Are TJs safe?

[TheBoogieman]

If your parents don't think TJs are safe, show them pics of any convertible car rolling over and see the injuries. If you wear a seatbelt, your chances are great. This local 17 year old, rolled this Jeep and had very minor injuries, Thanks to wearing his seatbelt.
p.s. This, coming from a guy who lost a good friend of mine who died at 15 years old in a Jeep CJ rollover.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I'm going to be blunt with you, only because I am old and can

Any vehicle is only as safe as the driver!

Don't driver like an idiot

A TJ isn't a fast curve taking vehicle

Keeping it close to stock makes it safer

Don't drive like an idiot

I need to see your ID to verify you're old.
p.s. I'm old and still drive like an idiot. Zero accidents in 45 years. (Don't ask about the jail time).

 

[KennethS]

These pictures show the A-Pillar is not the best attachment point for a roll bar.

 

[tnjeepguy]

https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/jeep/wrangler-2-door-suv/2004

https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Honda/pilot-4-door-suv/2018

Compare and show parents.

 

[AndyG]

Most misconceptions about jeep safety go way back to the CJ -5 era. They rolled over.

Things like that get into the American memory bank way faster than they leave.

 

[bucky]

The biggest safety issue with a TJ for you is your short driving experience. TJs have a short wheel base and a higher center of gravity. Quick turning movements at higher speeds can cause roll overs. That being said pickups and SUVs also have a higher CG and are more prone to roll overs also. I spent 10 yrs working in a Trauma ER and the number one thing that makes any vehicle safer is to Always wear your seat belt. I hope your parents let you get one because they are a hell of a lot of fun to drive.

 

[Dylan_See_TJ]

I will say, as someone who bought a TJ at 17, that the vast majority of previous comments match up pretty well with my experiences. Short wheelbase means they like to spin if you brake too hard in slick conditions, but they'll plow through snowbanks that would put just about anything else to shame. The rollover risk is there, but you've got to make a mistake on something pretty technical or off camber (not happening on the street) or drive like a crazy person. There's much less trouble to be gotten into with a TJ than say, a sports car. Yes, it will probably turn into a project, as all of us up in the rust belt know (be careful of frame rust if/when you're checking some of them out!) but I've learned so much working on mine, and they're a blast to drive and build. If you're paying for it and want one and are comfortable with at least some level of working on it, I'd say go for it. Nothing beats driving with the top and doors off. My 0.02.

 

[JAYNE]

Find a low mileage stock tj get your dad to test drive it with you. That will be enough That's how I ended up with mine, a year later my dad found himself a 2006 unlimited Rubicon. Like everyone else said they are only dangerous if you drive like an idiot, just like any other vehicle.

 

[RocknLJ]

I think TJ’s and LJ’s are the most unsafe vehicle beside an airplane……. For your bank account.
Hopefully your parents or you have $$$ as mods happen.

 

[YonderNorthwest]

Only 2 airbags and there is a sticker in the vehicle that specifically states that the doors and top will not protect you in the event of an accident. Everybody here talking about handling and brakes. That will protect you from causing an accident, but doesn't mean jack shit if some other idiot t-bones you. Compared to modern vehicles with oodles of airbags, crumple zones, etc., a TJ is pretty unsafe. Even more so when you look at the behemoths that we are sharing the road with in this day and age. If mommy and daddy are worried about the safety of a TJ, tell them to buy/pay the difference for a JK or JL. Then they can feel all warm and fuzzy inside and you will still get something close to the real jeep experience.

 

[bucky]

Ask for a motorcycle and say you’ll settle for a TJ.

 

[Old Jeepin Cowboy]

Thanks guys. Trying to convince my parents.

Cruising down the road, 2 Lanes, 55 mph speed limit and the next stop light is over 1 mile away. Beautiful day, blue skies and on the way to Costco.

Light turn green for me as get near the intersection, it does turn Yellow or Red.

Traffic light and I zip on thru or so I thought. BIG Caddy, 4 doors longer than a freight train, older model of caddy.

Turns in front of me as I am going thru the intersection, not even time to hit brakes and I am going 55.

Hit caddy in the passenger side, rear quarter panel. EXPLODES...Rear window blow out, rear door window blows out, frame bent, axle sitting outside the drivers side by a good foot, trunk folded up like a Taco.

Caddy spins around and I drive around and pull over.

I run up to the Caddy to see who or if anyone is hurt. Just ONE driver.

I open the door and the driver turn HER head and looks at me and says. I am so sorry but I only have one eye on the left of my face and I did not see you.

Main road and suddenly cops, fire trucks and ambulances show up. The driver (lady) is 92 years of age, I help her out of the car and the EMTs show up and ask if she is ok. She is shaken up but otherwise unharmed, UNLIKE her TOTALED Caddy!

Dust settles, the wrecker shows up and a couple of cops ask me if I saw the accident who hit her car. That's me, where is your car? There, parked next to the curb...HUH? Let's look at this. They walk around it and Cop says, something is wrong? WHAT? Cop says I see NO DAMAGE! I say to take a LOOK AT THIS! I am pointing to my bumper. Cop says: All I see is some paint rubbed off!?!?!? Asked me: How fast were you going? Sir, 55 on the nose which I hit her. He says, that caddy is a TOTAL, I have worked a lot of wrecks on my 15 years as traffic as a cop. I think I might buy a Jeep, what did that cost?

About $23k, its a 2003 TJ Rubicon!

I drove on to Costco.


Couple of weeks later I got a letter from a lawyer at her insurance company. Letter: We have not heard from and we are prepared to settle with you please contact us and send a picture of the damage and what shop is it in.

Thank you for your letter and enclosed is a picture of the damage and if you will remit to me a check for $0.97 cents for a spray can of Walmart semi-gloss black paint for the damage on the front bumper.


Post Script: Got a fone call from the woman's son and he thanked me for not pressing any charges or anything, he then told me they had taken her driver's license away and moved Mom in with them.


This was NOT the first time someone pulled in front of me as I went thru an intersection. I did it but was trying to miss the car and caught it with my driver's side front fender. Front fender replaced for around $300 at Jeep, incl red paint.

Give this to your parents...TJs are TUFF MOTHERS!

 

[lBasket]

Cruising down the road, 2 Lanes, 55 mph speed limit and the next stop light is over 1 mile away. Beautiful day, blue skies and on the way to Costco.

Light turn green for me as get near the intersection, it does turn Yellow or Red.

Traffic light and I zip on thru or so I thought. BIG Caddy, 4 doors longer than a freight train, older model of caddy.

Turns in front of me as I am going thru the intersection, not even time to hit brakes and I am going 55.

Hit caddy in the passenger side, rear quarter panel. EXPLODES...Rear window blow out, rear door window blows out, frame bent, axle sitting outside the drivers side by a good foot, trunk folded up like a Taco.

Caddy spins around and I drive around and pull over.

I run up to the Caddy to see who or if anyone is hurt. Just ONE driver.

I open the door and the driver turn HER head and looks at me and says. I am so sorry but I only have one eye on the left of my face and I did not see you.

Main road and suddenly cops, fire trucks and ambulances show up. The driver (lady) is 92 years of age, I help her out of the car and the EMTs show up and ask if she is ok. She is shaken up but otherwise unharmed, UNLIKE her TOTALED Caddy!

Dust settles, the wrecker shows up and a couple of cops ask me if I saw the accident who hit her car. That's me, where is your car? There, parked next to the curb...HUH? Let's look at this. They walk around it and Cop says, something is wrong? WHAT? Cop says I see NO DAMAGE! I say to take a LOOK AT THIS! I am pointing to my bumper. Cop says: All I see is some paint rubbed off!?!?!? Asked me: How fast were you going? Sir, 55 on the nose which I hit her. He says, that caddy is a TOTAL, I have worked a lot of wrecks on my 15 years as traffic as a cop. I think I might buy a Jeep, what did that cost?

About $23k, its a 2003 TJ Rubicon!

I drove on to Costco.


Couple of weeks later I got a letter from a lawyer at her insurance company. Letter: We have not heard from and we are prepared to settle with you please contact us and send a picture of the damage and what shop is it in.

Thank you for your letter and enclosed is a picture of the damage and if you will remit to me a check for $0.97 cents for a spray can of Walmart semi-gloss black paint for the damage on the front bumper.


Post Script: Got a fone call from the woman's son and he thanked me for not pressing any charges or anything, he then told me they had taken her driver's license away and moved Mom in with them.


This was NOT the first time someone pulled in front of me as I went thru an intersection. I did it but was trying to miss the car and caught it with my driver's side front fender. Front fender replaced for around $300 at Jeep, incl red paint.

Give this to your parents...TJs are TUFF MOTHERS!

Is this is a testament of the Jeep's safety, or more of the effectiveness of the crumple zones in the Caddy absorbing all the energy

 

[tnjeepguy]

Luck is not a substitute for good judgement.

 

[tr21triton]

Just one ?

I don't think anyone knows exactly how many TJ's/LJ's Andy actually owns, including himself

 

[tr21triton]

I'm going to be blunt with you, only because I am old and can

Any vehicle is only as safe as the driver!

Don't driver like an idiot

A TJ isn't a fast curve taking vehicle

Keeping it close to stock makes it safer

Don't drive like an idiot

and some people try to use them as a boat like John !

 

[glowell222]

Thanks guys. Trying to convince my parents.

Been driving my TJ since '98. Both of my kids learned to drive it, and both drove it all through their high school years. We're all still alive and uninjured. It's still my daily driver. I hope this helps.

 

[Limestone]

Thanks guys. Trying to convince my parents.

They're a whole lot safer than say, a motorcycle... At least the TJ you're IN the vehicle and not ON the vehicle. TJ even has seat belts and doors (optional)!

 

[Hackyman]

Anyone who thinks an old TJ is even remotely safe is out of their minds. The fact that that you're comparing it to a motorcycle or a softtop convertible without a rollbar says it all.

It's an old vehicle without crumple zones, without side impact protection, without modern airbags, modern seatbelt safety features. I get this forum is just an echo chamber of the manliest person on earth, but no, the safety of a vehicle is not completely determined by the driver. What if a truck crosses over a centerline and hits you head on, what if you get rear-ended by someone going 50mph while stoppped. Your chances of survival without injuries are so much lower than a modern vehicle.

This is not a safe vehicle and is absolutely not the BEST choice for transportation for a child, just as a motorcycle isn't. I put 60k miles on motorcycles by 19 years old. The fact I'm alive doesn't mean it's safe.

 

[Zorba]

Conversely, Americans are scared of life - hence the cradle to grave socialist-liberal nanny state (tm).