Will I regret selling an LJ?

[06lj]

So I am at the point that I want a dedicated off road Jeep. I feel like knowing my Jeep has to make it back on the highway for a drive home limits where I can take it. I have been kicking around the idea of selling my LJ to buy a TJ and trailer. Since the Jeep will be on a trailer I don't feel I will need the extra storage of the LJ. I just haven't been able to convince myself that going to a TJ isn't a step backwards. I've started to believe that I am brainwashed into thinking the LJ is the zenith of Jeep design. I have never taken the LJ on more than forest service roads so can't compare it to any of my previous TJ's when it comes to rocks. I do recall the TJ feeling a little unsteady at times in off camber positions. But then at those times I knew I had to drive it back home so may perception may have been skewed. Unfortunately building the LJ up more and buying a trailer would not be approved in the budget for a while. I have spent a good amount of time and $ making it a better DD than off roader. I'm about 90% convinced to sell the LJ but just thought I'd put my thinking up here to see if I am overlooking something that I would live to regret.
Thanks for any opinions!

 

[JeepZilla380]

Sounds like you have given it a lot of thought. My only opinion is if you like the LJ you have, and you have already started fixing it up, why change now? Are the trails you running any better in a TJ vs LJ? We aren’t talking about a big difference in size. Not like a TJ vs JKU.

 

[qslim]

Sounds like you really like your LJ. Why not keep it and just work a trailer setup, it's not like an LJ is that much longer than a TJ. I have an 18' car carrier that I use for the TJ, it can hold the Jeep and an ATV with a couple feet to spare. Personally I prefer trailering, that's pretty much all we do. Like you said, if something breaks you just have to get back to the rig and you can worry about fixing it at home later. Plus we can go great distances to check out different trails at 75 mph on the highway in comfort VS highway driving in a TJ (not something I prefer).

 

[Sundowner]

You won't regret it at all; LJs are total garbage and all of them should be consigned to the dumpster. Biggest piece of junk that Jeep ever built; I have it on good authority that they catch on fire whenever you look at them sideways, and they'll make you less popular with the opposite sex.

How much do you want for it?

 

[AndyG]

You won't regret it at all; LJs are total garbage and all of them should be consigned to the dumpster. Biggest piece of junk that Jeep ever built; I have it on good authority that they catch on fire whenever you look at them sideways, and they'll make you less popular with the opposite sex.

How much do you want for it?

Don’t sugar coat it .

 

[Sundowner]

Don’t sugar coat it .

My bad, dawg. I just hear that someone's going to sell an LJ and I'm torn between slapping some sense into them and trying to con them out of it and I just go a little bit crazy in the interim.

 

[Starrs]

Seems silly to me if your just selling to buy another tj just a shorter version.

 

[06lj]

I do like the LJ. My thought process is that I could sell it and buy a modified TJ and a trailer. The TJ's I've been looking at have seen some abuse and are significantly cheaper than a DD. If I stick with the LJ then it will be a while before I can fit a trailer into the budget. Looks like I have some more pondering to do.

 

[JeepZilla380]

My LJ is my last TJ Era Jeep. Won’t say my forever Jeep since I’d love an old CJ2. But with everything I have done so far I’d hate to start over on any platform.

 

[AndyG]

I think if we try we can make him regret just mentioning selling it .

 

[Camhabib]

As someone else said, why not just modify your LJ? If you already know it runs well, doesn’t have any major issues, it’s quirks, etc, that puts you much further ahead than if you started with a new (to you) TJ.

 

[qslim]

I do like the LJ. My thought process is that I could sell it and buy a modified TJ and a trailer. The TJ's I've been looking at have seen some abuse and are significantly cheaper than a DD. If I stick with the LJ then it will be a while before I can fit a trailer into the budget. Looks like I have some more pondering to do.

Out of curiosity what do you think you could realistically get for it? Since coming into the TJ world last year we find ourselves ALWAYS wheeling with the kids in the back in addition to the two dogs my wife always insists on bringing, so I briefly looked into upgrading to an LJ. It took about 30 seconds to realize that it's out of the question. I paid 9k for my '99 Sahara in great mechanical shape, by the time I get it where I want it w/ gears & axles I'll still be in under $15 for a great little offroad toy. The dollars folks are asking for nice LJs seems nuts, so I can see where you're coming from... Cash in on the LJ and get a TJ plus a trailer... Not a terrible idea if you aren't using the LJ as a primary vehicle.

 

[06lj]

I think if we try we can make him regret just mentioning selling it .

I am starting to feel like a blasphemer.

 

[AndyG]

I think I know what you are saying , basically get a trail jeep , for less , and a trailer and not destroying your nice LJ .

The kicker is the beater always needs work and upgrades , and you may end up with similar money in less jeep .

I’m a fan of drive it there , wheel it , drive home , but I haven’t snapped an axle or rolled one yet , so my view is limited.

I really do think you could regret it , even though it may not seem that way now .

If the trailer jeep is a turd you end up not having a trail or road rig.

 

[06lj]

Out of curiosity what do you think you could realistically get for it? Since coming into the TJ world last year we find ourselves ALWAYS wheeling with the kids in the back in addition to the two dogs my wife always insists on bringing, so I briefly looked into upgrading to an LJ. It took about 30 seconds to realize that it's out of the question. I paid 9k for my '99 Sahara in great mechanical shape, by the time I get it where I want it w/ gears & axles I'll still be in under $15 for a great little offroad toy. The dollars folks are asking for nice LJs seems nuts, so I can see where you're coming from... Cash in on the LJ and get a TJ plus a trailer... Not a terrible idea if you aren't using the LJ as a primary vehicle.

I haven't gotten as far as really pricing it out. It seems to be one of the more difficult vehicle to value. I see LJ's posted with ridiculous prices which I doubt are selling. I think it probably just people fishing for fools. I know it's not going to be worth near $15k.
I can see others points about starting over.

 

[AndyG]

I haven't gotten as far as really pricing it out. It seems to be one of the more difficult vehicle to value. I see LJ's posted with ridiculous prices which I doubt are selling. I think it probably just people fishing for fools. I know it's not going to be worth near $15k.
I can see others points about starting over.

It’s fun to build one , if you have the want to.

 

[MallCrawlOnTons]

Short wheel base tj for dedicated offroad use? Nah! Keep the lj.

 

[billiebob]

I have been kicking around the idea of selling my LJ to buy a TJ and trailer.

You will have zero regrets. The LJ thing is all hype due to its low production. But it will be an excellent investment when you sell it for 20% more than an equal TJ. A few of us on this forum have owned LJs and traded up to TJs.

 

[Willys LJ]

My LJ is my last TJ Era Jeep. Won’t say my forever Jeep since I’d love an old CJ2. But with everything I have done so far I’d hate to start over on any platform.

Mine is my first Wrangler and I got it mainly as an all around daily driver and for light towing locally. Before the LJ, my Jeeps had always been CJ5s. And I'm with you on a CJ2. I've always wanted an old flat fender

 

[Vinman]

A few of us on this forum have owned LJs and traded up to TJs.

Thats like someone saying they had a Dana 44 and traded up to a Dana 35