On my 2016 3.5L EB:
- New water pump
- New throttle body
- New coil packs
- Has the cam phaser rattle
- Has warped manifold
- Has oil leaks in three different places
- Still losing coolant somewhere
Andy
Looking to upgrade from new Bronco to older Jeep Wrangler TJ
- Thread starter DBow14
- Start date
On my 2016 3.5L EB:
Andy
My advice. Find a TJ and drive it before deciding.
if I was in Florida I’d let you drive my TJ or LJ just so you can get a feel for what you are getting into.
Previously I’ve owned a YJ and sold my 2012 JK unlimited Rubicon to my daughter.
For long trips to Colorado or Utah 1200+ miles the JK wins hands down. Especially since it can haul lots more gear/people and still have some creature comforts for the long ride.
Yes I’ve done these trips in a YJ, TJ and will soon take the LJ out west but the JK Rubicon is great for this. If you plan on localish trails, a TJ/LJ is the way to go. I know many people will argue that they drive the TJ’s and LJ’s 1000+ miles and are ok with it, but I’m no longer a spring chicken nor is my wife.
Agree with others TJ is much much easier to work on but new parts especially for Rubicon lockers are no longer available.
Good luck in your quest. You have landed in the right spot for TJ advice.
Yeah... I'm only $700 over that buying a 4k sqf 4/4.5 on 4 1/2 acres... most of the houses on my street are $800k+.I'm paying $1,300 for a 2 bedroom apt now.
OP - I would agree that you should look into '04-'06 LJ. We have owned our '05 since it was new with 8 miles on it, and the only issues are from spending most of the time in the hot, high UV S. FL sun.
I own both vehicles, a 2022 Bronco Wildtrack and a 2003 TJ. The TJ is amazing on nice weather days with the dog and GF but is more of a toy to me. It's better at climbing and has a lot more flex and wheel travel but running around town it will beat the crap out of you compared to the Bronco's IFS. The Bronco is plenty capable offroad for a vast majority of people, is easily tuneable with a lot of power, and comes with all the creature-comforts. I have had zero issues with the Bronco and it is a great vehicle but I cannot bring myself to get rid of the Jeep because I have a Bronco. It is just not as capable off-road and they are two competely different vehicles with a similar purpose built. Go with a 4-runner, or the new land cruiser if you don't want to deal with Ford as a manufacturer but still want a very capable vehicle for some dirt road action. If you need more off-road capability, the TJ is for you but you will sacrifice a lot of extras in doing so.
Tagging onto what @JMT said..
A clean 2004 TJ Rubicon or an Unlimited "LJ" would ultimately be the "golden standard" of TJ's.
The drawbacks are TJ is short, LJ is closer in size to what you have now.
Rubicon has Dana 44 Front AND Rear, LJ has Dana 30 front with Dana 44 Rear.
(of which I would argue that either way a Dana 30 is still stronger than what the Bronco has to offer)
When looking at the TJ's, make SURE theres no rust.
There's a few who would say that a little rust is not bad, or theres ways to fix it, but rusted TJ's from what I've seen come with a PILE of future issues.
Also as JMT said, youll be in the $17k range, for either a Rubicon or an LJ in clean condition, with lowish mileage.
There's currently a clean 2004 TJ Rubicon for sale here in Colorado for that price, with 86k miles...
Not sure of your willingness to travel, or your timeline, but this one just got posted for sale within the last 24 hours..
A clean 2004 TJ Rubicon or an Unlimited "LJ" would ultimately be the "golden standard" of TJ's.
The drawbacks are TJ is short, LJ is closer in size to what you have now.
Rubicon has Dana 44 Front AND Rear, LJ has Dana 30 front with Dana 44 Rear.
(of which I would argue that either way a Dana 30 is still stronger than what the Bronco has to offer)
When looking at the TJ's, make SURE theres no rust.
There's a few who would say that a little rust is not bad, or theres ways to fix it, but rusted TJ's from what I've seen come with a PILE of future issues.
Also as JMT said, youll be in the $17k range, for either a Rubicon or an LJ in clean condition, with lowish mileage.
There's currently a clean 2004 TJ Rubicon for sale here in Colorado for that price, with 86k miles...
Not sure of your willingness to travel, or your timeline, but this one just got posted for sale within the last 24 hours..
Understood, I have owned Fords nearly exclusively (at least for me) and now my wife has had two Flex a 2009 and a 2018. I've had mostly pick-ups and a few Mustangs earlier. I have always had good service from them. However, I think the company is under poor management. I mean even their CEO came out and said it and they are three years running as the top recall manufacturer. I wish those facts weren't true but they were. I've already had to get the Chinese manual transmission fixed because of a TSB, which took three times longer than they said. Out of the past twelve months, it's (Bronco) been down 4 months where I can't drive it, at the dealer. I have never had an experience like this especially on a new car. We love our F-150 and Flex, but the Bronco has been a huge disappointment. It drives great on both the road and off-road, but that's only when it's not in the shop. Now Ford is trying to say a powertrain failure is not on them
. As far as getting what you want and paying more, I agree with you. I'd rather pay a little extra and get exactly what I want and not settle. I did that with my Bronco. Had to have 2 door, manual Badlands, with no creature comforts to make it cheaper and for less stuff to break. Good idea but it didn't work out that way. I'm still working with Ford, I am just starting to have a lot less confidence in their newer vehicles.
LONGJP2
TJ Expert
I've heard the opposite.
The new Bronco is a much better driving experience than a new Jeep.
This is true, and also to be expected when talking IFS vs Solid Front.
IFS will almost always provide a better driving experience than a solid axle, unless talking about offroad.
(I mean ACTUAL offroading, not mild trails here and there)
Mother in-law has a new JL, and she is now in the market of selling it in favor of the new Bronco.
Although the JL is more capable offroad, She doesn't do any sort of substantial offroading herself, so unless she's convinced to take it to the trails it's primarily a street/"sightseeing" vehicle for their RV travelling.
At which point the Bronco just simply handles those needs better.
For me this is a benefit. I was on a 12,000ft trail in Colorado last summer and I had to get out of the way for three Gladiators coming uphill. I sat and watched them do multi-point turns to get around a tight bend, then I just swung around it in my TJ in one go and was on my way.
Andy
My TJ was a daily for a lot of years. With 5.13 gears I have no issue holding 60 mph going up to the Eisenhower Tunnels on Loveland Pass (11k+ feet).
Depends on what you mean by "drive". I should have been more specific. The Jeep works far better off road and drives almost as good on the street. I've driven both the new JL, Gladiator, and Bronco for weeks at a time. The Bronco does have the best street manners, but the JL is so much nicer driving then a TJ that it's silly.
For me this is a benefit. I was on a 12,000ft trail in Colorado last summer and I had to get out of the way for three Gladiators coming uphill. I sat and watched them do multi-point turns to get around a tight bend, then I just swung around it in my TJ in one go and was on my way.
And that, along with breakover angle, are about the extent of the 'benefits' of a short-wheelbase platform.
For someone who is concerned about tight/technical wheeling, this is huge. BUT...
I'm only assuming, in the fact that OP bought a 2022 Bronco, tight & technical trails aren't the main concern.
The answer is the cream of the TJ crop ... either a 2004 Rubicon or a 2004 TJ-U (LJ) depending on how the OP wants to use it. Its a shame they didn't make an 04 LJ Rubicon.
Last edited:
I've always been a ford man too. I had 3 Pintos ,a falcon, 3 mavericks, f100,f150, 250 and a 350. And a few others, I still have a 70 mustang. My father in law retired from Ford assembly plant in hapeville ga. You get the idea. We bought a 2019 edge, brand new, drove it 40,000 miles. It blew a head gasket. Ford replaced the entire engine, under warranty. Less than 200 miles on the new engine, it blew another one. The service manager told me that this a very common problem across the line. Including all car, truck, and suv vehicles. Soured us on ford's, they used, used to be the best. No longer!
Maybe I missed something here. Chrysler will not support the TJ anymore that what you've said about Ford and the Bronco. For the TJ, factory parts are, largely, a thing of the past and the platform is a dinosaur, by today's daily driving standards. That said, there is something to be said for the simplicity of the TJ. As was stated earlier, drive one first, then try to picture yourself doing so on a daily basis. I could be a minority here, but many of us drive a TJ because basic function is far more important than form.
Last edited:
When I was a young man doing offroad stuff I had bare bones vehicles. Anyone here ever offroad in a 170ci Bronco, or a L or F head CJ?
I have and I still prefer them and would own one except for the lack of PS, PB and AC.
The TJ is a solid performer and if you want to own one long term, it would be a good idea to pick up hard to source parts when you come across them.
I hate being a parts collector, but parts that are not currently supported by Chrysler or the aftermarket will probably never be supported.
If you can't turn a wrench or are unwilling to spend hours online looking for parts, a TJ may not be for you.
I have and I still prefer them and would own one except for the lack of PS, PB and AC.
The TJ is a solid performer and if you want to own one long term, it would be a good idea to pick up hard to source parts when you come across them.
I hate being a parts collector, but parts that are not currently supported by Chrysler or the aftermarket will probably never be supported.
If you can't turn a wrench or are unwilling to spend hours online looking for parts, a TJ may not be for you.
deserteagle56
Member
What kind of RPMS was the engine turning with those gears? My TJ has the stock 4.10 gears and at 60 I seem to remember it is already around 2500 rpm (33" tires).
deserteagle56
Member
Yes. You'd have about 30,000 reasons or more to want that now. What a sweet rig.
We have had our 2004 Lj for over ten years and have loved every minute . The longer wheelbase than the TJ gives it a slightly smoother ride and the extra cargo space has proven to be invaluable . When trail riding we easily carry recovery gear , a chainsaw , a decent size ice chest , a medical kit , the "blue bag" of snacks and other odds and ends . While camping we've also used it to haul firewood .At home it's a great grocery getter with the rear seat flipped up . I also really like having the disc brakes on the rear , easy to inspect and change as well as excellent braking .