YJ or TJ, which one? I'm planning to buy a Jeep for my wife around christmas time with plans to turn it into a capable trail rig/daily driver. Which of the two is better suited for this application in respects to suspension, drivetrain, body/frame strength, etc. (plan on running 33s)? Also, 2.5L or 4.0L?

Don't want to start a debate or anything, but I drive a Toyota so I don't understand the Jeep thing so any advise you can offer will be helpful.

Honestly, I would go with a TJ if you can afford it (oh yeah, 4.0L regardless of YJ/TJ). I have thought about selling my YJ for a TJ but cant justify it seeing how much time and $$ I have put into my YJ. If you wanted 38s or bigger, I would suggest a YJ hands down, but looking for a DD to run 33s and be a capable trail vehicle, I think the TJ is your best bet. You can get a nice 3" suspension lift, and run 33's all day long. As for frame/body strength, I think they are both very similar. Drivetrains are identical up until 2000 when they changed from the AX-15 5 speed tranny to the NV3550 5 speed tranny. In 2003/04, the auto became a 4 speed auto with overdrive, whereas previously it was a 3 speed auto without overdrive.

Personally, I would look for a 98-02 TJ with 4.0L, auto and D44 rear. The ones that had a stock 30" tire option have 3.73 gears, which would be perfect match with the 3 speed auto and 33's. So you would not need to re-gear, your axles would be strong enough. All you would need is lift and tires (and new wheels if you dont like the 15x8 canyons). Toss on some skid plates and you are set.

I prefer YTJ's ;)

Anyways, depends of what she will do with the rig. For street driving or wheeling? I prefer YJ's, and have had three TJ's. TJ's are more like a car, pretty comfy, lots of plastic, coil suspension, etc. YJ's are easy to build, literally get a Rubicon Express lift, a slip yoke eliminator, gears tires, and be ready to play if plans are for 33's. Leaf springs are unbeatable for the price, and can flex amazingly, kicking the butt of most Coil spring suspensions for TJ's, unless you dish over $2000 for a long arm kit, fabricate your stuff, or a lot more for coil overs...

YJ aftermarket stuff is plentiful, and they are easy to build, period. I have had several YJ's, and if I got a TJ again, chances are would run leafs on that puppy :)

Happy Jeeping!
G

200+ tjs have a better drive train (nv3550)... can get a d44 rear also (97-04).
Plus, with the leaft springs she may bitch about the ride on the yj *daily driver*

i like the bumping leafs for the bouncing factor ;) YJ or XJ Dana 44 swap for the rear for the Dana 35 blues, but since it is for the wifey, the 35 may hold up well, depending on her wheeling style :)

G

My g/f has a 01 TJ and loves it. 5 speed and 4.0, its surprisingly ballsy. I don't know how much it ran her dad (:rolleyes: ) but it really is a nice DD.

tj without a doubt.

For a daily driver / light wheeler the TJ is the way to go. The ride is better and it wheels just fine.