Jeep Wrangler YJ?: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

Subscribe get a full year for only $23.95 Sample Free Test Drive—no strings attached

March 2, 2011 8:15 a.m. alex SuperDork

I know we have some Jeepers here. I'm thinking about picking up a cheap Wrangler for doors-off fun this spring/summer, and YJs seem to be the cheapest around here. I'd also potentially use it (and a trailer for mulch/motorcycles) to replace the function of my '88 GMC 1500 pickup, which is draining my wallet at the pump using it as a DD like I do.

I know squat about Jeeps, aside from the fact that they should be hammer/screwdriver/duct-tape fixable, which is certainly one of the perks of my truck.

I get that they're crude and 'unpleasant' to drive by today's standards - that doesn't bother me; hell, I just about consider it a perk. And the challenges that come with living with an open truck (since I plan to leave it open during the summer) are challenges I'm willing to learn to love with.

Anything in particular to look for when it comes to buying one? Bearing in mind that I'll be looking on the cheap/rough end of the spectrum, are there common failures, weak points, etc.?
March 2, 2011 8:19 a.m. Strizzo SuperDork

they're great for off-road, which means they're not great for towing (soft suspension, short wheelbase) not to say they won't tow, they just look like they've taken a dump in the pants.

just like the XJ(cherokee), stay away from the renix motors if you can, i think they got the 4.0HO in 91 and later. if you have to get an earlier one, read up on the workarounds for the computer controlled carb.
March 2, 2011 8:26 a.m. alex SuperDork

Towing/hauling would be a secondary concern, undertaken maybe a handful of times annually, which is why I'm considering downsizing from my current truck: it's really handy to be able to do it, but it kinda sucks dragging that empty box around all over the place.

But I need/want something domestic and truckish, and I have to admit that I've always wanted to be able to cruise around with the doors off.
March 2, 2011 8:30 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

The windshield also folded down on older models. You can't image the crap that you hit at 45mph! Never again.
March 2, 2011 8:33 a.m. Woody SuperDork

Like the CJ's before them, YJ's rust like crazy.

Early TJ's are exponentially better and not much more expensive. They are much better on road, which sounds like what your looking for.

Unless you absolutely have to have leaf springs, there's no reason to consider a Jeep with square headlights.
March 2, 2011 8:36 a.m. alex SuperDork

Woody wrote:

Unless you absolutely have to have leaf springs, there's no reason to consider a Jeep with square headlights.

Certainly not a criterion of mine. Any reason why one would need leaf springs?
March 2, 2011 8:44 a.m. Woody SuperDork
March 2, 2011 9:07 a.m. BoxheadTim SuperDork

IME the TJ almost as cheap as YJs depends very much on your location - out here that's definitely not the case.

I'd avoid the earlier YJs with the 4.2 and electronically controlled carb (yuck). IIRC they're mostly galvanised and don't rust as bad as the CJs.

I wouldn't even think of towing with my CJ, even my wife's XJ makes a better towmobile.
March 2, 2011 9:16 a.m. DILYSI Dave SuperDork

Get a 91+ 4.0. By then they had the 4.0HO motor which is solid, reliable, and was good enough that they ran it essentially unchanged through 2006. If you spend any time on the highway, you want to avoid the 4 cylinder.

The YJ frame is boxed, so that's a wash with the TJ. The YJ tub is also galvanized, so also a wash with the TJ. Yes, some are rusty POS's but that's more age, treatment, and location than any inherent proneness to rust. My '91 has 250k+ on it and not a spec of rust.

The biggest question for me is leaf springs vs. coil springs and link suspension. The TJ and it's coils does ride nicer, but they handle weird to me. I REALLY hate the rear-steer that is present in both the TJ and JK. For that reason I prefer the YJ and it's leaf springs. A lot of people don't even notice it, but it's unnerving to me.
March 2, 2011 9:52 a.m. oldtin Dork

I don't mind vehicles built to be implements more than mobile sofas. If the leaf springs get to you, convert to coils - nothing is all that hard on a jeep. I use our TJ to tote a landscape trailer around. It does fine for mulch, gravel, car parts... 5 x 10 trailer. They are pretty tough and simple. Getting the mud flying makes Mrs. Oldtin giggle.
March 2, 2011 10:04 a.m. alex SuperDork

^^ You're pretty well describing my desires in a vehicle, including making the little lady giggle (in between yelling for me to stop ).

I'll be mainly putting around town, occasionally getting out into the country/offroad, and doing a little landscape/motorcycle/house parts hauling.

Sounds like I'm shopping for a '91+ 4.0 YJ. Thanks, all.
March 2, 2011 11:05 a.m. Ignorant SuperDork

As someone who owned a few CJ's.. YJ's don't rust. The YJ tops are easier to deal with than CJ tops. An early TJ would be cool as well. Basically anything 91+ would be an excellent choice, find lowest cost and highest level of maint and you'll be fine.

If you want to take off the doors, get the mirror relocating brackets. You want to be legal.

I had a 4cylinder and it was just fine.. You can get the 4cylinders super cheap compared to the 4.0's. Would I have wanted a 4.0, sure... But I got the 4 cylinder so cheap, I dealt with it. I found not a big difference between the 4.0 and the 4cylinder while off roading. Gearing wins offroad.
March 2, 2011 11:44 a.m. DrBoost SuperDork

Don't discount the 4.2L. The vacuum is easily handles with the nutter bypass and a Holley carb fixes the Carter issues. You can also build a killer stroker by using the 4.0 and 4.2L parts with no machining needed. If you decide to go older than 91 be aware of the differences between some 1990 MY things. They came with the BA-10 transmission. Very fragile and identifyable by the seam runnint the length of the transmission top and bottom. They also had the (I think) NP 207 t-case. Not a bad one, just an odd-ball that isn't supported anymore. I like the YJ suspension because it's simple and cheaper to lift but the TJ does way better on and off road.
March 2, 2011 12:13 p.m. Ignorant SuperDork

AFAIK the 89 was the only one to have the 207 case. Stick with a YJ with the ax5/15 trans and 231 case, just stronger and easier to find parts for at the JY.