Should I even consider buying an 05/06 TJ?

[Mr. Bills]

Do you know what instantial confirmation means? I'll explain, it means just because George Burns smokes cigars and lives to 95 doesn't mean smoking doesn't cause cancer. It's kinda how life works. Your real life experience doesn't mean the risks aren't real.

So it would naturally follow that simply because one doesn't see many posts on the Internet complaining about issues with 03/04 model years doesn't mean that 03/04 jeeps haven't had or won't develop mechanical or electrical issues.

There are Technical Service Bulletins addressing issues with every model year TJ from 1997 though 2006. Pick your poison.

 

[L J]

I’m paranoid I’ll look at one and overlook something obvious that I should be aware of.

join a local Jeep club and see if someone is willing to go and look at a prospective purchase with you or take it to a trusted mechanic if possible

How you can not understand the basics of risk is beyond me.

How you can base any risk assessment on a combination of zero personal experience and heresay is beyond me.

 

[Mr. Bills]

How you can base any risk assessment on a combination of zero personal experience and heresay is beyond me.

Hearsay or heresy?

 

[Fonz54]

Ha

How many of you know about the Ford Pinto gas tank blowing up if they get bumped in the rear end? If you are old enough to know what a Pinto is then you heard this. Even showed it on TV! (Had to use explosive charge to get the footage.) Or how about the Chevy 10 bolt rear axle falling out when you go around the corner? Had that on TV too. (Had to pull the C-clips out to get the footage.) Or how about the.....
It's a bunch of bullshit! We used Pintos in the demolition derby for Christ's sake. (4 cyl division.) Never I repeat Never had any blow up.
How about the Corvair?
There are more things fixed and updated on a 05/06 than there are new problems added. Heater works. How's your 97 doing? And that 97 rarely had a heater issue. The internet is mostly a pack of fools repeating what another fool said. Magazines aren't much better. Without a headline to grab your attention they just sit on the rack. Buy the TJ that YOU want. Don't worry about the Scare Of The Month headlines. You do you. Any problem with your specific Jeep can be fixed. Thanks for your question.

Had a Pinto and a Corvair - no explosions/fires with either one. Had a blast driving both of them.

 

[twistedlv]

How you can not understand the basics of risk is beyond me. Your one success doesn't mean everybody can climb Mt Everest.

Wow. You really don't like people messing up your sample size, do you Professor? Myself and many others simply stated that we have not had any problems with our particular vehicles. I guess that must make us 'Special'.
Or maybe just part of a silent majority.

 

[Ron Hall]

I am on my second 06. I bought a sport new and experienced the hard 1-2 shift. The dealer did misdiagnose that problem and finally got it the second try. It was stock and I fought death wobble issues off and on for 5 years.

The second 06 I have owned is a rubicon. I have setup the 2.5 OME suspension myself with lots of help on this forum. Drives great with ko2 33 tires jeeping in Colorado. Just remember every time you turn on the key cut out the O/D.

4.0 engines were great on both 06s. Only issue is bad replacement stant thermostat throwing 0128 codes. No odpa problems on either 06 tj.

If I have one complaint with my jeeps it is the 42rle. The manuals have much better choice of ratios for eroded jeep roads, especially downhill. The clutch also gives an extra measure of control in tight maneuvering. My first tJ didn’t make it out to Colorado, so I didn’t learn that lesson in time to not buy a second automatic.

So in summary I would not hesitate to buy an 06, but it would be a six speed.

 

[Goatman]

But the "experts" have deemed the 6 speed as garbage too. Tho mine is fine at 144,000 miles. The clutch is getting a bit ragged after teaching my nephew to drive a stick. But that low 1st gear sure saved a lot of stalling!

 

[MillenniumFalcon]

My father in law has an '05 Willys with auto trans and he is having issues with it shifting. He had the trans rebuilt but still shift issues so it appears to be the PCM. With that being said, a few hundred dollars for a module and he should be good to go. As already stated by several others, there can be many issues on any used vehicle at some point. Just know what the common failure modes are so if the issues arise you dont waste time and money trying to figure it out and you can get to the root cause quicker and have your rig back up and running sooner. Again, find the jeep you like that fits you and go for it! Good luck!

 

[Lost In The High Desert]

I've been digging around reading through some old threads and finding lots of helpful information in the search for my first Jeep. More things to consider then I ever imagined when looking at the '04 to '06 LJ's.

However I could not pass up the opportunity to quote two members in this thread with signature line worthy advice which I found helpful.

@StG58 "I think the OP should get the TJ that gives him the biggest thrill. Everything else is just time, money and effort."

@Daz7 "Your Jeep will find you, you'll know about it when you see it. Just go and look at a few."

Well said!

Thanks to the above AND all who've contributed.