My my '02 is all analog. The only thing electronic is the fuel system. Doesn't even have ABS. Modern crawl control would probably add some capability, but where's the fun in having the computer do it for you?
Jeep Life71 she has 138k km on her and I’m going to treat her real well I’m going to personally give it my hands 🖐 trust em most extreme eye for details and in finicky lol 😂 atm she is untampered im going to clean every square inch . It’s under coated nicely and has full history report clean when I seen it I thought man it’s to clean for 15 years old somethings wrong seemed suspicious lol 😂 but I guess I found the rare exception in 15 years 130 k km when I bought it meant it hardly drive anywhere minimum 8 k km a year lol peanuts I’ve put 8 k on it in last couple months and no issues some things I’m gonna look into small click noises etc but that’s a Jeep thing 4x4 linkage arms need rubber bushing kit lol 😂 good with my hands she will get taken care of better then she ever has . Happens when ya save save save for long time in 31 it’s my first wheels and I respect it heavily vs if I was 16 may be bad lol 😂 JK looks so so nice inside tho lol 😂 took top off and windshield down doors off in the summer when I got it man oh man nothing like that lol 😂 total freedom
Owned 5 wranglers (3 TJs, 2 JKs). The motors I had were 2.5L, 4.0L x2, 3.8L, and I’m currently on the 3.6L. Love the 3.6L! Loved the 4.0s, but in a heavier Jeep like the JK or JL, it would have sucked as some believe the 3.8L sucks. I do disagree as it wasn’t the best, but it wheeled ok and I think they’re really reliable. Anyway, nice discussion!
My dad passed down his 93 YJ to me with the 4.0 (ran strong for 26 years until sold), then i got a TJ 4.0 and currently own a JK with the 3.6 manual. Loved the TJ but it just felt outdated. Would get one still for strict offroad use. The JK can off road too but the daily drive feel is really good.
I had a 12 rubicon 4 door. Good Jeep, but the 3.6 liter was crap. Broke valve springs 2 different times in a 2 month period. Jeep finally replaced the head. 2 months later the head gasket failed. Sold that Jeep and bought a much more reliable 2002 TJ with the 4.0. Much happier....
I have a cj7 with a 5.3 and all kinds of things in it but I don't like the interior anymore and I don't have a.c.. I been thinking abot selling and just getting a tj. Do you think I might regret it?
@@pedepablo1638 You just might! My CJ was a beast compared to the TJ 4.0 Wrangler Sport..... But with that said my TJ is a better road driver. The CJ 7 w/ Quadra Trac and the AMC 304 was the trail BOSS!!!! 😁😁 I miss my RENAGADE on the trails.....on the road, not so much. I would like it back....be like having my cake and eating it too! Not so sure about affording both bad habits at once.....😂😂 The TJ has air conditioning 😃
Through the years I had many cj , yj and Tj . I just bought a 2012 two door jk 3.6 engine and 285 horse power ! This jk is by far the best Jeep I ever had . I love the looks of it too because is almost a foot longer and 5 inch wider than other jeeps I owned!
I own an '18JK and it drives like a car. Just picked up a TJ Rubicon and it's way more fun to drive. Easier to mod, better size...The top off is more open compared to a JK or JL. on and on..
I have an 06 TJ with 33s and the 4spd auto. I went about a year with 3.73s and eventually regeared (myself) to 4.88s and it has made a world of a difference. I DD too. Definitely a supporter of regearing. I even get better mileage now.
Regearing it also is recommended for off road purposes because it helps get you up the hills easier and you got a jeep not a sports car fuck the mileage
@@galaxyenemy8089 Sure, it has a higher crawl ratio now. But mileage is still a benefit. Also for the record, sports cars don't get very good mileage either.
Both look great. I’m a bit biased towards the TJ though. The 4.0L engine itself is a huge deal over the 3.8. Plus, very easy and spacious to work on the 4.0L. Also, proven to be a very resilient and reliable engine. I own a 2005 LJ “Rubihara” and completely stock. I’m not a fan of lifts and modifications to a vehicle. Granted, I don’t rock crawl or any of that extreme stuff. Just love the look of the LJ’s. 4 door jeeps just not for me. They look cool but not my cup of tea.
@@michaelwaters1535 haha .. never. The only way to get a properly shaken martini is to make it in a leaf spung YJ .. plus, every bump is a steering adventure lol
'02 TJ 4.0L manual here. I prefer the looks, the engine (minus the mpg/range). I'm OK with wimpier suspension but I changed it all out anyway for offroading. The thing that you touched on that sucks with a TJ is the frame rust. You definitely have to take a lot of care to keep it in good condition. If you live in the rust belt, you should think long and hard about a JK instead.
I never put anybody in the back of my tj so I pulled the back seat and built a box to go in the rear (those tuffy security boxes are so expensive). I keep my spare under it most of the time but I occasionally pull it if I need extra space for some reason.
@@planetxmetal that's a good move. I usually have my seat tumbled or out for my dogs but then you're limited to one passenger. I think the solution would be an Lj. But Lj prices in California are on par with a jku almost. Sucks
Just bought my first Jeep in March of Last year, a 2000 TJ with 148,000 miles,best that I can tell,it's pretty much stock, except for the 31" tires,and I was told that the previous owner had changed the axle ratios to 4.11's,as he was going to make a crawler out of it,only paid $7,500.00 for it,not worth a damn on the interstates, lousy milage, but I'll be Damned,if most of the newer Jeeps can follow me offroad, as it will damn near climb a vertical cliff face,Lol, and it has the 2.5 with the 2.5 Engine Rattle,when it breaks, then I'll probably drop a 4.0 or bigger in it,the only drawback that I'm having is the lack of towing capacity, so I'm looking at the new Gladiator, as I need something that can tow at least 5000 pounds offroad!
@@CJLane-62 lol yes the new jeeps will follow u np . more torqe . stock on my jk sport was 32's Sat just as tall as my tj on 2" lift and 33 mickey claws . Also 4.10 gears is stock on 2.5 U also got d30 and d35 . need swap rear for larger tires .
Price plays a huge factor. Personally I'd rather have the 4.0 and use all the money I saved to upgrade the TJ. Love those early model JKs though. The JK is better from the factory but the TJ is more capable if you wanted to do a full build on one I'm running 33s on a Dana 35/30 with 3.07 gears. I'm sure re-gearing would help but it really hasn't bothered me with the 5 speed
Dont start loving the early models witht the 3.8. The 3.8 was complete garbage the only relyable engine in the JKS are the 3.6 and if i were you get from the 11-17 over any other jeep
@@galaxyenemy8089 They're more true to what a Jeep should look like. Soccer moms love the newer JKs and JLs because they are all luxurious and leather wrapped with power everything inside. Honestly I prefer my YJ dash over any of the newer ones because it's barely even there.
I've got nothing bad to say about the JK, but I have heard of some issues with the 3.8. My main focus when I bought my '06 TJ (LJ) is I wanted a simpler, dependable engine and I wanted a long wheel base with only 2 doors. The LJ was only made for 3 years. I would have loved to get a Scrambler, but finding a good one in top condition was WAY expensive. 🤣
I bought a JKU with the 3.6 I do like the TJ but alot of frame rot due to the poor design of water and salt being trapped in the frame. Word of advice Kyle drill 1/2 holes on each side of frames near front control arms and 2nd hole 6 inch away from transfer case so water and salt can drain out
I have had a both a TJ and a JKU. TJ was the absolute best just wish it had AC and a 4.0 lol. I switched to a JKU as a compromise. Little more creature comforts and space so it makes a better vehicle for people wanting to get into off-roading while still having a decent daily commute. Wish I got a 2 door for those tighter trails though
I love my jk and I’m glad I have it but one thing I adore about the TJs is they maintain an old cj look. And the steel is thicker. Tried to sit on my jk hood at a drive in movie once. Thought I was gonna fall through into the engine bay. It’s basically aluminum foil. The TJ hoods seem solid. And really everything else on them and I wish the JKs used thicker sheet metal as well as made the grille not as wide and huge.
I miss my TJ Unlimited (LJ)... but I'm poor and couldn't afford to keep it running as I kept driving the mileage up. The JKs and JLs are nice but I'd take a TJ personally.
1st Jeep was an 08 jk bought in 2011. Sold it to my son (for pennys on the dollar) when i ordered a 2015 Willy's Wrangler with half doors for 32k. Only put 19k miles on it and sold it to a Ford garage for 25k in 2021. Bought to buy an 03 tj x for 8 grand, completely stock and unmolested with a solid frame, a 4.0 L and a 5 speed. I'm more excited about the tj than I was with either jk. Good vid, love the comparison and i think i'm going to have the best vehicle.
That tj looks nice. Didnt even pay attention to the other one, what ever that is. I am building mine at the moment. 98 tj. Rebuilt motor, cylinder walls bored to 30, bigger pistons, rebuilt head. Cant wait. Nice tj man . Love the red
I just love the guys that come on Jeep videos and declare “A jK iSn’T a ReAl JeEp!” and then some crazy talk about 4 doors and some other under 25 year old nonsense. I’m 43 (as the kids would erroneously call a “Boomer”) and I grew up with my dad running old AMC CJ5’s (and vintage Power Wagons). Eventually once I got married and moved out into the world (post Army service) I bought a 2002 TJ Sport (Solar Yellow). It was an auto version (42rle) with 3.73 gears stock and the undesirable D35 in the back. It had a 4 inch lift and 33’s among other mods. It was nice, but it was squirrely at highway speeds….no “death wobble” but it wasn’t a confidence inspiring machine to go above 55 in. Eventually sold it and now I own a 1955 Willys CJ5A which is an absolute BEAST despite how tiny it is. Owning an honest to Odin “real Jeep” is a hoot. I’ll never sell it. That said, my next Jeep will be a JK Rubicon, something between 2007-2010. Preferably with the “old” interior as I prefer the more utilitarian style of the early JK interior, especially the exposed metal (body colored) of the inside of the doors. I think it’s a neat touch of color….something the newer interior redesign is lacking. Also, some folks complain and say that they dislike how the turn signals are under the headlights on the JK…..uh….thats how the old Willys Jeeps are. The TJ deviated from the original layout in that regard. I’d be specifically looking for a 2 door JK Rubi….not because I dislike 4 doors but because I don’t need 4 doors. My 2017 Power Wagon has 4 doors so I got that “need” covered with that. The JK will be a “daily” for me, and I’ll be taking out the back seat entirely. That’s the one thing (of a few things) I look forward to in a JK. It’s wider and a tad bit longer, so it’ll be a bit more stable and the interior room will be welcomed greatly….especially in the back where I’ll store gear, ammo and such. I prefer the JK’s hardtop, much more versatile than the TJ’s. As for the 3.8 vs the 4.0…..the 3.8 isn’t nearly as gutless in the 2 door JK as it is in the JKU (and it’s not that bad in the JKU). The 3.8 itself is an old engine. That motor has had 22 years to prove itself and it’s been proven reliable. It’s just about as quirky as the 4.0 can be, which is to say not often but it also isn’t flawless like some folks believe the 4.0 is. It is NOT. My 4.0 would regularly throw evap codes, it was a phantom issue that I could never fully track down and remedy. It was super annoying. It still ran fine, but it ran odd sometimes…..it never let me down but again, it just never felt like I could absolutely rely on it like I can my old Willys’ 4 cylinder, that thing just runs. Don’t get me wrong, the 4.0 is a fine engine with a great track record but folks often romanticize it to the point of putting it on a pedestal and then acting like the 3.8 is absolutely garbage when that isn’t true. It doesn’t help that the 3.6 is treated about the same as the 4.0 so the 3.8 ends up being sandwiched in between these two and just given a bad rap by the types of folks that jump on bandwagons without firsthand experience. The crowd that feels like everything “is cringe” are largely the ones driving this narrative. To sum it up (so as to not bore the “TLDR” people) the TJ is great, but isn’t perfect and the JK is great, but likewise isn’t perfect. Your mom was pretty perfect last night though 😂…..right next to that fire I built. Folks should buy the Jeep they will use for the right reasons rather than the one they bought to follow a crowd. For me the TJ was a tad too small but the JK (having tried out a couple) feels just right. If I want a small little Jeep for the trails I got the actual Willys for that…..so the JK will be perfect for daily driving and with it being a Rubicon it’ll be like having a little Power Wagon minus the 392 V8.
I've always wanted a Wrangler and from they guys I know who own them and from what my research has concluded, the TJ is the way to go. I also think the TJ looks way cooler and I know it's easier to work on.
Pretty old video but I daily drive a TJ. I’d love to get a newer model (preferably one that I feel more confident driving on the highway), but I just prefer the look of the TJ so much more. Really not crazy about how big they made the bumpers and how the turn signal lights are under the headlights, but otherwise I’d love to get a new one.
Size maters - squeezing between boulders, breaking over obstacles with a shorter wheel base, and yes, the heavier JK has to have a more substantial suspension. However, the icing on the cake is the in-line 6!
Jk not much more heavy than tj. 99tj sahara was a little over 4,000lb stock full tank fuel full doors and rag top . 14jk 4,060 stock full tank fuel full doors and hard top . jk is only 2" longer wheel base . 5-1\2" wider . I play in narrow trails not an issue .
@@street_legal_go_kart7356 I'm pleased to hear that you wheel a jeep. From my sources (Chrysler motor company) : a stock TJ weighed between 3,200lbs and 3,832lbs; stock JK's are between 3,879lbs and 4,132lbs. Modified Jeeps tend to gain weight. I do not know where you wheel, but I've driven through an opening between paired boulders in Sandstone Canyon (Anza Borrego park) in my XJ where JK's & JL's park rather then risk scratching their paint trying to get through. 5-1/2 " Isn't a lot - unless that makes a Jeep too wide for trails laid out for CJ's.
@@onefastcyclist it's one thing to read things on paper and often the things they print it's a whole nother thing to actually put it on a scale. It's not something I read I physically had it on a scale to know the weight. and also is that the TJ's they were the four cylinders with the Dana 35 yes they would be lighter but you have to replace most of what it came with to put bigger tires on it. Whereas the Sahara actually had the rear 44 and D30 so it's a little more comparable to the jk sport.
@@onefastcyclist mark twIn nat forest . a lot side by side and atv wide trails . 14jk lots scratches dents and spary camo paint . Just because some people Park them doesn't mean they're less capable. To be fair a lot could have been said about the TJ when they were new a lot of people didn't want to put scratches or marks in them either.
@@onefastcyclist there's still lots of pretty stock TJ that don't go off-road what are they waiting for the warranty to run out. Mall crawlers come in all models
I had a tj years ago and have a jku now.. definitely agree about the engine on the tj: loads of torque! Tj had a crazy tight turning radius as well.. my jk definitely rides better, but I’m sure some of that has to do with the longer wheel base of the unlimited.. but my jk could get around any obstacle in tight trails with that turning radius! I think the jk is a better daily driver, tj is a better off road machine imo.
I had a 2010 2dr 6spd jk. Put a 2.5" teraflex lift, bilstein shocks and stabilizer, front teraflex bumper, and warn winch. 33's on 17" steelies. Wheeled it hard, never had any issues, thing would go pretty much anywhere. Now I've got a 2004 tj rubicon, 6" lift, clayton control arms and front trackbar, teraflex shocks, bumpers front and rear, warn winch, just got my synergy draglink and tierod. Sitting on 35×14.5-15 pitbull rockers. One thing I liked about the jk was the interior for sure. The tj definitely narrower, I'm average size and my shoulder and arm are right against the door. The 4.0L is miles better than the jk 3.6, so much more bottom end torque. 4 low and 3rd gear I can go anywhere, that rig still amazes me every time I'm out. In stock form the jk has better control arms, I bent both my lower front on the tj.
My perspective : My ancient 1997 Wrangler TJ was bought new in 1996. We have been through so much together. But all through the decades, she has been reliable, and always made me smile. She never faltered nor angered me. We have grown old together. Just looking at her floods my mind with the many years of beautiful memories. She is my love, my life, my dream come true. I have been as faithful to her as she has been to me. Never desiring to get another vehicle, after starting my life with her. She seems as exciting and fun as the day we first went home together. Last year, the many miles and decades of off road treks, rural logging road explorations, and simple daily driving started to take its tole on my beloved. The dreaded death wobble / death rattle began to show. The mild shaking grew worse over the following months. This was my beloved's first illness ever. But I will remain faithful to her as she has been faithful with me all these years. She became no longer able to travel faster than 46 miles per hour because the death rattle threatened to shake apart my beloved. Being true to her, the repairs have already begun. I have been the only one to ever upgrade, maintain and modify her. My ailing beauty has become much better after new ball joints, new track bar, new tie rod. But there is still light death rattle at 46 miles per hour. But we will never be apart. My labour of love will continue until my beloved is running 100% again. Should we ever be involved in a terrible crash that would cripple her horribly, I would have my devastated beauty taken back to my home where I would lovingly make her driveable once more. I would work on her every day after work. With a tear in my eyes, I would never stop until she once again was able to ride with me on the rural logging roads. I love you Windi, my dear Jeep. I love you forever.
@@eskimocheeks9911 Early September 2020, Windi got new tyres, new rear shock absorbers, repaired the trackbar attachment point, new radiator, new electric radiator fan, new fuel injectors, new brakes all around, new clutch, replaced lots of worn bolts and nuts, repaired lots of mounting points with lots of play, This is her first major work. She now runs better than when she was new those many years ago.
Diesel On Radio I have a TJ and had the sailcloth upgraded top and that was nice but now I have the trektop nx and it’s frikin awesome! Looks 20 times better than the factory look.
nc airguner exactly, the 3.8 is a poor performer. Maybe it's good for something, but not a wrangler. No low end torque compared to the 4.0 inline 6. I felt like I was always having to rev it higher than I should need to. I had the 6-speed manual, but forget what gears. Plus, the drive by wire setup is terribly sluggish adding to the poor overall feel and throttle response. However, any Jeep is a good Jeep, but I would personally avoid the early JKs, unless you want a nicer ride than the more "Jeep-like" feel of the TJs - (which is leagues ahead of my old YJs, which were leagues ahead of my CJs). :)
saleen235 Unfortunately my XJ has frame damage so I don’t know if I want to keep it. I have no fabrication skills. I want to keep it but I’m just not sure
TJ is more reliable, you can’t kill the 4.0. Parts are cheaper and easy to work on. If you want a JK get a 12 and up, 3.6 is a better engine. Space sucks in the TJ but when you drive it there is no doubt it’s a Jeep.
Just getting into the Jeep game and checking out your vids and the first thing I see is you rocking that AMMO sticker......Made me LOL as I am a retired 462/2W1.....Keep on Jeepin' on my friend..
i've got a 2014 jk 2 door anvil...closing in on 100k miles. it's been my daily driver the entire time and has only been off road a couple times (mostly because it's been my daily lol). in any case, i do like the leaner look of the tj. i think if i was going for a 2nd car to toy around with, then tj makes sense, but as a primary vehicle and knowing they're smoother on the road than the tj's, i think i'd go with the jk for that added versatility.
@@KyleSVT it's unique. in the shade it's more of a darker gray with almost a slight green tint (like a storm cloud)...which is my preference. in the sun, it's got more of a light bluish tone.
Great comparison. Owned CJs, TJs and JK’s. TJ’s hit the sweet spot between old school and modern. JKs have a better factory suspension but who keeps their’s stock. JKs are big, heavy plasticity hogs. Built out your well over 5000lbs. Building a TJ right now and it will be under 4000. Much cheaper to buy and buildout. Beefing up the tie rod, drag link, Track bar is less than $500 bucks.
99tj sahara stock in 2000 . was little over 4,000lb full tank fuel full doors and soft top . 14jk sport in 14 all stock full tank fuel full doors and hard top 4,060lb not much difrrence . Rock jock 44 Detroit locker D44 torson lsd carbon chromoly shafts 4.88 gears 34" mickey mtzp3 on?17x9 steel black rock rims full tank hard top &doors 4,380lb :)
My stock 2005 TJ 6 cly 6spd soft top was a good 400lbs+ lighter than my 2008 JK Sport equivalent. Moderately built out my JK’s both weighed over 5000lbs. My current TJ build weighs barely 3800 with me in it. Yes JK’s are way easier to build and get huge tires under. I am only running 33s though so it was just as easy to build. Running 35s or bigger go with the JK any day. Our trails are old tight CJ trails and the JKs and JLs are just to wide to get up them without scraping everything in sight
@@SPQR-Z what axels ? D turdyfive . ya smaller axels and smaller tires will be less . i added more than few lbs going from a d30 to rock jock 44 . i have not found any where my tj went that i could not in jk . jk just makes it less effort .
TJ... my kid said no to my brand new Tacoma off-road because according to him TJ’s are gods chariot to the common off-road peasantry.... he’s my kid, what do you expect..........
The only problems with wranglers is the price. You can't find a TJ for less than $5000 here but I bought my clean bone stock Cherokee for $2700. I would much rather have a Cherokee with $2000 in mods than a stock TJ. The Cherokees also have a longer wheelbase and more cargo area.
Good comparison. Pros and cons to both platforms, decide what is best for you. I have had both, and while I don't believe my JK will be as reliable long term, it sure is the nicer vehicle all around.
Jeep Life71 I just hate the feel and look of the jk handles. I’m not sure about the tj but I slam the door shut and beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.. the door is open..
The TJ handles are carried over for years from AMC. Gremlins and most AMC autos had these handles. So the handles and straight 6 are AMC traditions that are now gone.
I of course like the uh the best but tj is the better one for me as well I like the real jeep experience better but I am happy 😄 I just own one finally this is my first jeep ever
there is no way 3.73 with 35 inch tires drives like a stock jeep, i have 33 inch tires on mine and I can tell a huge difference from when it was stock. HUGE!!!
i wish Jeep guys would just say what year Jeep they are talking about instead of saying TK, JK, UK. the rest of us have no idea what your talking about
TJ was a lot of fun had a 99 TJ Sahara for 14 years. 14 JK sport The Last 5 Years. Stock the stock JK smoke TJ all day. Most TJ's came with a Dana 35 rear so you'd have to swap both axles for larger tires. Jk just have to swap the front if you want something stupid strong.
I’ve driven multiple jk’s and drive an 04 wrangler sport 4.0 nv3550 5speed. To me, it seems the tj has better steering feel, the cable throttle I much prefer, no delay, throttle by wire usually sucks, especially with a stick. I think the tj is better suited to a manual than the jk, the tj seems to have better clutch/throttle feel and you can actually hear the engine running. Interior wise I like tj, very simple no gizmos or plastic chrome. The tj seats are way more comfortable, the jk headrests/restraints are angled forward, very annoying and uncomfortable. I feel the tj drives better down the road imo, except for less power. The tj has more style and personality, like a modern muscle car vs a 60s muscle car, the 60s car is arguably worse on paper in every way, but that’s not the whole story. The jk is undeniably more corrosion resistant, the control arms are stronger and longer, tierod stronger, some say axles are stronger, probably, but they better be stronger, keep in mind jk 2 door is 800lbs heavier than a tj I believe, and combine that with The bigger tires that a jk can fit and run, it might be a wash. O and 3.6 oil coolers👎
The tjs a great vehicle but the engineers at chrysler really fucked us with the whole rot/ rust thing. Looked for months for a clean tj but ended up getting a 2013 jk. Couldnt justify buying something that’ll rot out in the next 5 years.
Not accurate (fair?) comparing a stock TJ Sport suspension with a stock JK Rubicon suspension. Is the JK Sport suspension as beefy as the JK Rubicon? Finally, I love some changes, but does anyone but me hate how the Wrangler is becoming bigger and more bloated? Note: if you speed the video up to 1.25 you lose nothing and video is just as easy to follow.
4.0. Tj will be the next classic. I myself...Lj. 4.0 better engine..tj.. jk better body.. our jeep is our extra car. Top stays down in the summer and gets stored in the garage.
I have 3 jeeps. An old CJ5 a 98 TJ and just bought an '05 TJ unlimited (LJ as some call it). I bought the 05 added 3 inch lift dana 44s with lockers, bfg ko2 35s and new drive shafts and slip yokes. Still no where near the cost of a new rubicon. And it looks better
