LJ Thoughts

[Sir Sam]

1 hour ago, derf said:

JK Rubicon axles are also Dana 30 outside the differential.  They're marginally stronger than the TJ 30 but still not as strong.

 

I've been eyeing putting a late 70s F150/250 Ford high pinion front 44 in a project.  It's high pinion so gears are strong.  Its old school so the tubes and knuckles are strong.  Tons of locker options.  Sure, it's 5 on 5.5" with an option to run 6 on 5.5" or 8 on 6.5" pretty easy.  So matching rear axle would be needed.  but I'd rather do that than any factory Rubicon axle.

 

But the aftermarket axles are a good, if expensive, option as you can get them as strong or stronger than a "real" Dana 44 but built at the right width and with all of the brackets in the right place and the right bolt pattern.

 

Even though the outer parts are the same between them they are both an upgrade over the XJ/MJ/TJ D30. Sure maybe not the same as the old school D44s with selectable hubs. But the JK axles seem to do well enough. 

 

For the cost of a new elocker, you can buy a used JK rubicon axle with Elocker and 4.10s.

 

So if that fits the bill for you its a cost effective option.

[89 MJ]

For now, an axle swap is nowhere on my list of modifications. 

 

How is does the ride quality compare to a an MJ or any other Wranglers?

[Sir Sam]

18 hours ago, 89 MJ said:

For now, an axle swap is nowhere on my list of modifications. 

 

How is does the ride quality compare to a an MJ or any other Wranglers?

It’s a wrangler. Who cares. 
 

that being said, similar or better at stock, same front 4 link suspension as the MJ and xj, and the rear is a 4 link, and with coils all around it’s a pretty easy setup. 
 

just don’t lift it $#!&ty and expect good ride. 

[derf]

Yeah, it won't ride like a 70's Cadillac.  But it won't ride like a 70's 1 ton pickup either.  It's a solid axle but it's coil springs.  So as long as you stay close to stock, it won't be that much different than a mostly stock XJ/MJ.

[fiatslug87]

 

21 hours ago, 89 MJ said:

How is does the ride quality compare to a an MJ or any other Wranglers?

 

A classic

 

[BeaterComanche86]

Some OME shocks and springs make for a pretty good ride if your thinking of lifting it, but I didn’t think the stock suspension on the TJ was bad.
 

Granted I usually lift or lower my vehicles so a comfy ride isn’t really a top priority of mine. But I was very pleased with how the OME set up rode.

[89 MJ]

2 hours ago, fiatslug87 said:

 

 

A classic

 

Lol

[89 MJ]

5 hours ago, Sir Sam said:

It’s a wrangler. Who cares. 
 

that being said, similar or better at stock, same front 4 link suspension as the MJ and xj, and the rear is a 4 link, and with coils all around it’s a pretty easy setup. 
 

just don’t lift it $#!&ty and expect good ride. 

 

4 hours ago, derf said:

Yeah, it won't ride like a 70's Cadillac.  But it won't ride like a 70's 1 ton pickup either.  It's a solid axle but it's coil springs.  So as long as you stay close to stock, it won't be that much different than a mostly stock XJ/MJ.

Thanks, I haven’t ridden in one, so I wanted to make sure they don’t ride like a lumber wagon. 

[Kickin’Chicken]

Make sure you get a manual. The automatic transmissions in those are terrible. 

[89 MJ]

1 hour ago, Kickin’Chicken said:

Make sure you get a manual. The automatic transmissions in those are terrible. 

Oh that’s my plan!

if I do end up with an auto one, it’ll get swapped for a manual eventually. 

[shelbyluvv]

I love my TJ Unlimited. The PCM can be troublesome and cause issues with shifting and CELs. There is also the OPDA issue that will wipe out a cam in no time flat. All in all they are great Jeeps.

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[shelbyluvv]

Oh that’s my plan!
if I do end up with an auto one, it’ll get swapped for a manual eventually. 

Swapping a manual isn't easy. You will need a new harness and PCM to do it. These new Jeeps are much more advanced than the older ones. The 42RLE gets a bad wrap. It is a very solid trans. The biggest issue with them is heat. People slap big tires on them and don't regear. They overheat the trans and blame it. Don't shy away from a clean auto because of the lies being spit out about them.

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[JustEmptyEveryPocket]

10 minutes ago, shelbyluvv said:

Don't shy away from a clean auto because of the lies being spit out about them.

True. Instead, you should shy away from them because of the lack of three pedals. Its a major manufacturing defect for sure.

[shelbyluvv]

True. Instead, you should shy away from them because of the lack of three pedals. Its a major manufacturing defect for sure.

Unless you have abused your body for 25+ years as a Marine and and your knees are shot...

Autos are popular for other reasons besides people not knowing how to drive a manual transmission. I had sticks all my life. I don't have the desire to feel my knee grind and pop every time I have to shift.

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[neohic]

48 minutes ago, shelbyluvv said:

Autos are popular for other reasons besides people not knowing how to drive a manual transmission. I had sticks all my life. I don't have the desire to feel my knee grind and pop every time I have to shift.

Truth. Things sneak up on all of us eventually. Glad I never manual swapped my Eliminator! Rowing gears is fun but age and life seems to always come out ahead when trying to figure “long term” vehicles. 

[Sir Sam]

NSG370 isn’t as robust as NV3550. AW4 swaps are popular. For something I’m going to wheel I prefer auto. For something I just drive for fun I like manuals. 

[89 MJ]

Thanks guys!

[CaptainPatchy]

My father just recently bought himself one of these, I believe an 06' Rubicon.  We're right in the heart of the rust belt as well, but he said he wasn't going to deal with that again, so after his retirement he started searching for a clean one.  Ended up getting one from Ca, a 60k one owner with a few small modifications and ZERO rust anywhere.  He flew out to visit his buddy, and drove it back to Ne, said it did fine but needed geared as the p.o. put 35's on it and the auto trans wasn't happy.  He's had it regeared since along with smaller tires, and we took it down to our local-ish orv park recently.

[89 MJ]

37 minutes ago, CaptainPatchy said:

My father just recently bought himself one of these, I believe an 06' Rubicon.  We're right in the heart of the rust belt as well, but he said he wasn't going to deal with that again, so after his retirement he started searching for a clean one.  Ended up getting one from Ca, a 60k one owner with a few small modifications and ZERO rust anywhere.  He flew out to visit his buddy, and drove it back to Ne, said it did fine but needed geared as the p.o. put 35's on it and the auto trans wasn't happy.  He's had it regeared since along with smaller tires, and we took it down to our local-ish orv park recently.

Looks fun! And expensive. 

[fiatslug87]

Yea, come to CA, we have all the good stuff.

[CaptainPatchy]

7 minutes ago, 89 MJ said:

Looks fun! And expensive. 

 

I believe he gave 24K for it, gotta pay to play I guess.  He's worked his whole life, I figure he earned it lol

[Honest_Abe]

OH! My time to shine!  I lurk on this site because my Comanche needs a parts truck to be whole, but I can help out here. I own a 2004 LJ with ~107,000 miles. I looked for nearly a year to find one, although I should preface that my search was not mutually exclusive to LJs. For reference, I paid $10,500 for mine in 2016, and you will be paying more for that same LJ now, they just have not decreased in value.

 

Model years: 2004-2006 only. Benefits of LJs are the extra space and I feel it rides a lot nicer due to the longer wheelbase. Also, a huge advantage is that all LJs come stock with Dana 44 rear axles and 4 wheel disc brakes, even the non-Rubicon models. So check the rear end on any you buy because it better have a Dana 44.

 

2004: Only available with an automatic transmission. There were no manual LJs made for the 2004 model year. Nor there were any Rubicon LJs made for the 2004 model year. 

 

2005: Available with the auto and manual and Rubicon trim. Also, as previously mentioned above, there indeed was a special run of 1000 "Unlimited Rubicon Sahara's". They were just Rubicons with a fancy trim package, special number plaque, special painted "Moab" Rubicon rims. We should have recognized this as the precursor to the bazillion trims offered on the JKs...

 

2006: Same as 2005, no changes. 

 

A few thoughts:

 

Rust: Look for one out west. I bought mine in Amarillo and it had lived in west Texas all its life, then followed me to New Mexico and Colorado. It's spotless underneath. I love the southwest. 

 

Hardtop vs. soft top: If you want a hardtop, it's far easier to buy an LJ with one already. You'll be paying $1500 to $2000 (seriously) for an OEM one on craigslist (which is what you want, aftermarket have been known to leak). Otherwise, the soft-top is great. So consider that in the prices that you see.

 

Auto vs. Manual: I also have the aforementioned auto LJ...and the transmission leaves a lot to be desired, IF you don't turn off the overdrive (factory switch on the dash). If you get in the habit of turning off that switch every time you get in, the transmission will be great. And, as above, add a cooler to it and it will last a long, long time. Regearing is also good. People have problems because they don't realize how deep you have to go on these transmissions for a regear--i.e. you will need 5.13's for 33s! I also daily a 2000 5-speed XJ, which I love because, well, 5-speed XJ. I prefer the automatic offroad (don't hate). Personal preference obviously. Unless you've got time and patience, it just isn't worth it to buy an auto LJ just to swap in a manual. 

 

Unless you want a Rubicon LJ (huge price premium) or a manual, I'd highly recommend a 2004 model year. 2005-2006 TJ/LJs suffered from the OPDA issue and PCM issues mentioned by other members. In contrast, the 2004 model year has none of those issues. But, those issues really are not very common overall and shouldn't dissuade you from a nice 2005/06, just check it out first. And, the OPDA issue shouldn't really be much of a problem anymore given the age and the fact that most of them probably have crapped out if they were going to by now.

 

Yes, "LJ" is not a recognized model by Jeep, but if you're going to own one, always call it an LJ simply for the purpose of finding information about them online. If you type in Wrangler Unlimited online, you're just gonna see a bunch of JKs. I mean, it's basically what the CJ-8 was to the CJ-7...

 

 

[89 MJ]

8 hours ago, Honest_Abe said:

OH! My time to shine!  I lurk on this site because my Comanche needs a parts truck to be whole, but I can help out here. I own a 2004 LJ with ~107,000 miles. I looked for nearly a year to find one, although I should preface that my search was not mutually exclusive to LJs. For reference, I paid $10,500 for mine in 2016, and you will be paying more for that same LJ now, they just have not decreased in value.

 

Model years: 2004-2006 only. Benefits of LJs are the extra space and I feel it rides a lot nicer due to the longer wheelbase. Also, a huge advantage is that all LJs come stock with Dana 44 rear axles and 4 wheel disc brakes, even the non-Rubicon models. So check the rear end on any you buy because it better have a Dana 44.

 

2004: Only available with an automatic transmission. There were no manual LJs made for the 2004 model year. Nor there were any Rubicon LJs made for the 2004 model year. 

 

2005: Available with the auto and manual and Rubicon trim. Also, as previously mentioned above, there indeed was a special run of 1000 "Unlimited Rubicon Sahara's". They were just Rubicons with a fancy trim package, special number plaque, special painted "Moab" Rubicon rims. We should have recognized this as the precursor to the bazillion trims offered on the JKs...

 

2006: Same as 2005, no changes. 

 

A few thoughts:

 

Rust: Look for one out west. I bought mine in Amarillo and it had lived in west Texas all its life, then followed me to New Mexico and Colorado. It's spotless underneath. I love the southwest. 

 

Hardtop vs. soft top: If you want a hardtop, it's far easier to buy an LJ with one already. You'll be paying $1500 to $2000 (seriously) for an OEM one on craigslist (which is what you want, aftermarket have been known to leak). Otherwise, the soft-top is great. So consider that in the prices that you see.

 

Auto vs. Manual: I also have the aforementioned auto LJ...and the transmission leaves a lot to be desired, IF you don't turn off the overdrive (factory switch on the dash). If you get in the habit of turning off that switch every time you get in, the transmission will be great. And, as above, add a cooler to it and it will last a long, long time. Regearing is also good. People have problems because they don't realize how deep you have to go on these transmissions for a regear--i.e. you will need 5.13's for 33s! I also daily a 2000 5-speed XJ, which I love because, well, 5-speed XJ. I prefer the automatic offroad (don't hate). Personal preference obviously. Unless you've got time and patience, it just isn't worth it to buy an auto LJ just to swap in a manual. 

 

Unless you want a Rubicon LJ (huge price premium) or a manual, I'd highly recommend a 2004 model year. 2005-2006 TJ/LJs suffered from the OPDA issue and PCM issues mentioned by other members. In contrast, the 2004 model year has none of those issues. But, those issues really are not very common overall and shouldn't dissuade you from a nice 2005/06, just check it out first. And, the OPDA issue shouldn't really be much of a problem anymore given the age and the fact that most of them probably have crapped out if they were going to by now.

 

Yes, "LJ" is not a recognized model by Jeep, but if you're going to own one, always call it an LJ simply for the purpose of finding information about them online. If you type in Wrangler Unlimited online, you're just gonna see a bunch of JKs. I mean, it's basically what the CJ-8 was to the CJ-7...

 

 

Thanks! That’s was a lot of useful information!

[Jeffery Starn]

The LJ is an amazing rig, my dad had one for awhile and went everywhere, he never had any issues and never left him stranded. 

[89 MJ]

1 hour ago, Jeffery Starn said:

The LJ is an amazing rig, my dad had one for awhile and went everywhere, he never had any issues and never left him stranded. 

Nice to know!