Guys... come on. You can tell the difference between a YJ and a TJ, right? How about a TJ and a JK?
There has been post after post of folks asking "Is this it?" with a picture, followed by other folks speculating and commenting that it "looks a lot like the JK." If it looks a lot like the JK, you're probably still looking at the JK. You're smart people. You know what you're looking at, whether it be a modified JK, a Euro-spec JK, or a JK body with a different chassis underneath. Hell, I hope you know what a JK looks like, you drive one. If you guys are looking at pictures of JKs and not seeing one, it makes me wonder how you find yours in parking lots. When the JL drops, you'll know it.
You know, I remember times when it was quite difficult for me. Even now, if the suspension is not well visible and I have to look from the rear, the only hope for me when I need to tell YJ from TJ is to get a glimpse of its hood. If it has stamped ridge, it's TJ. If smooth, it's YJ. For a longest time I had a vague feeling that newer jeeps were somewhat bigger than older ones, but I was not sure. Heck, at some time I only could tell a JK from TJ beause TJ's grill is vertical and JK's is sloped.
Wow - from the front, the JK has parking lights under the headlights, no visible headlight rims, large plastic bumper, may have fog lights close to center. From the side, the front flares are also the fenders and the front side marker lights are round. Also, if it has four doors, it's a JK. The door handles are grab bars with a push button (both full or half doors). From the rear, the rear bumper is again plastic and rather large. From all angles, if it is a hard top, the top has more squared corners.
The TJ from the front has chrome headlight trim rings visible, parking lights are on the front of the fender flares. From the side, the side marker lamps are almost triangular in shape and in the front corner of the fender flares. Door handles are paddle blade pulls with no visible grab bar. Bumpers front and rear are almost full width steel U-channel. Hard tops have a more rounded appearance.
The hallmark of the YJ in the front are the famous (infamous?) square headlights. From the side the side marker lamps are elongated and in the front fender with a recess in the top of the fender flares to keep from covering them. No visible fuel filler on the left rear quarter. Full doors have vent windows. Depending on repainting firm, may still say "Wrangler" on rear sides of body tub. (Canadian ones give a big hint for they say "YJ"). Front bumper is nearly full width steel U-Channel without end caps. Rear either has no bumper or steel loop bumperettes (if stock). No visible gas filler from rear (hiding behind the license plate). Soft tops do not have angle "brace" of fabric in rear side windows (both TJ and JK have this).
It all depends on your experience with the vehicle. I know there are a few specific models that I can tell the difference between each model year. Not everyone knows all the little tricks to telling the various Wranglers apart.
Nice job on finding comparable models across the Wrangler range, WDD!
We all have different eyes and attention spans.. so I can understand getting them confused. One things for sure.. Undoubtedly a jeep, always.
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