Back in 2016, I was a much younger Tina who only wanted one vehicle – a 2-door Black Jeep Wrangler. I dreamed of the Jeep Wrangler since before I even had my license. I begged to have a Jeep Wrangler as my first car, only to be told no. I was jealous of every Jeep Wrangler owner I drove by and stared at each and every one. So when 2016 rolled around and I needed a new vehicle, you better believe I took my money to the nearest dealership and picked up my very own, 2-door Black Jeep Wrangler.
It was truly a dream come true – especially living on Long Island. I wanted to drive on to the beach with my Jeep Wrangler. I wanted to pack my friends in that non-existent back seat and drive around blasting music. You better believe I did that! Owning a Jeep Wrangler means you are driving around arguably one of the most fun and capable vehicles available. Owning a Jeep Wrangler is pretty special – there’s been multiple occasions where previous Jeep Wrangler owners have come up to me and shared their past adventures they went on with their Jeeps. I’m talking cross country roadtrips, off-roading in Utah, off-roading in Maine, and everything in between.
Owning a Jeep Wrangler isn’t just about owning a vehicle, it’s about a lifestyle. I feel so crazy saying that because owning a Jeep Wrangler is NOT a personality trait – frankly it bothers me when someone’s entire “personality” is their Jeep. But it’s hard to ignore that owning a Jeep Wrangler allows you to do more with your vehicle than you could if you had a Honda Civic or a Toyota Corolla.
With almost 10 years of Jeep Wrangler Ownership, and many lessons learned the hard way – here is what you’ve been waiting for…
5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before Owning A Jeep Wrangler
People Will Wave At You.
I knew the Jeep wave existed, but people truly live and die by the Jeep wave. No matter what road you are on, country road or highway – you’re gonna get a Jeep wave. No matter what state you in, east coast or west coast and every state in between – you’re gonna get a Jeep wave. It’s a right of passage really when you give and receive your first Jeep wave. I’ll let you into a little secret – you don’t have to wave it you don’t want to.
Personally, I may get some hate for this, but I do not wave. Some people take personal offense to not being waved at, or not getting a reciprocated wave – but truth be told I am focusing on so much more when I’m driving than looking for Jeep Wranglers that are driving at me. I’m also a Crime Junkie and stranger danger nut – so I’m not going to wave to just anybody out there. Could be a hot take, but if you don’t want to join in on the Jeep Wave, you don’t have to.
Take Extra STeps For Security.
Until I moved to Boston, I was unaware of how frequently and often Jeep Wranglers could be targeted for break-ins. This is especially true if your Jeep Wrangler has a soft top…
Soft tops for Jeep Wranglers make driving around without a top easy and less strenuous than removing a hard top. There are plastic windows and zippers that hold them in place – this makes removal easy and storage so simply because you can roll them in to stay in even the smallest storage bins. …But since it’s easy for you to take off, it’s also easy for other people.
Those zippers can be pulled by anyone. Those plastic windows can be slashed and opened very easily – they are also expensive to replace! I learned the hard way to keep my Hard Top on my Jeep Wrangler when I am in the city or leaving it in one place for a long-term stay.
To be extra safe there are precautions you can take to keep you valuables secure in your Jeep Wrangler while you have the soft top on. This lockable cargo cover is a great security measure to have. Also this lockable storage container for your center console can be helpful when you are looking to keep smaller items secure.
Buy a SunShade For When You Take Your Top Off.
One of the things I was looking forward to most when I bought my Jeep Wrangler and become a Jeep Wrangler owner, was to remove the top from my Jeep and drive around in the beautiful weather. Let me tell you, it’s more amazing than it sounds – honestly nothing compares to driving around a Jeep Wrangler with no top and no doors.
But you know what is absolutely awful? Getting stuck at a red light and just baking in the sun with zero airflow and getting sunburnt thighs and shoulders. Driving with no top and doors is amazing, but when you are stopped that’s an entirely different story. Even when you park and the sun just cooks your seats and the interior – say goodbye to any mildly cold water bottle you left in the cup holder and don’t even think about sitting on your driver seat without putting a towel over it…
Alien Sunshade was a game changer. I wish I bought one sooner. This shade can be installed when the top is on and provides shade to you while still letting you enjoy all the plus sides of driving with no top on – but alleviating the issues that come from it!
Go To Jeep Events & Meet the Jeep Community.
What makes the Jeep Wrangler community so amazing is the people that are Jeep owners. Jeep Wrangler owners are so passionate about their vehicles – from outfitting them with the best aftermarket accessories to pressure testing their capabilities in the toughest environemnts.
I was so scared to go to Jeep Meet Ups and events when I first bought my Jeep Wrangler. I went to my first event in 2018, The Great American Jeep Rally in Connecticut – almost 2 years to the day that I drove my Jeep home. I have been to numerous events since then all over the east coast – I was even blessed enough to attend the SEMA show in Lax Vegas three times with my Jeep friends.
Let me be real and say there are some people that you may not like, you won’t get along with every single person that you meet. But I can guarantee that there will be someone that you meet and click with in the Jeep Community. I have met so many people through owning a Jeep Wrangler and some are my very best friends to date – they also live all over the country!
If I’d give you one piece of advice, it would be to go to a Jeep Wrangler event and do not be shy. Meet new Jeep friends and have fun!
It’s Damn Near Impossible To Hear Anything When Driving.
I think this speaks specifically to two different scenarios – if you have big chunky tires and a lift on your Jeep Wrangler or if you are driving without any doors or top on your Jeep Wrangler.
For the first – if you lift your Jeep Wrangler and put larger, wider, tires on your rig, it will be much louder than it was stock. The tire hum you hear can differ based on the tires that you purchase, their tread, and their softness & how they wear – but do not be fooled it will always be there. It will loud when you are driving with all you doors and hard top on. It will be loud when you are trying to talk to the person in your passenger seat. It will be loud when you are trying to listen and talk on a hands-free phone call. Frankly, the extra noise is just something you have to get used to if you choose to own a lifted Jeep Wrangler.
For the second – when you drive without a top or doors on your Jeep Wrangler you are quite literally opening up you car to the environment around you, paired with the wind, there is a lot of noise that can happen. I’ll never forget my first time trying to hold a conversation with no top or doors on – I had absolutely no idea what was being said and it made me realize that my passenger also could not hear a damn thing I was saying. If you are driving your Jeep Wrangler with no top or no doors, just play your music and enjoy because there is no point trying to hold a conversation.
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