• Welcome to the new NAXJA Forum! If your password does not work, please use "Forgot your password?" link on the log-in page. Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] if we can provide any assistance.

The "Jeep Wave" Rules

xxmidianxx

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Spring, Tx
I found this on my local OR club site. Reminded me of when we were in Hot Springs.



THE JEEP WAVE




Warning
Owning, registering, insuring, or driving a Jeep implies knowledge of and intent to abide by the following rules. Failure to obey the rules may result in your being ignored by other Jeep owners as you sit along the side of the road next to your stalled vehicle in a blizzard surrounded by Saturns, Yugos, and Hyundais.


Definition of the Jeep wave: An honor bestowed upon those drivers with superior intelligence, taste, class, and discomport tolerance to own the ultimate vehicle- the JEEP. Generally consists of vigorous side to side motion of one or both hands, but may be modified to suit circumstances and locally accepted etiquette.

Examples of commonly accepted modifications:

Top off: One handed wave above windshield or outside body tub .
Top off during blizzard: Shiver and nod, hands may remain frozen to steering wheel .
Southern/rural locations: Raise fingers from steering wheel, nod.

It's not what you buy, it's what you build and what you do with it.

In keeping with this cardinal rule of Jeeping, categories have been established to account for each part of the equation.

These categories are:

The Jeep Waving Hierarchy: Based on the vehicle itself. Takes into account the nostalgia factor, the discomfort tolerance quotient, and the amount of owner dedication required to maintain the steed.
The Modifying Sub-categories: Based on what you do with your JEEP.
Equipment Adjustments: What you build.

General Rules

1. All Jeepers are responsible for upholding the tradition of the Wave. Upon contact with a higher scoring Jeep, a Jeeper is
required to initiate the Wave, and continue the Wave until:
a. The Wave is returned
b. The Wave is blatantly disregarded
c. The higher scoring vehicle has passed by and is out of sight

2. All Jeepers are required to return the Wave, unless the initiating vehicle clearly has a negative (below 0) score.

3. All Jeepers are encouraged, but not required, to return the Wave to negative balance vehicles, and take any opportunity presented to guide and mentor them about their responsibilities to their Jeeps in the hopes that they can correct the error of their ways.

4. When unsure of status or wave requirements of a particular encounter, or unable to completely assess the other Jeep's score quickly enough to ensure that the proper Jeep Wave Etiquette rules are followed, immediately initiate wave. It is the spirit of waving that is most important so when in doubt: Just Wave!

The Jeep Waving Hierarchy (JWH)



Category A - Pre-CJ (Willys/Kaiser/MB/etc): 30
Category B - Pre-AMC CJ: 27
Category C - CJ: 25
Category D - Commando: 20
Category E - YJ: 16
Category F - TJ: 15
Category G - 2 Door JK 14
Category H - 4 Door JK 13
Category I - Cherokee, Wagoneer: 15
Category J - All other Jeeps: 5
Category K - All other 4WD vehicles EXCEPT yuppie Explorers: 0
Category L - All other vehicles: -5



The Modifying Sub-Categories (MSCs):



MSC Guidelines:

1. MSCs must be considered during all Jeep encounters, and wave patterns must be adjusted accordingly.

2. MSC 5 is the median - the accepted norm.

3. MSCs from 1 through 4 will increase score as listed.

4. MSCs 6 and 7 will decrease score as listed.

MSC 1: Top off; vehicle, driver, and all occupants covered with mud: +30
MSC 2: Top partially off; vehicle and some occupants covered with Mud: +20
MSC 3: Top on; vehicle covered with mud: +10
MSC 4: Top off during snow, sleet, hail, or heavy rain: +5
MSC 5: Somewhat dirty: 0
MSC 6: Obviously recently washed, but immediately re-muddied a little: -10
MSC 7: Clean, dry, unscratched, untested: -30



Equipment Adjustments (EAs)



Consideration must be given to the current mechanical condition of the vehicle, including all modifications for trail worthiness, comfort, and appearance. These are known as Equipment Adjustments (EAs). EAs are only granted after the work has been completed. We all have plans for EAs, but only the ones actually implemented can be scored.

EAs are a complicated category, and often difficult to appraise under certain conditions (passing head-to-head at 60 mph, when covered with mud, etc) but must be used to modify score when feasible. If a vehicle is so covered with mud that you are unable to ascertain any of the EAs, you MUST assume that the EAs, when combined with the MSC 1 adjustment, would place the vehicle in a higher scoring position than any non-MSC 1 Jeep, and immediately initiate the wave. Otherwise, EAs will adjust score as follows:

Engine:

Stock, Pre-CJ, Working Condition: +2
Stock, 8-cyl: +2
Stock, 6-cyl: +1
Stock, 4-cyl: 0
Replaced, 8-cyl: +3
Replaced, 6-cyl (replacing 4-cyl): +2
Replaced, 6-cyl (replacing 6-cyl): 0
Replaced, 6-cyl (replacing 8-cyl): -1
Replaced, 4-cyl: -1

Drivetrain Modifications:

Improved internal mechanical parts (crank/cam/etc): +2 each
Upgraded Transmission: NV4500 or Turbo400: +3, All others: +2
Upgraded Transfer Case: +2
Improved exterior mechanical parts (headers/manifolds/pumps/filters/etc): +1 each
Stone stock in a pre-1970 vehicle: +3 (for nostalgia and historical analysis)
All Comfort enhancements removed for more power: +2

Tires:

Stock or unremarkable: 0
Original Tires on Pre-CJ: +2
Slightly oversized (up to 31"): +1
Over 31, with other appropriate mods: +2
Any size, currently covered with mud: +2
Working tires 31" with original donut spare: -2
Low-profile: -10

Suspension:

Stock, Pre-CJ: +2 if driver can still walk after an hour in the saddle
Body lift: +1/inch
Suspension lift: +2/inch
Spring-Over Lift: +3
High-quality shocks: +2
Fully Custom fabbed Suspension +5
Lowered: -20

Other accessories/conditions:

Winch, heavy-duty, obviously used: +2
Winch, heavy-duty, use unclear: +1
Other winch, obviously used: +1
Little, chrome-covered, toy winch: -1
Lockers: +2
Upgraded axles: +1
Upgraded transfer case: +1
Each chrome accessory currently shiny: -1
Each neon accessory: -2
Fire extinguishers: +1
Block and Tackle, anchors, etc: +2
Ropes, straps, tow chains: +1
Tow Hooks: +1
Nerf Bars/Rock Rails, used and scarred: +2
Nerf Bars, shiny, no scars: -1
Heavy duty bash/skid plates: +1
Other protective plating (diamond plate, etc): +2 if scarred, -2 if unscarred
Extra fuel tanks/oversize fuel tanks: +1
External Gear Carrying Rack: +1
Multi disc-CD Player: -1
More than one subwoofer: -1 each
First Aid Kit: +1
Backpack, food, emergency gear (just in case): +2
On-board air compressor: +1
On-board Welder: +2
Girly, shiny chrome center caps: -1
Krylon home-made paint job: +1 (for realizing it's just going to happen again)
Blackout Headlight Covers: -1
Any little flippy interior vanity mirrors: -1
Children in vehicle: +1/each (for proper training/indoctrination), +2 if muddy, an immediate correction if not belted in.
EARNED trip stickers/badges/etc: +1/each
Unearned stickers/badges/etc: -2/each
Stickers advertising for other than 4wd-related businesses: -2 (except No Fear: -5)
MSC 1 vehicle in corporate lot sharing with neighbor vehicles: +1 per vehicle decorated
Correct mental attitude, seen or proven: +3
Windshield down: +1 (+2 if raining/snowing)
Bugs left on face/teeth as evidence of recent windshield down driving: +1 (+2 if more than a week old)
CB radio or other communication tool (for emergency only): +1
Hi-Lift Jack: +2
Flexible caulking to fill leaks and body damage: +2
Dogs as passengers, properly secured: +1 (sharing the joy of Jeeping)
Bringing a new Jeeper into the Family: +5
Extra Lighting, used for night-wheeling, not pastel or neon colored: +1/ea

Battle Scars:

Mashed hood, top, etc., obviously from roll-over: +3
Holes above glove box where passenger ripped grab-bar out: +3
Heavily gouged rocker panels: +2
Bloody seats: +2
V-bent front bumper from being pulled out of that REALLY bad one: +2
Scarred sides from those mis-judged rocks: +1
Any small parking lot dent/scratch still identifiable: -1
Other accessories bent, folded, mangled or mutilated: +1, EXCEPT:
See above, but said item is owned by your spouse: +2
No scars whatsoever: -3 (Unless Pre-CJ restored, then: +3)
New body due to rust only: -5 (unless a rescue, see discussion below)
New body due to damage: Previous damage points carry over (see discussion below)
Fire Damage (bubbled paint, singed seats, etc): +2
Limbs, Shrubs, etc attached well enough to remain at highway speed: +1/each



Disclaimer



Each Jeeper must interpret the rules as they see fit. If there is a dispute, or if you have a question regarding your score, I will be happy to give you my opinion, however, Jeepers are strongly encouraged to follow the spirit of the rules and Just Wave whenever in doubt.

Some people have complained that the Jeep Wave rules may divide Jeep owners. I do not believe this is the intent of the rules! All Jeep owners should stick together: hence we have the Jeep Wave in the first place. The rules are just meant as a bit of fun between Jeep owners and to acknowledge those individuals that have put more time and effort into their vehicles.

I did not create these rules. I am merely carrying on for another Jeep owner who could no longer maintain the web page. If you own, register, insure or drive a Jeep, then you should feel free to copy these rules and distribute them as you see fit.
 
Last edited:
If have anything shiny on your Jeep you get no wave. The dirtier the better. and ahh.....Patriots don't count.. I think that's about it.
 
If have anything shiny on your Jeep you get no wave. The dirtier the better. and ahh.....Patriots don't count.. I think that's about it.

Of course this applies only to pre 2004 Jeeps(unless its a JK or TJ) except the Liberty! :D
 
Oh what... I post a long post finaly and everyone wants cliff notes. There really isn't too much there, just got to look closely.
 
You don't expect me to read all that do you? Besides, I live in west Texas. Everybody waves at everybody. It's called being neighborly.
 
i noticed around here most CJ/TJ/YJ owners seem to think they don't need to wave, almost like they don't think its a Jeep. im on 4.5"s hacked fenders, beat body on 33's, i mean its not hard to see its a Jeep. the only waves i get back are usually from other lifted XJs, im fine with that.
 
i noticed around here most CJ/TJ/YJ owners seem to think they don't need to wave, almost like they don't think its a Jeep. im on 4.5"s hacked fenders, beat body on 33's, i mean its not hard to see its a Jeep. the only waves i get back are usually from other lifted XJs, im fine with that.

If you can't keep it in your pants at least keep it in the family... Or was that about some thing else?

I only wave at other XJs, and they are the only ones that wave at me.
 
You don't expect me to read all that do you? Besides, I live in west Texas. Everybody waves at everybody. It's called being neighborly.


You don't have to read it all... Just look it over and you get the most of it.
Sheeesh...
 
If you can't keep it in your pants at least keep it in the family... Or was that about some thing else?

I only wave at other XJs, and they are the only ones that wave at me.

ya i usually only wave at other XJs or the older guys in "real" Jeeps haha. but this morning when taking my son to school i tested this guy in an LJ lifted on 35s. Waved at him he looked at me like i was stupid, lol. maybe wondering why i have a set of hacked doors on an "Explorer" hahaha, ya never know. just cause there in Jeep doesn't mean he has a clue about them, i gotta remember that.
 
2437.gif
 
lastara
 
I'm rude and wave at no one. Besides, Jeep Peeps would look at me like I'm strange waving at them from my lil car. :)


A few months ago I had a guy in a Lotus pull up next to me and said he liked my XJ. I tried to get him to swap for the day but he didn't feel up to it.
 
Back
Top