Admit it, your rig is a "mall crawler"...

[vrtical]

People own 4x4s for variety of reasons, one of them being living in the rural area, on the big property, in the mountains, with up to 4' of snow at times, and far away from the pavement (that would be me).

This part is true. Our main DD is a Scuby and if that can't work then we have the bronco.

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[5GENIDN]

As I said before, people that do it out of enjoyment and hobby interests I understand. Most of them are not on these boards anyway. Not everyone that drives 4x4 is an off roading "enthusiast", right? People own 4x4s for variety of reasons, one of them being living in the rural area, on the big property, in the mountains, with up to 4' of snow at times, and far away from the pavement (that would be me). There are many other reasons that don't involve Moab, or the Devil's Pass (I've done them both in my H1 when I wanted to see if I can do it). Devil's Pass is off course too narrow for the H1, and I had a hell of a time (and expense) afterwards. But I digress.

My feeling from some of the pictures on these boards (not necessarily only this one), is that some young people are too much into "social media", and do it for "likes", and "friends". Bottom line is,....people that do it as a hobby, have a reason to buy (and equip) the best possible rig they can afford in order to enjoy their pastime. People that live in inhospitable terrain need that kind of vehicle just to get around, and there are people in the cities that don't need it, don't play with it on the trails, but enjoy big rig that gives them some other satisfaction (or compensation for something else) whatever that might be. There is nothing wrong with that either. We're all different, and there is no "right" and "wrong" in this subject. Calling people "mallcrawlers" (or their rigs), "posers", and such is not OK. Everyone has a reason (whatever that might be) or a right to buy anything they want and use it the way they want.

Off roading for "likes", and "attaboys" is foolish in my mind. I tried in one of my posts to divert the attention of the participants in this thread to "fakeness" of some of these pictures, and/or statements made. Pictures can be altered to portray whatever one is trying to fake, "likes" from the people one will never interact with in person don't mean anything, and "Internet friends" ARE NOT one's real friends. I understand that making "friends" on the web is much safer than having real friends (who often disappoint or annoy you) and need to be helped and nurtured as a friend. Internet friends are easy to make, and even easier to drop........just turn the computer off.

I understand everything you are espousing here, and I mostly agree. One thing I have found though is I think you get a higher percentage of enthusiasts on this particular forum than opposed to the percentage in the population. If you did do Bookface or one of those other social media posting places (I love the fact you don't do those) I think you would see that the percentages over there are rather reversed.... The vast majority of people wanting those "likes" etc... tend to be posting over there... I actually think that some of the "mallcrawler" snark is kind of a defense against their infiltration to this forum. This forum has their share but most tend to get driven away. You are right, you really do not "know" who you are talking with here until you meet them and get to know them in person. I think this forum group does that much better than what the less specific generalized social media does. A lot of people on this site do know each other. They meet up, talk, run trails together. People on this forum tend to have their guard up against the "Poser" looking for "likes".... so snark ensues.

 

[Danielsand]

I understand everything you are espousing here, and I mostly agree. One thing I have found though is I think you get a higher percentage of enthusiasts on this particular forum than opposed to the percentage in the population. If you did do Bookface or one of those other social media posting places (I love the fact you don't do those) I think you would see that the percentages over there are rather reversed.... The vast majority of people wanting those "likes" etc... tend to be posting over there... I actually think that some of the "mallcrawler" snark is kind of a defense against their infiltration to this forum. This forum has their share but most tend to get driven away. You are right, you really do not "know" who you are talking with here until you meet them and get to know them in person. I think this forum group does that much better than what the less specific generalized social media does. A lot of people on this site do know each other. They meet up, talk, run trails together. People on this forum tend to have their guard up against the "Poser" looking for "likes".... so snark ensues.

I might be wrong (I've seen myself being wrong many times!). You are saying that most of the people on this forum are "real enthusiasts" that enjoy off roading for the sake of it, and NOT to "impress" their imaginary Internet friends and/or for likes?

You are probably right in regard to the participants of this board (been here much longer than me), but then I'll have to question just one thing.........why does this thread exist? "Admit that your rig is a Mallcrawler". Why? Is it because "the real off roader" (IF there is a such a thing) is looking down on someone that buys Bronco (or any other 4x4) because they don't do "trails", mud pits, lakes, deserts, or have no interest in wrecking their 60-100K vehicle? Is this forum for ALL Bronco 6G owners, or just a dedicated "off road community" forum? If this forum is for ALL Bronco owners, then the snarky name calling should not be allowed.

I came here to learn. Mainly about the issues with the vehicle in the future, common problems, mods (what to do and what not to when it comes to mods), and the general vehicle information. Didn't come for "likes", or "bragging rights". I also like to see pictures of Broncos set up in different ways when it comes to livery, equipment, colors.......stuff like that. I already learned stuff I didn't have no idea existed....MEK "body armor" for example. I posted in one of my threads about the "hood fiasco", which followed by the "decal fiasco" (I didn't write about that, but it didn't turn out good....decal was too thin, and too old to work with)....so now I am about to install the same thing (hood hump decal) but a removable one, made by MEK.

 

[ChrisD]

As I said before, people that do it out of enjoyment and hobby interests I understand. Most of them are not on these boards anyway. Not everyone that drives 4x4 is an off roading "enthusiast", right? People own 4x4s for variety of reasons, one of them being living in the rural area, on the big property, in the mountains, with up to 4' of snow at times, and far away from the pavement (that would be me). There are many other reasons that don't involve Moab, or the Devil's Pass (I've done them both in my H1 when I wanted to see if I can do it). Devil's Pass is off course too narrow for the H1, and I had a hell of a time (and expense) afterwards. But I digress.

Actually, a lot of them are. I notice your join date is rather recent, so you've missed out on a lot of the history here. A lot of the people here were here before the broncos even started being built. I drove a Ram Rebel prior to taking delivery of my Bronco and it was fine/okay in the west desert, but I wanted something a little more capable.

Now, I'm a weekend warrior. I have a full time job, so I can't just off road for my life. 90% of the time, I'm determining a best path for something I'm doing with my vehicle or figuring options and this site is a great resource for that. For instance, there's a whole pinned thread with lift height and wheel/tire size combination information in case you don't want to run the stock tires. I'd rather gather information from the tech sections here and then make educated decisions based on that.

Since I do a lot of my own wrenching, this forum, and some specific members here, can save me a lot of time determining the right part numbers to order.

In the Utah forum, people will occasionally post when they're doing something in case someone wants to join in.

There's a lot going on here that doesn't have anything to do with posting photos and videos for clout.

 

[ChrisD]

You are probably right in regard to the participants of this board (been here much longer than me), but then I'll have to question just one thing.........why does this thread exist? "Admit that your rig is a Mallcrawler". Why? Is it because "the real off roader" (IF there is a such a thing) is looking down on someone that buys Bronco (or any other 4x4) because they don't do "trails", mud pits, lakes, deserts, or have no interest in wrecking their 60-100K vehicle? Is this forum for ALL Bronco 6G owners, or just a dedicated "off road community" forum? If this forum is for ALL Bronco owners, then the snarky name calling should not be allowed.

I see where you're coming from! I think you mentioned you were in the military. Have you ever been a leg or a POG? Same thing, just people ribbing each other. I wouldn't overthink it. I've been both a leg and a POG, but my veteran homies, we still get along fine, even if I'm not as infantry as they were.

 

[Danielsand]

I do all of the maintenance on all vehicles we own, just last week I changed front and rear hubs on the FJ Cruiser (168K on the clock). I am not equipped to change tires, and that's what Schwab is doing for me, but I do almost everything else. In my younger years I enjoyed "wrenching", not so much anymore, but I have "trust issues", especially in the area I live now (VERY hard to find qualified mechanics that don't lie) that's why I still do it.

I joined this board the day after we drove the Bronc home, because I didn't know much about it, except that we (wife and I) liked it. Owning two Broncos in the past, I knew they are capable, but didn't know any specifics. Now I do.

Our Bronc came nicely equipped by the previous owner (over 12K in upgrades), and him being the dealer's brother, did everything right (by the Ford qualified mechanics). I don't know why he did it, because there is no evidence of this thing ever being off road. Regardless,......it looks/feels/drives like new, and that's all it matters. Our driveway (from the main gate up) is good 4% grade, and being gravel, I can't plow it down to the rocks (need to leave about 2" of snow on it in order not to push the gravel onto the pasture). Once those 2" are driven on, they turn into ice, and not even our trucks will make it up to the barns/garages/house. That's why we need more than one 4x4 of this size, since we gave the Range Rover away. Wife works on the other side of the Continental Divide (drives there two times a week), and Montana rural roads are just AWFULL (and not properly plowed either).

Anyway,....I read a LOT on this forum, and learned a lot already, since off roading is not my passion, I won't be around much longer. I'm sure I won't be missed. LOL

 

[Danielsand]

I see where you're coming from! I think you mentioned you were in the military. Have you ever been a leg or a POG? Same thing, just people ribbing each other. I wouldn't overthink it. I've been both a leg and a POG, but my veteran homies, we still get along fine, even if I'm not as infantry as they were.

I was a Commissioned Officer (flag rank), a lot of "ribbing" in the Academy, but not afterwards.

 

[ChrisD]

I was a Commissioned Officer (flag rank), a lot of "ribbing" in the Academy, but not afterwards.

Ha, I was an NCO. Several of my co-workers are academy grads. Shame you missed out on the "real military!" (wink wink, nudge nudge)

 

[5GENIDN]

I do all of the maintenance on all vehicles we own, just last week I changed front and rear hubs on the FJ Cruiser (168K on the clock). I am not equipped to change tires, and that's what Schwab is doing for me, but I do almost everything else. In my younger years I enjoyed "wrenching", not so much anymore, but I have "trust issues", especially in the area I live now (VERY hard to find qualified mechanics that don't lie) that's why I still do it.

I joined this board the day after we drove the Bronc home, because I didn't know much about it, except that we (wife and I) liked it. Owning two Broncos in the past, I knew they are capable, but didn't know any specifics. Now I do.

Our Bronc came nicely equipped by the previous owner (over 12K in upgrades), and him being the dealer's brother, did everything right (by the Ford qualified mechanics). I don't know why he did it, because there is no evidence of this thing ever being off road. Regardless,......it looks/feels/drives like new, and that's all it matters. Our driveway (from the main gate up) is good 4% grade, and being gravel, I can't plow it down to the rocks (need to leave about 2" of snow on it in order not to push the gravel onto the pasture). Once those 2" are driven on, they turn into ice, and not even our trucks will make it up to the barns/garages/house. That's why we need more than one 4x4 of this size, since we gave the Range Rover away. Wife works on the other side of the Continental Divide (drives there two times a week), and Montana rural roads are just AWFULL (and not properly plowed either).

Anyway,....I read a LOT on this forum, and learned a lot already, since off roading is not my passion, I won't be around much longer. I'm sure I won't be missed. LOL

Actually I think you were the target audience for this vehicle. That use is exactly why it was built.

 

[Danielsand]

Actually I think you were the target audience for this vehicle. That use is exactly why it was built.

Like I said,......"we all have different reasons for that" ("Counting Crows" reference for the younger crowd). Ribbing is cool, joking is welcome, but without listening to the voice (or seeing the facial expression) of the person doing it, it's hard to discern who is well meaning jokester, and who is just being a ....well,.... you know the rest.

 

[5GENIDN]

Like I said,......"we all have different reasons for that" ("Counting Crows" reference for the younger crowd). Ribbing is cool, joking is welcome, but without listening to the voice (or seeing the facial expression) of the person doing it, it's hard to discern who is well meaning jokester, and who is just being a ....well,.... you know the rest.

You are absolutely right about not being able to read a person through text!

I struggle with that. Kids will tell me well you need to use the emoticons or some shit like that... I don't think so... They have their own language with that crap and I always worry I would be saying the wrong thing.... I struggle with English.

Way more than half of communication is non-verbal... and missing here.

 

[Danielsand]

You are absolutely right about not being able to read a person through text!

I struggle with that. Kids will tell me well you need to use the emoticons or some shit like that... I don't think so... They have their own language with that crap and I always worry I would be saying the wrong thing.... I struggle with English.

Way more than half of communication is non-verbal... and missing here.

It sucks to get old, doesn't it? The young people over here don't have a clue what we're talking about (I know I didn't back "then"). When your mind is still yours (same likes, same dislikes,...same person), and your body and face you can't recognize in the mirror. Even the voice on the phone is the same. I have friends all over the world, and they sound just like they did "back then", but when I see their pics, I don't know who is who. I don't take pictures anymore. Some women in town are hitting on me, telling me how good looking I am, and they are all in their 50s and 60s (that's what I call "Grandmas" and I am attracted to 30-year-olds!) Crazy. At least here on the "web" I can admit it.

 

[5GENIDN]

It sucks to get old, doesn't it? The young people over here don't have a clue what we're talking about (I know I didn't back "then"). When your mind is still yours (same likes, same dislikes,...same person), and your body and face you can't recognize in the mirror. Even the voice on the phone is the same. I have friends all over the world, and they sound just like they did "back then", but when I see their pics, I don't know who is who. I don't take pictures anymore. Some women in town are hitting on me, telling me how good looking I am, and they are all in their 50s and 60s (that's what I call "Grandmas" and I am attracted to 30-year-olds!) Crazy. At least here on the "web" I can admit it.

Could not have said it better myself....

 

[Go Devils]

I will be the first to admit it. My 24 WT is a mall crawler. Its just too damn pretty to get dirty. I wash it once a week whether it needs it or not...LOL. The underside literally looks like it came off the line yesterday. I'm not ashamed to say that I'm very hesitant to take it off roading.

Breaking that seal and getting the entire underside filthy plus the rest of the truck - makes me a bit uncomfortable. Especially considering how much this damn thing was lol. Lets hear from some more mall crawlers, let us know why you don't/wont offroad yours.

FYI, I have only been to the mall once in the Bronco. It handled great and only got stuck once (behind a snowbird trying to turn left). Next time, I will let some air out of the tires and put it in 4x4 to see if that makes a difference.

 

[Rydfree]

As I said before, people that do it out of enjoyment and hobby interests I understand. Most of them are not on these boards anyway. Not everyone that drives 4x4 is an off roading "enthusiast", right? People own 4x4s for variety of reasons, one of them being living in the rural area, on the big property, in the mountains, with up to 4' of snow at times, and far away from the pavement (that would be me). There are many other reasons that don't involve Moab, or the Devil's Pass

Most people purchase a vehicle due to how it looks and that it has the features they want. Someone may just like the styling of the Bronco and could care less about all the swaybar disconnects, lockers or any other offroad capabilities it may posses. It's not their fault Ford forces them to buy a Badlands or Wildtrack just because they want certain interior colors. It wasn't too long ago that if they wanted the 12" screen they had to go up to at least the Outer Banks and if they didn't like the interior they would have had to pay for a bunch of other stuff they didn't want. Sure they could buy a different vehicle if they never off road, but if you love the way a Bronco looks then a Prius isn't going to cut it. Let people drive what they love no matter what they choose to do with it. Life's too short to spend a good chuck of it sitting in a ugly vehicle

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