LJ vs TJ ride quality?

[Bowhunter]

Potentially considering getting a jeep after selling TJR a while ago. Considering an LJ or a JKU because I have read the longer wheel base rides better on road.

Has that been your guys experience in ride quality? Assume apples to apples for suspension setup

 

[Chris]

All things being equal, the Unlimited will ride better due to the longer wheelbase.

The longer wheel base will bridge bumps better, have less a of a seesaw effect, and have better straight-line tracking due to the distance between the axles.

 

[DavidBT]

I'm going to say yes, you will get a better ride with a longer wheel base. I've owned a '82 Scrambler, and a '04 unlimited. They both rode great. Those are two of my 7 Jeeps that I have owned. My current '05 TJR rides pretty decent in my opinion.

 

[Bowhunter]

I'm going to say yes, you will get a better ride with a longer wheel base. I've owned a '82 Scrambler, and a '04 unlimited. They both rode great. Those are two of my 7 Jeeps that I have owned. My current '05 TJR rides pretty decent in my opinion.

Maybe coming from full sized trucks, my TJR felt like a go cart and wasn’t very confident inspiring on hwy lol

 

[bucky]

Any short wheelbase vehicle is going to feel squirlly compared to a long wheelbase. I have a 05 TJRU and the steering is very responsive. It takes very little input especially at high speeds. I have a 2.5 OME lift and 32” load range E tires. My DD is a 19 F250 super cab and the TJ rides like a Cadillac compared to it.
The best part about an Unlimited is the extra space for gear. Also I pull a teardrop and the Unlimited is rated to tow 3500# vs 2500#.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Considering an LJ or a JKU because I have read the longer wheel base rides better on road.

A JKU will ride much better than an LJ. No comparison. My stock LJ rode slightly better than my stock TJ.

 

[Harold&Cat]

The LJ will give you a slightly better ride and much more cargo space than the TJ .

We had a JK for a couple of years , it rode and drove great . We sold it and kept the LJ for trail riding and it's much easier to work on .

 

[06lj]

I currently have an LJ and a JKUR. I worked hard on improving the ride of the LJ but it still isn't close to the JKU. I've had several TJ's and the LJ does ride slightly better. I don't think there is a fair way to compare the two. They are generationaly different vehicles. The LJ is relatively simple but is starting to suffer from a decrease in aftermarket support and OEM parts are all but gone. The JK is electronically complicated and has well documented issues. I love the LJ but generally chose to drive the JK.

 

[tnjeepguy]

Has that been your guys experience in ride quality?

Assume you know that Jeep is not to be used in the same sentence as "ride quality".

 

[Bowhunter]

We sold it and kept the LJ for trail riding and it's much easier to work on .

This is another consideration for me as well. The 3.8 and 3.6 engine bay look a lot less fun to work on/in than the 4.0 engine bay

 

[Bowhunter]

Assume you know that Jeep is not to be used in the same sentence as "ride quality".

Yeah lol I’ve owned 4 different TJs.

 

[AndyG]

I think the thing about my LJ that surprised me most is when I hook up my little military trailer. It drives incredible….. probably tracks better than any vehicle we have.

A TJ is probably at its best in stock configuration and you can dial-in firmer handling but it creates a little bit of a quickness that either you’re going to like or you’re not.

From a size standpoint based on my experience, my LJ feels a lot bigger

I realize I am elaborating and the above post are all really good

 

[suicideking]

This is another consideration for me as well. The 3.8 and 3.6 engine bay look a lot less fun to work on/in than the 4.0 engine bay

From what I've heard, the 3.8 seems to have less long term issues, better reliability. Though short term you're dealing with less HP (like the TJ).

3.8 200HP (close to a TJ)
3.6 285HP

So somewhat a question of how long do you want it to last vs. having HP. Though the 3.8 is older and likely to have more miles.

Interior: 2010 and earlier didn't have a very nice interior vs. the 2011 has a similar interior to the 2012.

2012 - Had some engine head issues. Possibly still some in 2013.

 

[DirtDawg]

My current 05 TJR rides pretty well with RE 5.5" LA kit (now with Metalcloak replacement arms) but then its a dedicated trail rig to augment my Can-Am Mav Sport XRC (64" class rock crawler). Having sold my former from new 2000 TJ owned 20+ yrs (with immediate regrets), buying another TJ last year was an easy choice. I also own a from new 2017 JKR 6-spd, moderately modded with combo of OME springs, T-flex Falcon shocks, adj track bars, skids, bumpers etc., which serves as grocery-getter duties rather than trail rig - now with just 13.6k miles (no typo). No JKR reliability issues however not a bunch of miles plus dry rust-free climate. Pic is 1st day JKR ownership...

 

[TheBoogieman]

Performance​

The 3.6L Pentastar produces up to 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque in certain applications, offering a significant improvement over the older 3.8L V6 engines. It is 38% more powerful, 11% more fuel-efficient, and 42 lbs lighter than its predecessor, making it a strong choice for both daily driving and off-road use.

 

[Bowhunter]

Performance​

The 3.6L Pentastar produces up to 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque in certain applications, offering a significant improvement over the older 3.8L V6 engines. It is 38% more powerful, 11% more fuel-efficient, and 42 lbs lighter than its predecessor, making it a strong choice for both daily driving and off-road use.

Very true, I’ve test drove one a long time ago and it was adequately powered. But man I’ve read about a lot issues with the 3.6

 

[suicideking]

Performance​

The 3.6L Pentastar produces up to 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque in certain applications, offering a significant improvement over the older 3.8L V6 engines. It is 38% more powerful, 11% more fuel-efficient, and 42 lbs lighter than its predecessor, making it a strong choice for both daily driving and off-road use.

I've never seen 305HP listed. It's 285.

 

[Rubeyu]

I would say it depends on your intended use. If it's mainly a trail rig I'd go LJ and built it for 37's and you'll have a weapon off road. If it will mainly be a street rig with light off road get the JK.
I have a 2017 Jk on 37's it runs well on the highway but lacks some off road mainly from the length and belly height. In my opinion if you want a serious JK for off road you'll need to built it for 40's