1999 vs 2004 electronics - buying advice

[Nawkoutt]

hi yall,

First, thank you in advance for any advice.

Second, I’ve dug into the forums regarding my question, but thought I would ask in a more specific, or in a different way, so apologies if it’s been answered and I missed it.

Question:

Looking at a 99 with 80k miles and a 2004 rubicon with 30k miles. Both well cared for and no rust anywhere.

Which year of the two is least likely to have electronic issues in theory? This assumes both are mechanically sound, which it seems they are. I believe the 99 was the last year of a distributor before going to a coil rail plugs (can position sensor).

Only asking because I’m trying to avoid potential cam sensor issues (and other electronic issues), since jeep doesn’t make the moapr part and a $30 sensor can render the jeep unreliable - at least from what I have seen people post on here. I could be blowing this out of proportion, but thought I would ask anyways.

Thank you,

 

[RMETeeJay]

My 2004 had a cam position sensor issue, but I think I’ve only heard of one other. 2005-2006 have a different OPDA that is known to fail.

I would go with the one that has been maintained and/or has the best gear ratio for your desired tire size.

 

[ColoJeep]

hi yall,

First, thank you in advance for any advice.

Second, I’ve dug into the forums regarding my question, but thought I would ask in a more specific, or in a different way, so apologies if it’s been answered and I missed it.

Question:

Looking at a 99 with 80k miles and a 2004 rubicon with 30k miles. Both well cared for and no rust anywhere.

Which year of the two is least likely to have electronic issues in theory? This assumes both are mechanically sound, which it seems they are. I believe the 99 was the last year of a distributor before going to a coil rail plugs (can position sensor).

Only asking because I’m trying to avoid potential cam sensor issues (and other electronic issues), since jeep doesn’t make the moapr part and a $30 sensor can render the jeep unreliable - at least from what I have seen people post on here. I could be blowing this out of proportion, but thought I would ask anyways.

Thank you,

Interesting , we have a 99 and 04 TJ both 242 I-6 engines with 5 spd. manuals . Both have been reliable , over 16 years for the 99 and 13 years for the 04.
I like the steering and transmission of the 99 better. But either year will work fine . Have fun with your search !

 

[Gilaguy23]

Considering the upgrades a rubi has thats a hard one to pass. You'd spend thousands for lockers, a lower ratio TC and the like. Dont forget if the rubi is an auto their failure prone it. Good thing the mother ship didnt put one of their 10 speeds in wranglers.

 

[Nawkoutt]

My 2004 had a cam position sensor issue, but I think I’ve only heard of one other. 2005-2006 have a different OPDA that is known to fail.

I would go with the one that has been maintained and/or has the best gear ratio for your desired tire size.

Interesting , we have a 99 and 04 TJ both 242 I-6 engines with 5 spd. manuals . Both have been reliable , over 16 years for the 99 and 13 years for the 04.
I like the steering and transmission of the 99 better. But either year will work fine . Have fun with your search !

Thanks!

 

[Nawkoutt]

Considering the upgrades a rubi has thats a hard one to pass. You'd spend thousands for lockers, a lower ratio TC and the like. Dont forget if the rubi is an auto their failure prone it. Good thing the mother ship didnt put one of their 10 speeds in wranglers.

That’s exactly my thought. Rubi is stock and has the manual

 

[macleanflood]

I'd take the 99 just for the simpler exhaust/cat system. Makes fixing everything that requires the exhaust removed that much easier.

-Mac

 

[DuckNut]

The less wires and computers gets my vote.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I've owned almost every year TJ. No difference to me. I replaced my cam and crank sensors on my current 03' Rubicon with NTK and zero issues.
p.s. I want to know what SoCal pricing on both are?

 

[tnjeepguy]

Transmissions ? Color ? Hardtop ? Gear change ? Both are low miles, why ?

These are more important than year, I believe. Why not one of each.

(PCM issue in 05-06, easy fix for about $1k, no issue for 04)

 

[Mike_H]

I don’t think either year is apt to give you any more or less problems electrically than the other. Which interior do you like better? Do the lockers and lower gear ratio transfer case excite you? Or are they unnecessary? No wrong answers here…but be honest with yourself. I’m sure the Rubi is gonna be sold at a premium over the 99…

 

[MutantNinjaTJ]

I would go with the 04 if it a manual tranny, there has to be a huge price difference between the two, that would be a consideration for me as well. Either way, you’re getting a Jeep!

 

[JMT]

@Nawkoutt. I think it’s a wash in terms of electronics and reliability. I’d make the decision based on other issues related to your build goals: transmission, transfer case, axles.

 

[Nawkoutt]

I've owned almost every year TJ. No difference to me. I replaced my cam and crank sensors on my current 03' Rubicon with NTK and zero issues.
p.s. I want to know what SoCal pricing on both are?

I found a rubicon a few rubicons. $24k 2004 27k miles, $20k 2004 20k miles, $15k 2006 90k miles, and a 2005 $19k 89k miles. All of these ones are rubicon.

The 1999 guy is asking $17k for 80k miles.

 

[JMT]

I found a rubicon a few rubicons. $24k 2004 27k miles, $20k 2004 20k miles, $15k 2006 90k miles, and a 2005 $19k 89k miles. All of these ones are rubicon.

The 1999 guy is asking $17k for 80k miles.

Get the Rubicon with the transmission you want!

 

[tnjeepguy]

99 too much. Lots around here for 10 to 12.

 

[Nawkoutt]

I don’t think either year is apt to give you any more or less problems electrically than the other. Which interior do you like better? Do the lockers and lower gear ratio transfer case excite you? Or are they unnecessary? No wrong answers here…but be honest with yourself. I’m sure the Rubi is gonna be sold at a premium over the 99…

Agree. Runicons

Get the Rubicon with the transmission you want!

going to check one out today!

 

[Nawkoutt]

99 too much. Lots around here for 10 to 12.

Yeah going for the Rubi. Do you think 2006 is okay?

 

[AndyG]

I don’t think either year is apt to give you any more or less problems electrically than the other. Which interior do you like better? Do the lockers and lower gear ratio transfer case excite you? Or are they unnecessary? No wrong answers here…but be honest with yourself. I’m sure the Rubi is gonna be sold at a premium over the 99…

I concur.

Realistically the percentage of these kind of problems is small considered about 1 million of these were sold- And we really aren’t anywhere near parts obsolescence...yet.

The 2004 has a rock solid PCM, The 99 year models had great manual and automatic transmissions and practically zero electrical drama. But if you stay here very long if you’re going to see someone with any of your model doing something freaky from time to time- And if you get on the Ford ranger for him you’ll see the same thing, and Corvette forum and anything with wheels.

I can’t tell you which one to buy- it’s like telling somebody who to marry- You just never know how it’s going to work out or what they are hiding.

Your description makes me think they are both a good find-

I will tell anyone if you plan to go off road in the rocks and you don’t want to build a rig, a Rubicon is a potent, capable package. I consider it the most capable off-road vehicle ever sold to the general public. And it has good resale and sells fast typically.

At the same time, just because it is not a Rubicon, doesn’t mean it is not great. At all.

I like the fact that you’re looking for vehicles that are nice to start with.

 

[JMT]

Yeah going for the Rubi. Do you think 2006 is okay?

The main issues with the 2006:

1) PCM. The fix for this is WranglerFixPCM (auto transmission $650; manual $1250)
2) OPDA. The fix is a Crown OPDA (~$100)
3) NSG370 Transmission. The '06's seem much better than the '05's, but 1-2 can be rough and R can get very difficult to get into.

Other than that, no. Every year will have some issues and I've probably seen more people rave about the 2004 TJ's than any of the others. All in all any of it is fixable.