Back to a TJ

[18thcenturyguy]

So, I would like to get back involved in this forum. I owned a 2005 TJ 20 years ago and drove it for about 10 Years. I made the mistake of buying a 2015 JK and driving that for about 6 years, then traded it in for a 2018 JL. The JL is the biggest piece of junk I've ever owned. The 2.0 Turbo has had all sorts of issues. I had to get a timing chain assembly at 65k miles, just as the warranty ran out. The Main seal leaks. The Rear end is starting to fail and lock up in reverse. So last week I decided to sell it, before anything else goes wrong.

As luck would have it I found a 2005 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with 66k miles in Florida. 1 owner, totally stock. Clean as a whistle. Picked it up for 15K

Here are some pics of my past jeeps and the new one.

Anyways, I'm so excited to have another TJ. My first one was a sport and I have many fond memories with it. I can't wait to start building this one. First things first, I need to removed that luggage rack. Probably give it a full tune up and change all the fluids. Then it is time to start obsessing about the lift and new tires. I managed to put aside about 6k for a lift and new tires, regear, and such. I hope that's enough. Prices have certainly increased since the last build.

 

[DavidBT]

Congratulations. I'm kinda partial to silver Jeeps. My wife has a 2018 JLU Sport with the 3.6. She hasn't had any issues with it, but then, it mostly lives in the garage.

 

[18thcenturyguy]

I think the 3.6 is the way to go. The 2.0 is actually an Alfa Romeo engine, or so I've been told. FIAT owns Chrysler!

Don't get me wrong. I'm going to miss the heated seats and steering wheel and other luxury items. But I want simplicity and reliability.

I guess I'll have to change those headlights as soon as possible, I forgot how awful the stock TJ lights were. LOL

 

[lBasket]

I think the 3.6 is the way to go. The 2.0 is actually an Alfa Romeo engine, or so I've been told. FIAT owns Chrysler!

Don't get me wrong. I'm going to miss the heated seats and steering wheel and other luxury items. But I want simplicity and reliability.

I guess I'll have to change those headlights as soon as possible, I forgot how awful the stock TJ lights were. LOL

Good thing you can add in your own seat heaters

 

[18thcenturyguy]

I was actually looking at different ones. Winter is almost over. I'll worry about it next year.

Right now I'm all about getting it lifted and adding some 33s

 

[18thcenturyguy]

Is anyone familiar with Clayton Offroad lift kits? I'm in Connecticut and their headquarters is one town away. Their stuff looks beefy online. Be easy enough to deal with them if I had any issues.

 

[AndyG]

Score. Nice.

Everybody needs to take note that this person went to Florida and look at how good it worked out.

People get it in their head that the jeep has to come locally and I would rather have one come from Timbuktu that doesn’t have rust than walk across the street to purchase one.

Welcome back to the TJ fold- we forgive you but don’t do it again.

Tell us what your avatar means. 18th Century. You’re not a vampire are you.

 

[18thcenturyguy]

Thanks Andy. 18th century guy: I am a History Teacher. I've been teaching high school for 28 years.

I actually am having the TJ delivered to me from Florida. I had the guy send me like a hundred pictures before I pulled the trigger.

 

[lBasket]

Thanks Andy. 18th century guy: I am a History Teacher. I've been teaching high school for 28 years.

I actually am having the TJ delivered to me from Florida. I had the guy send me like a hundred pictures before I pulled the trigger.

Dang missed an opportunity for an excuse for a beach vacation!!

 

[AndyG]

Thanks Andy. 18th century guy: I am a History Teacher. I've been teaching high school for 28 years.

I actually am having the TJ delivered to me from Florida. I had the guy send me like a hundred pictures before I pulled the trigger.

Sounds good.

28 years is great- I bet you met some of the people you teach about

I would love to hear your theory on historical accuracy.

I once heard the statement of “history is a written set of well ordered lies. “

I’m not saying that I think that is the case but I do wonder if our perception and even romantic idealism distorts our view.

My view of previous cultures and time frames in history is that things were a lot tougher than we imagine.

 

[18thcenturyguy]

History is written by the winners. But the losers have their own versions too. The truth lies somewhere in between.


I agree, we are weak compared to previous generations of people. I can tell you from experience that teenagers keep getting weaker and dumber by the year.

 

[AndyG]

History is written by the winners. But the losers have their own versions too. The truth lies somewhere in between.


I agree, we are weak compared to previous generations of people. I can tell you from experience that teenagers keep getting weaker and dumber by the year.

 

[18thcenturyguy]

It's so sad. I teach in the inner city 50% black 50% Hispanic, basically. I teach Juniors and Seniors. Not one of my students owns a car and only a handful have a job. They literally do nothing other than play on their phones. Like, they don't go to parties or out on dates. It's really pathetic. Other than the girls, I haven't seen a fight in years. It's like the boys have no testosterone at all. The boys actually use like cream and lotion, highlight their hair. No masculinity left at all.

 

[AndyG]

It's so sad. I teach in the inner city 50% black 50% Hispanic, basically. I teach Juniors and Seniors. Not one of my students owns a car and only a handful have a job. They literally do nothing other than play on their phones. Like, they don't go to parties or out on dates. It's really pathetic. Other than the girls, I haven't seen a fight in years. It's like the boys have no testosterone at all. The boys actually use like cream and lotion, highlight their hair. No masculinity left at all.

Actually a lot of the testing for testosterone on young men has been shocking- With 700 to 1200 being the range were talking about boys at 50-200.

The high divorce rate leads to fewer male role models.

The cell phones discourage energetic activities- When I grew up we would ride our bicycles to the ballpark to practice baseball and then ride it home and play in the yard til dark 30....We took everything apart we can get our hands on... We hiked miles to go fishing....We hunted before school....We drank from the hose...we hiked, we rappelled, camped, rock climbed, dammed creeks.

Not only did we have a car normally it was something we worked a summer job for or we pulled it out of the weeds and we got it going.

I paid $400 for a VW beetle- Baja Bug.

I never stopped turning wrenches on it.

And I was just average. This is not about me - I’m just talking about a country boy in 1982.

We noticed in the urban areas in North Alabama masculinity is nonexistent with young men and when you get out in the county you start to see mullets, Carhartt clothes, boats behind trucks and camo.

I’m not going to get on a platform - but am convinced that most male and female characteristics are built-in and can only be changed by influence, environment and choices. These kids are not born that way.

 

[John Cooper]

And I was just average. This is not about me - I’m just talking about a country boy in 1982.

We noticed in the urban areas in North Alabama masculinity is nonexistent with young men and when you get out in the county you start to see mullets, Carhartt clothes, boats behind trucks and camo.

@AndyG family picture mid-to late 80's.

 

[John Cooper]

And @AndyG Now!!!!!

 

[TheBoogieman]

It's so sad. I teach in the inner city 50% black 50% Hispanic, basically. I teach Juniors and Seniors. Not one of my students owns a car and only a handful have a job. They literally do nothing other than play on their phones. Like, they don't go to parties or out on dates. It's really pathetic. Other than the girls, I haven't seen a fight in years. It's like the boys have no testosterone at all. The boys actually use like cream and lotion, highlight their hair. No masculinity left at all.

My next-door neighbor is 28 years old. He plays video games all day and smokes pot daily. He's never even had a GF. ZERO testosterone. Thank God he didn't join the military.
p.s. Congrats on the new TJ. Looks like you got a good deal.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

So, I would like to get back involved in this forum. I owned a 2005 TJ 20 years ago and drove it for about 10 Years. I made the mistake of buying a 2015 JK and driving that for about 6 years, then traded it in for a 2018 JL. The JL is the biggest piece of junk I've ever owned. The 2.0 Turbo has had all sorts of issues. I had to get a timing chain assembly at 65k miles, just as the warranty ran out. The Main seal leaks. The Rear end is starting to fail and lock up in reverse. So last week I decided to sell it, before anything else goes wrong.

As luck would have it I found a 2005 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with 66k miles in Florida. 1 owner, totally stock. Clean as a whistle. Picked it up for 15K

Here are some pics of my past jeeps and the new one.

View attachment 596375View attachment 596376View attachment 596377View attachment 596378

Anyways, I'm so excited to have another TJ. My first one was a sport and I have many fond memories with it. I can't wait to start building this one. First things first, I need to removed that luggage rack. Probably give it a full tune up and change all the fluids. Then it is time to start obsessing about the lift and new tires. I managed to put aside about 6k for a lift and new tires, regear, and such. I hope that's enough. Prices have certainly increased since the last build.

I get it. Lots of JL owners wish they had bought a Jeep.

Welcome back!

 

[tnjeepguy]

Rubi looks good as is. Drive for a while and see how it goes. OEM Rubi and good mud tires go almost anywhere.

Do you go off road ??

 

[TheBoogieman]

OEM Rubi and good mud tires go ALmost anywhere.

Fixed that for spelling accuracy. My oil pan/trans skid plate showed the stock limitations.