To LJ or not to LJ

I found some numbers for you guys on Jeep Forum:

Production sold for the 04-06 LJ (by years)
2004 - 11,822 Unlimited
2005 - 7,450 Unlimited
2005 - 5,854 Unlimited Rubicon
2006 - 14,624 Unlimited
2006 - 6,742 Unlimited Rubicon

Totals:
33,896 - Unlimited
12,596 - Unlimited Rubicon
46,492 – Total

Sorry this was only for the Unlimited Jeeps and not just autos, but it may help.
 
I think the LJ is probably the best all around Jeep that reminds me of a Jeep.

First I wouldn't sell your TJ before you're comfortable with your LJ if at all possible. I wouldn't overlook JKs and JKUs for the right price, though I don't care for those as much as the TJ/LJ. I've never had an LJ, but had a ZJ with a similar wheelbase (length). I love the thing and it's incredibly cheap $1,300 V8 has great power, super comfortable ride, AC, etc, but it's not the quite the same experience. IMO get something like a ZJ for a nice comfortable weekend and keep the TJ for solo stuff or out and back in a day stuff, until you get the right LJ.

I really think TJ and a trailer is almost ideal, but a LJ and trailer would be great too. If you're off-road much, I probably wouldn't want to tow more than the TJ rating for either vehicle. Typically something around 1,500 lbs with gear is plenty. On-road I've towed well above that with my TJ. I towed my 2k lb trailer (rated for 7k lbs) and my Willy's once (and that was with my worn out OEM setup 4.0, AX-15, 3.07s), but it was a fairly horrible experience, but it made it and that was even partially off-road. Above somewhere around 3k lbs or 3,500 lbs my TJ just can't stop those trailers, but it should pull them fine with the right gearing and TRAILER BRAKES.

TJ/LJs (haven't owned a LJ) aren't the same experience either as the CJs, but in our old Willy's, even in good shape, it just isn't very reliable and really doesn't do well over about 40 mph and the TJ still has a similar feel without needing to be towed everywhere.

For practicality I've seriously considered extending my TJ and going LJ or even going Gladiator style with the TJ, but a TJ fits a niche in my fleet of vehicles. Though personally if I go any bigger than the TJ I'd really like to go with a diesel Gladiator, though it isn't rated to tow what I need to tow.
 
Irun said:
What's your question/point?
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I have had a TJ and a LJ/Limited for the past 5 years, the TJ has 54K and the LJ has 63K. One of them got sold today and you can guarantee it wasn't the LJ, it rides and handles better and the extra room behind the seat for storage fits our needs.
 
kenosha whiz six said:
Yes that must be a swap but I thot you could get th 04with th 5spd manual?not just an automatic...
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2004 LJ's were only offered as automatics Sport models. In 05-06 they were available with the 6 speed and the Rubicon package. It certainly is possible that somebody did a transmission swap on an 04.
 
TNHEADDUCK said:
I have had a TJ and a LJ/Limited for the past 5 years, the TJ has 54K and the LJ has 63K. One of them got sold today and you can guarantee it wasn't the LJ, it rides and handles better and the extra room behind the seat for storage fits our needs.
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Still not a question. You apparently sold a TJ for an LJ. If there was a question. You answered your own question.
 
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06lj said:
2004 LJ's were only offered as automatics Sport models. In 05-06 they were available with the 6 speed and the Rubicon package. It certainly is possible that somebody did a transmission swap on an 04.
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I’m gettin some info tht says you could get th 5spd ina 04?
 
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NKlekas said:
I pretty much have my mind made up but I wanted to know if anyone here had something to add for the good of the order and answer a couple of questions.

I like to use my Jeep to mainly camp/overland & travel with my Fiance (wife in two weeks). I have an 03' Rubicon with only 72,000 miles and LOVE IT...BUT I have also always loved LJ's and after camping all summer with my TJ...my better half and I were crammed in the TJ. And I promise we packed pretty damn light. I come from a family of 10, I'm pretty good at being low maintenance. However, I believe the LJ would suit my needs better due to more storage room, better handling on-road for long trips, and when it comes to towing (in the future id like to tow something) I have my TJ built pretty well, and again, I'm about 95% sure I'm about to sell, I just want to know if there is anything I NEED to know about LJs that I might no be considering or if anyone has anything to add to my predicament. I know they are definitely pricey and finding one with low miles in good condition could be challenging. I guess I'm getting cold feet due to me knowing little about the LJ and because I love my TJ with the low milage and Rubicon package is hard to see go

Some questions I have regarding the LJ are:
Most of the LJs I've come across seem to be the 4 Speed autos...the 42RLE. I've heard mixed things, mostly bad, and was wondering if it's THAT bad of a tranny? Also, how's the 6 speed, Manuel? I've also heard mixed things about that as well.
How much better is the driving experience on and offroad? I've never driven one nor do I know anyone who has one so I'm naive when it comes to this aspect.

Anything helps!
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Welp looks "To LJ" won. Found a gem. 2006 Auto, original owner, and only 60,500 Miles and was relatively close to where I live. Besides on the front bumper, which ill replace, zero rust as well

Mostly stock...Has a 4-in ProComp lift and 32's with aftermarket 16-in rims. The front end was torn up in an accident a few years back and he replaced the ball joints, front track bar and put a cross-over steering kit in. The front end is pretty beefy and ill keep most of that. Thanks to all for the help and input!
NKlekas said:
I pretty much have my mind made up but I wanted to know if anyone here had something to add for the good of the order and answer a couple of questions.

I like to use my Jeep to mainly camp/overland & travel with my Fiance (wife in two weeks). I have an 03' Rubicon with only 72,000 miles and LOVE IT...BUT I have also always loved LJ's and after camping all summer with my TJ...my better half and I were crammed in the TJ. And I promise we packed pretty damn light. I come from a family of 10, I'm pretty good at being low maintenance. However, I believe the LJ would suit my needs better due to more storage room, better handling on-road for long trips, and when it comes to towing (in the future id like to tow something) I have my TJ built pretty well, and again, I'm about 95% sure I'm about to sell, I just want to know if there is anything I NEED to know about LJs that I might no be considering or if anyone has anything to add to my predicament. I know they are definitely pricey and finding one with low miles in good condition could be challenging. I guess I'm getting cold feet due to me knowing little about the LJ and because I love my TJ with the low milage and Rubicon package is hard to see go

Some questions I have regarding the LJ are:
Most of the LJs I've come across seem to be the 4 Speed autos...the 42RLE. I've heard mixed things, mostly bad, and was wondering if it's THAT bad of a tranny? Also, how's the 6 speed, Manuel? I've also heard mixed things about that as well.
How much better is the driving experience on and offroad? I've never driven one nor do I know anyone who has one so I'm naive when it comes to this aspect.

Anything helps!
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IMG_5352.jpg


IMG_5351.jpg
 
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Pacoson71 said:
I found some numbers for you guys on Jeep Forum:

Production sold for the 04-06 LJ (by years)
2004 - 11,822 Unlimited
2005 - 7,450 Unlimited
2005 - 5,854 Unlimited Rubicon
2006 - 14,624 Unlimited
2006 - 6,742 Unlimited Rubicon

Totals:
33,896 - Unlimited
12,596 - Unlimited Rubicon
46,492 – Total

Sorry this was only for the Unlimited Jeeps and not just autos, but it may help.
Click to expand...

So the LJ was not offered in Sahara trim? Only Sport and Rubicon?
 
NKlekas said:
Welp looks "To LJ" won. Found a gem. 2006 Auto, original owner, and only 60,500 Miles and was relatively close to where I live. Besides on the front bumper, which ill replace, zero rust as well

Mostly stock...Has a 4-in ProComp lift and 32's with aftermarket 16-in rims. The front end was torn up in an accident a few years back and he replaced the ball joints, front track bar and put a cross-over steering kit in. The front end is pretty beefy and ill keep most of that. Thanks to all for the help and input!


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Did you already sell the TJR? Don't know how I missed this the first time but I went through this last year and did it while keeping most of the mods I had put so much money and time into. The build threads linked in my signature tell the story.
 
06lj said:
The Sahara was an appearance package available on the Rubicon trim in 2005. I believe there were 1000 produced.
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Yeah, I know the “Rubihara” as it’s informally known. I was just under the impression that there was a Sahara trim (same as in the TJ).
 
Kon said:
Yeah, I know the “Rubihara” as it’s informally known. I was just under the impression that there was a Sahara trim (same as in the TJ).
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It was based on a movie, much like the tomb raider edition in 2003.
 
Yes I remember the movie. Good one. So sports and rubies only then. Thanks.

Btw the LJ was never imported to Greece so I have never seen one apart from a custom-made that a guy has made based on aTJ.
 
NKlekas said:
Welp looks "To LJ" won. Found a gem. 2006 Auto, original owner, and only 60,500 Miles and was relatively close to where I live. Besides on the front bumper, which ill replace, zero rust as well

Mostly stock...Has a 4-in ProComp lift and 32's with aftermarket 16-in rims. The front end was torn up in an accident a few years back and he replaced the ball joints, front track bar and put a cross-over steering kit in. The front end is pretty beefy and ill keep most of that. Thanks to all for the help and input!


View attachment 298765

View attachment 298766
Click to expand...
Time for bigger tires and better shocks. ;)
 
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I bought my sport LJ for such an insane deal I couldn’t pass it up.

I’d been looking for about 18 months and an ex marine was willing to let it go for a steal in my book (still thankful for that!)

Price difference between rubicon and sport was >5k (more like 7-8k) in my area with similar condition, and mileage.

Id have taken a rubicon if deal was great but the market decided for me.

I can do (almost) all the work myself though, so that heavily influenced. You might not truly get to decide.

You might find something so good you can’t pass up, and then setup your junkyard pick a part alerts like the rest of us :)
 
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