Help me decide: Looking at 2004 - 2006 unlilmited Wranglers

[misplacedinnebraska]

Hi, Looking for some of your opinions. I am considering tracking down a 2004 to 2006 Unlimited Rubicon Wrangler. I have never driven one of these. I have driven a few of the Rubicon Wranglers and in the last few days have driven a 2008 and 2012 four door Rubicon. I like the new style Jeep but its more money than I want to spend. My questions are how will the handling, ride quality and gas mileage compare on a '04 to '06 unlimited? Thanks

 

[reece146]

Night and day difference. Drive both and see which you prefer.

If you are used to "modern" cars you may not take to the TJ very well. The newer stuff handles better, rides better and gets better fuel economy than the older stuff...marginally... but it is newer and not as "quaint".

Will this be a primary or secondary/tertiary vehicle purchase?

 

[misplacedinnebraska]

Secondary. But the vehicle will be used for long trips. I have never owned a jeep. I have driven the TJ's but never an unlimited. Just kicking things around. I cant seem to find an unlimited here to drive. The newer wranglers are everywhere though.

 

[reece146]

The Unlimited TJ rides nicer than the SWB TJ. The extra 10" of wheelbase can't help but make it ride better.

Try to track one down. You have to like the older Jeep though. If you are "meh" on a TJ already due to the way it is built or size or whatever the Unlimited doesn't make that big a difference.

The newer Wranglers (JKs) are indeed everywhere. I know of several families that are not "Jeep people" but bought them because they are "too cool" to drive a minivan.

 

[The Swiss]

Secondary. But the vehicle will be used for long trips.

If the main purpose of the Jeep is long trips, I would seriously look at a JKU over the TJ Unlimited. A lot more space, more comfort and a longer range per tank.

 

[jeffjeeptj]

Do drive both. I had an 02 TJ, now an 05 LJ Rubi each with manual trans. I did drive an 11 JKU about 150 miles in the hills of mid/east Tennessee (Crossville to Knoxville and back). The 11 was an automatic, base model with stock tires. Total weight of driver and passengers about 925 pounds. All it did was shift up/down, probably 4th lock-up down to 3rd and back. Even on a flat, when required to accelerate slightly, same thing.
If you are going to pull a trailer, try to do that prior to purchase. My 05 with 4.10 and 33s is OK w/o a trailer, but with a trailer it gets tough. It is far better than the 02 with 3.73 and same tires. I should probably put in 4.56s.
I cannot compare the ride between the 05 and JKU due to my suspension. I will state the LJ is far superior to the TJ for road travel. Have same exact suspension in TJ and LJ
Not sure how 2012 does with new engine/trans.
HTH

 

[Zeep]

I have a '05 LJ Rubicon, and can positively state that the ride is far superior to that of a TJ. Hwy economy has only been around 16 mpg. (6 Spd.)
'05-06 have issues with the OPDA. Not a deal breaker just something to be aware of!

 

[SquareLJ]

I have an '05 LJ and prefer it over my friends '07 JKU. The ride is VERY dependent on what kind of lift you do. I know people who have a better riding LJ then most JKU's I've been in. Also, when you lift it, just regear it properly and it will get close to stock gas mileage plus GenRight's 30 gallon fuel tank you can go a pretty decent distance. I'm not gonna bag on the JKU's though, they are quite capable and will have better gas mileage out of the box.

If you were closer dude (and I was home), I'd let you drive mine as much as you wanted.

 

[jeepdreamer]

I vote TJ unlimited. 4.0 motor is the best thing jeep has come up with. The only down side is they seem to still be holding their value. Doubt the JK will be as strong financially down the road. Not bashing them, I just think they are producing a huge quantity of them vs the short run of the LJ. But even at a semi-premium you should be WAY under the cost of a JK. That savings could be reinvested into making the LJ just as you want it to be!

 

[misplacedinnebraska]

I found an Unlimited TJ to drive over the weekend. It really is a noticeable difference between the short wheelbase version. It was a pretty plain jane 4.0/automatic version and I would be after a Rubicon package. Overall I think that it could be a winner. Seems as though an TJ can be found in the high teens to 20 range and a JK is in the high
20's. Nice rigs just don't have the cash. Thanks for all your input.

 

[reece146]

FWIW, if the cost of entry into a Rubicon is too high then I wouldn't discount a non-Rubicon as an option.

The reality is that if this is your first Jeep then you are probably better served by getting a machine without all the toys already installed.

It is easier to grow into a stock vehicle than something that is already built.

Using the Jeep as semi-daily driver and overlander you may find that you never miss having the lockers or the 4:1 low range. I know that in my own case I very, very rarely have to lock my ARB lockers and I'm fine with the 2.72:1 ratio in my Cherokee's transfer case. I'm just not that "hard core" of an off-roader. The drivetrain in my Jeep is so overbuilt I could probably handle 37s without issue but I only run 32s. Not exactly an effective use of my money.

The "Zen of Jeep" is about getting out there and going places... too many people get caught up in building up or buying the ultimate Jeep.

2¢

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Having done the Jeep thing for over 12 years and watching every change in every model very closely, go with the TJ Unlimited Rubicon. It will save you money down the road and retain more value than any other Jeep model in recent years.

 

[tj cruiser]

if you test drove a JK '11 or older you should have felt how way under powered they all are. I almost bought one 2 years ago until I drove one. NO WAY, not with that powerless engine. I looked for a few weeks and found myself a 2005 LJ Rubi with only 21,000 miles on it for under $17,000. Fully stock and never offroad. The extra 16" of body and 10" of wheelbase over the TJ is sooooooooo worth any extra time and money you gotta spend. After reading all the Jeep forums and seeing that quite a lot of TJ owners wished they had bought an LJ over their TJ I knew it was for me.

 

[tj cruiser]

Before:

[/IMG]

After/now:

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

 

[tj cruiser]

LJ's float better than TJ's

[/IMG]