Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

Got rid of my JKU for a JL

2K views 18 replies 12 participants last post by  FlaJoeTJ 
#1 ·
I finally got myself a LJ. I have had three different JK over the last few years after selling my TJ in 2008. I just wanted to share a picture of the new ride. Its an auto with only 53K miles on it. Trading in my 2015 JKU and getting a check from the dealership and a car never felt sooo good.

I really nailed the dealership hard because for some minor things wrong with it such as the tach being on the wrong side of the needle, air only blowing through the defrost. The PO had obviously taken off all his offroad goodies as well. I got them to drop the price 6K =) :mooning:

I need to get some bumpers and different wheels. The set on there now is off my JKU which I worked into the trade. The dealership had already put stock sport 17" wheels and tires on it so it had adapters already.

the price of LJ hardtops is insane. I can find regular TJ tops for like $800. Aftermarket tops with sliding windows are less than what some OEM tops are asking for on craigslist. Oh well, may as well live with the soft top for a while.
 

Attachments

See less See more
1
#2 ·
Nice! I absolutely love my LJ. Mine is a soft top as well, and when I got it I was thinking I'd soon get a hard top for it, but so far I've been fine with the soft top. I just don't keep food in it when I go camping (I know a fiberglass hard top wouldn't really stop a hungry bear, but it feels a little more secure at least).
 
#3 ·
one of the main reasons for the wife and I getting rid of our JKU and JK was the arizona yearly registration fees! I didnt want to drop several thousand bucks just for plates over the next couple years. Our insurance premium was also cut in half! We currently live in IL where it costs $95 for registration, i read the rules in Az and it sounds quite expensive!

i dont miss my JKU AT ALL. It was a fun ride. 4dr soft top, half doors, manual trans with 3.73 and LSD.
 
#8 ·
not at all. the back seems narrower but I have not had it long enough to try and shove too much back there. I pretty much kept my JKU rear seats folded down 90% of the time and when I had my JK the rear seat was sold the first week I owned it.

I did immediately notice the center consol is much smaller than I remember. Easily fixed with one the steel ones although not as pretty looking.

if you have a LJ now and think you want to spend the 30K or so to get a new JKU just for more room its not worth it. The 3.6L was nice but with bumpers and offroad 33" tires, a soft top, half doors, and no power options & manual trans mine only ever got about 19-20mpg tops. My LJ should be in the high teens for mpg
 
#10 ·
Hi There, I'm in the same boat with the JK to TJU or LJ change. I bought a new 2008 Sahara 2 door, kept it 5 years and cashed out of it. Had good fun in it!

I just retired and moved, so it was time for my next Jeep. I found an 04 LJ with 82K miles and am happy with it! I really prefer the look of a 2 - door Jeep and this gets me a bit of extra length.


Just ordered a Rally Top hard top for it. Should get it within 4 weeks.

See you on the boards!! Have fun. Joe
 
#14 ·
the 3.8 motor sucks, 07 has had reports of people with oil consumption and Jeep wont do anything about it as it is considered to be within spec.

if you want a JK I would serious consider getting a 2012+ newer. If 2012 make sure it had the ticking head recall performed. There is also a power steering line recall on the automatic trans models at least in 2013.

I have bought 4 different JK/JKU. Unless you are buying from a private party or know a good dealership you can probably order a brand new one using the Tread Lightly affiliates discount for what used ones are selling for on the lots. i normally get 2% under invoice, others claimed a dealership in Tx gives out crazy stuff like 5% or better due to the volume they sell.


if you get a JK or JKU especially a manual trans GET 3.73 Gears or 4.11 on a rubicon. Do not pay for the tow package, its silly expensive and you can add it yourself later very easily for $100 including the wiring which is plug and play.

I would say the biggest advantage for the 2012+ JKs over a LJ is the engine and trans. I have had both manuals and automatics with the 3.6. In stock form you will probably hit 20+mpg regularly on the highway. my low optioned JKU with manual trans 3.73 with offroad wheels, tires, and bumpers was getting about 19mpg highway. It had half doors and a soft top so I bet with more options or normal doors and a hard top probably 17-18mpg. The engine has nearly 300hp and you can tell. Its fast for a jeep and will beat most cars from a red light if needed.

the auto trans in the newer ones is nice as it has the select able gears in it. My wife never used it but I always did and noticed it drove much better and got better mpg when i used it.

There is a little more room in the JK series, but not that much. The seats are better after 2013 but still beat you up especially in the lumbar area on long long drives or road trips. The Jks Look much larger but once you get in them they are very easy to drive and your spacial awareness is not a problem at all. when i went from my JK to JKU i thought it was a monster until i started driving it around and really did not notice much of a difference parking etc. The JKU does have a worse turning radius, more like a truck than a jeep

there is a stupid amount of JK aftermarket right now. I would say as much or more than TJ
 
#17 ·
The LJ has been my absolute favorite Jeep since they came out. I've always loved them. The other week I found this guy in Orlando. I got the green light form the lady, agreed to a price of 15k with the owner, & headed to Orlando... Unfortunately I had to walk.



Since I had the funds together I went & checked out another LJ that happened to be for sale in my neighborhood. Pretty sweet jeep. 77k, 33s, zone life, ARB bumber, winch, regeared, etc.. Lots a extra hooplah & well maintained. Just wasn't 'the one'.

Then I went & drove an 07 JKU & damn if that thing didn't drive so well. The 3.8 does feel under powered, but she's so much more refined on the highway.

I've since decided to wait one more year to get a new Jeep (get that boat paid off), but I'm torn between the two. To me the LJ looks soooo much better & I like utilitarian feel of the TJ/LJ, but for the man that spends 80% of his time driving I95 the JKU certainly appeals to me.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top