Is this an LJ?

[DaveL]

I came across a damaged LJ. It needs a lot of work, but it has a v8 swap, etc that could be very nice. The thing is that when I run the car fax it comes back as a wrangler sport. I believe it should say unlimited. A google search suggests there are

Was there any overlap between the longer body and the sport model in 2004? Or did someone modify a sport into an LJ? or maybe there was a vin swap in the past?

Also the talegate opens down like a pickup truck. in 2004 I thought all of them opened to the side.

I just want to know that when I am finished I will have a real LJ and the increased value that they bring. is there a number or letter in the vin that indicates that it is an LJ?

 

[AndyG]

I came across a damaged LJ. It needs a lot of work, but it has a v8 swap, etc that could be very nice. The thing is that when I run the car fax it comes back as a wrangler sport. I believe it should say unlimited. A google search suggests there are

Was there any overlap between the longer body and the sport model in 2004? Or did someone modify a sport into an LJ? or maybe there was a vin swap in the past?

Also the talegate opens down like a pickup truck. in 2004 I thought all of them opened to the side.

I just want to know that when I am finished I will have a real LJ and the increased value that they bring. is there a number or letter in the vin that indicates that it is an LJ?

Yes - there is an “ L” in the vin I believe , hence the LJ designation, it really doesn’t mean Long Jeep. Not sure which character in the 17 number series but others know -

It is actually a TJ Wrangler Unlimited -LJ became the common name, though Jeep never dubbed it that.

What you may be looking at is a conversion, such as Genright sells- pics help. Sounds heavily modified either way.

The tailgate is a mod for sure .

It’s value will depend on how well it is done.

There is also a numerical crossover in VIN numbers where are you have a certain number and it calculates into a certain letter of the alphabet like 3 means C , etc- I can’t remember the formula for some where the letter L was in the factory designations please just don’t hold me to the nuances-

 

[TheBoogieman]

I can't see the pics to answer your questions.

 

[DaveL]

It is definitely the longer body, but there is not an L in the vin.

I just want to make sure I’m not looking at a stolen unlimited that has been vin swapped. I am struggling to understand why there wasn’t an insurance claim and a salvage title.

Google vin decoders don’t seem to have a designation for the unlimited. Was that not a trim level like the sport?

I paid for a build sheet last night and it does say LWB which I interpreted as long wheel base indicating it was originally built this way. Anyone have other thoughts?

It is heavily modified (g2 axles, V8 and trans swap, etc, etc.) but it was in a flash flood and needs a complete interior including gauges, dash, and new wiring, along with several body parts but the tub is near perfect. It runs and drives so the driveline seems to be fine.

He said he turned down 6k but suggested it wouldn’t take much more to get the deal done.

 

[Username]

My LJ doesn't have a L in the vin.

 

[Texas-TJ]

It is definitely the longer body, but there is not an L in the vin.

I just want to make sure I’m not looking at a stolen unlimited that has been vin swapped. I am struggling to understand why there wasn’t an insurance claim and a salvage title.

Google vin decoders don’t seem to have a designation for the unlimited. Was that not a trim level like the sport?

I paid for a build sheet last night and it does say LWB which I interpreted as long wheel base indicating it was originally built this way. Anyone have other thoughts?

It is heavily modified (g2 axles, V8 and trans swap, etc, etc.) but it was in a flash flood and needs a complete interior including gauges, dash, and new wiring, along with several body parts but the tub is near perfect. It runs and drives so the driveline seems to be fine.

He said he turned down 6k but suggested it wouldn’t take much more to get the deal done.

Use a vin decoder to see how it came from the factory. You can PM me the vin and I can run a Carfax and AutoCheck report for you

 

[sourbluff]

This is for mine, which is for sure LJ, from https://www.jeep.com/webselfservice/BuildSheetServlet?vin=
No ‘L’ or use of word unlimited in title. You can put VIN at end that URL to check build sheet.

Mine does have the LWB designation you mention in build sheet.

Might look for this plate on frame above driver front lower control arm mount. I believe it is LJ specific.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

This is for mine, which is for sure LJ, from https://www.jeep.com/webselfservice/BuildSheetServlet?vin=
No ‘L’ or use of word unlimited in title. You can put VIN at end that URL to check build sheet.
View attachment 413793

Mine does have the LWB designation you mention in build sheet.

View attachment 413795


Might look for this plate on frame above driver front lower control arm mount. I believe it is LJ specific.

View attachment 413794

View attachment 413795

Good call on the frame reinforcement plate. That is definitely LJ (TJ Unlimited) specific - and not there on a TJ.

 

[mrblaine]

I came across a damaged LJ. It needs a lot of work, but it has a v8 swap, etc that could be very nice. The thing is that when I run the car fax it comes back as a wrangler sport. I believe it should say unlimited. A google search suggests there are

Was there any overlap between the longer body and the sport model in 2004? Or did someone modify a sport into an LJ? or maybe there was a vin swap in the past?

Also the talegate opens down like a pickup truck. in 2004 I thought all of them opened to the side.

I just want to know that when I am finished I will have a real LJ and the increased value that they bring. is there a number or letter in the vin that indicates that it is an LJ?

There is no such thing as an LJ, that is purely 100% a nickname given to the TJ Unlimited by enthusiasts. If you can get any pictures of the VIN plate, what you are looking for is TJJ 78. Family is TJ, TJJ is domestic market, 78 is longer wheel base. The base TJ Unlimited does have Sport on the sides at times, generally it has a smaller height UNLIMITED right under the JEEP that is embossed in the sheet metal right behind the front fenders.

 

[Chris]

There is no such thing as an LJ, that is purely 100% a nickname given to the TJ Unlimited by enthusiasts. If you can get any pictures of the VIN plate, what you are looking for is TJJ 78. Family is TJ, TJJ is domestic market, 78 is longer wheel base. The base TJ Unlimited does have Sport on the sides at times, generally it has a smaller height UNLIMITED right under the JEEP that is embossed in the sheet metal right behind the front fenders.

Thanks for saying it for me. Now get ready for the special folks that take this as an insult and want to argue about it with you.

 

[mrblaine]

Thanks for saying it for me. Now get ready for the special folks that take this as an insult and want to argue about it with you.

They can argue all they like. All they have to do to win is post up a screenshot of the dealer's computer screen showing LJ as a body code. The body code is TJ and that has never changed.

 

[DaveL]

Thank you all for the help. unfortuantely I have leanred that the 5.9 magnum in the jeep is not legal here as the jeep is a 2004 and the 5.9 magnum ended production in 2003. The engine is required to be the same year or newer in AZ (maybe everywhere?). This would have to be off road only and that isn't what I am looking for.

 

[mrblaine]

Thank you all for the help. unfortuantely I have leanred that the 5.9 magnum in the jeep is not legal here as the jeep is a 2004 and the 5.9 magnum ended production in 2003. The engine is required to be the same year or newer in AZ (maybe everywhere?). This would have to be off road only and that isn't what I am looking for.

That has to be only in and around the big cities. Even California doesn't have that rule for 100% of the State. Check further and see if outlying counties away from the metro areas still have to do smog tests. If not, then the answer is as simple as registering it in one of them.

 

[TJ Don]

Thank you all for the help. unfortuantely I have leanred that the 5.9 magnum in the jeep is not legal here as the jeep is a 2004 and the 5.9 magnum ended production in 2003. The engine is required to be the same year or newer in AZ (maybe everywhere?). This would have to be off road only and that isn't what I am looking for.

Strange law. How do they enforce that, do you have to open the hood and show 'em what's in there when you register it?

Michigan is pretty liberal in this regard; no inspections, no smog nonsense, no nanny laws (or at least none that can be enforced practically).

 

[mrblaine]

Strange law. How do they enforce that, do you have to open the hood and show 'em what's in there when you register it?

Michigan is pretty liberal in this regard; no inspections, no smog nonsense, no nanny laws (or at least none that can be enforced practically).

If he has to smog it, the one they get you on is the visual. No TJ of that year came with a V-8 and then the questions start. No good answers to prove what you are trying to get passed, no smog, no registration.

 

[JPHikr]

I have never done a smog check when registering an out of state in to AZ, but we live in Yavapai County area that is not in section A.

 

[DaveL]

I’m in phoenix.

The last engine swap I was involved with was in the 90s and we put in a v8 that was originally offered in the vehicle so it was easy. I’m just not sure I want to pour a ton of money into this only to find out I can’t register it.

 

[Rickyd]

I’m in phoenix.

The last engine swap I was involved with was in the 90s and we put in a v8 that was originally offered in the vehicle so it was easy. I’m just not sure I want to pour a ton of money into this only to find out I can’t register it.

Hemi swap it!

 

[mrblaine]

Hemi swap it!

Or at least a set of valve covers that say HEMI on them.

 

[DaveL]

Yes that is it.

A hemi swap would add a lot of cost!