To Badge Or Not To Badge?

[Dumpy]

Ristow says no, so what do the rest say?

[JPSwapMohn]

I like the old-school badges, not a big fan of the late model versions.

Also sort of depends on the bodywork and paint job for me. Definitely a personal thing.

[AlsChopShop]

if ristow says it, it must be true. you can't lie on here.



Al

[serehill]

I have an 80 with a rhino & late 60's badging I had them all powder coated black & luv it.

I think it looks great. It gets a lot of positive responses.

I couldn't vote my setup retro resto isn't on there.

[lunchbox1671]

I really like badges on 1960's - 1970's FSJ's.

Late 70's-early 90's, not so much. I'm not much of a woodgrain fan either, unless it was just the narrow strip along the sides where the Indian-pattern stripes are on the Cherokees.

Here's how I look at resto's and mods:

*De-badged and monochromatic or two-tone painted (and/or trim blacked out) = modern hotrod look (possible fad like big chrome in the late 80's early 90's??)
*Restored to original (with the possible exception of some mods like tires, small lift, performance accessories)= timeless, fad-less, classic

Either way looks very nice and clean on these rigs, but I tend to vote for the latter since people can't critique on your "custom" paint scheme, etc. Just think of ten years down the road when people start saying "oh, that looks so early-millennium...why did he pick those colors... blah blah blah..."

Original resto's seem to be greatly admired from a much larger crowd!

[scantar]

If Ristow says no badges...he's just messin with your head.

[chithead]

Badges. We need stinkin' badges!

[billyj7175]

I voted no badges...just my preference.

[amcpsycho2]

Originally Posted by scantar

If Ristow says no badges...he's just messin with your head.

X2,don't trust a thing that Ristow guy says!LOL!

[Michael_King024]

for me and badges "less is more" especially on the waggy's..my 83 was badgeless and it looked quite good with the faded black single-stage paint..the wag badges just look corny to me i dont even llike the woodgrain and if it wasn't such a pain i would strip it on the 89 too...on the other hand..i really like the Jtruck badges i think they look purty slick

[mattmopar440]

Originally Posted by Dumpy

Ristow says no,

YES

[drlocke]

I'd say it's your vehicle so do as you darn please.

If it were mine and I lived in the Southeastern states I'd probably put back the factory regalia for the model year.

Here where it snows and road salt is used such wisdom comes into question; the emblems and other trim hold moisture and salt against the metalwork. Smooth expanses of metal--free of trim, seams, holes, etc are your best bet against premature rust-through and resultant remedial expense.

If I'm not mistaken most emblems have bosses about the diameter of a coffee stirrer that go through drillings in the metalwork with palnuts affixing from behind. The bosses broke on one of my Jeep emblems on the tailgate. I have not reattached it yet, and when I do I'm thinking along the lines of making some sort of occlusive seal to keep dirt, salt and moisture from getting left behind the emblem to trash the sheetmetal.

[mud89]

I love the old school badges from kaiser, less the AMC badges

I know, i don't have yet a Kaiser truck

[fulsizjeep]

I like the scripted Wagoneer badge. I'll probably leave badges off my wheeling rig if it ever gets painted.

[Tad]

Originally Posted by fulsizjeep

I like the scripted Wagoneer badge...

Agreed, painted mine black years ago.
For the most part the ones I took off I couldn't figure out where they went.

[Ristow]

Originally Posted by Dumpy

Ristow says no, so what do the rest say?

did i say badges? i meant badgers....

the old scripted one are coolest.

[OneMoreJeepPlease]

I like the look of the badges on the grill and license plate trim. I can live with out the stuff on the sides though. Especially the one inch chrome 4X4 on the rear quarters. I think I gained at least two MPG after I removed those.

[scantar]

Originally Posted by OneMoreJeepPlease

Especially the one inch chrome 4X4 on the rear quarters. I think I gained at least two MPG after I removed those.

[blazer3664]

No badges, no jeep stickers, no amc anything. Then see how may times you get comments on your Bronco/blazer/scout/whoknowswhat before the whole town hears you scream "ITS NOT A (insert name) ITS A JEEP !!"

Just a thought,ya know, kinda built in stress relief.

Jim

[hookedup50]

None.