I’ve got one of first built TJR I’ve owned for 21 years come February, LJRS #364 and a 2022 JLUR with the 2.0. I love all three but my 03 is my heart.. I even put a 2009 C6 LS3 in it w/430 hp. The trail rated badge did not start until the 2004 model year so the first year TJ Rubicons (2003) did not have the trail rated badge emblem on the side. I ordered one of the original 8,000 Rubicons built in 2002 and took delivery on it my senior year of college, February 4th 2003.
@321jono11 ай бұрын
That is honestly an impossible question 😅
@jeffreyforbes273311 ай бұрын
I like my 09 JKU Wrangler. I got it new in February of 2009 it is what got me into Wranglers. Also, have 2019 Wrangler Sport 2dr.
@coloradomallcrawlers11 ай бұрын
TJs we’re my first Jeeps too, but I don’t recall the lights being controversial. People were glad they went back to round, but I do recall the doubts with the TJ model. Mostly just the usual, “the new model sucks” stuff, but there were concerns about going to coils (durability argument). Only one of mine had half doors… it was the SE model. I think full doors were standard for sports and above. I’m now curious, but it sure seems easier to find full doors than half doors for my new to me 04 TJ. The JL manual needs to be fixed… mine is still going strong, but with as much wheeling I do, it worries me a little. Good stuff, making this same video is on my list since I bought a TJ and own a JL… but I’m still trying to get reacquainted with the TJ day to day. It sure is fun to wheel tho.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Good comment, I meant the YJ headlights were very controversial!
@Dmh0617811 ай бұрын
Great idea showing the difference after 20 years- thanks for another interesting video.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching!
@whysitthat351511 ай бұрын
I really enjoy seeing videos like this. I’m 21, and I am the proud owner of a 2000 TJ sport. I’d love to get something newer (with cruise control, lol), but as the first Wrangler i’ve ever owned this thing will always have a special place in my heart. I don’t have too many mods yet other than my 3 in lift, but im looking forward to building it out more once im out of college!
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
You can do it!
@DuyenNguyen-ui6mo11 ай бұрын
I for sure miss the older metal they used to build the older vehicles with.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
For sure!
@txmojave454611 ай бұрын
The TJ is the 1 I would like to have back. Keep the JL as an entry level more affordable jeep to also get the younger crowd into the sport.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Right on!
@SomeDude-dq1uu11 ай бұрын
Excellent video I appreciate the time and effort you put into it. No matter how much I want to be, I'm just not a fan of jeep. My family has had three jeeps and each one was plagued with numerous problems. I truly want to enjoy what the Wrangler has to offer but I'm not wasting any more money on over hyped garbage.
@JeepTJWheelin10 ай бұрын
Jeep Born: 1941 Died: 2006
@bud1lite11 ай бұрын
Except now you have the corrosion issue on every JL eventually,little battery that drains your big one.After the five yrs is over then it’s up to you to buy new doors,tailgate,hood,windshield frame.Their not high quality now,just nice features.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Definitely a lot more complicated!
@mastermoarman11 ай бұрын
I ordered a 2024 rubicon but didn't get the tec package as I only wanted the front camera from it. Is that able to added by it self later?
@LukeEdward11 ай бұрын
HA!
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Hopefully Tazer will have something soon!
@Spanked7811 ай бұрын
As much as I love my JL, the TJ is still the best Wrangler Jeep ever made.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
We love it too
@GentleGiantFan11 ай бұрын
Agreed. I love my 2018 JKUR, but the two TJs I owned were awesome. If I didn't have kids, I'd probably kept one of the two or tried to get a LJ for the added space. Now that my kids are getting older, it would be nice if Jeep made a 2dr Gladiator with a small block V8.
@LukeEdward11 ай бұрын
I’m a BigBoi and I will say, my 2001, 60th anniversary Sahara had the best seats I’ve ever had. The full hard doors were nice unless you had to find replacement handles. The Sahara fender were awesome because they gave an extra 1” wider coverage than the unpainted ones. I liked them better than my JL. But it is nice to ride the highways in my 2.0L. 3.07 gears and the last 3-speed auto on 33x10.50 BFGs meant 13-17MPG, with the best ever 20MPG is the worst I’ve got on my JL now on 33’s. I’ve had a bunch of JEEPs and any Wrangler 2006 and older, if you’re doing anything over 70mph, you ain’t driving it anymore; the Jeep is driving you. One thing indelibly seared into my psyche after owning my 2001 for most of a decade, I STILL - 20 YEARS LATER - I STILL move my right knee if I, or my wife, grab for a drink in the center console. Best $23,000 I ever spent.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Love this comment!
@alextaylor202511 ай бұрын
I personally am about to start a TJ build, just trying to find one of the better ones without any of the rusted-out bottom. Thankfully I live in Texas and not upper New England area so we should find one very quickly. I would love to see a TJ build and see what yall would do with it.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Keep looking they are out there!
@kilohotel675011 ай бұрын
My first Jeep I bought brand new in 98. A Sahara with the 30” wheel package in black with tan soft top and a manual. I’ve had 2 other Wranglers, 2 doors and 4 other Jeep models since. Tomorrow I’ll be at 13 weeks confirmed on my 24 Willys 2 door manual order still hoping to get before the end of the year. I had so much fun in that 98 I should’ve kept it longer than I did but was young and dumb.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Hope it gets to you before 2024!
@RCPhotosVideos11 ай бұрын
YJ ! I would love to see one more modernized with todays tech updates.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Same !
@JeepTJWheelin10 ай бұрын
Quadratec did an amazing "modern" YJ!
@magnified10111 ай бұрын
Im obsessed with your videos. I don’t even own a jeep but I really want one! You’re like a big brother giving me tips and sharing your knowledge.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
I really appreciate that, thank you very much for watching!
@williamkozar11 ай бұрын
Great video as always🤘my first Jeep was a 2001 TJ yellow sport I made a mistake buying a 4 banger I should had never bought it I had it for 10 years about 150,000 miles on it & the engine blew up it had crack in the engine. I am big Jeep fan, I am on my 4th Wrangler 3 JK & my first TJ & if Jeep goes all EV in the future I will never buy Jeep again. They are pushing EV’s down on throats it is a scam.”Jeep” give customers what they want give different choice’s to choose from…
@MrCamel2humps11 ай бұрын
I want to see you guys build a Jurassic Park Jeep 🦖
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Good idea!
@twistedtrucker307611 ай бұрын
If they want to sell more 2 doors, why not a extended wheelbase 2 door? Similar to the TJ unlimited/LJ.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
I wish
@mattskillman11 ай бұрын
In our garage, we have a 2004 TJ, a 2019 JLU and a 2022 JLUR XR. For our Jeep Club meets, the family prefers taking the TJ. But our JL's get more daily use. I like how the styling of the JL pulls design cues from the TJ.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Great set up!
@JeepTJWheelin9 ай бұрын
Your '04 TJ is by far the best!
@TheBerkeleyBeauty11 ай бұрын
Just when I’m wondering, what could you guys possibly cover next that you haven’t already, you come out with another very interesting and informative video. Thanks for the 20 year comparison. Y’all are KILLIN’ it over there.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Thank you 👍
@alfa882211 ай бұрын
I just ordered my fully loaded 2024 Rubicon X this week through your dealer affiliate program on your website. I got a great price!
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Awesome to hear!
@marcinpuszczao941811 ай бұрын
I didn’t realize just how UGLY the new grill is until I saw it against the 2004. Seems like they’re getting stretched out and shorter 🤮🤮🤮
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Lol
@JeepTJWheelin10 ай бұрын
It's a whole lot of plastic fugly, just astounding what passes as a Jeep today. Nothing but a rolling techno plastic heep, and don't get me started on the 4 door limos. 🤢🤮 I love my '05 TJ Rocky Mtn 4.0L I6 on 32" KO2'S, 2" lift, Fox 2.0 Shox, Fox steering stabilizer and a few other solid mods. Going on 165k miles and runs amazing. Can wheel it one weekend and travel out of state to see family on a 14 hour round trip the next. Excellent on and off road manners. It's all about a modest build done right.
@rosswallace296911 ай бұрын
Can you do a vid on tire size relation to axles and intended use and driving style? I’m honestly feeling that I would happy with just a little level and 33s. But I know the purist would 💩 on me.
@ScottBlankets11 ай бұрын
The real purists are happy to see you enjoy your jeep. Don't let the haters get you down. (But no angry eyes and street tires. That sucks. 😊 )
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Great idea!
@wordgiesworld548316 күн бұрын
I’ve got a friend who bought a used Tomb Raider. She knew it was a special edition, but didn’t realize how many special parts were on it. Until the club descended on it like a flock of vultures on a deer carcass. We were all pointing out stuff we’d take if she’d turn her back long enough. With friends like Jeep friends, who needs enemies?
@jasonroberts523411 ай бұрын
Tj with a 4.0, 5 speed is the goat❤
@marceld606111 ай бұрын
I'd take a TJ over the JL any day. The JL, to me, looks more like a European military vehicle. I currently own a JLU for transporting the family but I would love to have one of my old TJs or YJs
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Well said!
@saabjunkieSPG11 ай бұрын
I’m on my 6th TJ (currently 2004 Rubicon with manual). In the 90’s through the early ‘00s they were my daily driver, now my TJ is my weekend warrior. I do have a 2019 built JLU manual, which a fantastic do-everything DD and off road weekend warrior. Lastly, I have a JT Mojave manual, a great vehicle but so slow. No mods for the JT. I would really like an all electric wrangler, but I’m hoping the motor spins a traditional xfer case and live axles F/R. I’d give up my manual JT for that.
@nathanlewis346211 ай бұрын
03 to 06 was an interior refresh just like we just had with the 24.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Yup!
@raymieyounkin749811 ай бұрын
I imagine that I’m in the minority here, but I would love for future JLs to be fully EV with 350 miles of highway range while keeping a similar exterior esthetic.
@eversleyowl11 ай бұрын
Do the TJ build!
@jlautomotive634911 ай бұрын
You hope people aren’t bored?? Your channel is incredible and this an amazing video… love the looking back over how much has changed over 20 years. Keep up the incredible work and can’t wait to see this build… 👍
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Thank you so much!!
@stefanentzeroth902710 ай бұрын
I learned to drive in my sisters Tj. the EASIEST vehicle to do any sort of manouvers.
@melvinjensen97811 ай бұрын
Do more TJ stuff PLEASE!! From the owner of TJ. I love my TJ
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Definitely!
@Nigriff9 ай бұрын
Most of the New Jeep owners buy them for looks and will never take them off road
@Mtnryda11 ай бұрын
Today's Jeeps are only Jeeps in name. The moment you put cruise control in a Jeep, it was no longer a Jeep. The Jeep was unique because it fit a certain personality. They have made the new Jeeps so everyone can drive them. They killed the spirit of the vehicle. I'm sure PLEANTY will disagree, but if ya didn't have one in the 80s or 90s (maybe early 2000s) then you don't know what I'm talking about.
@JeepTJWheelin10 ай бұрын
Definitely agree! These are plastic heeps with a VERY soft, pansy demographic, a microcosm of a lesser, inept generation. Today a standard is the best security system. The worst are the 4 door limos with a hard top cocooning its passengers. I cringe every time I see them. Like spotting an obese woman in a speedo at the beach, I have to look away. From April - Oct, my doors and windows are in the garage, top down as it should be. The open air experience is lost today. Jeep Born: 1941 Died: 2006
@nathanlewis346211 ай бұрын
04 LJ for the win! Still love mine to this day! Why i still cant pull the trigger on a $50k new jeep. And back than thwy were more of special editions rather than"trims" you had the x, sport, saharah, and rubicon.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Love to hear you still have it!
@kelb8911 ай бұрын
Would you recommend a '23 Rubicon over a '24 Willys, with the Willy's being $2k cheaper? Dairly driver with light offroad and overlanding.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Personally it depends on how hard you plan on using it, I think the 24 Willy’s is a great buy!
@Roberto68n11 ай бұрын
Why Jeep moved the license plate from under the tail light to the rear bumper? On previous Wranglers, when swapping the rear bumper, there was no problem with the license plate. Now with the JL, you swap the rear bumper and you have to figure out were to put the license plate and lighting for it. Not a fan of that.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
I’m not sure that would be one complaint I have as well, much harder to relocate
@joezephyr11 ай бұрын
The JL is more comfy both on road and off road. The TJ looks better, except the tyres are too big. It looked better with its' original tyres.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
👍
@w0wsuchdoge7 ай бұрын
Tjs never came with power locks…..
@SammyDaBiz11 ай бұрын
TJ Build all the way
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Definitely!
@maxdragon1511 ай бұрын
Trick question, answer it hasn't! 😂
@crovian75 ай бұрын
They got bigger, cause cafe standards
@321jono11 ай бұрын
I don't hear a lot of folks talk about the top gear for the JL. It basically was useless. The gearing ratio was strange. You could pretty much skip 1st, and top gear was only useable at like, 75mph. The JL was kind of a 4 gear tranny lol. Did anyone else have that experience?
@MarsViolet11 ай бұрын
Kind of. The NSG370 manual six-speed in the JL was introduced with the 2005 TJ, which is what I have. First gear is very low, almost like a granny gear, but second is too high to start off in most of the time, and I find that sixth is basically an overdrive; I use it on the freeway if my speed is 65 or higher and I'm on level ground, down-shifting into fifth for hills. I'm sure changes have been made over the years, but it must still be pretty similar considering the model number has not changed.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
I hit 8th around 72 mph or so!
@HIMcules211211 ай бұрын
I love my 22 JL Rubicon but always wanted a 05 TJ Rubicon
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
😎
@RossBobbie11 ай бұрын
Got my order in for a 4 dr manual, fingers crossed it gets scheduled someday😂
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Fingers crossed!
@jeniferandrews501711 ай бұрын
Love the TJ’s❤
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Same!
@joezephyr11 ай бұрын
what is the widest point on a JL Wrangler? Its not the mirrors.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
I’ll have to check!
@joezephyr11 ай бұрын
@@DIRTROADCRED Its the most forward point on the front fenders. If the front can fit through a tight gap the rest of the jeep will fit too 😊
@LukeEdward11 ай бұрын
Dude, if you wanted a vehicle for content, I would have given you my JL for 6-8 months to do whatever you wanted with it. Heck you can still have it but it’s basically Ryan’s JL in Sting-Grey.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Lol I love it Luke
@leemen11 ай бұрын
I may be the only guy but I could never go back to pre jl. The jl is the only wrangler that drives down the highway like a modern vehicle. A properly set up jl on 40s drives like a car you can reliably drive across the country.
@bud1lite11 ай бұрын
If your battery does not leave you stranded,or paint doesn’t chip off from all the corrosion lol
@leemen11 ай бұрын
@@bud1lite that’s definitely a concern on both. Jeeps have long had a rust and corrosion problem.
@sellickusa11 ай бұрын
I'm with you on that assessment
@toolifer11 ай бұрын
I've had 3 Jeeps and have never had a rust problem. Maybe I'm lucky.
@leemen11 ай бұрын
@@toolifer what part of the country do you live in?
@onebridge723111 ай бұрын
I had that exact same sport package ‘97 and color with half doors. Loved that thing when I was 24. Bought it new. Got rid of it to go to College. Hated giving it up. I’d love to see a Black Sport 1997 TJ build on the channel.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Love it, thanks for watching!
@togo432nextgen11 ай бұрын
Please do a YJ video! I would love to see the TJ build too!! I have a 91 YJ I’m restoring currently. 4.0 Auto
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Love my YJ’s
@stephenny420711 ай бұрын
My vote is for the YJ😊
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
I agree!
@PK1967-u8h9 ай бұрын
Jeep like most auto manufacturers have gone backwards. Built with plastic, smog crap, complicated electrical systems, engines you can’t work on, etc. new cars suck and I’m sure the new wranglers do too. Never letting go of my TJ. Reliable motor/trans, mostly metal, cheap and very easy to work on, no complicated electronics. New stuff is garbage and just wait until it’s completely electric. Such crap!!!!
@adamk277811 ай бұрын
I like when you said so much plastic to keep the cost down yet jeeps are so over priced now a days it's ridiculous. I have a 2006 TJ Rubicon and I'd love to add a new 4 door wrangler for my daily/family jeep but there's no way I'd pay those prices
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Lol
@JeepTJWheelin9 ай бұрын
Why on earth a 4 dr limo? Just get a Grand Cherokee, they were meant to have 4 doors, be luxury and have the techno 747 instrument cluster panel.
@GYMGUYFE11 ай бұрын
Build an LJ
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
👍
@jshulch11 ай бұрын
The JK interior was redesigned in 2011. I bought one new...and still have it.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Yes late 2011
@jshulch11 ай бұрын
You live in Canada?? Mine was bought in January of 2011 with the "new" interior. Every new JK on the lot at that time was the same..redesigned interior.@@DIRTROADCRED
@Mel-md6cb11 ай бұрын
I wonder why some JLs come with tinted hardtops and some don’t. I don’t see it as option anywhere
@leemen11 ай бұрын
Sport non s are all non tint hard top windows.
@LukeEdward11 ай бұрын
There are some municipalities that forbid the tinted windows. Same reason why there are tinted and non-tinted soft tops, as you see with Ryan’s.
@DIRTROADCRED11 ай бұрын
Depends on the trim!
@gilbertferguson168511 ай бұрын
While the older Jeeps are still cool, nothing wrong with advancing the brand with modern technology. Nice review thanks.