Why a TJ?

[kingofenglund]

My reasons:

1 - Small body, fits between the rocks easier.

2 - The price point is great. I can't justify a $60k JL plus another $10-20k in mods just to go wheel it and smash things up.

3 - The aesthetics are the best of the Jeeps I could afford.

4 - TJs are in the sweet spot of being new enough to be comfortable and keep the wife and kids comfortable while not having too many electronics that will likely fail out on the trail and leave you stranded.

 

[alittleoff]

Why a TJ?

Because when CAL4Wheel was raffling off a new '03 Patriot Blue TJ, I bought a $2 ticket and won it in February of '04.

 

[MikeE024]

Why a TJ?

Because when CAL4Wheel was raffling off a new '03 Patriot Blue TJ, I bought a $2 ticket and won it in February of '04.

I wonder how long before the value of the prize is surpassed by the expenses paid into it

 

[alittleoff]

I wonder how long before the value of the prize is surpassed by the expenses paid into it

Don't know, I'm not of the bean counter crowd.
But what I do know is that, C4Wheel, paid +/- $20,000 for the purchase of the TJ. And approximately 20-25k was donated in either hard parts or accessories. I got to thank Mike (RIP) & Angie for dragging the Jeep up & down the State of CA. so that some of the donations could be installed. I also tried to call most of the 4x4 clubs and organizations that donated to my Jeep.
The first event that I attended was TDS '04, and got to talk to several people that made a contribution to the raffle but did not win it.

 

[RINC]

I got mine so I could stare at the Check Engine Light.

 

[MikeE024]

I got mine so I could stare at the Check Engine Light.

I’m surprised you even noticed

“RINC smash pedal, engine go vroom till engine gets tired”

 

[bmcgc]

Easy answer. The TJ is the best value for the money at this point in time.

You may stumble across a smoking deal on a YJ or JK, but generally speaking, the TJ is a lot of Jeep for the money.

 

[akajibio]

We had another thread going and it got me to thinking with as much money as I have put into these and as basic as they are why am I so addicted?

This is not really TJ versus the JK/JL so much as what is it that I really like about the TJ that makes me keep coming back-

1. I love the looks of the vehicle. It resembles the CJ which was the jeep I really fell in love with first.

2. I’m not intimidated by the mechanics of it. I can work on the thing and that is an odyssey in itself. It is generally what keeps this forum alive...and this forum keeps the jeeps alive too.

3. I like to have something older that is well taken care of I think that is cool to do that with any vehicle and I admire others that do the same.

4. I know the engine is going to keep going.

5. Offroad I love the agility.

6. They are not a dime a dozen. It seems like everybody has a four-door but that’s not the case with this platform.

7. The price of admission is not too bad- It just concerns me when people think that that’s all they’re gonna have to pay because I feel like their expectations are going to be let down.

We can all learn to justify, rationalize or explain anything and we can learn to like about anything but I think honestly these are the main points for me- Chime in and I’ll probably see some things you say that I echo as well.

Parts availability and pricing

 

[Moglocker]

I agree with a lot of things that have already been said here. I was in the market for a Wrangler and was looking at YJ, TJ, and JK. These have been the three models while I've been into the off-road realm. YJ's were replaced when I was young but we're still really popular in the late 90's.

But when it came down to it, I love the 4.0 (first vehicle was a 1998 Cherokee), the simplicity of the TJ while still have conveniences such as coil springs, comfort, parts availability, and the fact that they were the bulk of what I grew up watching and reading about.

I strongly considered both the YJ and JK. All YJ's that I was finding in decent condition with the 4.0 were near the same price as a TJ and I preferred coils. The JK with a 3.8 was very uninteresting and the 3.6s that were in my price range were questionable and I did not want to increase my budget for something that is strictly a toy. Plus, more up front cost cuts into future mods. Very glad I ended up with a TJ, it just feels right to be in it.

3.6 is a nightmare

 

[aerojust]

I love old vehicles that I can work on. I love that it has no tech inside. I love the inline 6. I love that the whole experience is inexpensive compared to my other love of old Cummins. I love how it feels to drive it. i love that I have to give it some gas for it to move.

Concur - Daughter has a 3.6 JKU and that motor is a mess to work on...

 

[Moglocker]

I love old vehicles that I can work on. I love that it has no tech inside. I love the inline 6. I love that the whole experience is inexpensive compared to my other love of old Cummins. I love how it feels to drive it. i love that I have to give it some gas for it to move.

Concur - Daughter has a 3.6 JKU and that motor is a mess to work on...

Yep,when it’s starts ticking all the time,don’t ignore it,I had to install 1 new cam and I also installed all new rollers and cam followers,cost me about 800.00 in parts,lord knows how much dealer wanted,that engine has the possibility to be the worst engine ever produced (lol)

 

[JMT]

Why a TJ?

When I got it I lived on a small ranch and needed to haul some hay, chicken feed, and deer corn. A Tacoma was too expensive so I decided to buy a TJ and a small trailer. I went to Wolf Caves OHV and it evolved from there into a hobby to help me through very hard times. I had never wrenched before and now I’ve learned to try almost anything and even weld! Thanks to so many of you!!!

 

[John Cooper]

Why a TJ?

When I got it I lived on a small ranch and needed to haul some hay, chicken feed, and deer corn. A Tacoma was too expensive so I decided to buy a TJ and a small trailer. I went to Wolf Caves OHV and it evolved from there into a hobby to help me through very hard times. I had never wrenched before and now I’ve learned to try almost anything and even weld! Thanks to so many of you!!!

Pretty much sums mine up too.

We moved to Texas in 77, Dad managed Oak Valley Ranch in Athens.

The owner ask me if I could drive a straight shift and I said sure thing. He pointed to a 60's model CJ5 and said that's your Ranch vehicle, treat it right and it will treat you right.

I was 14 and forgot about girls cause I had a Jeep!!!!!!!

I haven't been without a Jeep since (at least for very long)

 

[TheBoogieman]

He pointed to a 60's model CJ5 and said that's your Ranch vehicle, treat it right and it will treat you right. I was 14 and forgot about girls cause I had a Jeep!!!!!!!

I'm not buying that. More like.....

 

[John Cooper]

I'm not buying that. More like.....
View attachment 656217

Weren't no Jeep ducking in 77.

Needed one of these badges though.

 

[JMT]

Weren't no Jeep ducking in 77.

Needed one of these badges though.
View attachment 656218

Boobs. I love boobs.

I’m from Paris, TX. Couple hours from Athens. Then I lived in Fredericksburg for a lot of years. Probably 4.5 hrs from Athens.

I like boobs.

 

[John Cooper]

Boobs. I love boobs.

I’m from Paris, TX. Couple hours from Athens. Then I lived in Fredericksburg for a lot of years. Probably 4.5 hrs from Athens.

I like boobs.View attachment 656219

I had a cattle show in Paris, think I won reserve Grad champion.

Oak Valley had Santa Gertrudis cattle back then. Now it Paint Horses, if they are still going.

 

[Barrera]

I'm brand new to Jeep ownership but always liked the looks of the two door Wranglers. In fact, CJ was the only moniker I remember ever hearing in reference to Wranglers. YJ, TJ, JK, etc. meant nothing to me until just months ago. As another poster mentioned, it was fate that brought me to own a TJ.

My '98 TJ belonged to my older brother / hunting buddy / life mentor / best friend until he died in 2020 from a heart attack. My sister-in-law couldn't part with it for sentimental reasons but finally wanted me to have it so I bought it from her this year.

In the last three months and after learning why one Jeep meme named the Wrangler a bankruptcy starter kit, I put my savings account on a diet to make it roadworthy again. Fortunately, I like tinkering on cars or I might have begged my brother's soul for forgiveness and just let it sit. It's noisy, dented, dirty, smelly, wet, needs work, uncomfortable to drive (relative to my Nissan Kicks commuter), but I just can't help but want to drive it. It was my brother's daily driver and I'm starting to understand why.

I really don't know about any of the other two letter variants, but I can honestly say that I love the TJ.

 

[John Cooper]

I'm brand new to Jeep ownership but always liked the looks of the two door Wranglers. In fact, CJ was the only moniker I remember ever hearing in reference to Wranglers. YJ, TJ, JK, etc. meant nothing to me until just months ago. As another poster mentioned, it was fate that brought me to own a TJ.

My '98 TJ belonged to my older brother / hunting buddy / life mentor / best friend until he died in 2020 from a heart attack. My sister-in-law couldn't part with it for sentimental reasons but finally wanted me to have it so I bought it from her this year.

In the last three months and after learning why one Jeep meme named the Wrangler a bankruptcy starter kit, I put my savings account on a diet to make it roadworthy again. Fortunately, I like tinkering on cars or I might have begged my brother's soul for forgiveness and just let it sit. It's noisy, dented, dirty, smelly, wet, needs work, uncomfortable to drive (relative to my Nissan Kicks commuter), but I just can't help but want to drive it. It was my brother's daily driver and I'm starting to understand why.

I really don't know about any of the other two letter variants, but I can honestly say that I love the TJ.

Now post some pictures!!!

 

[red02tj]

I'm brand new to Jeep ownership but always liked the looks of the two door Wranglers. In fact, CJ was the only moniker I remember ever hearing in reference to Wranglers. YJ, TJ, JK, etc. meant nothing to me until just months ago. As another poster mentioned, it was fate that brought me to own a TJ.

My '98 TJ belonged to my older brother / hunting buddy / life mentor / best friend until he died in 2020 from a heart attack. My sister-in-law couldn't part with it for sentimental reasons but finally wanted me to have it so I bought it from her this year.

In the last three months and after learning why one Jeep meme named the Wrangler a bankruptcy starter kit, I put my savings account on a diet to make it roadworthy again. Fortunately, I like tinkering on cars or I might have begged my brother's soul for forgiveness and just let it sit. It's noisy, dented, dirty, smelly, wet, needs work, uncomfortable to drive (relative to my Nissan Kicks commuter), but I just can't help but want to drive it. It was my brother's daily driver and I'm starting to understand why.

I really don't know about any of the other two letter variants, but I can honestly say that I love the TJ.

Well you’ve come to the right place for
1 us to spend your money.
2 help you get it on the road
3 Channel your inner middle school boy humor.

In no particular order…