What’s with the ducks?

[Jeepridge]

Good morning guys…

So, quick question, and hoping there is an easy answer out there.

Why do some Jeep folks put rubber ducks on their dash? What does it signify? Or, is it just some “trend” happening? When I was growing up and for essentially all of my life I never saw this occurring. My wife and I have noticed this, and we have noticed something else too… up to this point duck people are generally not wave people. We occasionally get a Jeep wave from duck people but it’s pretty rare.

We just don’t get it. There is little enough dashboard space as it is in our JK, why would we want to use it for little inanimate plastic stuff? I’d ask a person in public but all of the duck people I see are moving in an opposite direction at highways speeds. Ha!

I’ll admit it, we are wave people and we are glad that many others wave back. The way I think of it is this… I am far more likely to like the kind of person who loves their Wrangler because I know I am the guy who dreamt of owning one and what it has meant to me and expanded my outdoor horizons (more so than my long line of Cherokees over the years). Sometimes you get people who buy things for a trend, but most of the time I think people still buy things because it “fits” them. So, they must love boulders, trees, being able to breathe, echos, mountains, etc. That’s kind of a joke with truth in it because of this video:

Anyhow, just trying to get a bead on the duck situation and what it means. What might crack me up completely is the response of “We really have no idea.” Hahaha!

Our Wrangler came from a duck person. The dealership threw them all away and left the adhesive on the dash. I asked what all the little dots of adhesive was and was told about what they did. They were unable to remove it. I got it home and worked for quite a bit of time with TotalClean and a nylon scraper to remove essentially all of it.

Have a great Sunday and thanks for your time…


Jason

 

[JeepJeezy]

If someone thinks your Jeep is "cool" they'll put a duck on your Jeep somewhere. The proud people keep all their ducks in a row and show them off. They think it's ducking cool. My wife and daughter love the idea. I could care less either way. My life if chaos so there's no reason to keep all my ducks in a row either. I'll keep 1 or 2 in the glove box to make them happy when they see a "cool" Jeep. As far as waiving, it's a mix of duckers waive and non duckers don't and vice versa.

 

[mindi]

Good morning guys…

So, quick question, and hoping there is an easy answer out there.

Why do some Jeep folks put rubber ducks on their dash? What does it signify? Or, is it just some “trend” happening? When I was growing up and for essentially all of my life I never saw this occurring. My wife and I have noticed this, and we have noticed something else too… up to this point duck people are generally not wave people. We occasionally get a Jeep wave from duck people but it’s pretty rare.

We just don’t get it. There is little enough dashboard space as it is in our JK, why would we want to use it for little inanimate plastic stuff? I’d ask a person in public but all of the duck people I see are moving in an opposite direction at highways speeds. Ha!

I’ll admit it, we are wave people and we are glad that many others wave back. The way I think of it is this… I am far more likely to like the kind of person who loves their Wrangler because I know I am the guy who dreamt of owning one and what it has meant to me and expanded my outdoor horizons (more so than my long line of Cherokees over the years). Sometimes you get people who buy things for a trend, but most of the time I think people still buy things because it “fits” them. So, they must love boulders, trees, being able to breathe, echos, mountains, etc. That’s kind of a joke with truth in it because of this video:

Anyhow, just trying to get a bead on the duck situation and what it means. What might crack me up completely is the response of “We really have no idea.” Hahaha!

Our Wrangler came from a duck person. The dealership threw them all away and left the adhesive on the dash. I asked what all the little dots of adhesive was and was told about what they did. They were unable to remove it. I got it home and worked for quite a bit of time with TotalClean and a nylon scraper to remove essentially all of it.

Have a great Sunday and thanks for your time…


Jason

ducks are great!! i like the black ones they blend in with the dash board color and are not so distractive i am starting to see them on other jeeps not just wranglers. wave, give the peace sign, or just smile it is all good!!

 

[Mopar]

From my understanding some girl started it during Covid to try to spread some cheer. It grew in popularity.

I’m not a fan but it also doesn’t offend me like it seems to offend some Jeep owners. When someone puts one on my Jeep, I either toss it or put it on the nearest Ford Bronco. I don’t have any in my Jeep, and won’t, but it doesn’t offend me when someone puts one on my Jeep. If it offends you, get a life.

 

[Jeepridge]

Thanks guys! I understand now and appreciate your time. Maybe one day I’ll have a duck on my Jeep, perhaps even when I least expect to find one! I doubt many would love my Jeep over another, as I am working hard to keep it as stock as I can, hahaha!

Have a great day!

Jason

 

[Jeeper Jim]

I’m older and retired, so it gives me something to do. Friends and family started giving me ducks from other countries they travel too, it’s just a fun thing.

 

[tJKrider]

I don't really have an opinion one way or the other. Everyone can and should do what makes them happy... Here's a bit more on the history:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_ducking

 

[Jeepridge]

ducks are great!! i like the black ones they blend in with the dash board color and are not so distractive i am starting to see them on other jeeps not just wranglers. wave, give the peace sign, or just smile it is all good!!

I don't really have an opinion one way or the other. Everyone can and should do what makes them happy... Here's a bit more on the history:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_ducking

How in the world have I gone so long and missed anything about this? I mean, it is bewildering to me! Ha!

Thanks again guys!


Jason

 

[Cimmerian]

I don't like them. I don't like the idea of people leaving things on my vehicle and the whole thing gets taken way too far. I throw them in the trash or recycling if someone leaves one on my Jeep.

 

[WSS]

I played the game for about a month when I got my JKU. Then I noticed a distinct click with duckers. I recently got a license plate that says NODUKJK. Hopefully the folks ducking me get the idea.

 

[WSS]

And I got tired of getting memes like this from my non Jeep friends............

 

[Jeepridge]

Well, thanks for the chuckles guys!

I’m not going to actively pursue this duck thing myself, but I’d be mighty glad to see a duck laden Wrangler coming to my rescue on some windswept snowy mountain trail too! I might keep one hidden in the cabin somewhere to hand out as a way of saying thanks for getting me home!


Jason

 

[Mopar]

Learn to laugh at yourself. Life is too short to be a grouch. Much more fun to laugh than to be grumpy at everything and everyone.

Let’s make fun of ourselves…..

 

[Lance Unibagger]

Learn to laugh at yourself. Life is too short to be a grouch. Much more fun to laugh than to be grumpy at everything and everyone.

Let’s make fun of ourselves…..

So I don't have any ducks on the dash, nor do I receive ducks as I like the Jeep in semi-stock form. That said, I have a box of ducks under the seat, and when I see Jeep that someone obviously loves I leave them a duck. I'll share with you this, I left a duck on the way in to the shops, and when I came out the owner was waiting outside her Jeep and asked me if I ducked her; she was so excited, and she asked if she could give me one - it was satisfying to brighten someones day with a 99 cent plastic duck.

Live while you can!

 

[Danarch]

Run from the ducks!! They seem more popular with JK and JL then’s TJ’s. My LJ only has one, that’s because my wife gave it to me

 

[Cimmerian]

Run from the ducks!! They seem more popular with JK and JL then’s TJ’s. My LJ only has one, that’s because my wife gave it to me

I think that's because most people who get them aren't actually Jeepers and just wanted an SUV. JKs came out with the four door model so that's by default the grocery getter for soccer moms and the like. Not that this is a scientific observation, but I always see that it's women with a dash full of those ducks.

 

[Jeepridge]

I think that's because most people who get them aren't actually Jeepers and just wanted an SUV. JKs came out with the four door model so that's by default the grocery getter for soccer moms and the like. Not that this is a scientific observation, but I always see that it's women with a dash full of those ducks.

Man, I’ll tell you what… we’ve had our two door JK for about a month now and I have to tell you that it has - at times - made me think about getting a four door JKU. But those times have been super rare, and I have - instead - learned how to do just about everything in and through the tailgate when it comes to cargo. If we ever have kids here, they’ll be easily able to get in and out of the back seat for years before we would consider four doors. I actually love the two door version and have already been in places and on trails where the smaller size was a real benefit.

We have to drive three hours to go to places like Macy’s, JCPenney’s, etc. we did it, and looked a bit like a car camper coming home, but heckfire we had a fun time, loved the whole day, and are still impressed by the far more comfortable “Sport” model interior than we ever dreamed of. This is a really nice vehicle to drive, and I still feel blessed to have it all to myself, rescued from a far worse fate at the hands of who knows what.

Maybe one day we might want a four door model of JK, but not anytime soon. I love ours, it does truly speak to me everytime I get inside after years of just running around the woods and trails in something more like my Super Duty or “soccer mom” type Cherokees (which are actually really enjoyable for what they are as well, I am not knocking those either).

We’ve both commented on women being more likely behind the wheel of a JK or JL with the ducks. I think we’ve seen one man routinely driving with a whole pile of ducks on the dash of a Jeep that isn’t - from the outside - that interesting. Perhaps they are nice people, or really help a lot of folks out? Right now the only thing I am considering doing to my dash is taking part of it out to replace the stereo. One thing I don’t want to do is damage anything or create and odd and annoying noises. But I’ll make a separate thread for that.

Jason

 

[Cimmerian]

Man, I’ll tell you what… we’ve had our two door JK for about a month now and I have to tell you that it has - at times - made me think about getting a four door JKU. But those times have been super rare, and I have - instead - learned how to do just about everything in and through the tailgate when it comes to cargo. If we ever have kids here, they’ll be easily able to get in and out of the back seat for years before we would consider four doors. I actually love the two door version and have already been in places and on trails where the smaller size was a real benefit.

We have to drive three hours to go to places like Macy’s, JCPenney’s, etc. we did it, and looked a bit like a car camper coming home, but heckfire we had a fun time, loved the whole day, and are still impressed by the far more comfortable “Sport” model interior than we ever dreamed of. This is a really nice vehicle to drive, and I still feel blessed to have it all to myself, rescued from a far worse fate at the hands of who knows what.

Maybe one day we might want a four door model of JK, but not anytime soon. I love ours, it does truly speak to me everytime I get inside after years of just running around the woods and trails in something more like my Super Duty or “soccer mom” type Cherokees (which are actually really enjoyable for what they are as well, I am not knocking those either).

Jason

I mean at the end of the day, people can get what they want. I'm just opinionated is all. I love the XJs and had always wished I had gotten one when they were still being made. However, my two door JK is my forever vehicle and I wouldn't even think of getting a four door because that doesn't fit my personal image of a Jeep. I do want to get another Chevy Blazer though for hauling and groceries, I regret selling my old one.

 

[pbzzzz]

Q U A C K . . . . Why not geese instead ? . . . HONK HONK

 

[pc1p]

Man, I’ll tell you what… we’ve had our two door JK for about a month now and I have to tell you that it has - at times - made me think about getting a four door JKU. But those times have been super rare, and I have - instead - learned how to do just about everything in and through the tailgate when it comes to cargo.

For me, the space of the JKU is a benefit, but not my primary motivation. The wheelbase on a JKU is about perfect for most trails here in the U.S (at least when lifted). While there are times a SWB/sub-100" WB has an advantage, I've wheeled on both coasts enough to know that the sweet spot of ~105-115" (depending on tire size of course) is a very happy and capable target.

I still want a stretched JK, something like JCR's "Crusader". At ~107" (+10" rear, +2" front) with barely any overhang and a near vertical approach angle, it would be hard to beat. That said, the 116" of the JKU isn't too much longer than a stretched JK and is a whole lot less work!