CJ7 VS. TJ Wrangler

[GaryMB]

RE: Chat Now?

Well, I've pretty much worked out all the problems with my jeep minus a few small glitches, and have been able to wheel it pretty hard w/o breaking anything. It is a beater though, and always will be unless I install a new body. My question is though, how do cj7's and tj wranglers compare? I'll keep on wheeling my cj for now, but have bigger plans for the summer, and here is what I'm debating: drive it 'till it breaks, sell it and get a newer jeep (a TJ), or build up my cj with a new engine, transmission, and axles (4.0L, nv3550, dana 44's from a scout). I know some tj's come with 4.0L's, NV3550's, and dana 44's, which would save me alot of time...and give me coils. Basically, how much extra would I be dishing out for a TJ that will be comparable to my cj offroad? and is it worth it?

 

[88Wrangles]

I would think that you could take the money that you would put into buying a new TJ, and have an INCREDIBLE CJ.

D44's are pretty cheap. And something like a 4.3L or 350 or pretty much any engine like that with a TH350 or TH400 would be pretty cheap and easy to do as well.


And even if you bought a TJ, I KNOW you would still want to lift it and do all that good stuff, so you'd be paying for that stuff either way.

 

[Junkpile]

They are two completely different animals.

I hate to do this :lol: .....but I'd recommend a YJ. You get a better body and frame than the CJ, and the components are simpler and cheaper than the TJ. You just have to deal with those headlights.....

 

[88Wrangles]

My last trail run

oooooh ooooh! If a YJ were one of the choices....I'd have to say that as well. It's sort of an "in-between" Jeep.

 

[TwistedCU]

RE: 4wd lever issues

Sorry it wasn't on the list, but a YJ is the best bang for the buck. A '91 - '95 with the 4.0L.

As for saving with a TJ, the axles are not "real" D44's, and real Jeeps are built not bought anyhow

 

[jps4jeep]

For offroad-ability as the deciding key, they each have there pro's and con's. (initial price not being mentioned)

The CJ is cheaper to lift, easier to swap in axles and a new motor (you will need either EFI or a real good carb to keep it running at angles) the electrical system is 10 times simpler if you are to seal up all the wires for deep water fording...

The TJ will offer better approach and departure angles and better flex for one simple reason, coils verse leafs. While leaf springs will last longer (coil springs will droop at a quicker rate) TJ's offer a lot better flex, the ability to run a four link, triangulated three link etc... The approach angle is greatly increased because there are no shackles (and as a wheeler of a YJ, they suck) The aftermarket has really embraced the TJ, you can build a sick crawler, mudder, of general trail rig with all bolt-on's. While the CJ notion seams to still be that to have a sick CJ, you gotta built it yourself

I have been in the market for a new prodject where as my YJ is nearing completion, and I was gonna look for a TJ, But I bought a CJ last week (83 CJ7) basically because of the reasons above!

 

[Sully]

Either way you put it. You will end up dumping 10k into any jeep. It really doesnt matter. They all cost the same to build but have different attributes. The Cj will be one of the cheaper stock form jeeps to buy. Around 2k-5k for a solid one. The Yj will also be cheaper like the Cj because of the leaf springs and those suqare headlights. A good stock one will cost you about 3k-6k for one with a 6cyl. A good Tj with the 6cyl will run about 10k-13k. Then you add 10k to each of those in the parts you want to put on. It all matters on what your style is and what you want. The Cj's are classic, and can be built up to be really capable. Yj's are a mix of the Tj and the Cj. You got all the creature comforts of the Tj, and the suspension of the Cj. The headlights got morphed somehow but I wont get into that. Tj's have the best suspension. It's coils handle good on the road and flex like crazy off. I would stick with your Cj. You already have the wide track axles and dana 300. With the money you put towards buying a new rig, you could do so much stuff to yours.

 

[laneiac]

Is it going to be just a wheeling rig or a DD?? If a DD I would say go with a TJ. If a wheeling rig, a CJ.

 

[yjdave]

Keep the cj, put 2k into a mtr/transmission swap. Put another 1k into the interior, and another 1k to even 3-4k(if you what to go really sick) into the suspension and you'll have a very nice rig that YOU BUILT.........

 

[TwistedCU]

RE: Cheap lifts: Bad Times?

What I didn't take into consideration on my last post was the mods you have already done to your CJ. Hang on to it.

 

[mud4feet]

RE: Re: My last trail run

A Jeep in hand is worth 2 on the wish list..........hang on to your CJ.

 

[GaryMB]

RE: A few Anniversary pics......

So if I keep the cj, I will be doing an engine swap eventually. I know the 258 is a great engine, but emissions...I just can't have a stock 258. So, what about a 4.0L stroker? I already have a 258 crank and rods (in the jeep). Would a stroker be less reliable than a stock 4.0L though? and would an nv3550 hold up to a stroker? I like the idea of the nv3550 since it's a decent 5-speed, and is light weight compared to the nv4500; there is just no way I am going to put money into the stock T5 to rebuild it.

 

[Sully]

So if I keep the cj, I will be doing an engine swap eventually. I know the 258 is a great engine, but emissions...I just can't have a stock 258. So, what about a 4.0L stroker? I already have a 258 crank and rods (in the jeep). Would a stroker be less reliable than a stock 4.0L though? and would an nv3550 hold up to a stroker? I like the idea of the nv3550 since it's a decent 5-speed, and is light weight compared to the nv4500; there is just no way I am going to put money into the stock T5 to rebuild it.

What size(tires, lift, gears)do you plan on running? Is it going to be a trailer queen or DD?

 

[GaryMB]

I plan on putting 4.11 at the tallest in the axles when i swap in dana 44's (again, don't want to invest $ in weak/stock running gear), and will likely run 33x12.5x15 with possibly an inch or so more lift in the future, depending on what springs I come accross used. I plan to keep it as an occasional driver that is trailered to offroad parks half the time, but would like to keep my options open if it won't cut back too much on my mods...with a new (reliable) drivetrain i would be tempted to put more miles on it, and might (emphasis on might) find a need for a soa and 35's down the road (with the wider axles to compensate for the increased height). The Jeep will always be primarily for offroading though, and will see some hard trails.

 

[yjdave]

RE: Now my TJ

The stroker would be bad ass, but if you get a newer low mileage 4.0/3500 combo why tear it down? It will already be 70% more then you have now. AS far as your scout stuff make sure it has good rear drums. Just found out they want over 125.00+++ each for those P.O.S....(went disc instead) You might want to step up to 4.56 instead of the 4.11 and give yourself a little room for 35s later......................