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October 20, 2021 11:11 am by

2006 Jeep Wrangler “LJ” Unlimited Rubicon with 27k Miles

2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

For October 20, 2021, our used car find is this unusually nice and rare 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon with just 27k miles. It’s offered on Craigslist by a private seller in the Bay Area for $36,000 or best offer.

Here’s what makes this one special.

Introduction

The Wrangler, which debuted 35 years ago, was the first all-new version of the original Jeep formula, which dates all the way back to the Willys of World War II. It’s enjoyed three full generations since then, each of them with their own plusses and minuses. (You can read more about them in our article: Which Jeep Should I Buy? Wrangler YJ vs. TJ vs. JK.) But arguably the greatest of all is the one we have here.

Towards the end of the Wrangler’s second generation (known as the TJ, built from 1997-2006), Jeep had pretty much nailed the basics. Under the hood was the legendary 4.0-liter inline six, known to rack up hundreds of thousands of miles with ease. And it could be mated to a modern six-speed manual gearbox (as here), making it just as usable on the road as off.

By 2003, Jeep had also introduced the Rubicon version, which equipped the Wrangler from the factory with pretty much all the hardware you’d need to tackle even the toughest 4×4 trails.

Finally, in 2004, someone had the excellent idea to extend the wheelbase of the Wrangler to allow for more passenger and cargo room inside. They also beefed up the frame, increasing its towing capacity to 3500 lbs. The longer wheelbase not only made the Wrangler more family friendly, it also helped with one of its longtime complaints: its poor ride on the pavement. An additional 10 inches between the front and rear wheels gives the LJ far more composure on the tarmac without compromising any of its rock-crawling prowess.

Thus the first version of the Wrangler Unlimited was born. Unlike the Unlimited models sold today, the “LJ” generation, as it’s known to enthusiasts, still has just two doors. And it was only sold for three years (2004-2006), before the next generation (JK) replaced it. That makes it one of the rarest versions of a Wrangler, too. (For more about the history of the LJ generation, check out this article on Jalopnik.)

The Listing

This particular LJ Rubicon is about as good as it gets, with crazy low miles, a very cool color, and a manual gearbox. Plus, according the the seller, it’s never even been off road — and its spotless underbelly (pictured below) seems to bear that out.

2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon undercarriage

In the words of the seller…

One of a kind 2006 LJ Rubicon in Impact orange and 26,000 miles
Last year the classic LJ’s were produced
It has front and rear lockers
Has never been off road.
Mechanically perfect.
the paint is like brand new.
Brand new 5 tires 285/70/17 with 221 rubicon rims
Hard and soft-top included
Just recently installed 3.5 rubicon short arm lift kits
All of these were aesthetic modifications has never been off road

It’s hard to find anything to nitpick with this LJ. Perhaps the seller could have at least detailed the interior before snapping photos for the listing. It looks a bit dusty in there.

Price-wise, this LJ isn’t cheap. However, after checking comparable listings on Autotrader, it appears that the $36,000 ask is reasonable for a low-mileage example, especially one in Rubicon trim and with a manual gearbox.

Given the enthusiast interest here, we don’t think this one will last long.

Here’s a link to the listing on Craigslist.

Details and Specs

  • 26,658 miles
  • 4.0-liter inline six cylinder engine
  • 190 hp @ 4,600 rpm
  • 235 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm
  • six-speed manual transmission
  • four-wheel drive (4WD)
  • Impact Orange exterior
  • gray cloth interior
  • for sale by owner
  • $36,000 (or best offer)
  • San Jose, California

Photos

2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon driver seat 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon seats 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon instrument panel 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon back seat 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon engine

 

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