San Diego Jeep Club Every Name has a Story

By Kathy Ruddell - www.sdjc.rocks

The relationship between Jeep owners and their Jeep(s) is a real thing! As a daily driver or taking it to the trails it makes no difference to how much a Jeep owner loves their Jeep. Some have a love for their cars and even name them. But Jeep owners tend to take it to a whole other level! Honestly, I get it. The adventures and time spent together can create a bond. Silly, right? I mean how do you have a bond with a vehicle? The moment you put a name to something it becomes more personal. Yet, it is not just a name that creates this bond between Jeep owners and their Jeeps. It is the process of adventures, experience and growth of both driver and Jeep that builds a bond.

You start looking in anticipation at buying your Jeep. Maybe it has always been a dream, or it is a new dream. You choose your model and color, sometimes one or both are chosen for you due to circumstances. Either way you are getting a Jeep! You think about the places you can now go. After all you have seen the commercials. Desert, snow, mountains, rain, mud, beach, over rocks through water! Oh, the possibilities. Jeeps are the most customizable, upgradeable vehicle available on the market today. The doors and top come off and even the windshield folds down! The things you can add to make your Jeep personal are almost endless. The Jeep starts to take on its own personality with every added touch and adventure.

You may be new to driving off-road or just to Jeeps and perhaps a bit timid and just want to add some personal touches. You decide on a bit bigger tire like 33’s and some side steps, maybe a sticker or 12! You join a group like San Diego Jeep Club (SDJC) whose mission is “bringing together new and seasoned Jeepers to educate and promote safe and responsible off-roading.” You learn how to navigate through the trails with the help of your new friends. You are so grateful that as you were going up that rocky hill your Jeep did not let you down, it climbed right up it! You gain confidence in your abilities as the Jeep shows you what it can do. You realize you could do even more if you just had a few more upgrades. You watch more advanced owners traverse the trails and think yes, I want to do that! Can I do that? So, the next build begins. You go to 37” tires, new suspension and a couple inch lift. You start hitting trails with more obstacles to put you and your Jeep to the test. Then as you get even more confident driving in different terrain and over more complex and bigger obstacles you get more upgrades and add-ons to make it even more capable. Now you both are being pushed to limits otherwise out of reach. Here come those 40’s and beefier suspension (maybe coil overs), heavier duty axles, you change the gear ratios to handle those big tires, add armor underneath to protect the more important parts. The Jeep community loves to talk Jeeps! And sharing info to help others continue to grow and learn about their Jeep is a passion for many.

There are so many amazing Jeep/owner relationship stories to share it is hard to choose. Here are just a few to help grasp this concept that might be foreign to some.

ArcTrooper was named after the Advanced Recon Commandos in the Star Wars Clone Wars series. This Jeep happens to be their second one as unfortunately they were in a horrible accident in the first Jeep and it was damaged beyond repair. A sad day for sure and being without one was not an option. So, insert a new 2018 Mojito Green JL and ArcTrooper was born. ArcTrooper has been on so many off-road adventures from taking dozens of Jeeps on family friendly trails to completing the Rebelle Rally from Lake Tahoe, California all the way to Glamis California in the dirt with no electronic navigation.

Mouse was named by fellow Jeepers while on trail in Ocotillo Wells in the California desert. It squeaked so much it sounded like a mouse and it stuck. Sometimes that is all it takes to name a Jeep. Someone makes a comment about the driver, or the Jeep and it sticks.

Andrew’s response to my question. "This is Nikki the Rubi. Growing up I always wanted a red jeep. I would buy RC cars that were red Jeeps, and I always told my mom that one day I would have one. She always showed me that if you worked hard, you could accomplish anything and have whatever you want. I looked for about a year when I finally had the means to get one. My mom passed away right before I found my Jeep. My mother's name was Victoria (victory in English). In Greek Victory is Nikki. I don't know if that is how it is spelled but that's what it stands for."

Ozzy was based on classic rock and roll but there is so much more to this Jeep and owner story. Starla the owner had wanted a Jeep for a long time. She got Ozzy at the best time possible. She was really struggling with life, stress and emotions. Getting her

Ozzy

Mouse Jeep

ArcTrooper

Nikki the Rubi

Jeep and the built-in community that can come with that was a life saver for her. Ozzy and Starla went in the dirt the first time with San Diego Jeep Club (SDJC) at the 2019 Halloween run in Ocotillo Wells. Starla learned how to put her Jeep in 4-wheel drive and went over a rock garden for the first time. Since that day Starla and Ozzy have continued to build that relationship. Some obstacles she doubted they could do, but they forged ahead to conquer many trails in California. Ozzy and Starla truly have a relationship that is based on emotion and trust.

Freedom is a 2018 JL Wrangler Sport in the color Hella Yella. Rick knew at the time of purchase he was going to push himself and his Jeep to the limits. Even with that the build still progressed in stages. The first trail attempted was the very first part of Gunslinger at Coral Canyon where he turned around because he thought the trail ended. It didn’t, he just needed to build up that Jeep. It has since been on some of the hardest trails and obstacles in California and Utah. When I asked Rick why the name Freedom he said, “it encompasses it all in one word. The feeling I get knowing it can take me anywhere I want." And Freedom is the most amazing feeling ever.

Names are given or just happen in many ways. Like the feelings they evoke, the places they can go, the mishaps that can happen on trails, the unforgettable event that took place, the song, saying, word or phrase that you can’t let go of. A favorite character, a sentimental memory, a loved one. Sometimes it is as simple as the color that inspires the name. Some names are given immediately, some take time. Either way it is another part of the relationship progression. Here are a few other names that have been shared with me when asked what and why they named their Jeeps.

Rooticon - last name Root; Amelia - Pilot with adventurous spirit; Big Bully - owns bulldogs; Titan Uranus - cuz well ya know, lol; Halide - silver Jeep and does photography; Mighty Mike -after childhood toy Jeep; Desolation Row - Bob Dylan song; Crew Dragon - first civilian spaceship to reach ISS; Ariel - not why you think, he flies drones collecting aerial imagery; Mayhem - need we say more?

Ghost Rider - white Jeep; Porthos the 3rd Musketeer; Devastator - favorite Transformer; Momma Shark - her kids named it; WrongTurn - always lost, which creates more adventures; Darth Sidious - "The dark side of the force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural.”

Ruckus - old Marine radio call sign; HairSlayer - owner is a hairstylist; Journey - took over a year to find and it is taking her on a journey to overcome her parents passing; BRUJITA - translates to little Witch . . . as she keeps us spellbound to get her new things.

All these things make a Jeep personal and help create a relationship. But I really believe the adventures out on trails and at events are what form these odd but very natural relationships between owner and Jeep. You and your Jeep can do almost anything with your constantly growing skills and added components. You feel like you are on top of the world, king of the mountain, invincible! Me and my Jeep are unstoppable! We can go on adventures most have not even imagined. No matter the build the adventures are endless and through every adventure the relationship grows stronger.