 13 years old and my brother was 7 years old, my family (father, mother, brother and me) traveled from Sao Paulo-Brazil to Toronto-Canadá, crossing Argentina, Chile, Equador, Peru, Colombia, Panamá, Central America, Mexico, USA and Canadá. About 73 days.

After that, we started to spent our weekends in the mud.

When I completed 18 years old, I bought my first car??? A JEEP of course.

Then I started to date my wife, and after more 8 long travels visiting places like Patagonia, Africa (Kenia, South Africa, Botsuana), Alaska (from Anchorage to Vancouver) and Amazonia and Pantanal again, my son has just been born (15 days).

That is a small part of my history.

I am a JEEP lover.

Thank you again and sorry about the english mistakes. My natural language is portuguese.

Jefferson"

I can guarantee Jefferson that a lot of people reading this email are VERY JEALOUS! For a peek at Jefferson's Jeep in San Paulo, Brazil, and his new son, click the photo below and you'll be taken to our All Things Jeep Photo Album.

Can I get you to work for me for free?

I am so tired of looking at the same set of Jeep stickers and decals. We have a decent variety. But we been so busy with other things that we haven't added a whole lot of new ones in months. And my brain is fried and I just can't be creative.

So I'm ready to steal your idea (with your permission, of course.) Post your ideas here. We'll borrow the best ones, make them into decals, and send you a set if we use your ideas.

 You will need to post them here so that we know who "owns" the idea. There's a few caveats you need to know.

1. Review our current list of Jeep decals so you don't duplicate what we already have.  OUR JEEP DECALS & STICKERS
2. We have a great relationship with Jeep's licensing company and we can't violate Chrysler LLC's trademarks. That means that legally, we cannot use the word "JEEP" or a clear graphic of the 7 slot grille in the decals. I know, it seems crazy. But that's the way it is.
3. No "Lift it, Fat Chicks Can't Jump" decals will be made by us. I take offense and I CAN jump!
4. No Hummer stuff. GM came after us a few years back and I don't want to relive that nightmare.
5. No other ideas that will violate a trademark, etc.

So think creatively, post here and in about a week or two, I'll repost and let you know what we are making up and I'll send the winners a full set of all the new decals, free. Thanks!

Our current line-up: http://www.allthingsjeep.com/jedewide.html

With gas prices the way they are, we aren't going far this summer. We'll be looking for fun things to do in our own backyard. But we'll still be going to the gym and the kids will be going to sleep-overs and we'll still be toting around duffel bags filled with crap, oops, I mean stuff. That's why when the Jeep Luggage, Backpacks & Duffel Bagsmanufacturer came to us with a deal, we couldn't resist. Everyone uses a duffel bag of sorts for some actitivy or another. They are closing out the current line of designs so some new stuff could be moved into the warehouse. We've had some of these designs for a while but the prices has never been this good (and you won't find these prices anywhere else.) So while it lasts, we're having a ONE DOLLAR PER ONE INCH SALE on Jeep Duffel Bags!

ALL 22" Jeep Duffel Bags - Just $22.00 (Regularly $39.99)

ALL 26" Jeep Duffel Bags - Just $26 (Regularly $44.99)

ALL 28" Duffel Bags - Just $28 (Regularly $48.99)

(Pictured are the 22" Jeep Duffel Bags).

We also have 28" length Rolling Jeep Duffel Bags with Wheels and a retractable handle. The prices are terrific - just $59.99 and jam-packed with features.

Our friends Jim and Lynnette of the Fun Times Guide have begun a section of their blog dedicated to Jeeps. Lots of good info, and of course, since they posted our Go Topless Day followup, we love them even more.

http://jeeps.thefuntimesguide.com/ - main home page. Check it out.

Take a look at what's in store for summertime.

JEEP THRILLS for the PS2 and Wii

Here's the synopsis, taken from the allgame.com website:

"Off-road enthusiasts can get some Jeep Thrills in Destination Software's tribute to jeeps and Jeep culture. The game lets players race in 20 different jeeps, from the original WWII style know as the Willys MB, to more pavement-oriented jeeps like the Wrangler and the Compass, to sportier concept vehicles. Two players can race head-to-head on more than 30 different courses, including mountainous jungle rally races, and high-intensity, low-temperature sprints through the Arctic."

The Wrangler, a pavement-oriented Jeep? Who's doing their copywriting?

And Amazon's description is even funnier:

"JEEP the undisputed King of Off Road Adventure invites you to climb into the driver's seat and experience racing like never before! From the jungles of Central America to the frozen Alaskan tundra this is adventure racing like it ought to be! Jeep Thrills! And Everyone else? Gets left behind." Features:18 Customizable Jeep vehicles - including futuristic concept cars!35 intense tracks - with one main objective: Conquering the terrain and the elements and owning the planet!  Format: PS2 Genre"

I've never known any Jeep to leave other cars behind in racing. In fact, one of the funniest stickers I've ever seen said something like "Jeep - conquering the world 2 mile an hour at a time." Yup, that's about our speed out there in the woods.

It looks like a PS2 version will be released June 9th with a Wii version to follow. Definitely going to talk to the manufacturer to see if we can carry it here. Looks like a good time on a rainy day.

We've picked our favorite photos everyone sent in from Go Topless Day.

Let me first say, they are all awesome! Thank you so much for playing along. It was so much fun and pretty heartwarming (if you want to get all touchy feely) that so many Jeep owners decided to join in the camaraderie of the day. We want to give all our customers a heartfelt thank you. Truly you are awesome!

So here are the winning entries (picked by us, simply because we loved them and they made us smile.) For the complete photo album of the day, check out

ALL THINGS JEEP "GO TOPLESS DAY" PHOTOS

1. This is Josh and his 2001 TJ Sport in Othello, WA. Besides setting up a great shot of his Jeep against the scenery, he sucked up a little by making a poster and wearing one of our sweatshirts. AND, he looks like he had fun doing it. This is an awesome photo.

2. This is Michael P and his mystery date. What can you say about this photo. Both completely topless and completely G-rated. Just as we hoped. Wonder what they did  after the picture was snapped. (2005 Wrangler Unlimited, Petersburg, VA, but we know you don't care about that stuff)

3. When we began this contest we wondered if we'd see a Barbie Jeep in the mix. Heck, it was MY first Jeep (and I killed many of my brother's lesser capable rigs while driving it.) This is Aunt Amy and Charlie, driving their 2004 Wrangler Rocky Mountain Edition Jeep and 2008 Jeep Wrangler Barbie Edition, respectively. As we like to say, "A girl and her Jeep, it's a beautiful thing".

4. A family of Jeep Wrangler JKs. Life really must be good for Tiffany and her friend in Florence, KY. Made better yet when the hammocks are hooked up and you're relaxing along the side of a trail. She wrote us "Is there anything more fun than taking the top off a Jeep? I think not!!!" I think we agree.

5. Here's another photo taking advantage of cute kids. (Works every time.) These little guys were bribed with gummy bears and quarters into doing their job by Katrina. Sounds like it was hard work!

So each of the winners above will get a $50 Gift Certificate to All Things Jeep (http://www.allthingsjeep.com/.) Thank you again. It is so much fun going through these photos.

There are a few "honorable mentions" we'd like to post here though 'cuz they are so good.

Michael M. in Chillicothe, OH was completely dedicated to the cause. He is a Jeeper that comes prepared! First we got the photo of his topless and doorless 2000 Wrangler Sport, prepared for the weather. And like any good Jeeper, he didn't let a little rain stop his fun. So there's the photo of him in his Jeep, his umbrella up, reading his newspaper dated May 3rd, 2008 - go topless day. You've got to admire his determination!

Our other honorable mention goes to Herman in Johannesburg, South Africa. Because of the time zones, Herman was the first person in the world (that we know of) to celebrate Worldwide Go Topless Day. We appreciate his support!

Thank you everyone for your posed pictures, your wheelin' pictures, your muddin' photos and your participation.

PS - We wouldn't be able to sleep at night if we didn't show you one last photo. It's the one that made me cry (no kidding!) I'm a softy and will cry at the Hallmark commercials, but come on, this photo just tugged at my heart. If you don't at least smile, you need to get out in the Jeep more.

It's springtime and love is in the air. Except for some unsuspecting brides, like this one, it's love of his Jeep! I couldn't resist. Kerry found this online today. I think it is simply the best Jeep Cake Topper ever! And truly a statement on some of our more obsessed Jeep friends!

Now that Go Topless Day is behind us, we didn't have anything to look forward to, until we got invited up to Steve's! Steve and Sean up at Steve's Jeep Country in NH are putting on a big event at the end of the month filled with activities for you AND your Jeep. I hear there will be a few rock piles, an RTI Ramp and a 40 foot mud hole! They've got a lot of land up there so there will also be some trails for you to ride.

Should be plenty of things to do and another excuse to take the Jeep out for the day. If you are in the MA / NH / VT area, mark your calendar for May 31st and check it out...

Steve's Jeep Country Open House May 31st

I just paid up on a bet I lost. I bet Tim (a co-worker) that there wouldn't be any trailered rigs at our Go Topless Day. He said there would be. I guess I figured that for our first show, it would be more of the stock Jeeps (like what I drive) and less of the trail rigs. And that no one would go the extra mile to tow a trail rig. Boy, was I wrong. I should have remembered, we are Jeepers! And despite the fact that I lost $5.00, I am just very pleased that we got the turnout we did and that some Jeep folks were up for it enough to bring their tow rig and trailer and Jeep. Thanks guys!

We counted up our "admit one" ticket stubs and it looks like we had 93 Jeeps stop in to Lancaster, MA on May 3rd. (Including 3 Jeeps that came in on trailers!) Go have an extra snack at the lunch truck on me, Tim!

Unbelievable response to Go Topless Day. Our inbox is full of photos from everyone that had a good time taking the top off their Jeeps and celebrating the sheer joy of a topless Jeep. I'd call it "unbridled enthusiasm" or absolute craziness. (You choose.) In any case, we'll be posting lots of photos over the next week and after that picking our top 5 favorite photos for the $50 Gift Certificates to http://www.allthingsjeep.com/.

Our photo album has been started. Here it is:

Worldwide Go Topless Day Photo Album

If you view the album in "Gallery" mode, you can vote on your favorite photos by giving them a "thumbs up". Here's a sampling of the awesome photos you'll find inside the album.

A crazy Jeep store owner. A sawzall. An old XJ. Go Topless Day. Put it all together and what do you get?  You get a topless Jeep Cherokee, joining in the spirit of Go Topless Day. Sure, it's a stunt. But it sounds like a heck of a good stunt, so we'll do it!

It's at our Lancaster, MA Go Topless Day around 1:30ish PM tomorrow, Saturday May 3rd.