QOTD: What's Your Greatest Jeep Memory?

Today is a sad day for the most hard-core of traditionalists and an exciting one. As we told you earlier in the week, the last Jeep Wrangler JK rolls out of the Toledo Assembly Complex today, after which the line shuts down for retooling. But the end of 12 years of JK (and JKU) production heralds the introduction of a long sought-after model: a Wrangler-based pickup, possibly named the Scrambler, which should arrive next spring.

With death comes life, but in the automotive world, nothing’s eternal.

Now that the JK’s life has drawn to a close, perhaps it’s time to do a little reminiscing — not just about experiences in the Wrangler JK, but in any Jeep.

Sadly, I can’t claim to have ever had a plucky, go-anywhere Wrangler in my possession. Canadian gas prices are (usually) too high and an upright seating position wouldn’t do my achy, lanky frame many favors. Steph needs room to stretch out.

Moreover, none of my friends ever owned a Jeep at any point in their lives. Sad! All of my youthful off-roading experiences took place in either a GMC Sonoma, Oldsmobile 88, Subaru Forester, and one easy-to-lift Toyota Tercel coupe. Get into trouble with that thing, and two guys can just move it out of the way.

There was, of course, a Jeep that got away. And man oh man, do I wish it hadn’t. After the destruction of my Chevy Corsica at the hands of a wayward Impala back in 2002, I looked at two rugged and individualistic vehicles as a replacement — the first, an ’85 Volvo 240, the second, a 1990 Jeep Comanche pickup, complete with an inline-six and stick shift. Sadly, years of road salt exposure had left the undersides of these two beauties in terrible shape, and I didn’t want to inherit someone else’s looming problem. I can only imagine how much fun I’d have had in that Comanche (and, to be fair, the 240, as well).

So, I’ve clearly crapped the bed on this whole “Let’s talk Jeepy things” exercise, but you, dear reader, can no doubt replace the awkward silence with tales of Jeep prowess. Let’s hear some stories. What was your greatest Jeep moment/accomplishment?

[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]