TJ Wrangers - What to get?

[Cackalak Han]

I currently have a Tacoma that I love. Will be keeping it, but was toying with the idea of getting a Wrangler for some summer time fun with the drop top and all. I've always loved them and have been dreaming of restoring an old CJ. Anyway, I'm looking at 97-01ish year range. I know I want a manual transmission. I'm having a hard time deciding between the 4 and 6 cyl. My friends have had the 4.0L and they've performed great. One of my friends also had a 4 banger, and it was also a great engine. Personally, I won't be towing, hauling too much stuff (just people), or doing any extreme wheeling, so I'm thinking of the 4. Which would you guys recommend? Any particular problems with either trim?

And since it's going to be mainly just a play toy, I want to spend around $6k? Probably won't do any mods. Maybe a 2" lift, if anything. Maybe some 31" tires, too. That's it, though.

 

[Haggis]

If I had a choice between a 4.0 or a 4 banger it would be a 4.0 every time. My 98 Tj was a four cylinder and with me in it it it scooted around fine, except for hills. With just the wife and 2 kids in it and no gear, performance dropped considerably. To tell you the truth, there was no real difference in gas mileage between my '98 TJ (4 cyl)and my '04 LJ (when it was stock) with the 6 cyl.. Both got around 18 mpg average. Even with the gear I've added and running 33s now I still average around 16 mpg local in the LJ. Both are good dependable engines, but you aren't really gaining anything economy wise but giving up alot of driveability with the 4 popper. And another thought, a 6 cyl. will always be worth more than a 4 cyl if you decide to get rid of it. I don't know abut your area but used TJs have come down in price since the new Wranglers have come out and you can find good, clean examples of the earlier years for around $2500 to $3000 bucks around here.

 

[Azlugz]

Look for the LJ, the size difference is great!!! 4.0 with an auto is a great combination and at all cost avoid a dana 35 rear if you can (all LJ's have 44's).

The most important thing to get first tho, is a smaller wallet, trust me, once you have a Jeep you don't need the extra wallet size....unless of course, you use plastic, then you will need a bigger one to handle all those extra cards you will be getting to do all the upgrades!!!! :wings:

 

[JChatary]

SOCALFJ would be another good person to get advise from....his girlfriend just acquired a TJ that we're going to build up this weekend. They have the 4.0 (automatic) and they love it!

 

[Cackalak Han]

Thanks for all the inputs. Do the LJ's have the new V6's or the good ol' straight 6? Don't know much about the V6's, but I know the 4.0 straight-6's have been rock solid.

Well, I guess I am going to look for a 6. Thought the 4-bangers would have a bit of an advantage with MPG's, but apparently not. My friend had 33's on his Jeep and the power delivery was still very good (he had a 4.0).

Azlugz - So all TJ's come with D35's? Or is there a particular trim I should look for?

 

[Sam_and_Debbie]

Look for the LJ, the size difference is great!!! 4.0 with an auto is a great combination and at all cost avoid a dana 35 rear if you can (all LJ's have 44's).

The most important thing to get first tho, is a smaller wallet, trust me, once you have a Jeep you don't need the extra wallet size....unless of course, you use plastic, then you will need a bigger one to handle all those extra cards you will be getting to do all the upgrades!!!! :wings:

x2

Love my LJ the extra 10 inches goes a long way and the d44 in the rear is nice addition so you don't have to swap axles.

 

[grahamfitter]

My 3.08 cents: The early 4.0 TJ "Sport" models (like my '97) have 3.08 gearing which is OK for stock 28" tires but a bit of a struggle for 31's. The Sahara and later Sports have 3.53 gearing I think. The gear ratio is stamped on the diff casing. If I knew then...

Cheers,
Graham

 

[Jacket]

Why leave the family?

 

[Guinness44]

For family fun, how about the unlimited. It also rides better with the longer WB, plus climbs obstacles better. Most drivers around here by now have stretched their WB. If the unlimited is avail. as a Rubicon package, youre ready to go. (We had a 97 TJ and started building it, one thing lead to the next, we could have just gotten above, when done). Our TJ was a 4 liter, built we got about 14 mpg (3 inch, 285-75-16s, stickshift, rockbumper, 4:1, etc). I would actually get an auto tranny if we did it again, cant beat that on obstacles.

 

[TheGillz]

I currently have a Tacoma that I love. Will be keeping it, but was toying with the idea of getting a Wrangler for some summer time fun with the drop top and all. I've always loved them and have been dreaming of restoring an old CJ. Anyway, I'm looking at 97-01ish year range. I know I want a manual transmission. I'm having a hard time deciding between the 4 and 6 cyl. My friends have had the 4.0L and they've performed great. One of my friends also had a 4 banger, and it was also a great engine. Personally, I won't be towing, hauling too much stuff (just people), or doing any extreme wheeling, so I'm thinking of the 4. Which would you guys recommend? Any particular problems with either trim?

And since it's going to be mainly just a play toy, I want to spend around $6k? Probably won't do any mods. Maybe a 2" lift, if anything. Maybe some 31" tires, too. That's it, though.

.

 

[Haggis]

Thanks for all the inputs. Do the LJ's have the new V6's or the good ol' straight 6? Don't know much about the V6's, but I know the 4.0 straight-6's have been rock solid.

Well, I guess I am going to look for a 6. Thought the 4-bangers would have a bit of an advantage with MPG's, but apparently not. My friend had 33's on his Jeep and the power delivery was still very good (he had a 4.0).

Azlugz - So all TJ's come with D35's? Or is there a particular trim I should look for?

LJ have the staight 6, 4.0 engine. Like the others said look for a TJ(97-02) with the towing package, better gears and the D44. But if your just planning on running 31s there is no real problem with the D35, it's just when the bug hits you to start modifing it more. Then there might be some problems. On the other hand I have friends that beat on they're TJs with the D35 rear, lockers and big tires and never had a problem.

As far a LJ goes, that little bit of extra length makes a world of difference in it's useaiblity, but they are still commanding a pretty good price tag. 04 models are still going for around $17,000 in standard trim in this neck of the woods. They are wildly popular and someone is always asking to buy mine. Heck, I had a guy just last month offer me $2000 more for my LJ than I paid for it 2 years ago. I said no way, I love my Jeep.

I came back and added this. Heres' my old 98 4 popper, 31s, stock, no lift. It was a fun ride but I've never looked back since I got the LJ.

 

[maximumrob]

For $6k, buy the oldest TJ you can find, manual transmission, and 6 cylinder. If it won't be a daily driver, you don't need to concern yourself with body condition or even really anything else. Sounds like a great trail beater, to boot!

Otherwise, if you're willing to sink in a little more cash and can keep from modding it, buy a high-mileage '03 Rubicon and wheel the stuff out of it.



Have fun!

 

[outdoorsaddict]

The six cylinder is the way to go,IMO. Gas mileage savings is almost non-existent and the 4.0 has a lot more pep. Better resale too. I personally like the manual transmission,sort of why I chose a Wrangler. The "Sunrider" soft top is a plus if you feel the need to keep a soft top on. You can flip the front passenger compartment back without messing with the rest of the top if you want to catch some rays. I have both tops but lots of folks end up storing the hardtop indefinitely after taking it off and never swap them back and forth. Good luck!!