“Would you consider selling it?”

"Just Jeepin'" (macintux) 07/28/2019 at 21:30 • Filed to: None

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Kris, owner of the other manual Solar Yellow TJ Unlimited (Rubicon edition) in this photo, asked me that yesterday.

He was quite surprised I didn’t immediately say no.

Truth is, I love my LJ.

But damn am I tired of getting it fixed.

Latest addition to the laundry list of problems: about a week ago the ignition cylinder started acting up. I effectively lost the “on” position between off and run.

It got worse fast, and today I noticed I could remove the key while it was still running. Next time I stopped this evening, I couldn’t turn it off at all.

Fortunately I had given that possibility some thought while I drove and, remembering all the times over the years I’ve been distracted while idling and let off the clutch while the engine was still running, decided to do it deliberately this time.

That killed the engine, but the power was still on, so now my Jeep is sitting in my driveway with the battery disconnected. Tomorrow I’ll take it to a dealer and see what other issues on my long list make sense to get addressed at the same time.

I love my LJ, but if I added up all the receipts from the last 5 years, I could have purchased another like it at least once, probably twice. (Assuming I could have found another like it; Kris had to drive to Idaho to buy his! )

Hopefully I’ll have it back for this weekend’s !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , but we’ll see. If I have to miss next weekend’s Toledo Jeep Fest for the first time in its history I’ll be extremely disappointed.

ranwhenparked > Just Jeepin' 07/28/2019 at 21:35

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I’ve always had the mindset that literally everything I own is always for sale, if someone wants it badly enough. 

jimz > Just Jeepin' 07/28/2019 at 21:40

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I occasionally get asked that about my 2011 Ranger.

guy I know has a nearly pristine 1996 GMC Suburban. He gets downright harassed.

Just Jeepin' > jimz 07/28/2019 at 21:42

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To be clear, he wasn’t interested in buying, he just wanted to know if I loved mine as much as he loved his.

Just Jeepin' > ranwhenparked 07/28/2019 at 21:42

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My house I’d give away. My Jeep is much more important to me.

wafflesnfalafel > Just Jeepin' 07/28/2019 at 21:46

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I understand - hard to love something that is high maintenance or strands you... but that is still a beautiful little truckster...

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Just Jeepin' 07/28/2019 at 21:48

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I think your issues can be remedied by eventually transferring into a “recreation-only” vehicle. I know it’s not  easy — nor logistically or financially feasible — for many people to own two cars, but you can greatly reduce the instances of disappointment and unforeseen repairs by taking some of the demand off of it. Probably why I still have my pickup at this point.

Just Jeepin' > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 07/28/2019 at 21:51

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That’s certainly part of the reason I’ve been looking for a manual XJ, although really I want one of those to provide backup for the innumerable times this one is in the shop.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Just Jeepin' 07/28/2019 at 21:57

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Getting an old Jeep as back up for your old Jeep.

Well I guess they probably won’t both be broken down at the same time 

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Just Jeepin' 07/28/2019 at 21:59

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Getting a Jeep that will also break as much if not more is not the solution as a back-up. Don’t be David Tracy.

DipodomysDeserti > Just Jeepin' 07/28/2019 at 22:07

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“ It got worse fast, and today I noticed I could remove the key while it was still running. Next time I stopped this evening, I couldn’t turn it off at all.”

Is this really an issue? I’ve owned vehicles that have been on the road for half a century with this feature.

Under_Score > Just Jeepin' 07/28/2019 at 22:14

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I was just thinking about this yellow 1997 Ranger in fantastic shape at a dealer close to work. I really want it as a secondary car to my RAV4, but it would eat a lot of my current money. It’s been on the lot for at least a few months. I just wish there was a way to reserve it.

Just Jeepin' > Under_Score 07/28/2019 at 22:18

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Car lots really need layaway!

Just Jeepin' > DipodomysDeserti 07/28/2019 at 22:18

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You regularly  have to disconnect your battery to power off your vehicles?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 07/28/2019 at 22:20

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hahahahahahahahaha

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Just Jeepin' 07/28/2019 at 22:32

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Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh I’m thinking a 1993 Corolla wagon. Love me an XJ, but It’ll be between 35 and 18 years old... Not really a solution for reliability compared to your Wrangler.

Under_Score > Just Jeepin' 07/28/2019 at 22:50

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It’s not on the website, but I saw it on the lot today. I really hope it didn’t sell. 

DipodomysDeserti > Just Jeepin' 07/28/2019 at 23:19

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I misunderstood. If the ignition won’t shut off when the key is turned, there’s probably just a buggered wire. 

Just Jeepin' > DipodomysDeserti 07/28/2019 at 23:24

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Pretty sure t here’s something mechanically  wrong with the cylinder, but I certainly can’t rule out a wiring problem.

XJDano > Just Jeepin' 07/28/2019 at 23:36

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LJ is not an official Jeep two letter designation. It’s still a TJ.

(As far as memory serves, I may be wrong about ) it’s just a TJ unlimited.

I quit jeeping  in ‘05  

DipodomysDeserti > Just Jeepin' 07/28/2019 at 23:40

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Mechanically, it’s just a tumbler. Generally, when tumblers wear out you can pull the key out while the key is turned to the run position. If they key stays locked into the ignition while in the run position, it’s most likely mechanically fine. If it pulls out while in the run position it could be a worn out tumbler or key. I had a ‘63 Corvair and ‘66 GMC that I could start with the same key on account of a worn out tumbler.

XJDano > XJDano 07/28/2019 at 23:42

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Also, locally you can get a TJ unlimited for $ 10K, $15k , or $22K.

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/search/cta?query=lj

M.T. Blake > Just Jeepin' 07/29/2019 at 01:22

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I’ll file this under ‘Reasons why I sold my Jeep and bought a Toyota’. 

Just Jeepin' > XJDano 07/29/2019 at 06:12

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That’s why I referred to it as both a TJ Unlimited and LJ.