The 5 MAJOR Flaws in the 1997-2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ’s!

Today I attempt to come up with 5 things Mopar FAILED on when producing the 1997-2006 Wrangler TJ!

#jeep #jeeptj #jeepwrangler

[miniontj]

Might be bad things on the TJ, but I’d take one over a JK any day of the week!!! TJs we’re the last REAL Jeeps made

[bjmorris]

I drilled 1/2” holes in the bottom of the frame in the gap between the control arm pivot point and the mounting brackets at all 4 mounts. I then pack the frame with grease every fall and run a drain snake on a high speed drill front to back on each side which coats the inside of the frame with the grease.

[NotAMartian-]

For the steering, the factory drag link isn’t the issue but the tie rod is, a cheap upgrade for a TJ is the tie rod off a V8 ZJ as it was a solid bar not a hollow one like the factory TJ tie rod.
The brakes aren’t horrible, remember the TJ is a small vehicle, it wasn’t designed for big tires. So running the factory axle on 35’s or smaller is really all that’s recommended. It’s not just a issue of the brakes but also the ball joints and unit bearings.
The TJ was peak jeep but you need to understand it’s limits with factory components, if you are on 37’s or larger you need to look at a axle swap.
The wheelbase isn’t really a issue either as long as you keep it on 35’s or smaller.
People get so stuck on tire size now a days and they don’t understand that a TJ with a 4” lift on 33’s that’s setup properly and has a good driver will go anywhere. It’s not meant to be a big jeep.
The axle housings on both the jk and the JL are technically weaker than the TJ. JK’s like to bend c’s and housings and the JL has a CAD which is proven to be a weak design.
To me it sounds like you don’t understand what makes the TJ so great.
The rust issue is a serious issue.
Other than that the TJ is peak wrangler

[rediron]

My frame rust was ahead of the rear tire, in the frame elbow. I opened my frame and cleaned it out, and painted the inside before I welded the patches back in. I haven't had steering problems, but I'm running 33s. Not huge tires. I love the short wheelbase. Yes, ledges can be tricky, but so can squeezing in tight spots, when 4 doors are just too big. Jeeps weren't supposed to be that big.

[eliasbeas]

My dad is getting up there in age. He sold me his 2000 TJ with the inline 6 for $3.5k ( the father-son discount) with 140k miles, zero frame rust (no snow here in the California bay area )and all original. I must say this thing is a joy to work on and drive. I love its small size and nimbleness. I owned a 3rd gen tacoma before getting this TJ and I must say its growing on me very fast! Am I slowly being converted to a Jeep guy?? lol

[JeepinDownUnder]

Here in Australia I'm thankful that we don't have the same common frame rot issues, but the rest of the list is definitely relatable. One major downfall I think is the slip yoke on the non-Rubicon TJ's. Another would be the D35 in the back, not an issue here in Aus since all TJ's came with D44's, but still notable.
With the brakes, some people here adapt later model Ford Falcon discs and rotors to the TJ/XJ knuckles. A decent upgrade over stock.
Great video all round!

[jonpaff]

Black magic brakes makes an upgraded knuckle to run a dual piston caliper with a 15 inch wheel and all the way up too 17 inch wheel

[GeorgeBonez]

Wheel base is what I love about the JT Gladiator at 137.3 inches. There are pros & cons with longer & shorter wheel bases but I think 137” is the sweet spot for crawling.

[jackbaskin]

I watched this to see what the down falls of the TJ was, mine is a 97 with 2.5 and near factory size tires. I finished the video and the only thing I found to be a problem was the frame. I used to have a 1942 Ford Military with the original engine and 600/16 tires and made an awful lot of guys hang their heads with big tires, big power etc. when I played around them while they were stuck putting on chains to go up a hill. Some may like what you advocate, and that is for you and what you do, many of us do not like to need a ladder to get in the rig, especially at 82. I did enjoy the video though.

[davidrandall]

The TJ is one of the last cars ever built, of any brand, that can be fixed and still kept on the road in the next 30 years or more.

[stephenwest]

The frame rust is promoted by the side holes letting everything into the frame and no drain holes to wash it out, plus road salt eats everything unless you keep it well washed and treated with some type of rust inhibitor. Most any vehicle has weak links, but the steering linkage was a bit weak for an off-road vehicle, but there are upgrades available. Loved the small size and nimbleness of my TJ, been parked a couple of years now waiting for some tender loving care, working on the wife's TJ currently. Built an off-road only jeep to avoid destroying my TJ, downside being it must be trailered everywhere.

[daviddorminey]

A TJ on 35's will walk the dog on a JL on 38's. We dont have many mountains in Florida, so the short wheelbase and light weight is a plus here. Honestly the JK and JL have gotten away from what makes a jeep a jeep, small light and nimble.

[A-vi]

There's a bug in the computer where it will run the RPM's high around 2k. You have to unplug the battery for 15 minutes and reconnect it. It will reset the computer and you will no longer have that issue. It is a common problem for anyone experiencing that.

[aristotlep.]

Great video.. regarding wheel base. Any plans on stretching the rear or front? Would like to see that in one of your project. Thank you

[ericbrabham]

I've had my 1999 Sahara since 2001. Still love my TJ. Have swapped axles and have 4 wheel disc but only run 33's. I don't have plans to go bigger.

[slantguy]

Issue #6 would be the _weakling Dana35c rear axle_ : anything above stock tire size and it'll grenade = mine broke at a stoplight after Jeep TJ hit a patch of new pavement paint for a crosswalk...it was raining heavily causing tire spin on the new water drenched new paint...rear aftermarket locker caused 30.8" tires to break the carrier after Jeep got traction again. <-- problem solved with Ford 8.8" that had rear disc brakes which was a bonus. Dude. Good video!

[rogerdickinson]

I live in Michigan and I am amazed at the frame rot on jeeps that are only a few years old. I have a 89 yj with no rust as it was a farm vehicle and didn't see any snow. I garage it in winter.
I do not understand why jeep has not addressed this issue, it is the downfall of many fine vehicles.

[gregdaniels]

Good looking rig! What is the front bumper you have? Who makes it? Thanks.

[Mike-In-O-Town]

Best way to address several of your negatives....do an axel swap. That also brings you better gearing and a much beefier setup overall. Those axels go really well in my '06 TJ that has been re-powered with a GM LT350 motor.

[prr]

Actually we have a local mechanic who only works only Jeeps. I have a TJ. Ask him what the best Jeep to own. He said a TJ with a 4.0 motor. Also mention to drill drain holes in frame.