What is the Jeep hierarchy?

The Jeep Wave Hierarchy is determined by three factors:

1. The Vehicle - CJs generally top the hierarchy in this class, with TJs, YJs, and Cherokees at the bottom and JKs somewhere in the middle.

2. Appearance and Condition - The dirtier your Jeep is and the more open it is when you have the top off, the higher your rank; cleaner and newer Jeeps rank lower.

3. Equipment and Modifications - Jeeps set up for actual off-roading or improved with off-road modifications like bigger wheels and tires, lifts, aftermarket bumpers, body armor, and other modifications rank over stock Jeeps with no mods.

Overall, the Jeep Wave hierarchy is based on how well your Jeep fits the purpose of the original Jeep, and how much you use it for the things that Jeeps were meant to be used for. For example, higher-ranked drivers return the Wave while lower-ranked drivers initiate it.

Next time you see a fellow Jeep owner you will need to do some quick calculations to determine who outranks the other. If you outrank the other driver, then it's your turn to wait for the Wave. However, if you are of lower rank you will need to initiate the wave first - it's only good manners. Initiate the Wave if you're lower rank.

What counts as a wave? The Jeep Wave itself usually consists of a vigorous side-to-side waving of one hand, but there are acceptable variations such as the wave with the index finger done with the thumb holding the steering wheel. There's also a variation of the variation, which is a two-finger wave with the hand still on the wheel.