The Faces of Jeep interview with John Kistner founder of Baa Baa Black Jeep.
FOJ-[Natasha]: “Why did you choose Jeep?”
John: “I didn’t choose it originally. My wife wanted one, and we got one for her 30th birthday back in 1998. 8 years later we got another car for her long work commute, and I drove the Jeep instead. I never gave it back, I was hooked! Believe it or not, we didn’t even modify it much for the first 11 years. Our son got into off-roading, reading magazines, and that’s when the real fun began. His influence pushed us to do projects like our first lift kit, and he also bought his first Jeep, and we started wheeling together. He’s moved on to faster and bigger vehicles, but now my daughter & I enjoy the Jeep life together. All together we’ve had 6 Jeeps in our immediate family, probably over 15 if you count my sister & mother. They also love Jeeps.”
FOJ-[Natasha]: “How did you start Baa Baa Black Jeep? What was your passion behind your group?”
John: “When we sold her Jeep called “ChiliRed TJ” for the black one, I had to come up with a new Jeep name. Took 2 months, a misfire bad Jeep name & then it just hit me.” Baa Baa Black Jeep was born. The name is actually based off the 70’s TV show Baa Baa Black Sheep, about Pappy Boyington’s fighter plane misfits. People either know of that show staring Robert Conrad, or relate to the nursery rhyme, so it sounds familiar to them in a number of ways.”
FOJ-[Natasha]: “You have grown so big, how long have you been doing Baa Baa Black Jeep?”
John: “We started the FB page in October 2013. Prior to starting my own page, I just followed other pages like Canadian Jeep Girls, HappyJeepinit, Cop 4X4 and a lot of other Jeep pages. It’s really hard to say because once I started my own page, I started to research and find as many other Jeep pages as I could to find fresh content to share on our page too.”
FOJ-[Natasha]: “What is your favorite part about having the group?”
John: “I like to read folks reaction – that’s the reward & the payoff that I’ve found something of interest to share, to see the comments, or how they relate with their own Jeep & Jeep experiences. When folks say “Yes, that’s me”, “Ive had the same issue”, “Been to that destination”, or “I’d like to go sometime”, that helps grow the page. I’ve learned a lot about the “Social Jeeper” and its a challenge to find something to share worthy of their time to read. Of course I love to share our own experiences, but we try not to make the page about us, but rather all of us together. We aren’t just about black Jeeps, or JK’s, but I am partial to the one I drive today. Would I trade it in? sure, there are future Jeeps that I would definitely consider starting all over again, or keep this one and just get a 3rd.”
FOJ-[Natasha]: “What does the future of Baa Baa Black Jeep look like?”
John: “We’ve always treated BBBJ as a brand, building the name for community recognition, and a household name. At the dinner table years ago, my kids and I would talk about the Jeeps we saw online that day on social media, and the pages they were posted. Building a following has been a personal goal, and we’d like to do more swag in the future, shirts, hats, etc. Someday we’d like to have a product available in the Jeep market, or have such a name & following the product is a natural part of our page, that missing piece we’ve been looking for. On the side of our Jeep, and under the hood you’ll find stickers that say “BaaBaaBlackJeep Edition”. Perhaps that a little pretentious, but its a fun goal & reason folks smile when they see it today. We’d be honoured to be part of a named edition someday, take part in the package design, the looks, or functionality. That would be the ultimate reward. Maybe that’s an local offroad shop, or something nationally available, who knows. There’s no limits when it comes to Jeeps, and where they can take you.”
FOJ-[Natasha]: “What are your favorite Jeep mods you have added to your Jeep? What products and manufactures did you use?”
John: “I’d like to thank some of the folks that have been helping us along the way. SpiderWebShade has always been a believer in what we do, and share in that Jeeping spirit as well as my friend Jen from HappyJeepinIt and her awesome grab handles. BFGoodrich tires has been a great company to work with as a partner. This weekend we are helping staff their booth, and providing demo rides for Texas Motor Speedway – Offroad Ruckus in our Jeep. We’ll have ice cold drinks for our guests courtesy of Black Forest Gear & our new fridge freezer on board. The exterior is really looking good these days with Iron Cross Automotive fenders & Bawarrion beadlock wheels. We’re really proud of our patriotic USA flag inserted in the grill from Dirty Acres. None of this would be possible without the great service & advice we get from Truxx Outfitters of Lewisville Texas. Michael Wills & his team of experts are simply the best you could ask for.Other products we’ve added to BaaBaaBlackJeep include Trucklites headlights, Superchips tuner, Bilstien shocks, Bawarrion double steering stabilizer, & RockHard 4×4 cage for extra safety & great looks. In the summer we love the half doors we have from Rancho, again covered with colour matched SpiderWebShade skins. On the back we have a super tough Teraflex oversized tire carrier replacement hinge to hold the extra weight of the 37″ BFGs. It’s been a 4 year journey, a little a time. My son has been a huge help doing the little projects together on weekends as well. Thank you Natasha for the opportunity to share our story with The Faces of Jeep. We wish you the best with your page in the future.”
FOJ-[Natasha]: “Thank you John for taking the time to share your Jeep journey with us. Baa Baa Black Jeep in my opinion, is one of my personal favorite Jeep pages to follow on social media. It is an excellent example of how to spread the love and passion for Jeep to others in a positive manner.”
The Faces of Jeep 
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