what don't you like about your wrangler?

[Crimson]

I'm thinking of getting a Wrangler and I'm wondering what, if anything, people don't like about them. I've heard they roll easily (no idea personally), things along that line. Also, if you could buy a brand new wrangler for cash would you do that or buy a used one and save the money for mods (mainly off-road for me). Note: if bought brand new, it will probably become my daily driver.

Thanks!

p.s. - What is the difference between YJ, CJ, and TJ?

[erhild]

I love my YJ (88-95 Wrangler)... One thing I might (and I emphasize MIGHT) have done differently is: get a 4.0 instead of a 4.banger... But, since I want to yank the motor and drop a v8 in, I feel I might be better off with the 4.banger...

I would get used, but that's just me... Never had a new car and I don't suppose I ever will... Getting used ones help me become aquainted with them...

[southtj]

Well, I just bought a new one and love it. I guess I haven't had it long enough but there is nothing I don't like about it. This is my daily driver and will do the mods as needed.

[LauraBoston]

I got a new TJ, 4.0 - best thing I got. But if I knew then what I know now, I would have bought an older (CJ, or YJ but prefer a CJ).

About rolling. When I first got the Jeep, people would tell me about "the roll over" rate..mostly people like my mother, and older realitives...just don't drive like a jerk, and you should be good.

Differences between CJ, YJ and TJ...well I know some but don't want to make a fool out of myself, and I will let somebody more qualified to explain it to you.


For what its worth...my boyfriend and I just bought another Jeep. A 76 CJ7, with a 350. Get one of those if you can!

I forgot to tell you what I love about my Jeep. My favorite thing about the Jeep is when I turn the key, the noise, and then the engine 'jerks' the jeep. I love that people wave at me, I love wheelin, I love ALL Jeepers - they are so cool. I love that I can hose down the inside when it gets to muddy, I love that guys are dumb founded when they figure out I know what I am talking about. I love that I can put OBA, a 6" lift, huge tires, lockers, and take the doors off, and I am bad ass. I could keep going forever, I love that the doors and top come off. I love that it's cool to have a CB. I love that people talk to you just because you have a Jeep..you could be anywhere, and they say "Is that your Jeep?" I love that I can ask all sorts of dumb questions to other Jeepers, and they don't think I'm stupid...BUT the best thing about owning a Jeep is JEEPZ.COM!!!!

[Tug-n-pull]

The only thing I hate about my Wrangler is not owning it any more. hehe Tug

[jeepdude832]

You probably wont tip it on the road I have a five inch lift and I can still turn and exit the highjway as fast as is normal as any car I have come close to tippin offroad but that is different. Buy a used wrangler 2000 or newer with the 4.0 and use the money saved to do a lift and tires gears if needed, a kn and an exhaust.

[Craig]

If you plan on doing any mods to it for off road, then a YJ is your cheaper way to go. The YJ has leaf springs and it's a lot easier and cheaper to modify for off road. Used parts are also a lot more available for a YJ than a TJ. If you're planning on using it on the street mostly, than a TJ rides much smoother on the street because it has coil spring suspension. I like my YJ because if I break something off road, there's a lot of parts available for it. As for owning a jeep, I like the fact that I have a convertable and a 4x4 for the summer and also 4x4 for the winter helps to get up to the mountains for ski season.

[jay79cj7]

CJs have more rust than YJs and TJs. :wink: If you get an older Jeep, check the frame well, especially in the rear where the shackle mount is. That seems to be the most popular area to get cancer.

[hi_c]

Ok, here's the deal on the call letters:
CJ - there's several models of CJ's, but to generalize, the CJ represents the short wheel base Jeep prior to 1987; characterized mostly by round headlight and round parking lights under the headlights
YJ - 1987-1995 SWB Jeep; characterized by square headlights, still a leaf spring suspension
TJ - 1997-present SWB Jeep; characterized by round headlights and square parking lights located on the front fenders; first SWB Jeep to have all-around coil suspension from the factory.

What you get depends on your price range. If you plan on dropping about $15k, then I'd get a 2000 TJ 4.0 with less than 50K miles for about $12k and then drop $3k in lift/lockers/tires. If you're working with about $10k, I'd look for a 95 YJ 4.0 for about $7k and put $3k into the same upgrades. Any model I chose, I would look for the manual tranny.

But it all depends on your preference and what you like. Don't even waste your money on the 4-cylinder... as I did. The 6 cyl (4.0) is plenty of power for the Wrangler. Good luck in your search.

C

[jeepin916]

i dont like the lack of power ihave with a 4banger and an auto but since im puttin a V8 it doesnt matter to me hehe

[Crimson]

So the difference between CJ, YJ, and TJ is just the years? If so, I will probably look for a used TJ. I should have about $18,000 in March, so that will get me a good jeep with plenty left over for mods.
Speaking of mods, which mods have you found most useful for going through the woods? I'm thinking lights, of course, a winch, and a grill guard.

[jeepin916]

lights, high lift, spare tire, shovel and body protection so u dotn scratch it up like i did mine

[Bounty__Hunter]

Originally Posted by hi_c

TJ - 1997-present SWB Jeep; first SWB Jeep to have all-around coil suspension from the factory.

I thought that was the M151?

[jay79cj7]

So the difference between CJ, YJ, and TJ is just the years?

No. CJs and YJs have leaf spring suspension and TJs have coil spring suspensions. That is probably the biggest difference. There are benefits to both, and you can read all the opinions if you search and find the CJ vs YJ vs TJ threads that get started every so often.

[TwistedCopper]

I like the older style rollbars better than the ones on my YJ and the newer TJ. I just think they look better. Other than that, I love everything else - from my lil' 4 cyl to my lack of power steering. I searched long and hard for my YJ just the way it was to suit my needs - stock, pristine, and ready to build!

Just a thought, you said you have about $18k to spend, you could buy and build a heck of a YJ for less than half of that, but you could dump all $18k into it if you wanted to!

The best mod, and if you only do one, this is the one to do for offroading...

Swaybar quick disconnects.

	Swaybar A sway bar (also stabilizer bar, anti-sway bar, roll bar, or anti-roll bar, ARB) is an automobile suspension device. It connects opposite (left/right) wheels together through short lever arms linked by a torsion spring. A sway bar increases the suspension's roll stiffness—its resistance to roll in turns, independent of its spring rate in the vertical direction.

[Crimson]

i dont know much about suspension, how would i tell the difference between a YJ and a TJ by looking at it? also, i like the slanted rollbars which seem to be on the older wranglers as opposed to the square ones on the newer wranglers. are the slanted rollbars a direct replacement of the square ones? if not, are they difficult to install?

[2000wrangler]

i had a 79' cj7 and i currently have a 00' tj. i loved them both the same (but i liked the cj's dash better ). i use mine as a daily driver (put 30000 miles on it last year) and i love driving it. i dont do too much offroad with it in fear of wrecking my only vehicle, but that is soon to change. you cant go wrong with any jeep in my eyes.

[Joopin]

YJ has square headlights and TJ has round. The "slanted rollbars" were last seen on the 1991 YJ, 92 till present has the full rollbar.

[K_K_PSI_GUY]

you can go to Quadratec.com and they have a chart where you can see the differences in the body of a CJ YJ TJ. You will be able to know which one is which by little things such as the headlights. If it has dquare headlights, it will definetely be a YJ. If the headlights are round, then it is either a CJ (older) or TJ (New models). -al

[firemanharry]

Originally Posted by Crimson

i dont know much about suspension, how would i tell the difference between a YJ and a TJ by looking at it? also, i like the slanted rollbars which seem to be on the older wranglers as opposed to the square ones on the newer wranglers. are the slanted rollbars a direct replacement of the square ones? if not, are they difficult to install?

Suspension springs under the CJ and YJ are leaf springs (horizontal flat springs) and the TJ has coil springs (vertical coils)

The square style roll bar provides more rollover coverage for rear passengers than the slanted type.

	Coil Springs A coil of flexible metal that can be compressed or stretched along its centerline axis without permanent deformation. Coil springs support the weight of the vehicle while allowing the wheels to travel up and down over bumps.