Jeep Wrangler (TJ)
The TJ brought back round headlamps and swapped the old leaf springs for coil springs at all four corners, which gave a far better ride and more axle travel. Engines carried over from the YJ at first, with the 4.0 L six as the favourite. The 2003 Rubicon added locking Dana 44 axles and a 4:1 transfer case straight from the factory, and the stretched Unlimited (LJ) followed in 2004. It is widely seen as one of the best Wranglers for off-road use.
Model years
1997 to 2006
Built
January 1996 to July 2006
Where
Toledo Assembly, Toledo, Ohio, USA; Arab American Vehicles, Cairo, Egypt
Body styles
2-door (soft top or hardtop), 2-door Unlimited long wheelbase (2004 to 2006)
Four-wheel drive
Command-Trac part-time 4x4 (NP231, 2.72:1 low range), Rock-Trac part-time 4x4 (NV241OR, 4.0:1 low range, Rubicon)
Engines
| Engine | Power | Torque | Fuel | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L AMC I4 | 120 hp (89 kW) | 140 lb-ft (190 N·m) | Gasoline | 1997 to 2002 |
| 2.4 L PowerTech I4 (DOHC) The 2003 brochure gives 147 hp; the 2004 model-year announcement gives 150 hp. |
147 hp (110 kW) | 165 lb-ft (224 N·m) | Gasoline | 2003 to 2006 |
| 4.0 L PowerTech I6 Autotrader.ca and The Auto Channel list 181 hp for 2000; one owners' forum dates the 190 hp rating from 2000. |
181 hp (135 kW) | 222 lb-ft (301 N·m) | Gasoline | 1997 to 2000 |
| 4.0 L PowerTech I6 Wikipedia lists 190 hp and 235 lb-ft for the whole run. |
190 hp (142 kW) | 235 lb-ft (319 N·m) | Gasoline | 2001 to 2006 |
Transmissions
- 5-speed manual (AX-5, with 2.5 L) (1997 to 2002)
- 5-speed manual (AX-15, with 4.0 L) (1997 to 1999)
- 5-speed manual (NV3550, with 4.0 L) (2000 to 2004)
- 5-speed manual (NV1500, with 2.4 L) (2003 to 2004)
- 6-speed manual (NSG370) (2005 to 2006)
- 3-speed automatic (30RH or 32RH) (1997 to 2002)
- 4-speed automatic (42RLE) (2003 to 2006)
Sizes and weights
| Measure | Size |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 93.4–103.4 in2,372–2,626 mm |
| Length | 151.2–171 in3,840–4,343 mm |
| Width | 66.7–68.3 in1,694–1,735 mm |
| Height | 70.2–71.2 in1,783–1,808 mm |
| Curb weight | 3,092–3,857 lb1,403–1,750 kg |
| Towing (most) | 2,000–3,500 lb907–1,588 kg |
| Fuel tank | 15–19 US gal57–72 L |
A range covers the body styles and trims of this generation.
Trims and editions
- SE
- Sport
- Sahara
- X
- Rubicon
- Unlimited
- Unlimited Rubicon
- 60th Anniversary
- Apex
- Freedom Edition
- Tomb Raider
- Rocky Mountain
- Willys Edition
- Columbia Edition
- 65th Anniversary
- Golden Eagle
Worth knowing
- Quadra-Coil coil-spring suspension replaced the leaf springs used on every earlier civilian Jeep.
- The 2003 Rubicon came with air-locking Dana 44 axles front and rear and a 4:1 Rock-Trac transfer case.
- The 2004 Unlimited (LJ) added 10 inches of wheelbase and raised towing to 3,500 lb.
- Round headlamps returned after the square-lamp YJ.
Year by year, newest first
2006
- Final TJ year; production ended in July 2006.
- The Golden Eagle package returned, and a 65th Anniversary Edition was offered.
2005
- A six-speed manual (NSG370) replaced both five-speed manuals.
- The Unlimited Rubicon was added, and the Sahara was dropped from the lineup.
2004
- The long-wheelbase Wrangler Unlimited arrived in spring 2004 on a 103.4-inch wheelbase.
- A tilt steering wheel and a CD player became standard on more models.
- Willys and Columbia editions were offered.
2003
- A 2.4 L DOHC four (147 hp) replaced the 2.5 L, and a four-speed automatic replaced the three-speed.
- The Rubicon arrived with locking Dana 44 axles and a 4:1 transfer case.
- Front seats were redesigned and LATCH child-seat anchors added.
2002
- The X model was added, pairing the 4.0 L six with a lower price.
- Sport gained hard doors with roll-up windows, fog lamps, and tow hooks.
- A passenger airbag on-off switch was added, and Shale Green replaced Forest Green.
2001
- The 4.0 L six was now rated 190 hp and 235 lb-ft.
- Intermittent wipers became standard, the console was revised, and a subwoofer became optional.
- A 60th Anniversary Edition was offered.
2000
- The NV3550 five-speed manual replaced the AX-15 behind the six.
- Rear child-seat tethers were added, and the six-cylinder was refined for smoother running.
- Three new colours were offered.
1999
- Rotary heater and air-conditioning knobs replaced the sliding levers.
- The 19-gallon fuel tank, previously optional, became standard.
1998
- Carried over with almost no changes.
1997
- All-new Wrangler with coil springs front and rear and round headlamps.
- A new dashboard included dual airbags.
- Carried-over 2.5 L four and 4.0 L six engines.
Notes
Wikipedia says the 2.4 L was dropped for 2006, but EPA listings show a 2006 2.4 L with the six-speed manual. EPA listings also show no automatic with the 2.4 L for 2005 and 2006. The 4.0 L rating change from 181 to 190 hp is dated to 2000 by some sources and 2001 by others. Consumer Guide and Wikipedia differ on when the X arrived (2002 per both headings, 2004 in one Consumer Guide sentence). Fuel tank: 15 gal standard early on, with 19 gal standard from 1999. Ground clearance not confirmed.
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Jeep_Wrangler_(TJ)
- consumerguide.com /used/1997-06-jeep-wrangler
- rockcrawler.com /features/newsshorts/01september/2002Jeep/2002_wrangler.asp
- rockcrawler.com /features/newsshorts/03august/jeep_2004_wrangler.asp
- xr793.com /wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2003-Jeep-Wrangler.pdf
- theautochannel.com /vehicles/new/reviews/2000/solo0037.html
- autotrader.ca /research/jeep/tj/2000/
- autotrader.ca /research/jeep/tj/2001/
- fueleconomy.gov /ws/rest/vehicle/menu/options