Mall Crawler / Rock Crawler
What do you use your Jeep for?
Over the last few months, I have been reading more and more posts on forums and social media posts bemoaning and belittling people for having a Mall Crawler for a Jeep. I find this so interesting.
My Jeep is my Daily Driver. I happen to work at a location at a mall. So, I guess technically, I drive a Mall Crawler. I have tried to take my Jeep on as many trails as I can, but my work schedule doesn’t allow for too much prime trail time. But, I still get out. I don’t have lockers or a huge lift or even big, big tires. I don’t look at that as a bad thing. My Jeep is a reflection of me. I chose the color and the trim package when I purchased it. I have chosen and installed my upgrades. It is exactly what I want out of my Jeep at this moment. I want to do more upgrades as money and time allows. But, right now my Jeep is exactly what I want and love.
Instead of building a community of all Jeepers, I have found smaller divisions of Jeepers on several forums and groups. Why is there such a divide? Everyone has different needs for their choice in automobiles. Some need a working car just as a reliable mode of transportation. Some like a second (or third or more) car as a luxury item or show piece or bragging rights. For decades, the car has been a symbol of status and interests. How is this any different for a Jeep? I see stock Jeeps that I pass on the highway, I wave. I see lifted and modified rigs that pass, I wave. But I also see Jeeps parked at my daughters field hockey, basketball, and softball practices and games. They can be a great vehicle for the soccer mom. Because they choose to have that as their daily driver instead of anothe type of SUV, does that make them any less of a Jeeper?
What about the lifted and tricked out Jeep with the very large rims and very low profile tires AND chrome and light bars? No, they probably will never take that Jeep off the pavement. But, it’s still a Jeep. A very urban Jeep, but still a Jeep. Should we ridicule the owner or occupants or accept them and try to build a Jeep nation?
Does a Jeep have to have angry eyes or angry grill just like everyone else to be a “real” Jeep? Sometimes it is fun to poke fun at a car and Jeeps can fall into that category. But is it poking fun or FLAMING? Is it good natured or have negativity behind the taunts? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.