Having both, I’ve given a lot of thought to which one to keep if I had to make a choice.
For me I think the LJ is more practical with the added room. In other words you can do something with it - get groceries, haul more fishing gear, camping gear etc.
That said, the TJ is great. To me it is a pure jeep, with CJ -7 DNA.
I’ve been given the finger by 100,000 dollar jk rig owners because I cleared crap on 33” all terrain tires in my TJR their 37” 4 door on mud tires and beadlocks could not. Blaine made a good point that it is a lot obstacle specific at the end of the day. I think a good build goal is not the tire size, it is maximum
performance you can get for the size tire you choose. Big tires on a bad build are often less effective than stock.
In my case it was good fortune to find the LJR I have, and the guy J got from is just a beautiful person. Class act. And I had the cash- glad it worked out.
The odd thing about it is many TJ guys and most JK/JL guys aren’t sure what it is. It is so well proportioned it is almost a generic jeep by today’s definition.
Occasionally someone sees it and knows, I passed a guy who is building an LJ in town recently on the interstate. He creeped me after that ….
@Hog has one on 37’s that is stunning - visually and performance wise. Jewel.
My TJR exists to give a nod to
@Plumber1 s killer, killer rig and to save my LJR from getting tree limb scratches. With in cab winch control, big screen video/radio, separate locker function, heated seats, bed rug front and bed tred rear , slight tuck …it is just a good solid rig for our terrain.