Why do you own a TJ?

[mots]

Because the TJ is the Goldilocks Wrangler and the Wrangler is the best of the Jeep brand, period. The TJ is a classic. Even if it never is in anyone else’s book, it always will be for me. I also have a 2016 JK that we really like as well that I bought after the TJ, but the TJ was the one I sought after and the one I still drool over. It is just such a neat little piece of history with that classic 4.0L, AMC door handles, and overall handsome looks of the shorter, but adequate wheelbase for road cruising. Also, interestingly, I have been in the Toledo area since ‘88, during all years of all Wrangler production, minus two YJ years. I remember when a friend wheeled into the gas station where I was working with a brand new 90 YJ to show it off. Black with silver wheels. I have always loved the Wrangler and was proud of the back story, the heritage and pedigree. I figured it was finally time I owned one of the best Jeeps ever made.

 

[BobK]

My wife claims that I have a Jeep addiction and she may not be wrong. I have owned seven Wranglers in the past twenty years and have two in my driveway right now (that's a bit of a lie, I have a JLUR in the driveway and a TJ up on jack stands in the garage).

My first Jeep was a 1999 Safari, followed by a 2006 Rubicon, a 2011 Rubicon, a 2012 Rubicon Unlimited, a 2015 Rubicon Unlimited, a 2108 Rubicon Unlimited (JL), and now my toy a 2003 X.

The question was why do I own a TJ. The answer is fairly simple, I consider the TJ's to be the most wrenchable Jeep and I consider all Jeep to be somewhat wrenchable, that is able to add or fix almost anything. I did a lot of upgrades to all my Jeep's including the JLUR (2" lift, 37" BFG KO2's, JCR Offroad bumpers, WARN winch, etc. etc.

When I purchased the 2003 TJ a few months ago, I wanted a Jeep that had more metal than plastic, more screws and bolts than plastic clips and plastic rivets. I wanted to be able to update, refurb, add-on as I pleased and I wanted a thorough Jeep education, and the TJ hasn't failed me yet.

It's on jacks stands as I reach the final stages of my procrastination. I've done a ton of work to it (my build thread needs a big update) and the only project that is left is to replace the coils, shocks, control arms, track bars, sway bars and end links, as well as new chrome wheels and 33" BFG O2's. The parts have all been unboxed and laid out on a Harbor Freight blanket in the garage. Once I get past my procrastination in the next day or two, the big final project will commence.

I love my TJ and can't wait for it to be done, although we all know that it will never be done done, just done for this phase of projects, while money builds back up in the kitty for the next undertaking.

 

[AndyG]

Had been out of a Jeep for 25 years . Loved the look of a CJ 7 more than any model, but realized they were antiques now. My shop guy has had everything, he said “get a TJ, and expect to pay 13-15k for a nice one”

When I really looked at them , I realized they had taken the CJ-7 overall appearance , modernized it, and had a hit.

No regrets .

Adding to my own post...

I came real close to getting a 4-door Rubicon earlier this year for longer trips, not as much off-road but for rural sightseeing.

There were some really significant things that held me back..

One was my wife kicking and screaming

the other was the fact that it really wasn't as versatile as the TJ..in addition to being a fun run about... They are just about unstoppable off road. There is no way you can get a four-door everywhere you can put a TJ here in the south east in the woods, and drive out with a vehicle that looks remotely as nice as what you drove in.

I came to the conclusion that the TJ really was by today's standards a very very simple vehicle and Stone Cold reliable...when you look at our Forum you will see a number of issues but step back and remember that just under a million of these things were produced and they have seen all kinds of abuse.

I just don't know of any vehicle that you can go more places in, have so much fun in, are affordable, and have realistically pretty low-maintenance .

 

[Jason06]

I have wanted a Jeep for a while and I love the look and simplicity of the TJ. There are a bunch of things that are appealing to me like the 4.0, steel grill and most of the front fenders, glass headlights, and ease of most repairs. I have likes and dislikes for every generation of Jeeps but the TJ is my personal favorite.

 

[ranwilrw]

Because the bank called and said they didn't have room for anymore of my money so I had to spend some of it, so I thought what better way to spend it fast than to buy a TJ.
Honestly though, I had a CJ7 that I gave up in the late 80's to buy my wife a new car (should have gave her up instead, finally did). Anyway the TJ reminds me most of it, but with some upgrades but not so much that I can't work on it. Current wife bought the TJ for me because she saw me drooling every time one rode by. I think I'll keep this one (wife and TJ). However she thought buying the jeep would be the only cost, ha, she's learning now that was only the beginning.

 

[mushdogs]

I drive a TJ because after having my previous car totaled by a deer strike, I wanted whatever I got to fill three roles:

1. 4 or AWD. My daily commute to work is before the snowplows are out in the mornings where we live. The afternoon return can be sloppy if the plows haven’t been through lately.
2. Something with adequate suspension for the myriad of Forest Service roads we run during hunting season and summer months.
3. A vehicle that I could maintain and repair myself, in the main.

The TJ fit those 3. Everything else is gravy. I can’t imagine driving anything else, to be honest, and wish I’d had one sooner.

 

[Hog]

I wanted a fun, cool, easy to park, easy to jump in, take the top off, not worry about scratches, 4wd, eye candy, fun and cheap-ish to modify, iconic vehicle.. and cj’s rode bad!!!

 

[chad]

I wanted a Jeep for a long time and came close to buying and new JK at the time. But the more I thought about it I decided could I actually stand to take a 40K plus Jeep off road and scratch it all to hell and use it for it’s true intended purposes. A choice I haven’t regretted one time in the last 5 years. Parts are cheap and readily available easy to work on not to mention what a great community of other helpful TJ owners out there. I got mine mostly for a toy but I find myself driving all the time. Well I park it in the winter months to avoid the snow because I want it to last as long as I can. You know they aren’t making any new ones lol.

 

[reddvltj]

I grew up around Jeeps, My grandfather had a 1948 CJ2A that now belongs to my dad, and my dad had a couple CJ5s the first was a 65 and then a 76 while I was growing up. The first vehicle I ever drove was the 76 that my dad and I had just got done putting a 304 in it when I got my learners permit. I was in HEAVEN!!! I probably put more miles on ticker than my dad did before I finally flew the coop. I had a few cars before I got bit by the 4X4 bug again and in a fit of insanity I traded my 71 Pontiac Lemans for an 88 Bronco II (Yea I know NOT a Jeep!!!)... I then joined a 4X4 club in the Puget Sound area in 96. About a year later I saw my first TJ on the trail. No lift, completely stock right down to the still connected sway bars. At first I scoffed at it after growing up around CJs. (Ignorance at it's best) It wasn't too far into the trail that I just couldn't believe how well this BONE stock Jeep was easily tackling some of the obstacles that lightly modified CJs were trudging through. I was hooked. 2 years later I bought my first TJ, and the love affair was in full swing. Life reared it's ugly head a couple times and I finally found my way back to happiness with my 3rd TJ. While not new by any means and not very pretty, it's bought and paid for so I don't have to worry about making any payments to the bank!!! I think my biggest advantage this time around is I've built 2 TJ's prior to this one and know where I went wrong before. Not to mention finding this forum that has seemingly endless information and advise from people who are more than willing to share their MULTIPLE years of combined knowledge!!!

 

[gg1]

Years ago I had an 1996 XJ that was a great Jeep. Then I had several cars. Recently purchased an Audi S5 a couple years ago and thought I should get a "beater". I looked around and an old Wrangler popped up for around $5K, in my price range. Somehow that price grew a little and a Rubicon came up. The price grew again and I purchased a Rubicon because I always loved them when they came out. Ugh, spent a lot of money. The so-called "beater" isn't a beater at all, it is my primary vehicle that I enjoy driving more than my Audi. Now I am thinking of selling my Audi. What happened? The Jeep is just more fun. The Audi is too fast, sophisticated and way over the top for road driving. To be honest it is boring because you can't push it or you would go to jail. Not as much fun as I thought it would be.

Now I am a proud TJ owner. I doubt I would buy another Wrangler because I don't like the new ones. This will be it for me. I don't like big SUV type things and that is what t he Wrangler has become. Odd story, but it is how I have a Rubi and love it. Only has 52K miles on it, so I hope to have it for a long time.

 

[BrunoPizz97]

I have always liked Jeeps in general, but not the YJ IMHO its ugly as hell and kudos to whoever has one and has made it look very nice. But a dream of mine has always been to swap a diesel into a TJ, I have owned a 2500 and a 3500 cummins previous to my TJ and they were phenomenal. Now that I own a TJ I am saving to buy the R2.8 swap kit, I am currently waiting for the day my 4.0 blows up which wont be anytime soon ill give it a couple years till it happens. But in the meantime I love my TJ I love the 4.0 its a peppy tractor motor and its honestly such a fun car to drive.

 

[Peter Panagakos]

I have a TJ and had two others before. To me the TJ is the last real Jeep. Just don't think the JKs and after seem like a Jeep, more like a family SUV. I love all the Jeeps up through the TJ. but that's it. If I had my choice I would find a late 60's CJ-5 with the oddfire V-6 and T90 trans, but my TJ is all Jeep.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

I wanted a Jeep because I had a spot in the garage after my ex-wife moved out. It did not take long at all to see the TJ was the way to go. Early JK's did not have a very good engine, newer JK's were more than I wanted to spend. But really because I wanted something a little older. The spot in the garage is key to me, the doors and windows are rarely on the Jeep. I dont think I would have a Jeep if I had to park it outside because I really dont like it with the doors on.

 

[Alex01]

I didn't have enough cash for a LJR.

x2 or a TJR at the time. But all I need now is a transfer case and my transformation will be complete. I'll just get a label maker and write a 6 on the 6th digit.

 

[Westtown Willy]

I wanted a Jeep because I had a spot in the garage after my ex-wife moved out. It did not take long at all to see the TJ was the way to go. Early JK's did not have a very good engine, newer JK's were more than I wanted to spend. But really because I wanted something a little older. The spot in the garage is key to me, the doors and windows are rarely on the Jeep. I dont think I would have a Jeep if I had to park it outside because I really dont like it with the doors on.

man that alone was worth the price of exit ammi right?

Cheaper to keeper my ass

 

[Viking Jeeper]

man that alone was worth the price of exit ammi right?

Well worth it! I would not have a Jeep if I was still married.

 

[lafittejeep]

Always wanted a Jeep. Really could not get one cause little kids , car seats etc. But the kids are grown and I started looking. Test drove a few around and was totally disappointed. I cam across rust buckets and some that seam to be barely put together. My wife found one at a used car dealership in the area and went over there that same evening. It became mine that night. Had it checked out by a mechanic and drove it home the next day. I did my homework on what to look for. I brought something hard to tap on the frame, a flashlight to see things better and did a carfax and this jeep started its life in Florida and hasnt been north of Mobile, Al and made its way to Louisiana. 05 Wrangler Unlimited no lift, no bumpers and no LED lights anywhere. Unmolested and rustless. I plan driving till I cant drive anymore.

 

[jazngab]

Similar to many others stories here, I initially looked at many JKUs 2012-2015. I even made an offer of one at a dealer that we couldn’t agree on numbers. Thank god it didn’t go through. I’d be paying a 5 year loan off. I came to my senses and realized that a JKU was way too similar to my SUV and way more than what I wanted to spend. Not to mention I just didn’t “love” them. I started to look at TJs as they were priced better for a “weekend toy/third vehicle” and I wouldn’t feel as guilty for buying a manual transmission as my wife can’t drive it. It would be a true fun car. Nothing like our Acadia or accord. I loved the simplicity of the interior and the ability to do my own work as I’m not a mechanic by any means. I just surpassed a full year of ownership and I love my TJ. It’s by far the most fun vehicle I’ve had. In the short year I’ve owned her, I’ve done so much (and spent so much) and I feel like she’s right where I want her to be. Dare to say I’m finished my build?? (For now....)

 

[reddvltj]

Well worth it! I would not have a Jeep if I was still married.

Not so funny story but, my first jeep went away because of my first wife and second wife caused me to get rid of my second!!! Now that I have TJ #3, not gettin' married again!!!!!

 

[Brinta]

Funny thread to necrobump considering the OP drives a JK now.

Its one of those threads to keep floating though. Because the forum needs more than mechanical advice imo. And im passionate about my vehicle. I'm going to digress further about my Jeep.

See, what a Jeep means to me is more than just a good 4WD solution to bitter NY winters. It has legacy to it. Jeeps weren't vehicles built for speed or built to transport children. They were built for war. Decades ago my grandfather was one of those Warriors driving one of those machines. I respect with absolution the history of these vehicles. As such I only wanted a Wrangler that could be that bridge of military purpose and daily driving. The TJ fits that purpose perfectly, in both capability and aesthetic. The latter especially important to me.
For me personally I find it appalling when people modify their jeeps past the point of recognition. The vehicles are iconic for a good reason in they don't need to be Modified beyond What they already look like. And despite modification being encouraged and I understand that I personally don't like seeing certain things done to a good stock Wrangler. Over modernisation. Riced up. Etc. I have very few exterior modifications plan from my own Wrangler but none of them mar what the vehicle looks like. Nobody will ever mistake my Jeep for anything else but a Jeep.