TJ daily driver quandary

[TheBoogieman]

Man I’m sorry about the job situation. I understand. Yea that’s the thing believe it or not that really makes me want to keep it. Jobs are so insecure now. If I lost my job no question jeep is the way to be. Your daughter is lucky. Good dad.

Thanks. Everything happens for a reason. Somebody told me it's God's plan. I asked them if his plan was to punish me?
p.s. She's my wife's daughter from her 1st husband. Her own dad wouldn't help her out, so I am. I just finished replacing the brakes and rotors in it this morning early.

 

[RAC02]

That’s awesome. I don’t feel there is a age where a tj is inappropriate at all. To be honest I feel people 60 and up should want to have one (given the real history of the Wrangler). I do see lots of older people than me driving their tj all the time. It originated way back when and to me it’s fitting. I guess all my neighbors driving their F150 tundras and so on and me putting down the road sometimes creeps in but fixing it up could be the fix to that. I live in Florida so top down weather is around 9 months out of the year lol

I’ve had it around 5 years. So not a real long time. Long enough to really get to know it though. I’ve done quite a bit to it but transmission and engine have nothing. Other than a new clutch in 2021

 

[RAC02]

Thanks. Everything happens for a reason. Somebody told me it's God's plan. I asked them if his plan was to punish me?
p.s. She's my wife's daughter from her 1st husband. Her own dad wouldn't help her out, so I am. I just finished replacing the brakes and rotors in it this morning early.

Yea I read that but you are one of her dads for sure, making that sacrifice.

 

[Shank]

I really don't see TJ's as younger people's vehicles anymore, besides the beater ones. I am 27 and cannot remember recently someone near my age driving a clean TJ.

 

[MikekiM]

That’s awesome. I don’t feel there is a age where a tj is inappropriate at all. To be honest I feel people 60 and up should want to have one (given the real history of the Wrangler). I do see lots of older people than me driving their tj all the time. It originated way back when and to me it’s fitting. I guess all my neighbors driving their F150 tundras and so on and me putting down the road sometimes creeps in but fixing it up could be the fix to that. I live in Florida so top down weather is around 9 months out of the year lol

I drove a few JKs prior. A WJ and XJ as well. But I also drove a few big high power euro’s. I chose the TJ because it is the antithesis of the pocket rockets. And here in NY JKs, JKUs, JLs and JTs are everywhere. No less than a handful at every traffic light and every highway. And they are all buttoned up to the gills with top and doors on and windows rolled up with AC on. And with mom’s driving them.

Tacoma’s are probably the next most popular. F150’s and Bronco’s likely next in order. I don’t know.

I have three Jeeps on the road right now.. wife and daughter drive the Cherokee and Liberty. Even at home in my driveway I stand out like a sore thumb.

 

[Claytone]

Sounds like you’re probably keeping the TJ. I’d say that’s a good call.

One thing to remember about high mile vehicles: all the interior components have long use on them also. Do you want to start replacing seat track motors, blend door motors, evaporators, window motors, heater cores, body control modules, etc on a Yota? Those parts are spendy.
The TJ doesn’t have a lot of those things to fail, and the ones it does have are cheap, so that’s a plus.

 

[Murf926]

I’m 41 years old and still love the jeep. But it’s my daily driver. Am I getting too old to be driving in my jeep as a daily driver is the other question I’m having. I don’t know why I’m questioning that but just curious is their a age where you stick out like a sore thumb driving one?

Pfft...I'm 60 and drive my TJ pretty much everywhere I go, and in the summertime, it doesn't have doors or windows on it (only a safari top because I like shade). I've had it since it was new and it's my favorite vehicle I've ever owned (including 68 Charger, 66 LeMans, 74 Porsche 914, 96 Trans Am convertible, among others). Sticking out like a sore thumb would only matter if I gave a shit about what others think about me. Life's short. Drive whatever puts a smile on your face.

By the way, my only other drive options are my wife's Civic Si or a soul sucking Chrysler minivan that we bought for road trips, so it's really a no brainer for me.

 

[RAC02]

Sounds like you’re probably keeping the TJ. I’d say that’s a good call.

One thing to remember about high mile vehicles: all the interior components have long use on them also. Do you want to start replacing seat track motors, blend door motors, evaporators, window motors, heater cores, body control modules, etc on a Yota? Those parts are spendy.
The TJ doesn’t have a lot of those things to fail, and the ones it does have are cheap, so that’s a plus.

Very good point!

 

[RAC02]

I really don't see TJ's as younger people's vehicles anymore, besides the beater ones. I am 27 and cannot remember recently someone near my age driving a clean TJ.

Yea well I have a good frame and body. I ordered an exhaust manifold and need to change my diff fluids, but other than the piston slap and the load manifold leak. It’s pretty clean. And I agree, I feel the CJ’ s and TJ’s are more of an older persons jeep. They are constantly going up in value as well.

 

[RAC02]

Sounds like you’re probably keeping the TJ. I’d say that’s a good call.

One thing to remember about high mile vehicles: all the interior components have long use on them also. Do you want to start replacing seat track motors, blend door motors, evaporators, window motors, heater cores, body control modules, etc on a Yota? Those parts are spendy.
The TJ doesn’t have a lot of those things to fail, and the ones it does have are cheap, so that’s a plus.

Yea I’m 100 percent leaning toward keeping this and fixing it up. All the points you made are correct.

 

[B1Toad]

is their a age where you stick out like a sore thumb driving one?

And all this time I thought people were staring because they were admiring my Jeep

 

[Murf926]

Sounds like you’re probably keeping the TJ. I’d say that’s a good call.

One thing to remember about high mile vehicles: all the interior components have long use on them also. Do you want to start replacing seat track motors, blend door motors, evaporators, window motors, heater cores, body control modules, etc on a Yota? Those parts are spendy.
The TJ doesn’t have a lot of those things to fail, and the ones it does have are cheap, so that’s a plus.

My younger son was really fixated on my older sons new to him TJ because it has window cranks. He had never seen those before. I told him window cranks and AC are rich guy luxuries. I have to unzip my windows, but I take them completely off (along with doors and rear windows) to cool down when the weather gets hot.

 

[RAC02]

My younger son was really fixated on my older sons new to him TJ because it has window cranks. He had never seen those before. I told him window cranks and AC are rich guy luxuries. I have to unzip my windows, but I take them completely off (along with doors and rear windows) to cool down when the weather gets hot.

Yea, the next true upgrade (beyond mechanical) would be half doors. I personally would love them. I have full doors so it’s all or nothing for me. Kids get to liking the “ life in the old days” once they see it. Gives them a change from the everyday ride they are so use to.

 

[Shank]

Not to change directions but how are you sure it's piston slap and not just the manifold leaking making crazy noises?

 

[RAC02]

Not to change directions but how are you sure it's piston slap and not just the manifold leaking making crazy noises?

Well not 100%. It sounds like bottom end. I’m going to drop the oil Pan to see what I find. I already ordered a manifold (not that expensive) I’m going to swap that because I know it is cracked and see. So really just a feel and a deeper tap than lifter it kinda seems. A mechanic listened and said for sure not lifters.

 

[Murf926]

Yea, the next true upgrade (beyond mechanical) would be half doors. I personally would love them. I have full doors so it’s all or nothing for me. Kids get to liking the “ life in the old days” once they see it. Gives them a change from the everyday ride they are so use to.

Yeah, I do sometimes wish I had AC, but I live at 6200 ft elevation and summer highs are usually in the 80s with occasional 90s and very rarely low 100s, but there is no humidity here, so even 90s are bearable with no doors or windows. I'm really glad my Jeep came with a soft top and half doors though. The only time I ever think full doors would be nice is when I have to zip mine up at highway speeds. That takes skill to not let them get sucked out!

 

[AndyA]

I’m 41 years old and still love the jeep. But it’s my daily driver. Am I getting too old to be driving in my jeep as a daily driver is the other question I’m having. I don’t know why I’m questioning that but just curious is their a age where you stick out like a sore thumb driving one?

Don't let anyone tell you what you should or shouldn't be driving. We have one life so live it.

Reminds me of when Honda introduced the Element to capture the under-25 market but instead lots of retired people bought it because they felt it was cool. Well I say good for them!

Andy

 

[RINC]

The TJ doesn’t have a lot of those things to fail, and the ones it does have are cheap, so that’s a plus.

I daily drove a '55 USA Spec 3-fold ragtop with a 40hp and crashbox, non syncro trans. Lowered, no A/C year round in the Phoenix area. Very simple to work on.

 

[B1Toad]

I daily drove a '55 USA Spec 3-fold ragtop with a 40hp and crashbox, non syncro trans. Lowered, no A/C year round in the Phoenix area. Very simple to work on.
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Nice!! You didn't have the swamp cooler in the window?

 

[suicideking]

There's no 'awkward' age to be driving a TJ. I'm 50 and go wheeling pretty often. There's a lot of people my age and older that go wheeling. Just figure a lot of the younger people can't afford to mod a Jeep.

I wouldn't buy that Tundra with that many miles. Don't think I'd consider ANY vehicle that has more than 100K miles. I don't care if it's a Toyota and is supposed to last long. If you don't know the person that owned it for all those miles, you can't be sure they were taking care of it.

If you like it, get it fixed. Maybe sell it and buy another TJ? Maybe a 4.0. I wouldn't put much money into a 2.5, but that's me.