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JK back to a TJ/LJ

6K views 65 replies 39 participants last post by  Matt Black 
#1 ·
Has anyone here switched back to a TJ, or owned both? I currently have a JKUR that I love, but I find myself wishing I had a two door. Im not a fan of the JK two doors, and have always loved the TJ's. For those of you who have had both what are some pros, and cons of both. Anyone regret switching to a JK? My 3.8 is gutless is the 4.0 comparable or worse? Right now I have a line on a 2006 LJ Rubicon relativity close and am seriously trading my JK on it.
 
#2 ·
I have a 12 JKU and an 06 TJ. Love them both. If I had to pick one....Id go with the JKU. The 3.6 has more power than the 4.0 does. It drives better, both on and off road. And gets better MPG while doing it. The TJ is funner to drive though.
My TJ is a stick and the JKU is auto. Gearing is nearly the same. 3.08 and 3.21, neither one lifted. 30's on the TJ 32in tires on the JKU
 
#13 ·
The 35 is a rear axle. The low pinion D30 is in the front of the LJ.

The rear D44 would be more up the 35s" your asking about then the D30 would.

I wheel with a bunch of JKs. I honestly like em both. The JKURs I wheel with ride like Caddys compared to my TJ but I like the ruggedness of the TJ. I like that it takes a BEATING. Only time I REALLY wish I had a JK was on the long ride to the off road park.


I think the JKs are really nice. Id love one as a DD but I dont see my self putting it through what my TJ gets put through...its too "pretty".
 
#9 ·
same here. I started looking at YJs and somehow ended up with ordering a JKUR. Made the mistake of going to the jeep dealership when my parents were looking at a grand cherokee, haha. I too will probably get a CJ or YJ as a project/full blown trail rig. Every jeep certainly has its advantages and disadvantages.
 
#12 ·
I drove both , i find TJs cooler personally, something about old technology is funner to me. Plus i am not afraid to really wheel a TJ, as opposed to a JK would be much more expensive, but thats my 2cents
I really wish there was a option to buy a brand new TJ rather then JK. however if it existed i bet it would be expensive and a garage rebuild type of a deal
 
#14 ·
I went from a YJ to a 2jk sport, back to an LJ because the jk sucked, got a CJ and then got a 2 door jk rubi and sold my LJ. If you like ride comfort and the ruggedness of a TJ then an LJ is the way to go. An LJ rubi is a rare find and worth snatching up. I'm not a fan of the 4 doors. Of all of my jeeps the jk rubi has been the most capable, the LJ has been the most comfortable, but I would kill to get my YJ back...it was in great shape and it was my first jeep.
 
#16 ·
I always wanted a Jeep but my wife never thought they were safe to drive with kids as a DD. My friends had CJ's and one had a YJ when they came out and they scared my wife. Now that it's just me and the wife I bought my first Jeep this year. It's a 2013 JKU Sport auto. My wife and I love it. She does not drive so I drive her around in it ass our DD. After having it for a few months and modding it I still found myself looking at every TJ I passed and loved how they look so I went and got a TJ to play with. My wife likes how it looks but hates how it drives and will no longer drive in it. The JKU drives great like any new Jeep should. The TJ (4 cylinder stick) drives like a go cart to me. I find myself driving the TJ when I'm going to work or anywhere without my wife. If one had to go it would be the TJ for sure but I'm loving having both. :)



 
#23 ·
Right...that's why I didn't understand what they might be for. My only thought is on the jk's you can install switches to override the computer and allow it to actuate the lockers in 4hi. Not sure if the tj has the same type of safety devise?
 
#31 ·
Has anyone here switched back to a TJ, or owned both? I currently have a JKUR that I love, but I find myself wishing I had a two door. Im not a fan of the JK two doors, and have always loved the TJ's. For those of you who have had both what are some pros, and cons of both. Anyone regret switching to a JK? My 3.8 is gutless is the 4.0 comparable or worse? Right now I have a line on a 2006 LJ Rubicon relativity close and am seriously trading my JK on it.
I've been there, and I share your sentiment about 2 door JKs. I owned a 07 JKUR 6 speed. It was a nice low mileage jeep and I added an AEV premium 4.5" kit, 37s, 5.38s, and lots of armor. I just couldn't really love the thing and ended up trading it in on my 06 LJR. I actually got 4 thousand dollars more than I paid for the JK so that was nice, and I kept the hardtop from it! Aside from the deal, it was the best jeep decision I've ever made. Funny thing is I was really considering a LJ when I bought the JK, the dealer suckered me in! Take it home overnight they said, it'll be fun they said!!
The JK was nicer on the road hands down. It was smoother, quieter, and had more room for passengers and storage. Offroad was another story, the turning radius of the four door is BAD. With all the trees around here most trails are tight. Then there is the breakover, that sucks too. The turning actually bugged me from day one even noticing the little differences in my own driveway but I ignored it. The drive by wire system on the JKs sucks too, it feels very numb and the TJ/LJ is dead on. 4.0 vs 3.8 is a tossup, they're both weak on the highway. I don't know about the 3.6 and I doubt I'll ever buy one. An LJ rides better than a TJ, and they still ride nice if you use a quality lift. I run a 5.5" RK long arm and their steering. The jeep runs smooth at 80 if I want to even with 37" Krawlers on beadlocks.
 
#32 ·
I traded my 12 JKUR for a 04 Rubicon. Best decision I have made. I missed the 2 door and the fun of the TJ. JK had 35" tires and 3.5" lift and I just put 33s and a 3.5" on my TJ and it handles rock climbing without getting hung up like my JK did. I also think it looks much better and more Jeep. 12 JK had the 3.6 pentastar so I miss that some but the 4.0 is a great motor.
 
#39 ·
Got a '14 JKU and a '05 LJ. Both are great, but very different. If I had to pick one for an only vehicle, I'd have to go with the JK. Just a smooth riding, nicely powered Jeep. The LJ is no slouch either with a 4.0 auto and 4.56 gears. I just wouldn't want to take it on a long road trip. It's a beast on the trails though.



 
#40 ·
back to lj

I sold my '12 JKUR to go back to an LJ. I loved my JKU and will have another one but just couldn't justify offroading a Jeep that I owed for. Sold it and used the left over cash to get a LJ for a great deal. Now I have more money in my pocket for mods instead of payments. :)
 
#41 ·
I had a 2012 jk, I didn't have fun driving it. Although I know how capable it is, it just felt like a mini van or something. It didn't have that jeep vibe that I loved about tjs in the past. I sold it and paid cash for a 2002 and I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner. It totally reminded me why I loved jeeps in the first place. I had forgotten when I had a jk. The TJ has something special that the jk just doesn't have. But, the jk is more comfortable, better mpg , and overall much nicer but I feel the TJ is a better Jeep, the Jk is a better car.
 
#42 ·
I sold my '12 JKUR to go back to an LJ. I loved my JKU and will have another one but just couldn't justify offroading a Jeep that I owed for. Sold it and used the left over cash to get a LJ for a great deal. Now I have more money in my pocket for mods instead of payments. :)
 
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