What makes a Jeep a Jeep?

[Nightpath]

Perusing the forums, a question popped into my mind. Seeing people call anything that goes offroad a Jeep, and people arguing back that NO! that only brand name Jeeps = a Jeep. Most of the people don't know much, granted, but it sparked a bit of curiosity.

How can a Jeep still be a Jeep if the engine has been replaced with a Chevy motor, the transmission or t-case being swapped, Ford axles and the like? Is it still a Jeep? I mean, the technical aspects would call it a Frankenstein.

What about another vehicle, say a Toyota, with a Jeep engine and driveline? Could you call that a Jeep? I've read about it being done, matter of fact I think a guy on the NS4x4 site has a Toyota with most Jeep parts.

So...how do you classify a Jeep?

[SocialWheeler]

It is a shallow thing... It's all about the exterior. If it looks like a Jeep and can go to Jam, it's a Jeep.

[Grizzly]

7 slot grill. ;D

[Deleted]

I think the general consensus is that a majority of the chassis has to be Jeep to still be considered a 'Jeep'.

[SocialWheeler]

Nope. Wrong. You could put a scrambler body on a 1/2 chev chassis and its still a jeep.

[crazyfrog]

This is access Nova Scotia definition of it if "your paper state Jeep then it is a Jeep", they are not going outside to look at it, you are asking the wrong question, you should ask "When does it stop being a Jeep and become a buggy?" The Dodge ram 2500 come with a Cummins engine if you replace it by a Detroit or a Cat is it still a Dodge. a Man with 2 artificial limb is he a man or a Robot, this debate come every year as we get closer to Jam.

[Nightpath]

I'm not even looking at hte Jam, it's a general question. I've been on a lot of boards looking at different things, I see Rav4's called a Jeep, old VW Bug buggies called Jeeps, just about anything you see offroad gets labelled a Jeep, that's why I was asking.

So the consensus is that a Jeep is called a Jeep because of it's iconic looks. or badging on the appropriate vehicle?

[SocialWheeler]

yes

[Grizzly]

I think what you're seeing is the generalization of a small "Jeep like" vehicle, 4x4 and used "off road".
It's like when people call tissue paper Kleenex all the time. It's not Kleenex...that's just a brand name. haha

[Nightpath]

Yeah, between that and all the modifications people do to Jeeps, I was wondering after how much gutting they stop becoming a Jeep, and more of a buggy.

[SocialWheeler]

That's the street legal line.

[shadow]

LOL...and the debate continues... ;D

[Creepy]

Jeeps are factory stock with GM steering columns, Ford ignition, Dana axles, AMC engineering, Renault labor and transmissions, New Process t-cases, Aisen-Warner (Toyota!) transmissions, etc, etc, and on and on.

So the swappage of parts 'should' have no effect on the Jeepness of a Jeep, unless you are a purist or do resto's.

Jam - (and coincidentally this comes up every year around this time, but you didn't know that, and its not why you are asking) needs a VIN produced by Jeep. There was a couple of years of debate on this matter, hence the replies thinking this was the point of you asking.

The Kleenex argument. Non-enthusiasts may call any small 4x4 a jeep. (no capital)
In fact, jeep was a GI nickname in the first place, so anyone is actually correct in using it, to describe small 4x4's. it was not brand specific in the early years of WW2. they were Willys and Fords, called jeeps.

IMO - any kind of a swap into any Jeep with a VIN, and its still a Jeep. axles, engines, drivetrain, accessories, a cut up stock body and frame, etc. If it came from the factory as a Jeep, no matter what the hell you do to it, its a Jeep.

I've got a nearly completed buggy that's probably going to have a Jeep grill, its not going to magically become a Jeep when I bolt on a 30 year old piece of stamped steel, to compliment the D300, the only other Jeep part. But it sure will look cool!

Kids will scream 'look at the jeep!' when it goes by on a trailer. Mama will agree, Dad might grumble something about his old CJ he sold in the 80's, and Great-grand-pa will rub his thigh were he took shrapnel thru an open door. ;D

So pick your favorite definition! the debate is endless.

[Nightpath]

Good input Creepy!

I think that if it looks like a Jeep, has the name, and has the offroad capability of a Jeep, than it's a Jeep.

[GOAT]

If You Get A "Jeep Wave" It's A Jeep