Which TJ would you choose?

[FamilyFunWagon]

Okay guys. I have found two different jeep and they are both nice builds. What would you choose? I know it will come down to my preferences, but I still want to hear some opinions.

First:

2004 Jeep Tj Rubicon: 49K miles Automatic. Full traction lift (stretched). King coiler outboard shocks in the rear. Front has springs and Bilstein. ARB locker in the rear. ARB air compressor running locker. Factory locker in the front with RCV Axles. Genright front and rear fenders and roll cage. sitting on 37" tires. It seems like it has been wheeled a lot, but is not crazy beat up. Soft top. Automatic trans, transmission cooler. Bought it from his friend who was the original owner.

Second:

2006 LJ: 130K miles Automatic. Looks to be on a Savvy lift. Outboard shocks (Bilstein Reservoir). 35" tires. Metalcloak fenders , savvy sliders. The guy seems pretty clueless when I asked questions. His response is, you gotta come look at it. I don't know much about the build. I just thought it was a cool jeep. I asked if it had lockers, he said not the 4x4 shifter is inside the jeep. So, I will have to go see this one.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Depends on the prices and previous offroad use. I won't buy a "built" Jeep that has been abused. I prefer to buy them stock, then mod them to my needs. I bought my Rubicon from the original owner when it was stock, then modded it for my needs. I liked it so much that I bought it back 2 years after selling it.

p.s.

 

[inkedrose]

I know enough to know I don't know shit. My current Jeep had a lot done by PO. Negotiated into the deal that I would need it inspected by a shop I trust, if everything was good to go we'd move forward. If someone has a shady build that will help eliminate them out of the gate

 

[oldjeepman]

I would go look at both, drive them and then decide which one works for you. When I was looking for my LJ I looked at lots of them. Passed up several ones with LS in them and one Hemi. But I wanted one with a slight build I could build on, not tear apart and rebuild.

 

[JMT]

That’s a lot to digest. Depends on what you plan to do with it and is it going to be a DD? The TJR is seriously modded. Is that what you want to do to a rig anyway? If so you’re a long way down the road. If not you’ll have to re-do a lot. How much $$$? How’s the frame rust? How many miles?

 

[Duck Doctor]

2004 Rubicon: Rubicon Dana 44 axles are not strong enough for those 37" tires and you won't be able to hear the axles low enough. Full Traction long arms aren't a great setup based on my personal experience.

2006 LJ: You'll need to regear to 5.38 to make that 42rle bearable on the highway. Figure $5,000 minimum for regear, axle shafts, and lockers.

 

[Tob]

Stepping back from the specific details here - judging by your username, “Family Fun Wagon”, assuming you’ll be in a party or more than two people, an LJ would be more suitable for you and your family.

 

[Tob]

I asked if it had lockers, he said not the 4x4 shifter is inside the jeep.

It sounds like he thought you were asking about locking front wheel hubs. You might get a more sensible answer by specifying “differential lockers”.

 

[WestCoastDan]

You had me at "LJ"!

 

[AndyG]

I’ve got one of each and if you’re not in tight terrain the LJ is really nice- If you like to go places and do things and carry stuff the LJ is head and shoulders better with the added room.

The TJ shines on tight trails.

Keep in mind built doesn’t mean built correctly so make sure you’re not gonna be straightening out somebody’s work more than you want.

 

[Chris]

Pictures please

 

[FamilyFunWagon]

No rust. Both are California jeeps. Both owners are older gentleman. Prices are very similar. I will post pictures once I figure that out.

 

[FamilyFunWagon]

I forgot about the psc steering. And the rear shock mounts had Currie stamped. Don’t know if that means it is currie

 

[FamilyFunWagon]

Lj

 

[Camdenst]

Having had both a TJ and An LJ.... The LJ usability and additional space is undeniable.

 

[JMT]

I forgot about the pack steering. And the rear shock mounts had Currie stamped. Don’t know if that means it is currie

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Remember that the Dana 44 ball joints are not up to running 37’s. You’d want to drop down to 35’s unless you want to be changing them every six months.

Not much love for long arm suspension, so if I bought that Jeep I’d replace it with a midarm. Besides that pretty decent setup. If the price is right.

The LJ is the unicorn of Jeep’s, so think about that.