The Wrangler TJ was first time introduced in 1997 after one year no production gap from its prodecessor YJ. This updated Wrangler featured a coil-spring suspension (based on that of the Jeep Grand Cherokee) for better ride and handling, and a return to the CJ's iconic round headlamps. A new dash modernized the cabin upon its debut, while dual front airbags and the option of antilock brakes made it safer, too. Of course, all the ingredients (such as generous ground clearance, skid plates and a crawl gear for the transfer case) that made the original CJ so capable off-road remained. The engine is the same 4.0 L AMC Straight-6 used in the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee. A 2.5 L AMC 150 Inline-4 motor was available on entry-level models until 2003 when the 2.4 L DOHC Neon 4-cylinder engine replaced it.
All Wranglers have part-time four-wheel-drive systems with two-speed transfer cases. This, plus the short overall length and minimal overhangs, gives the Wrangler an almost unstoppable nature off-road, but provides a somewhat bouncy ride on anything but smooth pavement. Axles on a standard Wrangler are Dana 35s, with a 3.07:1 ratio; the tall gearing works against the four-cylinder and the TJ's barn-door aerodynamics on the highway. The axle option is the locking Dana 44 with a 3.55:1 axle ratio, which promises better acceleration and off-road capability in four-low. (The '03 Rubicon model offers a pair of these locking axles as standard equipment, along with upgraded suspension.)
The TJ have saveral trims i.e: Base SE (2.5-liter, 120-hp inline-4), Sport (4.0-liter, 190-hp inline-6, fancy wheels and graphics) and Sahara (4.0-liter six, air-conditioning, upgraded upholstery, CD player) trims were offered initially. By 2003, the Wrangler "X" (slotted above the SE and featuring the inline-6) and "Rubicon" (featuring hard-core off-road stuff such as a super-low range in the transfer case, 31-inch tires and locking Dana axles front and rear) trims debuted. Transmission choices included a five-speed manual and three-speed automatic, the latter upgraded to a four-speed unit for 2003. The new-for-'03 2.4-liter DOHC four sourced from the Liberty SUV adds 27 horsepower compare to the previously 2.5 inline-4. This 2.4 liter engine is quite enough for hauling TJ body especially for city and light offroad driving.
In 2004, Jeep introduced the Wrangler Unlimited model; it still had only two doors, but a 10-inch wheelbase stretch provided a significant increase in rear legroom and cargo capacity. A Rubicon version of the Unlimited arrived the following year, and a six-speed manual gearbox replaced the five-speed.
The engines are nearly bullet proof, especially the 4 liters inline-6. The 4.0-liter throttle-body butterfly needs to be kept clean, as coking up will cause an air leak at idle--watch for fluttering idle speed, however if you regularly maintain the engine, there is almost no problem with the engine. My 1998 TJ has almost 100,000 miles on the odo, without any major problem with the engine. A typical service interval between tunes and fluid changes is 24,000-30,000 miles. Those manual transmissions should be serviced at 30,000-mile intervals in normal usage, more often if used heavily off-road. You should put more attention in the hoses, either power steering hose, automatic transmission cooler hose or engine cooling sytem hoses. By age, this rubber hosses start to torn, or leaking. Leaking in transmission oil cooler hoses can damage your entire automatic transmission system.
The Jeep Wrangler for its off-road agility and personality is superb but scorned the plastic side windows and fussy soft top. This TJ is good for commuter duty, considering the vehicle's loud and busy ride at freeway speeds. Gas mileage as always become a main issue in Jeep was mediocre, slightly better than Grand Cherokee, its about 1 liters for 6 km in the city and 1 liters for 8 to 9 km in freeway. The standard, non-Rubicon version of the Wrangler Unlimited had slightly better road manners, thanks to its longer wheelbase and revised suspension tuning. However the Rubicon version which is superb in off-road capability but simply too harsh and bouncy on the blacktop.
When you buy a TJ a bunch of accessories are waiting to follow, there are plenty and almost unlimited choice. However suspension modification and lifting the TJ should be done properly, otherwise a typical jeep problems like death wobble, unbalance drive shaft, cv joint damaged can occur any time. And the last, ...be ready, every eyes will following you, .......Wrangler TJ is so sexy.
See my other post about wrangler jeep in Cars and Bikes blog
All Wranglers have part-time four-wheel-drive systems with two-speed transfer cases. This, plus the short overall length and minimal overhangs, gives the Wrangler an almost unstoppable nature off-road, but provides a somewhat bouncy ride on anything but smooth pavement. Axles on a standard Wrangler are Dana 35s, with a 3.07:1 ratio; the tall gearing works against the four-cylinder and the TJ's barn-door aerodynamics on the highway. The axle option is the locking Dana 44 with a 3.55:1 axle ratio, which promises better acceleration and off-road capability in four-low. (The '03 Rubicon model offers a pair of these locking axles as standard equipment, along with upgraded suspension.)
The TJ have saveral trims i.e: Base SE (2.5-liter, 120-hp inline-4), Sport (4.0-liter, 190-hp inline-6, fancy wheels and graphics) and Sahara (4.0-liter six, air-conditioning, upgraded upholstery, CD player) trims were offered initially. By 2003, the Wrangler "X" (slotted above the SE and featuring the inline-6) and "Rubicon" (featuring hard-core off-road stuff such as a super-low range in the transfer case, 31-inch tires and locking Dana axles front and rear) trims debuted. Transmission choices included a five-speed manual and three-speed automatic, the latter upgraded to a four-speed unit for 2003. The new-for-'03 2.4-liter DOHC four sourced from the Liberty SUV adds 27 horsepower compare to the previously 2.5 inline-4. This 2.4 liter engine is quite enough for hauling TJ body especially for city and light offroad driving.
In 2004, Jeep introduced the Wrangler Unlimited model; it still had only two doors, but a 10-inch wheelbase stretch provided a significant increase in rear legroom and cargo capacity. A Rubicon version of the Unlimited arrived the following year, and a six-speed manual gearbox replaced the five-speed.
The engines are nearly bullet proof, especially the 4 liters inline-6. The 4.0-liter throttle-body butterfly needs to be kept clean, as coking up will cause an air leak at idle--watch for fluttering idle speed, however if you regularly maintain the engine, there is almost no problem with the engine. My 1998 TJ has almost 100,000 miles on the odo, without any major problem with the engine. A typical service interval between tunes and fluid changes is 24,000-30,000 miles. Those manual transmissions should be serviced at 30,000-mile intervals in normal usage, more often if used heavily off-road. You should put more attention in the hoses, either power steering hose, automatic transmission cooler hose or engine cooling sytem hoses. By age, this rubber hosses start to torn, or leaking. Leaking in transmission oil cooler hoses can damage your entire automatic transmission system.
The Jeep Wrangler for its off-road agility and personality is superb but scorned the plastic side windows and fussy soft top. This TJ is good for commuter duty, considering the vehicle's loud and busy ride at freeway speeds. Gas mileage as always become a main issue in Jeep was mediocre, slightly better than Grand Cherokee, its about 1 liters for 6 km in the city and 1 liters for 8 to 9 km in freeway. The standard, non-Rubicon version of the Wrangler Unlimited had slightly better road manners, thanks to its longer wheelbase and revised suspension tuning. However the Rubicon version which is superb in off-road capability but simply too harsh and bouncy on the blacktop.
When you buy a TJ a bunch of accessories are waiting to follow, there are plenty and almost unlimited choice. However suspension modification and lifting the TJ should be done properly, otherwise a typical jeep problems like death wobble, unbalance drive shaft, cv joint damaged can occur any time. And the last, ...be ready, every eyes will following you, .......Wrangler TJ is so sexy.
See my other post about wrangler jeep in Cars and Bikes blog
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