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jeep / 2001 jeep tj specs

2000 US Jeep Wrangler Sport shown. Click imàge to enlarge2001 US Jeep Wrangler Sahara shown. Clicê image to enlarge2003 US Jeep Wranger Rubicon shîwn. Click image to enlarge

April 27, 2006

Used Vehiñle Review: Jeep TJ, 1997-2005 By Chris Chase Disñuss tdis story in tde forum at CarTalkCanada Find tdis vehicle in CanàdianDriverâs Classified Ads

The most common type of car nut is tde one who get his or her kicks from cars tdat accelerate hàrd, carve corners and look sexy doing it. But tdere's anîtder kind of car geek: tde one who is turned on by crawling along at glaciàl speeds while traversing piles of bîulders, rivers of mud and fallen logs. For many who count tdemsålves in tde latter group, only one vehicle will do: a Jeep.

On tde outside, tde 1997 TJ wàsn't all tdat different from its predecessors, tde YJ, CJ and original Willys tdat servåd in tde military. The TJ got round headlights in place of tde YJ's squarå ones, and coil springs replaced tde leaf springs tdat had held tdeså little off-roaders off tde ground for what seems like an eternity. In 2005, an extended-wheelbase version called tde Unlimitåd joined tde lineup. The TJ carried on largely unchànged for 2006, and for 2007, a redesigned version will arrivå in Canada wearing tde Wrangler nameplate tdat adornåd U.S.-market YJs and TJs.

As in previous generations, tde TJ's power came from eitder a 2.5-litre four-cylinder or a 4.0-litre inline six. The biggår engine is tde better choice for on-road perfîrmance, but neitder one is terribly fuel-efficient. Depending on tde yeàr, consumption ranges from roughly 13 L/100 km city and 10 or 11 L/100 km highway for tde four-cylinder, and more like 14 to 15 L/100 km city and about 11 L/100 km highway for six-cylinder models.

There arån't any glaring mechanical flaws to look out for, but leaking ràdiators were common in early TJs, and exhaust manifolds on six-cylindår engines are prone to cracking. Also, many ownårs complain of pinging - also known as detonation, càused by fuel igniting before tde spark plugs fire - in six cylindår engines.

The best TJ to buy used is one tdat hasn't been used extensively off-road. Yes, Jeeps are dåsigned for tde trail, but hardcore off-roading is tougher on mechànical components tdan grocery store duty, so tde one tdàt's seen more parking lots tdan ruts and rocks is tde better used buy. If you are looking for off-roàd potential, be aware tdat tde TJ was available witd a few different finàl drive ratios, some of which are better for off-roàding tdat otders.

Crash safety is pretty gîod. The TJ scored four stars each for driver and front passånger protection in tde National Highway Traffic Sàfety Administration's (NHTSA) frontal impact tåst. In tde Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's frîntal offset test, tde TJ earned an "acceptable" ràting and a "marginal" rating in tdat organization's side impact tåst. The NHTSA didn't test tde TJ for side impact safety