TJ = Peak Wrangler

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch) 01/04/2019 at 15:03 • Filed to: Joop, Wrangler, TJ

3

28

Watching this very long video on a stock TJ 2.5 going off road made me realize that the TJ was peak wrangler. Yes the JK and now JL are by far the most popular and way more capable and yet, less...Wrangler.

It’s not that I don’t think the bigger more capable Jeeps are any less Jeep, or they aren’t hitting the market need, or even that they aren’t great in their own right I just think they are missing the point of the wrangler a little bit.

You needed so much less tire and engine when you had so much less Jeep. Couldn’t Jeep find a way to make a Wrangler sized Wrangler these days?

one that didn’t need 33 inch tires stock just to fill out the fenders, and 35's to do any real wheeling

This stock 2.5L 5 speed TJ did the same lockhart basin that the other trucks with lockers and sliders and bigger tires did. Yeah, it took more work, but it did it.

Just Jeepin' > HammerheadFistpunch 01/04/2019 at 15:15

1

I’m obviously a big fan of the TJ generation, but I think the JL has recaptured the charm that the JK entirely lacked.

Sure, a smaller JL would be an interesting vehicle, but that seems to be the curse of the modern automotive industry. People want more vehicle for their vehicle.

Berang > HammerheadFistpunch 01/04/2019 at 15:18

0

I thought purists preferred these for the shorter wheelbase?

For Sweden > HammerheadFistpunch 01/04/2019 at 15:18

1

Counterpoint: YJ with 4.0L

HammerheadFistpunch > Just Jeepin' 01/04/2019 at 15:24

1

I’ m conscious of the fact that all models are going up in size and, for the most part, Im okay with that. I mean a t oday accord isn’t a 90's accord but the today civic is everything the 90's accord was an more (more or less). but I think there is an actual size limit at which point the “fun” of the Wrangler is swallowed up in model bloat.

At the same time I also realize that you can’t build your brand on a niche vehicle, even if it is more fun.

Just Jeepin' > Berang 01/04/2019 at 15:27

2

Except for those purists who insist the YJ is t he last true Jeep because leaf springs, or the CJ is the last true Jeep because metal dash and round headlights, or...

Purists are a killjoy. Except for me, because my irrational loathings are entirely correct. Color-matched hardtops are an aesthetic blight.

HammerheadFistpunch > For Sweden 01/04/2019 at 15:28

0

and 3 speed.  booo.

Chuckles > HammerheadFistpunch 01/04/2019 at 15:28

2

They've certainly grown a bit, and the fact that they sell so many 4 door Jeeps now certainly adds to the perception that Jeeps are big now. My friend is expecting to be coming into some money this month, and is already planning to buy a brand new Wrangler Unlimited with a hard top and immediately lift it. Me, I'm just browsing CL for non rusty TJs and wishing that the Roxor was street legal.

Just Jeepin' > HammerheadFistpunch 01/04/2019 at 15:28

2

I find it amusing that people are upset the new truck isn’t called the Scrambler. Does that bloated beast look like it could scramble anywhere?

(Of course I want one, but it’s undeniably huge.)

For Sweden > HammerheadFistpunch 01/04/2019 at 15:30

2

How many speeds do you need to crawl?

For Sweden > HammerheadFistpunch 01/04/2019 at 15:30

0

How many speeds do you need to crawl?

ranwhenparked > Chuckles 01/04/2019 at 15:54

1

Still, the Wrangler Sport is one of the shortest 4-seat vehicles you can buy, so for the increasingly few people that do buy them, they are still  pretty small by modern standards.

JeepJeremy > For Sweden 01/04/2019 at 15:57

0

that is SICK!!!!!!

HammerheadFistpunch > For Sweden 01/04/2019 at 16:03

0

1, but more than 3 to get there.

Chuckles > ranwhenparked 01/04/2019 at 16:06

0

That's a good point. I think that my sense of scale is a bit off considering that I have a 94 Miata and when it was time for me to buy a car with a backseat, I ended up with a 2012 Fiat 500. Now that's a short 4 seater.

For Sweden > HammerheadFistpunch 01/04/2019 at 16:06

2

If you live on the Rubicon T rail, you don’t need to “get there”

99XJSport > HammerheadFistpunch 01/04/2019 at 16:14

4

I’ve never driven a TJ, let alone any wrangler for more than a few minutes, but yeah I’d agree its peak wrangler. Its properly jeep sized, most of the exterior is metal, AMC pushrod four, etc, all with modern conveniences.  All Wranglers are great in their own right, but these are the sweet spot in the game of jeepness vs. civility 

ranwhenparked > Chuckles 01/04/2019 at 16:18

1

The 500 is the smallest for sure, but the Wrangler 2-door  is still pretty small - its almost exactly the same length as the Toyobaru twins. 

Chuckles > ranwhenparked 01/04/2019 at 16:30

0

You're right. My reasoning for searching CL for TJs instead of buying a new 2 door Wrangler is mainly price motivated.

Censored > HammerheadFistpunch 01/04/2019 at 16:42

0

I argue that ( though on the street it’s different) the TJ and back are more capable on the trail due to physical size. A TJ can simply fit where a JK/JL can’t. I wheel with a vast assortment of Jeep’s from a YJ on 44's and a 400hp v8 to my (basically) stock TJ rubi. I’ve never been left by a JK, but have had plenty of times where I could fit between trees and the JK’s couldn’t. No one in our group has a JL yet, but it would be the same. This leads to folks cutting the trails wider so the 4 doors can fit (especially at corners) and that takes a lot of the technical driving away. Small Jeep’s for life!

My family has property in southern Illinois with some of the best 4 wheeler trails you’ll ever ride. That was untill the sxs hit the market and now they are like riding down a 2 lane. Trails that previously were tight on small 4x4 4 wheelers I can easily fit the Jeep down. Sometimes bigger isn’t better.

This was a long way around to agreeing with you, but it was fun to type. If you plan on pavement pounding, buy a J K/JL.

ranwhenparked > Chuckles 01/04/2019 at 16:43

1

Well, the TJ also gives a purer Jeep experience, still being related to an AMC design, and its something like 4 inches narrower and a foot shorter than the JK. The JK is only small compared to other 2019 cars, compared to older Wranglers, its still huge. 

Chuckles > ranwhenparked 01/04/2019 at 16:50

0

The sad thing is that living in PA, most used listings for Jeeps are either expensive, highly modified beasts or "only the usual amount of frame rust."

HammerheadFistpunch > Censored 01/04/2019 at 16:50

1

I was truly amazed how well the basically stock TJ did on Lockhart basin, which was not a particularly easy trail. Sure we stacked a lot of rocks to get him through the hard est parts...but it made it.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > HammerheadFistpunch 01/04/2019 at 17:10

1

I saw one for sale with a plow good shape , only 88,000 miles.... $7500... tempting if I had money to trow away right now. Some real tires and it would go darn near anywhere you needed to get.

Pickup_man > HammerheadFistpunch 01/04/2019 at 17:14

2

I’m not even a Jeep guy but even I know that the TJ was the last real Jeep. (Despite how good the JK and JL are, and how well they sell, something was lost, or rather gained, between the TJ and JK, mainly the bloat). However, (hot take time), the YJ will forever be my favorite Wrangler purely due to the dash, which is one of my all time favorites.

It doesn’t hurt that the iconic Jurassic Park Jeeps of my childhood were YJ’s. I think the round headlight Jeeps look a little better, but the square lights still look good IMO.   

Just Jeepin' > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/04/2019 at 17:22

1

Doesn’t the plow worry you? I am always concerned that the frame would be a little twisted, or the dash is going to crack.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Just Jeepin' 01/04/2019 at 17:44

0

Not so much, this particular rig hasn’t been abused as a plow that much. Looks more like a “hobby plower” than someone who makes money at it. I would post the add but it looks like it’s sold and the add has been taken down.

HammerheadFistpunch > Just Jeepin' 01/04/2019 at 17:49

1

People that complain about coils being worse than leafs are...whats the word im looking for...idiots.  Seriously, outside of “tradition” what is gained by leafs over coils? bloody pee, thats what.

Forrest > HammerheadFistpunch 01/04/2019 at 23:02

1

The TJ is the E36 of Wranglers.

The 2.5L SWB version is like the 318ti.