Jeep should reintroduce the TJ

bmcgc

bmcgc

TJ Enthusiast
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Georgia
I went on Jeeps website and speced out a base 2-door JL as close to my TJ as possible. The price was $40480 for the AT and $35,980 for the manual. The lowest priced 2-door JL on a dealer lot within 100 miles of me is 46k + dealer BS and TTL. So it ends up being 50k OTD.

Of course, the JL has more standard features than the TJ and more features = more cost.

I would really like to see a base 2-door sport built like a TJ. No frills, manual windows, manual locks, snap in carpet, no rear seat. Just a blank canvas that the owner can use to build the Jeep they want.

Priced at around 25-28k, I think a Jeep like that would be a big seller.

50k OTD for a 2-door Jeep is why TJ's are holding their value.
 
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Why? Who would buy them? Guys on Jeep boards complain about the price of replacement door handles and lift kits. LOL.

Despite what people think here the new Jeeps are superior to the TJ.
 
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Paradiddle said:
Despite what people think here the new Jeeps are superior to the TJ.
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I don't think anybody here actually believes the new Jeeps aren't superior in out-of-the-box off-road capability, on-road comfort, power, and fuel economy and basically every other possible way that modern cars are judged. But when it comes to a vehicle that an average guy can repair and maintain with basic tools, and not doing stupid shit like oil cooler leaks and locking you out of 4L on a trail because of a failure of an electrical component, the TJ is far superior.
 
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Gilaguy23 said:
In what way?
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freedom_in_4low said:
I don't think anybody here actually believes the new Jeeps aren't superior in out-of-the-box off-road capability, on-road comfort, power, and fuel economy and basically every other possible way that modern cars are judged. But when it comes to a vehicle that an average guy can repair and maintain with basic tools, and not doing stupid shit like oil cooler leaks and locking you out of 4L on a trail because of a failure of an electrical component, the TJ is far superior.
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They could never put out a new vehicle with the tjs lack of gas mileage.
 
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I like the simplicity of the TJ compared to our JKU. Much simpler to work on, less electronics. I laughed when I read to remove the fuse to turn off the dome lights when taking the doors off. I don’t recall what I did on the YJ, I am not sure if it had a dome light. I am fine with manual windows etc. One item I miss is power locks, walking around to the rear or other side only to remember I didn’t unlock it, or getting in the tailgate a few days later realizing I left it unlocked.
 
The JL does a very poor job as an SUV. There are far better choices in an SUV for less money.

Offroad capability? There are no gear choices. 3.45 is what you get.

I never missed all the creature comforts in a gen1 Bronco, CJ or Scout. I prefer a base vehicle offroad.

How many people want to take a 50k + vehicle offroad and beat it up? Not many.

I had high hopes the new Bronco would be offered in a base no-frills option.
 
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Offering a KIT like a TJ would be a great idea. Oh wait, just get a TJ and get to work. The aftermarket is still pretty good.

If Jeep offered something like your describing, where would the aftermarket parts be to build it like you want?
 
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bmcgc said:
I would really like to see a base 2-door sport built like a TJ. No frills, manual windows, manual locks, snap in carpet, no rear seat. Just a blank canvas that the owner can use to build the Jeep they want.
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Not an unreasonable request
However inflation of $$$ cant be ignored

2003 Wrangler base $16,065
150hp 2.4L , 17/18mpg Auto,19/20 mpg hwy
2023 Wrangler Sport base $32,995
270-286hp (almost 100% more)

We are about $5,000 modern $$$ over the TJ base
But you get alot more
https://www.edmunds.com/jeep/wrangler/2023/msrp/https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl?cost1=16065&year1=200301&year2=202312
the 2003 Wrangler Rubicon base ~$24,895
The 2023 Wrangler Rubicon base ~$47,895

Inflation adjusted its roughly $6K more now
https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl?cost1=24875.00&year1=200301&year2=202312With the exception of youre getting
1. 50% or thereabouts more power
2. ~50% better efficiency
Alot more features, but those things can and do break
You can still get manual transmissions, but not sure aboit manual windows
 
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Gilaguy23 said:
In what way?
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Every way. LOL. I love TJs, I think they are the last/best of a "real" Jeep so to speak. But for 99.5% of what people do in their Jeep/Truck the new ones are better and easier to deal with. And honestly for the trails that require that last 1/2 percent - you are better off building a buggy.

The folks that want to wrench of stuff are getting old, getting arthritis, or losing interest in it.

The TJ, like an old hot rod, is a niche vehicle.
 
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TJ4Jim said:
Sadly our TJ's are the last of the non-soccer mom designs are becoming just another SUV among all the others.
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You can disparage the new Jeeps, but honestly I applaud Jeep for sticking to the live axle design with the TJ. They are still making "real Jeeps" and that's a rare thing in today's cost driver, EPA controlled, lawyer enabled world.
 
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Well I’m going to echo the original post to a degree-

I’m not going to say the TJ needs to be brought back - it’s just not realistic that that would ever happen.

Here is the mistake that they are making- They are giving millions of dollars of business to the aftermarket that they could capture easier. Jeep already has the customer and has the customer before the aftermarket gets a hold of them.

They should have a program that you can build about any configuration with Dana 44 and Dana 60 axles, gears and lockers.... from a very base package. Yes it’s going to cost more but it’s going to be done for the buyer and get rolled into the financing.

If they did it right it would be a massive success.
 
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AndyG said:
Well I’m going to echo the original post to a degree-

I’m not going to say the TJ needs to be brought back - it’s just not realistic that that would ever happen.

Here is the mistake that they are making- They are giving millions of dollars of business to the aftermarket that they could capture easier. Jeep already has the customer and has the customer before the aftermarket gets a hold of them.

They should have a program that you can build about any configuration with Dana 44 and Dana 60 axles, gears and lockers.... from a very base package. Yes it’s going to cost more but it’s going to be done for the buyer and get rolled into the financing.

If they did it right it would be a massive success.
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What about the massive warranty issues that they wouldn’t want to deal with?
 
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Moglocker said:
What about the massive warranty issues that they wouldn’t want to deal with?
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Well they warranty factory parts and always have.

Or they can change the warranty with the program- Limited drive train and engine warranty

Everything is negotiable
 
AndyG said:
Well I’m going to echo the original post to a degree-

I’m not going to say the TJ needs to be brought back - it’s just not realistic that that would ever happen.

Here is the mistake that they are making- They are giving millions of dollars of business to the aftermarket that they could capture easier. Jeep already has the customer and has the customer before the aftermarket gets a hold of them.

They should have a program that you can build about any configuration with Dana 44 and Dana 60 axles, gears and lockers.... from a very base package. Yes it’s going to cost more but it’s going to be done for the buyer and get rolled into the financing.

If they did it right it would be a massive success.
Click to expand...

Moglocker said:
What about the massive warranty issues that they wouldn’t want to deal with?
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This, but this! That's exactly why it could never work that way. I think they've done a really good job with some variety of models to capture more buyers. And the Mopar line of mods and accessories are fairly extensive. But the folks that want to throw the Dana 60's under their brand new JLU are also going to expect that warranty to remain in tact if they are wrapping it all up in their financing.
 
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