Deciding what to buy a CJ or TJ

[strflyr78]

I really want a CJ7 but was told that unless I want to be fixing it up and dumping a bunch of money into the Jeep Id be better off getting a TJ. IMO the CJs look so much better than the TJs.

I want to get a middle of the road CJ7 (if there is such a thing). Not something that is too expensive (thinking 5k range)...but something that I can drive comfortably without dumping a huge amount of money into right off the bat.

Also living in Arizona AC would be nice...and I realize that the CJs arent always equipped with AC....another plus for the TJ.

Any advice on what a first time Jeep owner should get and pros and cons on CJ7 vs the TJ.

thanks!

 

[hole]

I cant give any advice on a TJ, but you need to answer a few more questions.
1. Are you mechanically inclined?
2. DD or weekend toy?
3. Rock crawler or trail rig?
You see where I'm going with this, right?
Besides, isn't AZ a dry heat? A/C isnt that important

 

[strflyr78]

Not mechanically inclined as of yet...but Ive got a friend who works on CJs and other Jeeps that is going to help get me up to speed so that I can work on my Jeep when I finally get one.

Id like to be a daily driver...and occasional off road mostly just on trails..

 

[Incommando]

TJ. For a DD the all-coil suspension alone makes it worthwile. As much as I love CJ's unless you are a fan they just are not what most people expect/will put up with as a DD unless you are a dedicated CJ person. If you want A/C you probably want a hard top and maybe other creature comforts that you are much more likely to find on a TJ.

 

[sponge]

What is your daily commute?

I drove my CJ as a daily in college and had a 15 min max drive to work, I also made several road trips from purdue to Poconos 3 times (12 hrs straight thru), all over Iowa and back, Daytona, several times to Chicago as well as a summer living in Chicago.

If you find a clean, as original as possible, CJ it makes a great daily...I loved mine as one.

Now when I started getting silly with suspension, tires, lockers, etc. it is unbearable as a daily...and I drive an STI as a daily now and most would say that is unbearable

If you find a CJ with the original or 2" max suspension, a well set up carb you don't need to battle, and max 31 inch tires I think you can have a lot of faun and enjoy it

As for a TJ you will be far more comfy, you will have airbags, less work, and be happy as well.

Drive both and see what you can find...check out austinjeeps.com, craigslist, and eBay..you will see what you like better quickly

If you decide to go with the TJ find an LJ the unlimited long wheel based 2 door TJ they are awesome, much better on the trail, more rear leg room, and more cargo...there is an orange Rubicon for sale by me for 17K I really want but my wife would kill me

Good luck you can't go wrong with either

 

[PaRenegade]

What do you mean, CJ's all come with factory 360degree AC.
CJ's may nickel and dime you, but when a tj breaks down it will be twenties you dish out not nickels and dimes. Cj's are simplistic, while those chrysler things are not.

 

[coldair]

It all depends on what you will put up with just like Incommando said. Myself I love older trucks and jeeps working on them is a passion of mine. By the time I'm done with my Cj I will have enough money into it I could have bought a nice TJ

 

[Tin Medic]

I went throught he same debate before I bought my CJ. I was really considering the TJ due to more modern conveniences but the CJ just has that classic look. I paid 4800 for my 85 CJ7 . It's in really good shape and had been fuel injected at some point. In my area I couldnt find a decent TJ for less than 7-8 grand.

 

[Old Dog]

Go out and drive and price both and see what you like.
Around here $5000 wouldn't get a cj that didn't need $ thrown at it to make it a DD.
IMO if I was going to have a jeep as my only ride it would be the tj.

 

[GoldenEagle36]

pros of a cj:

good looks
originality
easy to work on
practical to build

pros of a tj

air bags
better rollbar
coil over suspension
more room

cons of a cj

rough ride
rust easily (round here they do)
no safety features whatsoever (rollbar kinda is)
not suitable for DD if modifications arent done right
usually no AC (who needs ac when you can take the doors nd top off?)

cons of a Tj

because of the poopy wiring, diagnosis for lights on can be costly
very easy to drop a lot of money in
can get warn track bars
if modifications arent done right, could be a very dangerous vehicle

For the record, buy a pretty much stock cj or tj. and do the mods yourself.. or help your buddy. i know i really didnt name all the pros and cons but hopefully most of them. if you only want to pay 5k youll definitely find more cjs.. like i said... buy stock and build it yourself happy hunting

 

[Project86]

What better suits your personality? CJ's dress up real nice and have the heart of the outdoors. CJ. Let's get muddy/dusty/bruised/etc and have some fun. CJ. TJ's are more cultured and easy on the conveinences. CJ.The heat index here on the Texas Gulf Coast this week busted 105, for me it's a slam dunk no brainer. CJ. However, it's your hard earned money. CJ. Did you notice any subliminal messages?

 

[BajaEdition]

My TJ was the most capable jeep I ever owned
We took it everywhere and the thing was my baby, I really miss her but then thats the breaks

However


MY CJs are pieces of pride

Both are Mine, Both I keep running by working on them all the time
both are pieces of history and just fun to run around in
one gets wheeled, the other is just to rare to go on more than dirt roads
I go everywhere I want to in my 67 and think that It is mine till I die
MY 70 CJ6 is also with me till I get buried in it

you see, anyone can get a TJ

But owning a mechanically sound, solid as a rock, nice bodied CJ is something very few of us have.
And You bet your sweet bippy I am PROUD of mine

 

[CJ]

Looks like you received pretty much the same info

@ JeepForum... -->> cj7 vs tj - JeepForum.com

So, what do you think will work for you?

What ever Jeep you decide on, we are glad to add you to the Jeep family!

 

[strflyr78]

I went throught he same debate before I bought my CJ. I was really considering the TJ due to more modern conveniences but the CJ just has that classic look. I paid 4800 for my 85 CJ7 . It's in really good shape and had been fuel injected at some point. In my area I couldnt find a decent TJ for less than 7-8 grand.

how long ago did you buy your cj?

 

[strflyr78]

thanks for the help guys! i think that im going to find myself a CJ...i think id be pretty disappointed if i got a TJ while it is a Jeep Im really wanting the CJ.

 

[twbranch]

my first Jeep was a TJ. drove it for 14 years. loved it. BUT...I am a retro nut. The TJ is fun to drive a very capable stock. however I truly believe you haven't driven a Jeep unless you have driven a CJ5 . My dream truck/car/suv/whatever is a 73 CJ5 . I drove one a few years ago and bout cried when I got into the TJ. now this is just an opinion but the CJ is best Jeep ever build. oh and lets face it if you buy a TJ or a CJ you will wind up modifying it somehow. its just the nature of owning a Jeep. Good luck! oh and buy a good set of tools. You will use the out of them.

 

[GoldenEagle36]

Tj or Cj, youll get Jeep waves ether way!

 

[cj7inthetwigs]

Personally I have never owned anything other than my 86' CJ7 . Don't care to either. Yeah, I am afraid of getting trail rash or someone plowing into it. I take pride in the fact that it's American history, and getting rarer as each day passes. Easy to work on, a blast to drive, and you can't just go out and buy one at every street corner.. CJ, CJ, CJ!

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[Tin Medic]

how long ago did you buy your cj?

2 weeks ago but I was looking for 5 months.

 

[cj7inthetwigs]

I hear ya Tin, we spent what seemed like forever looking. Then decided on one of the first 3 I found.

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