To sell or not to sell? 2004 LJ

NYC-TJU

TJ Enthusiast
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2020
Messages
105
Location
Charlotte, NC
As the title states - I'm at a crossroads with my LJ and looking for some thoughts on the matter to gauge whether or not I'm crazy (well more than normal). Let me take you through it.

My LJ : It's a 2004 with about ~104K miles, and is in nearly perfect shape. It's my dream build and no expense has been spared. Engine bay: charging system overhauled/brake system overhauled/fuel system overhauled all original parts. Interior: perfect. Undercarriage: 5.13 gears, SYE, rancho shocks, core 4x4 control arms. 1 year old soft top (so basically new) as well as a hardtop now. Obviously the list goes on, but this isn't a listing. Just trying to stress how great of shape this thing is in. Oh and not a speck of rust ANYWHERE.

My dilemma: I hate driving an automatic, and this is the surprise to me. I didn't think I would miss the manual as much. This isn't a knock on the LJ, it's just that for my personal taste I miss my old manual wrangler. Not looking to debate which is better off road as that's a war not worth fighting, I'm simply stating my personal taste.

My thoughts: I've lightly looked into switching the LJ to manual, but that just seems to be a disservice to the vehicle (and dumb expensive). If this thing was a manual already, I would be buried in it. But as-is, I find myself looking at manuals with envy. This LJ is worth far more than a normal TJ, it's far more rare, and I know it inside and out and have it in absolutely perfect shape. We all know how much work it takes getting all the little things done, so having a rig finally all gone through counts for something.

So am I nuts for thinking about selling it?? Would it be foolish to let something like this go? If it's a gem and it would be absolutely insane to let her go, I'd appreciate that feedback.

Appreciate any of yalls insight.

(and no - I can't just buy another TJ and keep the LJ. Don't have the garage or wallet space for that)

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I was you, I'd keep it.
I've got a 4.0/manual '03 TJ and as I get older, I wish more and more that it was an automatic. Like you, other than the trans the Jeep is just like I like it, but if the right deal came along on a 4.0/automatic, I'd think long and hard about switching.
 
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I love mine being manual, but at the same time there are times I wish it weren’t. On a side note, can you tell me what seats those are?
 
Yeah that's kind of what I've been thinking. Almost like I wish it wasn't in the condition it was in so the decision would be a lot easier.

So, you have an LJ, I would think an LJ Auto and a TJ Manual are in the cards. You only live once, if you really like it better, switch parts, and you’ll have your TJ just like you like it
 
I feel your pain on the auto versus manual. Driving an auto numbs my brain.
That said, you’ve got a rare ride well sorted and that counts for a lot. As much as I want to say sell it and find a manual, the value of the build done your way exceeds the potential enjoyment of the manual. Keep it.

If you can find a manual TJ, add it to the stable.

Thinking it through further, I’ve had maybe twenty to twenty five manuals and less than five autos. Every time I thought I was tired driving a manual and switched I found myself manually shifting the automatic in short order.. it’s no substitute. I can’t get away from the love driving a manual. I always come back.
 
I feel your pain on the auto versus manual. Driving an auto numbs my brain.
That said, you’ve got a rare ride well sorted and that counts for a lot. As much as I want to say sell it and find a manual, the value of the build done your way exceeds the potential enjoyment of the manual. Keep it.

If you can find a manual TJ, add it to the stable.

Thinking it through further, I’ve had maybe twenty to twenty five manuals and less than five autos. Every time I thought I was tired driving a manual and switched I found myself manually shifting the automatic in short order.. it’s no substitute. I can’t get away from the love driving a manual. I always come back.

I hear ya. Never thought it would be this big of an issue. But I agree, it seems like letting the LJ go would end up being a mistake. Probably best to wait a bit, save some dough, and just buy a manual to drive in addition to the auto.
 
Not sure why you would want a stick.
It is so much easier to tackle the off-roading with an auto at least out here in the desert.
Case in point none of the Ultra 4's are a stick.
Just my option as I have been off roading since the 60's.
 
As the title states - I'm at a crossroads with my LJ and looking for some thoughts on the matter to gauge whether or not I'm crazy (well more than normal). Let me take you through it.

My LJ : It's a 2004 with about ~104K miles, and is in nearly perfect shape. It's my dream build and no expense has been spared. Engine bay: charging system overhauled/brake system overhauled/fuel system overhauled all original parts. Interior: perfect. Undercarriage: 5.13 gears, SYE, rancho shocks, core 4x4 control arms. 1 year old soft top (so basically new) as well as a hardtop now. Obviously the list goes on, but this isn't a listing. Just trying to stress how great of shape this thing is in. Oh and not a speck of rust ANYWHERE.

My dilemma: I hate driving an automatic, and this is the surprise to me. I didn't think I would miss the manual as much. This isn't a knock on the LJ, it's just that for my personal taste I miss my old manual wrangler. Not looking to debate which is better off road as that's a war not worth fighting, I'm simply stating my personal taste.

My thoughts: I've lightly looked into switching the LJ to manual, but that just seems to be a disservice to the vehicle (and dumb expensive). If this thing was a manual already, I would be buried in it. But as-is, I find myself looking at manuals with envy. This LJ is worth far more than a normal TJ, it's far more rare, and I know it inside and out and have it in absolutely perfect shape. We all know how much work it takes getting all the little things done, so having a rig finally all gone through counts for something.

So am I nuts for thinking about selling it?? Would it be foolish to let something like this go? If it's a gem and it would be absolutely insane to let her go, I'd appreciate that feedback.

Appreciate any of yalls insight.

(and no - I can't just buy another TJ and keep the LJ. Don't have the garage or wallet space for that)

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Don't be shy.
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To answer your question directly, YES, you are nuts for thinking about selling it. Sounds like you have gotten to the end of your preferred build state and you are looking for the next stage. You liked the automatic well enough during the rest of the build to keep going with it, so you do like it. A manual is just different than what you currently have and you are looking for something different. So now it is a decision time, what is the best direction to go to occupy your need for the next project? All of us long term Jeep owners face the same issue. If you really don't have room for an additional Jeep, then you have a few different directions to look. 1. Try to sell your current one for far less than you have into it and use that money to start your next Jeep. 2. Add a new Jeep to the stable and start a fresh build, because where there is a will, there is a way. 3. Keep the magnificent machine you have poured your time, money and soul into and pick up a second hobby that feeds your need to "project". Wood working, metal fabricating, (both) the perfect AR15, a girlfriend/wife, dealers' choice.... just to name a few ;-). In the end it is your call, but I will reiterate my first answer to your direct question slightly altered. YES you are nuts if you sell that Jeep. I promise you will look back on that day with regret.
 
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