Who else has a 97 TJ?

[Finally]

Hello folks...is there any way here to follow of "friend' members who have the same year as i
do. Looking to compare and maybe share notes and suggestions. Thanks. Currently driving
a '97 TJ. Thanks

 

[Fouledplugs]

Post a thread with a title like, “97 Jeep TJ club.” Or “who else has a 97?”

 

[tworley]

I have a 97!

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

While your 97 TJ came off the line slightly different than my 2006 TJ came off the line, they're not as different as the TJ is to a CJ or a JK.

All TJs matter!!!!

 

[Finally]

Post a thread with a title like, “97 Jeep TJ club.” Or “who else has a 97?”

Thanks....thought that was what i was doing. I will re-post, and rename. it

 

[Finally]

I have a 97!

View attachment 218170

Wow....that is quite the list of modifications. I don't plan on doing much off road driving so probably
now go to the extent that you did, but i will look at your list non the less

 

[jjvw]

While your 97 TJ came off the line slightly different than my 2006 TJ came off the line, they're not as different as the TJ is to a CJ or a JK.

All TJs matter!!!!

The only cool thing about the 97s is the 3 grill cowl. Otherwise, they are just as ordinary as the rest of them.

 

[smcnich]

I have a 97 too.

 

[tworley]

@Chris can change the title for you.

And as mentioned--the cowl, some gearing options, speaker setup, and minor interior details they are all the same

 

[Chris]

Why would it matter if they had a 1997 or a 2003? They are pretty much all the same with the exception of very, very minor changes.

Seems like all you'd be doing is limiting yourself.

 

[tr21triton]

ive had a '97 Sahara for 6 weeks now, and just sold my '97 SE at Christmas.

 

[smcnich]

Emissions definitely changed over the years. 97 still has a distributor too.

 

[glowell222]

My Sahara is listed as a '98 but it was built in the 4th quarter of 97 and some parts are '98 and some are '97. It's hit or miss with some of them, and I have the slider controls for the HVAC, distributor, etc. Happy to help you out.

 

[Wildman]

Some of the things about the 97 model are that the 01-03/96 built rigs have some wiring that is not the same as 04/06 and newer. @RangerRick is who clued onto this fact and of COURSE I have a 01/96 build date on mine. When I finally get to the wiring I'll see what is different.

My 97 is going thru it's second build. I built it up in 2006 and am redoing it all again. I bought mine in Sept of 02.

 

[Paparock1]

I have a 97 SE. Its 4 angry beasts in 1.

 

[smcnich]

My Sahara is listed as a '98 but it was built in the 4th quarter of 97 and some parts are '98 and some are '97. It's hit or miss with some of them, and I have the slider controls for the HVAC, distributor, etc. Happy to help you out.

I always thought 97 and 98 were the same. What changed from 97 to 98? I know there’s a difference between the early 97’s that were built in 96 like @Wildman posted above, but it thought later 97’s were the same as 98’s? I think 99 is when they at least changed the Sport decal from blue to the same color as the rest of the lettering

 

[bromel]

Aside from complaining about cracked exhaust manifolds and some randomly recycled parts from the YJ, the 97 club wouldn't have a lot to talk about.

 

[LittleTankTJ]

We have the annoying different connector on the spedo sensor. Blades vs pins which makes hall sensor based super short SYEs require a plug change.
Otherwise it's mostly the same

 

[TheBoogieman]

97's aren't special. Now, if you have a 1996 YTJ with square headlights and coil springs we can talk.

 

[glowell222]

I always thought 97 and 98 were the same. What changed from 97 to 98? I know there’s a difference between the early 97’s that were built in 96 like @Wildman posted above, but it thought later 97’s were the same as 98’s? I think 99 is when they at least changed the Sport decal from blue to the same color as the rest of the lettering

It's mostly small, annoying things, and a few other items. Some of the electrical connectors for important sensors are different between years, and sometimes I have a '97 connector (square corners) and sometimes it's a '98 (round corners). The distributor sensor comes immediately to mind, and there are others. I now have to verify visually what parts I am purchasing, or sometimes I buy both and return the one that doesn't fit.