Re: YJ OK?

Hi Everyone,

>
> I need to get another vehicle in the household and am trying to do
> inexpensively. It will be used for street use - around town, errands > etc. - maybe
>
> I've always wanted a Jeep Wrangler and as recently as a year ago looked into
> them a bit, and it sounded like the newer TJ's introduced major changes (
> versus YJ's, CJ's, etc ) to make them better on the street, yet still Off
> Road Worthy. Problem is they're obviously much more expensive. I shelved
> the idea until I could work $18k ish into the budget for a car to get new ,
> or at least newer TJ.
>
> My situation has it where I need another vehicle - NOW - and a very good
> friend ( meaning I can trust him ) works at an autodealer and can get me a
> 93 YJ that came in on a trade at potentially a very good price ( ie. $3k
> ish) as they have it on the lot at $4995. It's just a 4 cylinder, and I
> don't have the specs yet ( Mileage, tires wheels, options ).
>
> I thought I'd post quickly to see if the group feels this is an acceptable
> option to pursue ( if the car is in good shape ), versus reasons to hold out
> and spend more and get a TJ series.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Mark
>
>

I just purchased a 99 TJ with the 4 banger engine. It's ok for around town. But for any extended travel, it does not have enough power. Hills will slow you down. Expect a rough but fun ride.

Larry Greenwood

The only thing I worry about it the 4 banger motor. This is a great motor, don't get me wrong. But, the only complaints that we hear around here is they can be a weak performer on the freeway. They work GREAT on the trail, but the freeway can be another matter entirely.

The TJ with a 4 is a comparable performer to the YJ, but the suspension is far superior (comfortable).

If your errands lean towards running around town, then you will be very happy with the 4. But, if you find yourself using the Jeep to commute to work and spend long hours on the freeway, then you will not be happy for very long. There is a huge difference in getting on the freeway for an occasional 60 or 100 mile trip, and driving 30 miles back and forth every day, day in and day out. For the former, the 4 is fine, for the latter, you will prefer the 4.0L 6 cylinder motor.

While I'd opt for a 6 cylinder, YJ's are fine, and real Jeeps, despite the square headlights. ;-)

For many years YJs got bashed, however it was something of a bad rap. The earliest one (87) should be avoided because of their trans & transfer cases. However the '88 and newer ones, particularly '91 and newer with the EFI engines, make great all around Jeeps. While nothings cooler than a set up CJ, YJs have stronger frames, rust resistant bodies,better electrics and a host of other upgraded items. The universal weak point is the Dana 35 rear axle, and in that you'll have a lot of company!

The 4 banger is a really good, but gutless engine. If you have to do a lot of highway driving I'd pass on this one and find another one with the 6.

That's freeway in traffic. You're going to be in the right lane with all the old Subarus, VW Microbuses and such, because it takes such a lot time to pass anyone going seventy. If the traffic is reasonable, on the other hand, it won't bother you much, although with three passengers and mountain passes you'll be downshifting a lot. If you're driving thirty miles each way to work, day in and day out, well I'm sorry about it, but I am not doing that any more. ;o)

The four cylinder models come with 4.11 gears, which are pretty good for the trail and around town too.

Earle

Jeff Strickland wrote:

Thanks Jeff.

It seems my scenario would tolerate a 4 cylinder, as I work at a home office - and have no commute. My driving would definitely be local, with little highway.

The point you bring up is the one that I was questioning: - The TJ has the "far superior (comfortable) " suspension.

and the basics - i.e. - if a certain model/year has any known weaknesses to watch out for, or certain features that fail at a given mileage, etc.

I understand it is a manual transmission, and has a hard top. I'll follow up once I know more details. Thanks again. MEL

I bought a used 94 Sahara YJ 2 months ago for less than 10% of the original MSRP sticker price of $18459. HardTop, Sahara package, etc 189K miles, as-is. I6 motor, 5 speed manual 3.07(yuk) ratio gears, non slip.

I did the same only did a "courtesy trade" instead of buying off the dealer I bought it from the customer and let the dealer do the paper work. Of course it was as-is. I got mine at wholesale value so here is what you need to figure. Not busting on your friend but, they probably got this 93 YJ 4banger for $1500 or less wholesale. Find out what kind of warranty it has, hopefully 60-90 days with 2000-4000 miles for that (uh) price. At $3K they are probably pacing $1500 still and so it goes. You probably can get that vehicle for $2500 and they would still make $1000+ on it.

It's a 4banger and with the 4.11 gears, it not a bad rig.

I'm glad this thread was started... I'll be looking at possibly picking up a used YJ as my first vehicle within the next year or so, and would be asking similar questions soon. So I'll try to add my questions to this post...

I'm glad to hear the YJ is a decent vehicle for on-road use. I'd probably be looking at a '92-'94 or so YJ with the 4.0 and a 5-speed... they seem to be closest to my price range, and I've heard the '92 model year had some important changes made. What are the best model years of YJ's? What problems should I be looking out for in YJ's of this age?

Thanks everyone!

Adam

I don't mean to take over this thread... I think these are questions that can help the original poster, too. To add to my previous questions... What kind of gas mileage can I look forward to on a fairly stock 4.0 YJ? How is reliability? It maintenance a big problem and expense with normal city driving? With a hard top, is it pretty cold in a Canadian winter (London, Ontario)? Highway driving... is the hard top required so you don't go deaf? Should I be looking for A/C (...is there such a thing as a YJ with A/C?)?

I'll think of more. I guess those are questions of practicality of a YJ.

Thanks!

Adam

On our Canadian gas, a YJ 4.0 gets a little less mileage than my CJ7 with its 4.2 carb engine. I go on lots of off road runs up near Bancroft and we get many chances to compare mileage seeing as we all fill up the same places at the same time.

A YJ with the same 4.2 engine and tuned the same as mine, (no computer) gets almost identical mileage. Some of those run with us too.

I get 11 L/100km or 19 US mpg or 23 IMP mpg. (old Canadian)

Mike

Adam wrote:

Do the coil overs make a difference over the leaf springs on off-road handling? I'm not worried about highway or downtown driving, most the driving I do is off pavement anyways.

Ben

Thanks very much for that info, Mike.

Adam