What The TJ in Jeep stands For (Fully Explained)
Are you curious about what the initials TJ stand for in Jeep? If yes, then you’re at the right place. Due to common misconceptions, many people are curious about the meaning of TJ.
Let’s start by defining what “TJ” means for your Jeep vehicle, shall we?
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What is the meaning of TJ in Jeep?
If you run a quick search on the Jeep forum for the term “TJ,” you will come across a lot of witty responses, such as “TJ means True Jeep.” But the fact of the matter is that none of those are correct.
The main point is that TJ is meaningless. Instead, it refers to the vehicle identification number in association with Wrangler manufacturers from 1997 and 2006.
History of the Jeep Wrangler up to the TJ
The Jeep’s origins may be traced back to World War II when the United States desperately needed an all-terrain vehicle appropriate for military usage. Jeep created the CJ for this purpose (Civilian Jeep).
Following the war’s victory, it became prominent by targeting the mass market and gaining appeal among framing and construction workers. So, they introduced the CJ model between the CJ 1 and the CJ 10A, a total of 14 variants.
Because of its great looks, fuel efficiency, and performance, the Wrangler is becoming increasingly popular with lovers of the Jeep brand.
The YJ model was produced till the year 1996, after which the company transitioned to the TJ model in 1997. The most obvious modification was from a leaf suspension to a spring suspension compared to the model from the previous year. It garnered a larger following among off-roaders. In addition, TJ was the company that originally introduced the Rubicon model, which was designed specifically for off-road conditions.
How to know if your Jeep is a YJ or TJ
You can easily know whether you have a JK, YJ, or TJ by referring to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Additionally, you’ll be able to determine the year of your car this way. You can also do this by going to the website and entering the VIN. Everything will be displayed for you there. The Vehicle Identification Number is located on the back of your insurance card.
Check the grille to see if the car you’re driving is a YJ or another model of Jeep Wrangler. If you are looking at a Wrangler from the YJ series, you will notice that the headlights are square-shaped rather than the typical circular shape of jeeps.
The TJs have round headlamps. In the TJs model, the front grille does not have any amber lights, and the turn signal lenses are located in the front fenders. Also, the fog lights are not integrated into the front bumper. The breadth of the vehicle is approximately 5 inches less than that of a JK. If you find any of these in your car, then you most likely have a TJ.
What is the Difference Between a TJ and a YJ Jeep?
The TJ and YJ are very different from one another in terms of vehicle suspension. The suspension of the YJ model came equipped with a leaf spring, whereas the TJ went with a coil spring. Off-road, the TJ models are superior to the YJ versions due to the availability of the Rubicon trim level for the TJ series.
Furthermore, if you want to buy a used TJ Jeep rather than a YJ, you should be prepared to spend an additional $3,000 to $4,000.
