Whenever anything happens on a 05-06 TJ, the year is often blamed, sometimes as a sort of knee-jerk reaction. I admit that as the owner of an 05 LJR, the constant trashing of these years annoys me. Personally, I believe the blame is often misguided. I also believe the issues with the 05-06 models get way overblown and the handful of actual 05-06 issues are pretty easily resolved for the most part ($$-dependent) preemptively. The constant trashing probably convinces some to avoid purchasing some awesome 05-06 examples.
I want this thread to include a comprehensive list of all the actual problems that are truly unique to the 05-06 model TJs along with their favored solutions. Maybe we can use facts to either support or mitigate the hate from some corners for the 05-06 TJs.
As much as I respect @Jerry Bransford, his experience and knowledge, he is clearly the 05-06 trasher-in-chief. So, I'm tagging Jerry so he can add his Knowledge to the discussion.
Here's the list of issues I know of that are unique to the 04-06 model years but please add anything I've missed, as long as it's based on factual information, preferably first hand.
My personal experience:
I've owned my 05 LJR with the dreaded (by some) NSG370 for 6 years. It was my first Jeep and, for a while, my only Jeep. My stewardship started at about 85K miles. It now has about 115K.
When I bought it, it had codes for the cam/crank timing. I replaced the OPDA and it still threw codes, but only when cold, until I replaced the aftermarket CPS with an original OEM CPS then all clear. I probably got a better deal on the Jeep than I would have otherwise because the PO probably knew about the cam/crank codes. They had been cleared when I initially looked at the vehicle. They probably saw the CEL, panicked, cleared the codes, and listed it for sale.
I had a code last summer for a bad O2 sensor around 110K miles. I replaced all 4 with the recommended parts from the table on this site. No codes since and runs as good or better than ever since I've owned it.
The codes mentioned above are the only 2 instances of codes thrown in the 6 years I've owned it.
Reverse with the NSG370 was always vague and hard to tell when it was really "in" reverse until it became too unreliable to trust, also last summer with ~110K miles. I went with a rebuilt NSG370 against most advice here but I am happy with the results, no reverse issues, and no other issues that I notice with the transmission. If it lasts another 100K+ miles, I'll be sufficiently satisfied. I like the NSG370 gear ratios. The work included replacing the clutch and associated bits with LUK parts and OEM TO bearing.
Probably around 100K miles, the PS gearbox started leaking. This is another known problem area. I replaced the crappy OEM leaker with a PSC box. Pricey but the most likely IMO to be trouble free with 35" tires for an extended period.
I preemptively (before failure) replaced the radiator, thermostat, heater core, coil rail, crank position sensor, master cylinder, rear calipers with OEM parts. I installed a Hastings HD fan clutch, Durango rebuilt high-output alternator, and all the rubber brake lines. The one remaining preemptive replacement is the water pump which is on the shelf (OEM part). This is all stuff I would do on any 15 year old vehicle that I want to be reliable when taking me, family, and friends to very remote places with little hope of a timely rescue if something fails. There ain't no Matt's Offroad Recovery or Trail Mater in the central NM Outback where I most often go. I usually don't see another person or vehicle beyond a couple miles in on dirt.
Otherwise, my 05 LJR has been rock-solid reliable. It's NEVER left me stranded (nor has any vehicle I've owned, knock on wood). It went into limp mode a couple times until I installed the original OEM cam position sensor. BTW, while this (limp mode) was happening, letting the motor warm up briefly and restarting cured the limp mode until it got cold again. The huge majority of issues I've dealt with have all been related to modifications using aftermarket parts or the rare instances when I've let a shop staffed with so-called "professional mechanics/technicians" touch it (gear shop, alignment). I do everything I possibly can myself.
Are the 05-06 TJs really that horrible? At least the heads don't crack. Nor the exhaust manifolds.
I want this thread to include a comprehensive list of all the actual problems that are truly unique to the 05-06 model TJs along with their favored solutions. Maybe we can use facts to either support or mitigate the hate from some corners for the 05-06 TJs.
As much as I respect @Jerry Bransford, his experience and knowledge, he is clearly the 05-06 trasher-in-chief. So, I'm tagging Jerry so he can add his Knowledge to the discussion.
Here's the list of issues I know of that are unique to the 04-06 model years but please add anything I've missed, as long as it's based on factual information, preferably first hand.
- PROBLEM: OPDA/CPS- Some have it. Some don't. Some OPDA assemblies caused issues with gear wear that caused timing issues that can throw codes and can cause, in extreme (and apparently rare) cases, excessive wear on the cam gear.
- Solution: Replace OPDA assembly preemptively but keep original CPS if possible. If using aftermarket CPS, you may need to use a DRB3 tool to properly get timing set.
- PROBLEM: PCM failure (Auto Trans ONLY) - Some experience automatictransmission shifting issues caused by the transmission controller in the PCM going bad.
- Solution - Repaired PCM from @Wranglerfix
- PROBLEM: Manual Trans (NSG370) issues - Early examples had a known problem with reverse gear popping out and/or being difficult to get in. Fewer also report similar problems with 1st gear.
- SOLUTION: Redesigned parts were developed and included as part of a TSB to fix the problem. All newer examples and all rebuilts have the preferred parts. Another more expensive option is to replace the NSG370 with an AX15 5spd.
- PROBLEM: Sloppy, leaking Steering Gearbox - The steering boxes on these years are a German design, less robust than on the earlier TJs. The rebuilt examples are not known to last very long. There may be exceptions (good rebuilts) but an inferior box rebuilt is still an inferior box.
- SOLUTION: PSC makes a brand new bolt-on replacement box based on the Saginaw box which can be purchased with or without ram assist ports. It does require the lower steering shaft to be modified or replaced with an earlier version.
My personal experience:
I've owned my 05 LJR with the dreaded (by some) NSG370 for 6 years. It was my first Jeep and, for a while, my only Jeep. My stewardship started at about 85K miles. It now has about 115K.
When I bought it, it had codes for the cam/crank timing. I replaced the OPDA and it still threw codes, but only when cold, until I replaced the aftermarket CPS with an original OEM CPS then all clear. I probably got a better deal on the Jeep than I would have otherwise because the PO probably knew about the cam/crank codes. They had been cleared when I initially looked at the vehicle. They probably saw the CEL, panicked, cleared the codes, and listed it for sale.
I had a code last summer for a bad O2 sensor around 110K miles. I replaced all 4 with the recommended parts from the table on this site. No codes since and runs as good or better than ever since I've owned it.
The codes mentioned above are the only 2 instances of codes thrown in the 6 years I've owned it.
Reverse with the NSG370 was always vague and hard to tell when it was really "in" reverse until it became too unreliable to trust, also last summer with ~110K miles. I went with a rebuilt NSG370 against most advice here but I am happy with the results, no reverse issues, and no other issues that I notice with the transmission. If it lasts another 100K+ miles, I'll be sufficiently satisfied. I like the NSG370 gear ratios. The work included replacing the clutch and associated bits with LUK parts and OEM TO bearing.
Probably around 100K miles, the PS gearbox started leaking. This is another known problem area. I replaced the crappy OEM leaker with a PSC box. Pricey but the most likely IMO to be trouble free with 35" tires for an extended period.
I preemptively (before failure) replaced the radiator, thermostat, heater core, coil rail, crank position sensor, master cylinder, rear calipers with OEM parts. I installed a Hastings HD fan clutch, Durango rebuilt high-output alternator, and all the rubber brake lines. The one remaining preemptive replacement is the water pump which is on the shelf (OEM part). This is all stuff I would do on any 15 year old vehicle that I want to be reliable when taking me, family, and friends to very remote places with little hope of a timely rescue if something fails. There ain't no Matt's Offroad Recovery or Trail Mater in the central NM Outback where I most often go. I usually don't see another person or vehicle beyond a couple miles in on dirt.
Otherwise, my 05 LJR has been rock-solid reliable. It's NEVER left me stranded (nor has any vehicle I've owned, knock on wood). It went into limp mode a couple times until I installed the original OEM cam position sensor. BTW, while this (limp mode) was happening, letting the motor warm up briefly and restarting cured the limp mode until it got cold again. The huge majority of issues I've dealt with have all been related to modifications using aftermarket parts or the rare instances when I've let a shop staffed with so-called "professional mechanics/technicians" touch it (gear shop, alignment). I do everything I possibly can myself.
Are the 05-06 TJs really that horrible? At least the heads don't crack. Nor the exhaust manifolds.
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