Help me choose a LJ

[Sputter]

I am in the market for an LJ. Goal is to drive it out west for an epic trip and do Red Cone, Moab and Grand Escalante. There's a lot of good ones here in Florida. I really like the red one with 73K miles but there are some nicely built out ones with lockers and lift kits.

Any thoughts?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/jacksonville/search/?query=lj wrangler

 

[Duck Doctor]

Your link shows a bunch of LJs not just one specific rig.

 

[1904-06LJR]

Buy what you want. At the end of the day, no one here cares what you get. It's about you. Scrutinize rust, painted over rust and pay attention to bushings. You won't regret the LJ, or as Chris likes to say, the TJ Unlimited. Happy hunting!

 

[TheBoogieman]

I'd buy the YJ.
p.s. Look for the lowest mileage, lowest price, stock one in the best condition. Then build it for your needs.

 

[John Cooper]

Just remember, with the hurricanes that have come through Florida and South Georgia flood damage is something to look for.

Take your time and go over them with a fine tooth comb. Check inside the frame for rust, and the interior for signs of water damage.

Remember Florida is full of con artists who can make a turd look like a Rose!!!!

 

[Sputter]

Just remember, with the hurricanes that have come through Florida and South Georgia flood damage is something to look for.

Take your time and go over them with a fine tooth comb. Check inside the frame for rust, and the interior for signs of water damage.

Remember Florida is full of con artists who can make a turd look like a Rose!!!!

Thanks. I have been one of the recipients of a crappy jeep early on and don't want to make that mistake again. I will be taking my time. My preferences are as follows

1. Something with lockers
2. I like a manual but any thoughts on manual vs automatic? In my area, its hard to find a transmission shop that will work on a manual these days.
3. I think buying a Rubicon version would be easier than buying a sport LJ because I wouldn't have to spend as much money and time doing modifications. Thoughts on this?
4. I know the 4.0 tends to be bulletproof but many of these are getting to 150-200k in miles. Should I prioritize mileage over features?

Thanks again!

 

[John Cooper]

Thanks. I have been one of the recipients of a crappy jeep early on and don't want to make that mistake again. I will be taking my time. My preferences are as follows

1. Something with lockers
2. I like a manual but any thoughts on manual vs automatic? In my area, its hard to find a transmission shop that will work on a manual these days.
3. I think buying a Rubicon version would be easier than buying a sport LJ because I wouldn't have to spend as much money and time doing modifications. Thoughts on this?
4. I know the 4.0 tends to be bulletproof but many of these are getting to 150-200k in miles. Should I prioritize mileage over features?

Thanks again!

I would find the one i wanted, look it over closely and go from there.

I bought my 06 Rubicon with 138000 miles and am 177800 in 2 years and try my best to wheel it regularly.

I bought the Rubicon after I sold my Sport because it was cheaper to do that than lockers and gears in the Sport.

It helped that I bought my Rubicon from a kinda trusted forum member @AndyG also.

 

[HammeredSole]

I don't have facebook, otherwise I'd look at them. After buying an 04 TJ with extensive automotive experience and minimal TJ experience, I would say use the popular topics on this forum as a barometer. I've found that every issue I found was at least discussed a few times at a minium.

In the last 2 months I have basically fully rebuilt my TJ with no stone unturned. These are 20 year old vehicles, so mileage somewhat aside, you need to consider that any of these vehicles will need an assortment of sensors, gaskets, seals, and fluids. I personally would look for unmodified, but that's not always the case (ie: meticulous forum member ownership). Biggest thing is absolutely rust. Check under passenger carpet, frame near lower control arm points and between frame and skid center of frame, around the windshield.

 

[Tob]

I can’t speak on the other two places, but you would be very surprised at how much you can do in a stock TJ/LJ in and around Moab with skillful driving - more than just sightseeing trails, although those are worth exploring too.

Unless built well and maintained well, the Jeep that is less modified will have a better chance of getting you across the country, through trails, and back home without trouble.

Concerning Rubicon vs Sport, lockers vs no lockers, manual vs automatic - think about where you will play and what you will do in this Jeep. In Florida and generally the East coast and southeast, you will want more wheel speed (in other words np231 2.72:1 ratio rather than np241 4:1 ratio) due to lack of traction. I prefer a manual transmission, but it can hinder fine control of the vehicle in very technical crawling. The question to ask yourself is whether you will find yourself in a spot where you want that extra fine control of the drivetrain for very technical crawling.

 

[DuckNut]

Driving as far as you plan, you need a hardtop.

 

[Sputter]

Thanks! I appreciate all the insights and tips.

In 2022 I did a lot of Moab, Lockhart Basin and a bit of Grand Escalante in a Disco with 33's and truetracs. It handled everything pretty well without lockers (except one part). Trip report.

I want to do something similar but add Red Cone and the Badlands.

I'm thinking I don't need to go crazy with a build so I am thinking maybe just stick with a stock Rubicon.

I ran this buy the reasoning model in ChatGPT. It provided a nice matrix and summary to think through everything as well.

LJ Matrix

 

[LONGJP2]

Driving as far as you plan, you need a hardtop.

Long trips are only time I use my soft-top.
That way I can take it off when I get there.

 

[Mike_H]

Autos are useful in more situations than "very technical crawling" @Tob. They make a better wheeling rig in every situation that I've had experience in. Its hard to understand the torque multiplication from the torque converter until you've experienced it, but once you do, you won't go back.

That being said, to OP, I'd focus on finding an Auto....I "preferred" a manual when I got my jeep, based on my general lack of trust on most things Chrysler...so I crossed any auto's off my search. 5 years after I bought it, I bought all the stuff to swap an auto into my manual Rubicon.

 

[AndyG]

I'd buy the YJ.
p.s. Look for the lowest mileage, lowest price, stock one in the best condition. Then build it for your needs.
View attachment 567468

Or you could leave it like it is if you have the need to be laughed at.

 

[AndyG]

Autos are useful in more situations than "very technical crawling" @Tob. They make a better wheeling rig in every situation that I've had experience in. Its hard to understand the torque multiplication from the torque converter until you've experienced it, but once you do, you won't go back.

That being said, to OP, I'd focus on finding an Auto....I "preferred" a manual when I got my jeep, based on my general lack of trust on most things Chrysler...so I crossed any auto's off my search. 5 years after I bought it, I bought all the stuff to swap an auto into my manual Rubicon.

He is correct if you do not want a tired left leg get an automatic.

I’m not going to get into the better or worse scenario and all of that-

And people can and will argue it until the end of time-

Don’t get me wrong manuals are fun.... Until they are not.

 

[John Cooper]

Autos are useful in more situations than "very technical crawling" @Tob. They make a better wheeling rig in every situation that I've had experience in. Its hard to understand the torque multiplication from the torque converter until you've experienced it, but once you do, you won't go back.

That being said, to OP, I'd focus on finding an Auto....I "preferred" a manual when I got my jeep, based on my general lack of trust on most things Chrysler...so I crossed any auto's off my search. 5 years after I bought it, I bought all the stuff to swap an auto into my manual Rubicon.

Having owned everything from a CJ2A to a 2006 Rubicon.

And that's a total of 15 Jeeps, and only 2 of them being auto's, that's all I will own going forward.

Wheeling Stoney Lonesome and Coalmont OHV with an auto was a real eye opener for me.