LONG BEACH, Miss. (WLOX) \u2014 Thousands of Jeep enthusiasts gathered in downtown Long Beach for the second day of Jeepin the Coast 2026, transforming the area into what organizers call Jeep Central.<\/p>\n
The annual event draws crowds who customize their vehicles in vastly different ways, from off-road builds to show vehicles.<\/p>\n
Preston Giberti said the appeal lies in the vehicle\u2019s versatility.<\/p>\n
\u201cA Jeep is like a Lego, in my opinion,\u201d Giberti said. \u201cYou can really customize and build and change pretty much everything in it \u2014 from suspension to seats to lights to almost everything around.\u201d<\/p>\n
For some attendees, the hobby has become a long-term passion. Chandler Culwell of Columbus, Ohio, said he bought his first Jeep at age 15.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a \u201992 Cherokee, and I just keep upgrading it- building them,\u201d Culwell said. \u201cI think I\u2019ve had close to 20 or 25 Jeeps.\u201d<\/p>\n
Builds at the event ranged from functional off-road vehicles to display models, reflecting different approaches to customization.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe way I see it, it\u2019s people\u2019s personalities,\u201d Culwell said. \u201cSo, you can do anything you want. Any ideas that you have, you can do it. So, like, with mine, it\u2019s built to wheel, and some other people\u2019s are meant for show.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giberti said his vehicle is designed for trails rather than appearance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI off-road a lot. So, I built mine for the trails, not to be pretty either,\u201d Giberti said. \u201cJust to get me from point A to point B without breaking down is the big thing, but to have fun is another thing as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said budget constraints often require creative solutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI ain\u2019t got the money to go out and spend tens of thousands of dollars on brand new parts,\u201d Giberti said. \u201cSo, you just kind of got to make it work. I got a welder, and so, sometimes you just got to weld some stuff up, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jeepin the Coast continues Friday with several events, including beach crawls.<\/p>\n