So I'm just past 3 years with my 08 Rubi Unilimited and I'm getting the bug. I've had about every flavor of Jeep prior to this and several of most of them including most recently before the Rubi an 01 TJ, 04 LJ, and 07 Sahara Unlimited. I'm wondering if it makes sense to go back to a TJ or LJ given that I'd have about 2/3 to 1/2 invested in my "toy" as I do now. Has anyone done this? If so were you happy with your choice? One bummer is that with 3 kids (age 3,6,9), the JK is the only thing the whole family can go in. That said, my wife isn't a huge Jeep fan anyway ... though she doesn't agree with the idea of going to a 4 seater. Our other vehicles are her '09 Pilot and my '07 Reg cab Tacoma (2 seater). Anyway, any thoughts on what to do would be appreciated. It's hard being a Jeep nut sometimes!

 

I have thought the same thing. I love the two door long wheelbase more than the four door unlimited.

If you could sell your four door for an even 20k or so and buy a LWB for 7-9k that leaves a lot of room for mods. But the time In between could be questionable

 

I would just keep your JKU cause of all the mods you've already put into it and it looks like you would loose a lot of money and wife points by buying a TJ or LJ.
Plus its the only vehicle that you said you can fit the whole family in.

 

I got an LJ and JK, so I only have to decide which one I wanna drive.

 

Then you're just the person to help me out! So which do you prefer to drive? Been awhile since I've been in a TJ/LJ. Do you get used to the JK and so then the LJ feels "old school"?

 

One benefit is that the mods on the TJ would be sooo much cheaper..

 

I prefer the jk. It does feel like old school when driving the LJ. I do luv the turning radius of the LJ alot better. Easier to park.I will say this, I'd get rid of the LJ before the jk. But I don't plan on getting rid of either if I don't have to. Also my lifted jk rides better than the stock LJ .

 

Bought the wife a JKU and am looking to get a LJ as my toy. That way I have the best of both worlds.

 

I did...

After owning my '07 Unlimited Sahara for four years, I sold it and bought an '06 LJ Rubicon. I'd had some electronic issues (nothing major--just a bunch of small stuff) with the JK, and thought going back to a simpler LJ would be a smart move, and I'd always wanted an LJ anyway. Well my great idea didn't turn out like I'd planned, and I immediately regretted selling the JK. For weeks, I literally couldn't sleep at night, because I felt I'd made a huge mistake.

Long story short...I fixed the LJ up really nice, but after 2.5 months, I sold it. Luckily they're in high demand, and I recovered all but $325. In short, the LJ handled poorly and rode rough compared to the JK, and I hated the 6-speed transmission. The LJ seemed primitive--the JK refined. Our JK had always been our long-distance traveling rig, and we thought it was super comfortable to travel in. I couldn't imagine having to ride in the LJ for hours on end. I'd previously owned a TJ, but obviously I had remembered it with rose colored glasses.

I bought a new '11 Rubicon, so after all that, I'm back in a JK (a 2dr. this time). Now I'm not trying to discourage you in the least. This is just how it worked out for me. It all depends on what you want. The LJ would make a great trail rig, and sometimes simplicity has it's advantages. I loved the look of the LJ, but owning one made me realize just how much I loved my JK. My only advice to you is to really think about it, before you make your decision. And maybe go to some used car lots and drive a couple of older Jeeps, and see what you think, before you sell your JK.

***
Here's what I started with--'07 JK Sahara Unlimited:



Here's the '06 LJ:



And here's where I ended up--'11 Rubicon:

 

Thanks a ton! This is exactly the kind of experience I am looking for! My JK is obviously the "summit" of Jeepism but I have to admit I do have that yearning for the simpler times of a more nimble and basic Jeep. The YJ/TJ/LJ's I had were very much hop in and go fun to drive vehicles. Probably silly, but the JK seems like it's more of a chore to drive as far as size, ease to see out of, things to worry about, etc. That's not only true in daily driving but definitely true on the trail ... but maybe some of that is $30K bopping through the woods vs. $10K. However I'm sure I'm looking through rose colored glasses as well! Thanks again for your comments! Now - has the 2 door JK been a happy medium or do you still miss the extra ride, room, etc of the 4 door?