To sell or not to sell? 2004 LJ

As you said, auto vs manual is totally personal pref. I’d swap in a manual (maybe with an LS too) because that sounds fun and I also prefer manuals. Alternatively, look for a clean manual TJ or LJ and swap your parts, then sell the auto LJ
 
To answer your question directly, YES, you are nuts for thinking about selling it. Sounds like you have gotten to the end of your preferred build state and you are looking for the next stage. You liked the automatic well enough during the rest of the build to keep going with it, so you do like it. A manual is just different than what you currently have and you are looking for something different. So now it is a decision time, what is the best direction to go to occupy your need for the next project? All of us long term Jeep owners face the same issue. If you really don't have room for an additional Jeep, then you have a few different directions to look. 1. Try to sell your current one for far less than you have into it and use that money to start your next Jeep. 2. Add a new Jeep to the stable and start a fresh build, because where there is a will, there is a way. 3. Keep the magnificent machine you have poured your time, money and soul into and pick up a second hobby that feeds your need to "project". Wood working, metal fabricating, (both) the perfect AR15, a girlfriend/wife, dealers' choice.... just to name a few ;-). In the end it is your call, but I will reiterate my first answer to your direct question slightly altered. YES you are nuts if you sell that Jeep. I promise you will look back on that day with regret.

This is pretty spot on. Seems to be a common theme - the act of working on it is almost more desirable than the finished product. Appreciate the insight here, you've made some great points.
 
That's a super clean LJ, I would definitely keep it with this market being so tough. If you do swap out the tranny consider a 5 speed or a rebuild 6 speed. I have a very love hate relationship with the NSG-370. Both NSGs I've driven needed a rebuild but they seem to last a lot of miles even with the issues. Just the other day it popped out of second gear for no reason at all and I granny shift it from first to second. It's gotten to the point where I just try to start off in second if possible. I've literally driven dump trucks that shifted smoother.
 
Statistically, I am not a normal person. Effectively, I have won the lottery more than once. I like my LJ. My Tacoma is a tool. I want my Lj to be automatic, but my Tacoma is manual (2002 Tacoma). I can have fun with the 5 speed Tacoma, but for driving, I much prefer the LJ automatic.

The problem is you must choose. I seem to collect vehicles. I seem to have at least 8 right now (abet 2 are being used by adult kids). Here is the problem - there are few direct substitutes. Yes I love this vehicle for 1 fucntion (or honestly a half dozen) - but today a different set ruled won out (to day the Tacoma won - light weight, 4wd mud buggy, especially for washboard roads). My Jeep LJ is still in progress (shop erred and it will be there a few more weeks). But I love my wifes JLURD (and wish she would have let me have JLU (which she "sold" to her brother.).

FWIW I am "trying" to build a Mr. Blain LJ. It is mostly done - but really needs his hands on it to finish it.
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sorry - but true perfection simply does not extist. It is a compromise between priorities. That is only something you can deside - but imho automatic is a very small compromise. (I have probably owned close to 6 manual vehicles over the years).
 
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You could be "written up" for misspelling Blaine if @AndyG reads this. I won't tell him. 🤫

Andy pussed out and blocked me and Josh because he can't handle being wrong so often. It wasn't so much the blocking that made him a dripping gash as the snively little report he wrote instead of just rinsing the sand out of his vagina and growing up a tad.
 
@NYC-TJU Get what you want. If your dreaming about manuals, get a manual. It’s that simple.
 
Andy pussed out and blocked me and Josh because he can't handle being wrong so often. It wasn't so much the blocking that made him a dripping gash as the snively little report he wrote instead of just rinsing the sand out of his vagina and growing up a tad.

Just how many have you got blocked? Since you're so mature.
 
Nice LJ.
If you really want a manual, maybe trade it for a manual TJ? If you trade for a non-LJ you could pocket a big chunk of sweaty money to bring the TJ to where you want it to be, plus have fun wrenching on one again.

The one in the pic to the left is an '04 5 speed Sahara, for example :)
 
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Andy pussed out and blocked me and Josh because he can't handle being wrong so often. It wasn't so much the blocking that made him a dripping gash as the snively little report he wrote instead of just rinsing the sand out of his vagina and growing up a tad.

Jesus dude
 
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It can be one more if you like?

Whatever floats your boat, the only time I read your immature posts is when someone points it out to me.

So the only thing that changes if you block me it's just one less person to remind you of what an a****** you're being.
 
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Whatever floats your boat, the only time I read your immature posts is when someone points it out to me.

So the only thing that changes if you block me it's just one less person to remind you of what an a****** you're being.

Not my boat, you haven't annoyed me, yet. Keep trying though and I'm sure you'll get there.
 
As the title states - I'm at a crossroads with my LJ and looking for some thoughts on the matter to gauge whether or not I'm crazy (well more than normal). Let me take you through it.

My LJ : It's a 2004 with about ~104K miles, and is in nearly perfect shape. It's my dream build and no expense has been spared. Engine bay: charging system overhauled/brake system overhauled/fuel system overhauled all original parts. Interior: perfect. Undercarriage: 5.13 gears, SYE, rancho shocks, core 4x4 control arms. 1 year old soft top (so basically new) as well as a hardtop now. Obviously the list goes on, but this isn't a listing. Just trying to stress how great of shape this thing is in. Oh and not a speck of rust ANYWHERE.

My dilemma: I hate driving an automatic, and this is the surprise to me. I didn't think I would miss the manual as much. This isn't a knock on the LJ, it's just that for my personal taste I miss my old manual wrangler. Not looking to debate which is better off road as that's a war not worth fighting, I'm simply stating my personal taste.

My thoughts: I've lightly looked into switching the LJ to manual, but that just seems to be a disservice to the vehicle (and dumb expensive). If this thing was a manual already, I would be buried in it. But as-is, I find myself looking at manuals with envy. This LJ is worth far more than a normal TJ, it's far more rare, and I know it inside and out and have it in absolutely perfect shape. We all know how much work it takes getting all the little things done, so having a rig finally all gone through counts for something.

So am I nuts for thinking about selling it?? Would it be foolish to let something like this go? If it's a gem and it would be absolutely insane to let her go, I'd appreciate that feedback.

Appreciate any of yalls insight.

(and no - I can't just buy another TJ and keep the LJ. Don't have the garage or wallet space for that)

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I would manual swap it.
 
I would manual swap it.

I had hoped the one we did would inspire him to do the same since it is not hard to do and all the parts needed are under most any 4.0 with a manual found in 03-04 TJ's. There are a couple of small gotchas to pay attention to and after that, just a basic trans swap. Lots of folks got confused by the fact there are no OEM 04 Unlimited models with manuals but they miss that there are lots of 03-04 TJ's with manuals and it is exactly the same parts. The NV3550 and 42RLE are within 1/4" of being the same length so he doesn't even need new driveshafts.
 
I would definitely swap the manual in if I were you… you seem to love the lj you have now, as you should, but you wish it were manual, make that happen.

100% this, if that's the only thing missing on your rig just swap it. It's time consuming and has a lot of little pieces to not miss but it's not difficult.

I have 2 under my belt technically, one going auto the other going manual. Hopefully will have another couple I help with shortly.