Jeep LJ/ TJU Pros and Cons

[Alchemist03]

Hi all! Got a question about the infamous Jeep LJ. Is it really as great as people say it is? My 1st Jeep was on the JK platform, switched to the TJ (didn't fully appreciate it when I had it) and then made my way over to the JL platform. I can pick apart the good and bad of each one but still find myself drawn to the LJ. I have an opportunity to snag one but may have to trade in my current JLU. I'm weighing the options to see if this is worth it for me to make a move like this. I have a kiddo and my wife's care is the primary family hauler. But It's still nice to have a back up 2nd vehicle she can use in case SHTF.

I'd like to hear your experiences of owning a LJ and if you still have it - why or why not. Most posts I've read from this forum and others are filled with regret after selling it lol.

Edit: I should also list my reasons why I'm considering this.
- owning something that'll gain value while still owning a piece of Jeep history

- simplicity of maintenance compared to modern vehicles. I like being able to do my own repairs when I can.

-would be my DD but I am home mostly since I work in a hybrid role that requires me to be in office some days of the week and the others I can work form home. My commute also is not far, 15- 20 minutes.

-I am in the process of saving for a house to move out of the city in the next 2 years. So this would help to lower my DTI ratio.

End of the day I guess I'm trying to "have my cake and eat it to" Still leery that this is a 20 something year old vehicle and repairs and maintenance come with the territory. Just hoping it doesn't turn into a nightmare

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[Jeep Creep]

I can’t answer you about the LJ but I have had my TJ for 23 years and it’s not going anywhere.
It’s been a great vehicle with minimal maintenance issues. They are also easy to do your own maintenance on.
If I had a chance to buy a LJ that was in decent shape and had a good frame I would be all over it.!
Good luck in your decision

 

[Alaska-HWY JK]

They combined the TCM/PCM on the 2005 with the automatic, that’s where my problem was. The part is no longer supported. I guess there’s an outfit making them now.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I can't speak for LJ's but I can speak for driving a 20 year old vehicle.

We have a 2006 Chrysler Town & Country that we bought from the grandkid of a little old lady - it had 55K on it. We've put another 22K on it in two and a half years.

We replaced two brake rotors, two or three calipers, all of the brake pads, the valve cover gaskets, radiator, the electric cooling fans, the water pump, the power steering reservoir, and two alternators in that time frame. I think I did an idler pulley too?

The first four things in that list were mostly due to the low miles at that age. Brakes tend to seize up when sitting a lot. Seals get old and dry, etc.

Anyway - we have done all of the repairs ourselves and for the age consider it to be 'reliable'. If you are handy, I see no issues. If you have to pay someone for everything, it might not be as fun.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I had 2 new, a standard one, then a Rubicon when that became available.

It was great at the time, because at the time, a TJ couldn't fit a single bag of groceries behind the rear seat.

For me, at 6'5, and at that time, fresh back from Iraq with a new hip and knee, the extra leg room and cargo room was wonderful. And it rode a lot better than my old TJ. And it had overdrive lol.

But like most old things people yammer on about now, they're viewing through rose colored glasses, like a 5.9 Cummins, 7.3 Powerstroke, any big block, CJ's

By todays standards, they're loud AF, slow AF, terrible mileage, handle like a cereal box...

A 2 door JK is better in every way.

 

[Ward]

Being in PA I'd certainly check for body & frame rust.

 

[DylanM]

I've had my LJ for fifteen years, no plans to get rid of it anytime soon. It's been very reliable, drives nicely, is quite capable offroad, and is simple to work on. Aftermarket support is good and most parts and information for the TJ translate directly across, insurance is cheaper than for newer vehicles, gas mileage isn't so good (~15mpg average). It has all the good features and quirks of a TJ but with the addition of some useable cargo area, a bit more rear legroom, and a nicer ride. Added bonus is the LJ came standard with the rear D44 axle.

Pros: it's a 20 year old vehicle.
Cons: it's a 20 year old vehicle.

Known problems with the LJ are the same as for the late model TJ: the '05-'06 PCM as mentioned had some quality control issues that'd result in automatic transmission control problems and/or o2 sensor heater faults, the NSG370 manual transmission's reverse gear is susceptible to damage which causes it to pop out of reverse, and gas burping out of the filler as the tank reaches full when fueling is a common issue.

 

[Alchemist03]

I've had my LJ for fifteen years, no plans to get rid of it anytime soon. It's been very reliable, drives nicely, is quite capable offroad, and is simple to work on. Aftermarket support is good and most parts and information for the TJ translate directly across, insurance is cheaper than for newer vehicles, gas mileage isn't so good (~15mpg average). It has all the good features and quirks of a TJ but with the addition of some useable cargo area, a bit more rear legroom, and a nicer ride. Added bonus is the LJ came standard with the rear D44 axle.

Pros: it's a 20 year old vehicle.
Cons: it's a 20 year old vehicle.

Known problems with the LJ are the same as for the late model TJ: the '05-'06 PCM as mentioned had some quality control issues that'd result in automatic transmission control problems and/or o2 sensor heater faults, the NSG370 manual transmission's reverse gear is susceptible to damage which causes it to pop out of reverse, and gas burping out of the filler as the tank reaches full when fueling is a common issue.

Good to know. Can a new PCM be ordered or an older one used?

 

[Alchemist03]

I had 2 new, a standard one, then a Rubicon when that became available.

It was great at the time, because at the time, a TJ couldn't fit a single bag of groceries behind the rear seat.

For me, at 6'5, and at that time, fresh back from Iraq with a new hip and knee, the extra leg room and cargo room was wonderful. And it rode a lot better than my old TJ. And it had overdrive lol.

But like most old things people yammer on about now, they're viewing through rose colored glasses, like a 5.9 Cummins, 7.3 Powerstroke, any big block, CJ's

By todays standards, they're loud AF, slow AF, terrible mileage, handle like a cereal box...

A 2 door JK is better in every way.

I hear that. When I went from JK/JKU to a TJ over a decade ago I didn't understand what they hype was about. At the time I didn't know how reliable the 4.0 L was along with how maneuverable the TJ was. Granted I never had any issued with the 3.8 or 3.6. To me modern was always better but now that I've gotten older, I still do appreciate modern touches but have grown to enjoy the older simple stuff that the TJ brings.

Part of me still wants to get a beater JK/JKU but I also know that these won't really hold value - maybe some special editions or the 17-18 Rubicon Recon editions since they were the most refined. I just don't see the JKs or JLs being looked back at in the same lens as the TJ/LJ. Unless Stellantis does something stupid like axe the wrangler line or make it fully electric.

 

[Alchemist03]

They combined the TCM/PCM on the 2005 with the automatic, that’s where my problem was. The part is no longer supported. I guess there’s an outfit making them now.

Ok so if that part goes, then I'd essentially be SOL or diving in junk yards to scavenge it from a similar TJ/LJ?

 

[Alchemist03]

I can’t answer you about the LJ but I have had my TJ for 23 years and it’s not going anywhere.
It’s been a great vehicle with minimal maintenance issues. They are also easy to do your own maintenance on.
If I had a chance to buy a LJ that was in decent shape and had a good frame I would be all over it.!
Good luck in your decision

If you were somehow forced to give up your JT or TJ and could only keep one. What would it be?

 

[DylanM]

Good to know. Can a new PCM be ordered or an older one used?

The PCM used in '05-'06 is a completely different style versus the '04 and earlier, it is not interchangeable. If a replacement is needed for an '05-'06 the most common and best feedback option is to source one from Wranglerfix, the one they offer is a new manufacture with good reputation.

 

[Jeep Creep]

Hmmm… providing I could replace the one I’m getting rid of with something else, I would probably let the JT go

 

[Coltron_Actual]

Good to know. Can a new PCM be ordered or an older one used?

Cannot be repaired, but WranglerFix is building replacements. I have one in my 2006. Do not even bother with junkyard PCM's, if there's even any left.

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