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Pros Cons TJ to JK

8K views 52 replies 29 participants last post by  Ben Staad 
#1 ·
I currently have an 05 automatic X/Sport.

Any pro's or con's moving up to an 07 automatic JK? I'm not rock crawling but do go through the woods once and awhile.

I saw a nice 07 Sahara and am thinking of making a switch.

The biggest thing for me is that I dumped a good bit of cash into the TJ this year on repairs. Going into another used car is really a pot luck kind of deal.

So I'm really just looking for pros and cons based on TJs vs JKs. Thanks!
 
#2 ·
The TJ is not can us meaning all the items you turn on and off are controlled by switches

The newer wranglers are can bus meaning the TIPM controls everything even radio on/off
You cannot remove radio and power it up on a bench top

The V6 saved money as it fits in lots of vehicles but a straight six is inherently balanced and straight six are legendary in smoothness and longevity
Think Jeep 4.0 ford 4.9 and dodge Cummins ram engine
Nothing beats a straight six for reliability

JKs are everywhere a non rusted TJ unmolested gets rarer every day


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#4 ·
As a multi time JK owner who puts lots of miles on I would say JK just because of comfort but if I owned a later model tj already and it was in good shape I doubt I would trade for a 3.8 jk especially if I had any inclination to offroad it. I would put the money difference back into the tj unless the TJ was a rust bucket not worth saving.
 
#5 ·
Thanks for the replies. I think I may just table this for now. My TJ is clean of rust (could use a few cosmetic updates), I do like the straight 6, I cannot afford most newer models, I do not like electronic gadgets, but I don't like the known PCM failures on the 05-06 autos.

Do the 07 JK's have any known "computer" and/or electronic issues?
 
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#6 ·
Thanks for the replies. I think I may just table this for now. My TJ is clean of rust (could use a few cosmetic updates), I do like the straight 6, I cannot afford most newer models, I do not like electronic gadgets, but I don't like the known PCM failures on the 05-06 autos.

Do the 07 JK's have any known "computer" and/or electronic issues?
 
#8 ·
I have both. The jk is great for longer trips. Drove it to San Francisco after retiring. I’m in Tennessee. Drove all over west of the Mississippi and through some twelve inch snow areas. My tj is a blast to drive around home. Most it would be comfy for me is maybe a couple of hour trips. Drove it to key west once and it was pretty exhausting. Just depends on your usage.
The tj is more simple to repair, but the jk doesn’t have any problems yet so it’s hard to compare on that aspect.
 
#10 ·
Had 4 Tj's and current JKU... If you get a Jk as noted above go for a 12+, better engine better trans. 07s till approx 09ish.. had oil burn issues with the 3.8. Not saying stay away, but have it looked at, heck have the 12+ looked at too... and if nothing major wrong with the TJ I would keep it. If you want a better road ride, look into nicer shocks perhaps..
 
#11 ·
Driving it around town? Keep the TJ and just clean it up. Going to take a trip now and then out of town? The JK will be more comfortable, etc.

As above, don't buy the 3.8, get a '12 or newer 3.6.
 
#12 ·
Personally I wouldn't trade a tj for TWO jk's...

People keep saying they are comfortable.... I don't get it.... A couple years ago I was looking for a work jeep and was really thinking about a 4 door... UNTIL I sat in one.... HORRIBLY uncomfortable for me... roll bar jammed into my upper arm, window crank stabbing my left leg and shifter stabbing my right... then the leaking freedom top... So I thought nope the 4 door is out and I sat in a 2 door thinking at least the roll bar might be further back NOPE same thing...

Maybe all the 'comfy' folks are 5'3"???? I dunno but not me... then throw in all of the reliability issues and I'll keep using my 270k mile yj for work and my tj's for daily driving... I have no problem doing a 1000 mile trip in the tj but wouldn't want to go 30 min in the jk...

Just my experience ymmv
 
#15 ·
I'll be driving my TJ locally and at longer distances TOMORROW after resolving the re-occurring wiring issues with headlamps and AC blower. After installing about 10 extra relays, it should continue to work well . . . I hope. Chrysler did a piss poor job of designing these circuits. The logic and wire sizes suck and lead to continual repair or replacement of components. Who would ever send 12 gauge wires through switches that can't handle the amperage? This occurs at the multfunction switch, air mode switch, and blower fan switch. What a PITA.
 
#16 ·
Use Wranglerfix for any pcm problems and keep it. My brother bought a new 4 door JK in 2015 for the comfy ride for his wife and kid. He now only drives the TJ.:)

p.s. The 3.8L is an oil burning, gutless engine.
 
#24 · (Edited)
X2, that right there. Especially if you're considering a swap for 42RLE software issues, go with the replacement PCM made by www.wranglerfix.com which fixes those issues.

There's nothing in the world that could make me buy an early JK with it's known problematic, awful, and gutless 3.8L engine. They didn't get the engine right until they were forced to replace it later with the much improved 3.6L engine. Not to mention I wouldn't want the JK since it now runs everything on its computer bus. Even its headlights are controlled by a computer bus, there's nothing simple about or easy to work on with the JK. I installed rocker guards onto a friend's new '07 JK and took an entire day, due to its double-body layer, rather than just the couple hours it would have taken on a TJ. If you love complex, go with a JK.
 
#19 ·
It's all about your own personal preferences... I have one of each and there is no doubt in my mind the JK is more comfortable. The seats have more/better bolsters and provide much more support, the A/C is more effective by far and in AZ that's a big deal... Plus it's full of creature comforts, heated seats, auto headlights, etc. But the LJ is more casual and I enjoy cruising it for sure. When I go make a Lowes or fast food run or something, I always take the LJ.
 
#21 ·
I'll throw in my 2 cents worth. I have a nice TJ and spent to have the exterior refinished when I found some half doors so they all match. Plust there were some small stone chips that had some minor rust and wanted to get it taken care of before it became an issue.

Also in my signature is a 2017 Chief. Nice vehicle and contrary to what Gottagofast posted, I find the JKU very comfortable. In fact my 2015 Sahara and the 2017 Chief (based on the Sahara) are the best road vehicles I have ever driven. He commented on the "window cranks" which can only be found on the Sport and 2 DR Rubicon. Maybe the Sport has different seats, but mine fit me well. No, they are not the softest, but a soft seat will make you tired. I have never hit my head on the sound bar from the front seat. Oh, BTW, I am 6' and 240 pounds. I have driven them 14 hours straight, and been good for a few more when I got to my destination.

I like the Chief but love the TJ. I have room for one vehicle inside. The Chief sits outside, the TJ gets the shelter. If I have to I can find another good JKU, but another good TJ - very difficult to do.
 
#22 ·
I can't figure out how the roll bar would hit someone's upper arm unless it was an aftermarket roll cage.
 
#23 ·
Stock roll bar.. seat all the way back and reclined a bit puts my shoulder just behind it...
Then I still didn't have enough leg room so my knees are against the door and the shifter.

Same seating position in a tj has the roll bar still behind me and and just enough leg room

I'm 6'4 240 lbs...
 
#25 ·
2 different vehicle. If I had a solid running TJ, i would not get rid of it. Just keep it going. The problem is the TJs are getting very old with many miles. I don't care how good something is, it always ages/wears out. Not too distant future, the only option will be the newer jk.
 
#26 ·
I am looking at options. My TJ is running, I think as well as it can, is rust free and overall is in great shape. Some small leaks here and there but nothing major.

This is my DD and I do not really use the off-road capabilities. Every now and again I will take it through some wooded areas and some mild off-road stuff with sand. Not much in the way of rocks here in FL.

My two big issues is it struggles to pull my tiny camper and just doesn't get it done on the highway at all.

I had a 2007-2008 (I can't remember now) for about 7 months and it was fine on the highway once I got the wobble out of it. I did have to keep an eye on the oil. It seemed to drink it. I moved overseas for a short period of time and had to get rid of it...

If I owned the TJ I would keep it. However I'm still making payments. Maybe time to move on from Wranglers and get into something more useful for my needs. I'm very conflicted. LOL LOL

In a perfect world I would buy a newer Wrangler but I cannot afford $20k+.
 
#29 ·
I am looking at options. My TJ is running, I think as well as it can, is rust free and overall is in great shape. Some small leaks here and there but nothing major.
...
My two big issues is it struggles to pull my tiny camper and just doesn't get it done on the highway at all.
My TJ tows my pop up tent trailer like it's not even there. I literally have to look back there every so often just to verify it's still there. If yours struggles your axles are just not geared properly for your tire size and transmission type. What size tires, what transmission, and what is your present axle ratio? 4.0 engine right? What does your trailer weigh?

This is what my TJ doesn't struggle in the least to tow, even up to the mountains.
 

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#27 ·
Honestly, it sounds like an ex cab pickup or full size suv might suit you better....
More mpg, more power, better towing, less expensive, more comfortable....
Yikes, I better be careful or I'll talk myself out of a jeep LOL!
 
#33 ·
I'm kind of leaning that way. I love my TJ for a number of reasons but practicality speaking I am thinking of getting away from it. Kind of sucks to move from something you enjoy to something that functions better for all the boring stuff like MPG, Towing, and Money.
 
#34 ·
I have an '05 TJ 4.0L 6-speed and a '15 JKUR auto, love them both in different ways.



The TJ is comfortable for short trips, but anything more that 2 hrs I rather take the JKUR. Around town I'll take the TJ before I take the JKUR. Summer, they are both with no top/soft top/half doors and in winter they are both with full doors and hard top :D


I'd be torn if I had to part with one or the other... If I had to compromise and only have single vehicle, JKUR would win based on extra room and friendlier for long trips.
 
#35 ·
Just had to chime in on the 3.8/6 debate.

I have an 07 with the 3.8, and I've put over 50k on it in a years time without a single issue.

It has conquered 6 offroad parks from nc to missouri, and I wheel it substantially harder and more often than most. It has taken plenty of beatings and has never given me a single issue.

So aside from the low amount of horsepower. I dont see what could be wrong with the 3.8.

I've heard of far more people having issues with the 3.6.
 
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