I looked for about 5 months in Orange County for an LJ. Saw many in near perfect condition and low miles for $20k - too much. People know they are sought after. Silver seemed to be the most popular color by FAR, and they seemed a bit cheaper because they're so common. I believe the LJ Rubi had the manual trans option, but I didn't look because I wanted auto (thanks to the wife).

In my opinion, don't spend a lot more for the Rubi edition - unless you need/want the lower gear ratio for crawling. The kind of off-roading I do (easy trails, moderate speed) this would not be ideal. You can always add the lockers if you need them too, probably better than factory anyway.

Carmax has them occasionally, but you do pay a premium there. I finally found one from a private seller (on Autotrader) for $12500, 89k miles.

 

The kind of off-roading I do (easy trails, moderate speed) this would not be ideal.

On easy trails and moderate speed you don't need 4 low anyway so that's not really a valid point.

I don't get it.

You don't. OP has a leaf sprung YJ.

If you don't have a good tranny guy a NSG370 will cost you 5,000 because it has to come from Germany.

That's quite a whopper. What's next? OPDA OMG!!!!!

LOL

 

do LJ's actually ride "un-bumpy" as compared to a TJ which has a 10" smaller wheelbase but is otherwise the same suspension setup? And is the technology in the LJ that much more advanced as to make the TJ seem "primitive"? I don't get it.

Love the LJ but seriously the advantage is supposedly in cargo capacity, rear seat legroom, tow capacity, and a modestly better over-the-road ride.....not "technology", or am I missing something?

 

Being somewhat impatient during my search, I ended up buying a 2002 TJ Sahara. Then 3 months later found the 04 LJ. The ride difference really was night and day. So much more mellow. Not sure why - wheelbase? spring rates?

I'd say the "technology" in the two is the same for the most part.

 

Usually unless you're real lucky most decent LJ's worth having will be 15k starting most I have found that are 12 to 14k have either a bunch of miles or have a salvage title and need some TLC. One thing I can tell you is the NSG370 isn't Jeeps best stick by no stretch. They use plastic shift forks that can break and are known to knock out of first gear real easy. I had two buddies that had the NSG370 one in an 05 and the other 06 both had this issue and after four or five trips to the dealer it finally was tolerable but, not perfect. I would opt for the 42rle even though its not the best its certainly better than the six speed all day long and cheaper to rebuild if it does die as well. If you don't have a good tranny guy a NSG370 will cost you 5,000 because it has to come from Germany. I know you are looking for a white one but, if your interested I have a black one listed on here for 17k that's super nice. I know your in Cali but, if you are interested it will be worth the trip to have a truly rare clean well kept LJ.

 

I think some of it is because the wheelbase and that its heavier which makes for a more stable ride/handling. It still feels like a TJ but, it rides a little better.

 

I paid $16.5 for mine one year ago w/70k miles and VERY clean. Be patient and keep looking! I have an auto, but I haven't heard the complaints on the 6-speed that blackwidow was advising about. Know a lot of guys with a 6-speed, they're not having issues.

 

6dpd lj rubi here no issues with tranny and it rides Better thank friends jk. With 110k on the clock

 

If you don't mind driving to Ohio there seems to be a ton of LJ's for sale out here, just looking on auto trader brings up 10.

Where were these when I was looking a year ago....haha

 

If you want a manual Ljubljana York are stuck with only 05 and 06 as earlier ones were all auto

That is unfortunate as 06 and 06 are the engines at Risk for snapping of oil pump drive resulting in sudden loss oil pressure and potential for engine damage
There are "fixes" and many claim not an issue but it was a poor enough design that Chrysler did a tab on it

Next you get stuck with the 6 speed reported to be weakest tj manual used behind the straight 6 engine plus it is most expensive tj manual to replace or repair

I suggest go with 03 or 04 Ljubljana auto ( I know they made 04 and I think they made 03 Lj)

Or better yet go with tl rubi 03 or 04 with a 5 speed shorter but better

 

There are "fixes" and many claim not an issue but it was a poor enough design that Chrysler did a tab on it

Next you get stuck with the 6 speed reported to be weakest tj manual used behind the straight 6 engine plus it is most expensive tj manual to replace or repair

I suggest go with 03 or 04 Ljubljana auto ( I know they made 04 and I think they made 03 Lj)

Or better yet go with tl rubi 03 or 04 with a 5 speed shorter but better

A. Chrysler put a service bulletin out on it, but not a recall. The reason being was because some out of spec OPDA's(that would not necessarily fail)were in assembly from the mfg. Again, there are THOUSANDS of 05-06' Wranglers that never had nor presently have this issue. For anyone who is really worried about it, all you have to do is purchase a new one for a hundred or so bucks from rockauto.com , take 10-15 minutes to do the swap and not worry about anything period. Most people though don't worry about it. The internet and one specific thread on JF magnifies the issue 1000 fold.

B. The NSG370 is far from the "weakest" manual. But it is the best, with the best gearing (low 4.46:1 granny 1st, and a USEABLE overdrive) gear and its actually the most common one too. For every legit issue you can find on an NSG370(which is probably only 1 which 9 out of 10 times is solved just by checking to make sure the transmission fluid is topped of CORRECTLY, and replacing with a better suited fluid vs. what comes in it stock), you can find a handful of known issues on the AX and NV transmissions.

C. They did not make any LJ's in 03'. THe made auto's only for the half year in 04' they were introduced.

D. Its obvious you have 0 experience on the last few years of the TJ/LJ. I'd say before you post on it, get some time on one first.

To the OP: There are basically 3 trim levels. Standard LJ(4 wheel disc brakes, Dana 44 rear, AC, Cruise, fog lights etc standard), Rubicon(adds 241 TC case, F/R lockers, Front D44/D30 hybrid axle, side rocker panel guards, 16" MOAB wheels), and the LJ Rubi/Sahara(Adds different trim seating, unique stickers and badging).

That's it.

 

When my 04 LJ was totaled last December I started my search in Ca. for a replacement 04-05-06 LJ. We would not have anything but an LJ again.

Especially in Ca. they are very pricy. It took me 6 months "being patient" to find a real keeper at a reasonable price. I finally found an 05, totally stock Black Tie Edition with only 25k miles. Interior like new. Asking price was 16,500 but he took 15,500. Most LJ's I looked at were heavily moded and ran between 19,000 to 23,000. ---- We love it and will keep it forever and keep this one stock.

Be patient.

 

Picked up my stock LJ in June. 62k miles automatic (I prefer an auto in a jeep) for roughly 15k.

 

Found my '06 LJ Rubi on here in the For Sale section. $18k, 6 speed, soft & hard top, clean under carriage, never off road, 75k, aftermarket speakers still in boxes, 3" Zone lift still in boxes. Flew down, drove her home 10 hours. Love her.
I knew exactly what I wanted and how high I would pay for what I wanted. I'd found a similar one in CA that was in the running, but this one had both tops, and shorter drive home. I searched for about 4 months for this one. For another car, I waited almost 5 years before I found the right one, lol. A bit long, but I keep my vehicles forever, so I make sure we are made for the long haul!
Craigslist, eBay, jeep forum, here, classifieds, just keep looking and good luck! I love mine!

 

Picked up a '06 auto LJ. Bone stock never been off-road, with 64k for 15k.

 

06 yellow rubi lj hard soft top auto ac arb front bumper with super winch low 35,000 miles super clean paid $20,000

 

I got an 06 LJ for 6k a few weeks back with 58k on the clock:bop:
I bought it off my mom though...

 

You stole a deal off your mother??? And you call yourself a Christianburger.

 

auto trader online is what I searched to find mine. I found it easy to search for the options I wanted.
A quick search right now showed me 3 white LJ's with auto trans within a couple hundred miles of LA....

I got lucky and only took a few weeks to find mine.

_

 

travel it may be worth the effort. I got lucky on mine. 62k dual top option Soft top never put on still wrapped up in factory packaging, super clean never off road for 12K. Paint checked but oh well not worried about scratching it then. I was ready to go east then this popped up. Good luck in your search!

 

I had just put money down on an 09 JKU with 60k 20 min before I found my LJ Rubi with 33k. I was on my way home, made a wrong turn and there it was gleaming at me. Needless to say I told the dealer with the JKU to suck it. I traded my 03 TJ in on it which was riddled with minor problems, the LJ was "pre-built" and has issues of its own in the suspension, most of which has been worked out but I would have made the trade 1000 times over.

Last night I stuffed 4 35's in the back with the rear seat folded forward. The added rear legroom means my 4yo can only barely kick the seat, and I've had it on a few trails I took my TJ down and it spanks it, though being a Rubicon might have more to do with that...

 

Got my 04 LJ for 10k in Walforf, Maryland. It's not bad considering how popular they are around the base here. Check dealers who get them in trades, it's where I got mine. They didn't seem to know about the Unlimited demand markup.

 

Check dealers who get them in trades

Forgot about that gem that many don't use. I went to the bigger dealerships and gave my name and number to put in their database in case they got a trade in that met my needs. Sure I got a few extra calls, but they were all on Wranglers, just weren't LJ's. And since the years of LJ's are older than what they typically want on their used lot, so instead of them having to auction them, they make a quick sale.

 

I got my 05 Lj in feb of 12. It only had 40k on it. I paid 16k with a two year warranty. I got it of a dealer lot. So far I have added a 1-1/4" bl and a bb.

 

I bought my LJ from some old folks with 8500 miles. Eight thousand five hundred. For $18,000 in 2010, when it was 4 years old. I seriously considered reselling it because similar jeeps were going for over 20 at the time with more miles. I'm in Texas.

I think the key is finding someone who's not a jeep person and/or doesn't have any emotional connection. For instance I bought mine from the son of a retired couple. A dealer might even fall into this category.

If you keep checking craigslist and the other sites you'll find a deal. People are ALWAYS buying and selling jeeps so you'll find one.

Happy hunting. Car searching is fun... the buying part kind of sucks but its still exciting.

 

I think the key is finding someone who's not a jeep person and/or doesn't have any emotional connection. For instance I bought mine from the son of a retired couple. A dealer might even fall into this category.

Definitely some truth to this. I bought mine from a 30-year-old Hollywood model/actress that was moving out of state. She didn't even know what the overdrive button did.

 

Not just me, not to many places rate trannys but JP mag did and the the only 2 TJ trannies that made the hall of shame were the AX5 which everyone hates on and the german 6 speed which looked so good on paper they swapped one into an early TJ but sadly discovered they just could not get one to last.

Good luck.

 

Patlisa, I'm glad you as as happy as I, and the many other 6 speed owners are! Planning on going to the Topless Day in Monson, MA on May 17th? Let me know, maybe we can finally meet!

Digger84...ugh. Troll. All he said was he was happy. And yet you STILL had to jump on here and put yer damned copy n pasted, beat his horse, blahblahblah about a article from JP mag, that I think only you read. We GET it. You, YOU do not like the 6 speed. Yet, I just put 5k on mine (making it 83k) in the year I've owned it, no issues. I'll change the fluid this spring cause the PO didn't know when the drive line fluids had ever been changed. You say they couldn't get one to last, yet you have two guys right here with 112k and 83k on their rigs that have lasted and I tow with mine. I just don't get you.

 

Patlisa, I'm glad you as as happy as I, and the many other 6 speed owners are! Planning on going to the Topless Day in Monson, MA on May 17th? Let me know, maybe we can finally meet!

Digger84...ugh. Troll. All he said was he was happy. And yet you STILL had to jump on here and put yer damned copy n pasted, beat his horse, blahblahblah about a article from JP mag, that I think only you read. We GET it. You, YOU do not like the 6 speed. Yet, I just put 5k on mine (making it 83k) in the year I've owned it, no issues. I'll change the fluid this spring cause the PO didn't know when the drive line fluids had ever been changed. You say they couldn't get oPne to last, yet you have two guys right here with 112k and 83k on their rigs that have lasted and I tow with mine. I just don't get you.

Probably not at this time. Should be in Birmingham, Al for one of our daughter's graduation from Samford Univ. ...in fact it's on the 17th. Nope, not taking the LJ

, we're either flying or train. Have to drive the daughter's car back. She's doing some travelling with the prospective fiancé for a few months. Fly sparrow...fly. I think she maybe starting to understand the no turnstiles on the door. Fly free sparrow...fly free.

Apologies to the OP for misdirecting your thread, but I think your question has been answered.....find and go get the LJ.

 

The plural of anecdote is not data

I don't have to burn down my house to know that washing parts in gasoline in the garage is a bad idea and a hand full of people sayings it worked out for them does not make it a good idea.

I hope it works but all the woes posted by owners is enough to keep me away. At least a new brand new AX15 is cheaper then a 6 spd rebuild if and when you need one.

I guess for you anyone's conflicting opinion or experience is to be discounted. Head fells good in that sand?

 

The plural of anecdote is not data

I don't have to burn down my house to know that washing parts in gasoline in the garage is a bad idea and a hand full of people sayings it worked out for them does not make it a good idea.

I hope it works but all the woes posted by owners is enough to keep me away. At least a new brand new AX15 is cheaper then a 6 spd rebuild if and when you need one.

I guess for you anyone's conflicting opinion or experience is to be discounted. Head fells good in that sand?

7 Complaints: 2005 Jeep Wrangler Power Train: Manual Transmission Problems

Consequently 1998 Jeep Wrangler Problems, Defects & Complaints

Just some food for thought.

 

I still have the window sticker from my 05 LJ. It is identified as the Sport package.

I bought it in May of 2007. Paid 17,900.
It had 10,150 miles on it

I've put on a 3" lift, 33s, various armor.
Drained the six-speed and refilled with Amsoil Synchromesh fluid. Never a problem, just can't speed shift 1st to second. Shift it slow and deliberate and it doesn't object.

Today it has 56K miles, still my DD (only 4 miles to work).
I've fixed the fuel fill spillage issue. Soon plan on installing a Dorman OPDA as a preventive measure.
Seven years into it, I still love my LJ.