Anyone here know older Jeep Wranglers?

[speeder]

Specifically a 1992 with 4.0 6-cylinder engine. I know that engine has a good reputation, just wondering where this series fits into the overall lineup of Jeeps. Thanks as always!

[cantdrv55]

I think Toby can answer that

[Steve Carlton]

The 1997 was the first year of the TJ Wrangler, with round headlights and a much better suspension.

[Dantilla]

Big difference between the older leaf-sprung Jeeps like this and the later wranglers that have coil springs.
1997 & up have the coils, and are far superior, both on and off road.
The square headlight Wranglers still have leafs.
The 4.0 straight six will go forever. Power is "adequate". Plenty of torque at low rpms, not much at highway speeds.
The 2.5 4-cylinder is woefully underpowered. I'm surprised they actually sold Jeeps with that miserable engine.

[pavulon]

I'd second Dantilla's comment and wouldn't give wranglers much consideration but recently test drove a newish diesel version. I thought it was impressively tight in construction and ride--and the V6 TD was a really nice engine on the test drive. Of course, it's a long way from the YJ you're looking at but if you want one, never drive a new version.

[MMiller]

Originally Posted by speeder

Specifically a 1992 with 4.0 6-cylinder engine. I know that engine has a good reputation, just wondering where this series fits into the overall lineup of Jeeps. Thanks as always!

It doesn't fit very well. YJ just don't offer much. TJ and later is what you're looking for. Even free not sure what I would do with a YJ. Had one my Dad bought new.... sold it and moved on to a TJ ..asap

[look 171]

I had a 91 but 4 banger. Fun, I was young so I didn't feel much of the rough roads of LA at the time. It was not a torque monster, but enough to get out of it way when necessary but don't ask it to to too much more at higher speeds. Turning diameter was great but getting over the grapevine from the desert had me shifting down to forth gear with one other person and a jeep full of gear. We all know that was not what that thing was designed for so off road it was, good enough but for the hardcore off roader, it needed some simple mods. I felt there's plenty of power for running rough trails. We did many trails out in the desert and it did fine. I terms of reliability, it was more then what I expected from a Chrysler product. Not much mechanical issues for its 100,000 mile life. The old, I believe they called it the Iron Duke, just kept on going as long as there's fuel. The in line 6 is a great engine. Everything else seems to fall apart around the motor like many Dodge products.

[speeder]

Thanks, guys. I know that the newer ones are awesome and the older ones, (CJs), are also awesome but not the in-between ones(?) I had a friend back in the late '80s who bought a new one and took it out for some mild off-roading and it totally schit the bed...broken shock mounts, etc. And he really wasn't abusing it in terms of what they are supposed to do.

I got offered a free one today, (needs work of course), not sure whether I'm going to get it.

[72doug2,2S]

Love my JK '12 though not the 4.0. It is my DD and get around town/beach mobile. Nearly 100k and no issues. Great build quality compared to early Jeeps. Get the 2dr. manual (no doors pictured)

[Arizona_928]

4.0l and the ax15 are the bread and butter of reliability.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by 72doug2,2S

Love my JK '12 though not the 4.0. It is my DD and get around town/beach mobile. Nearly 100k and no issues. Great build quality compared to early Jeeps. Get the 2dr. manual (no doors pictured)

That's not the model I'm interested in talking about.

[upsscott]

I would not buy a YJ. I own a TJ and the ride is light years better. Also, avoid the 4cyl.

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[wilnj]

I had a YJ as my first car.

Didn’t do any off roading, but I enjoyed the top and door off driving.

Short wheelbase and leaf springs make for a rough ride. Mechanically, they’re no different than the CJ-7 before them but has been said, the 4.0 I6 is the engine everyone wishes was still around. The only issue I had with the engine were vacuum leaks.

My biggest concern would be rust in the frame and the rear corners.


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[IROC]

Part of the answer might depend on your intended use. As a daily driver, street vehicle, the leaf spring suspension is going to be inferior to the newer coil spring Jeeps. And...if you want to offroad it, my only experience was with a buddy of mine. He had a '95 YJ and I had an '84 (straight axle) Toyota pickup. Driving the same trails, he was constantly breaking things and having mechanical issues. U-joints, driveshafts and axles seemed to be way under-designed for off-road use. At least compared to an old Toyota.

Just my experience.

So, not too good on road and not very good off road. But...free is a decent price.

[wilnj]

Originally Posted by IROC

Part of the answer might depend on your intended use. As a daily driver, street vehicle, the leaf spring suspension is going to be inferior to the newer coil spring Jeeps. And...if you want to offroad it, my only experience was with a buddy of mine. He had a '95 YJ and I had an '84 (straight axle) Toyota pickup. Driving the same trails, he was constantly breaking things and having mechanical issues. U-joints, driveshafts and axles seemed to be way under-designed for off-road use. At least compared to an old Toyota.

Just my experience.

So, not too good on road and not very good off road. But...free is a decent price.

The I6 plus trans plus transfer case plus short wheelbase makes the driveshaft lengths too short.

The stock YJ needs some beefing up to be trully capable off road but the upside is that’s it’s relatively cheap and DIY.

I also think prices are inflated for nostalgic reasons.


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[Sarc]

Originally Posted by speeder

I got offered a free one today, (needs work of course), not sure whether I'm going to get it.

Not Jeep’s finest effort, but that hasn’t stopped folks from overpaying (in the event you’re looking to fix it up and sell):

https://bringatrailer.com/jeep/wrangler-yj/

But if you plan on keeping it, it can be a positive experience for what it is.

[wilnj]

Originally Posted by Sarc

Not Jeep’s finest effort, but that hasn’t stopped folks from overpaying (in the event you’re looking to fix it up and sell):

https://bringatrailer.com/jeep/wrangler-yj/

But if you plan on keeping it, it can be a positive experience for what it is.

I had a 1988 Sahara like this, hard and soft top.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-jeep-wrangler-27/

Sold in 1995 for $7,500 with 125k on it. Not bad considering a sticker of $14,900.

Mine also included the stretched out webbing trim feature on the seats.

EDIT: Either I was in much better shape at 20 when I could remove and reinstall the hardtop by myself but can not do it with my JK or the tops have gotten heavier.

It’s likely the former but I prefer to believe the latter.

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[Cdnone1]

Do what I did. Buy a CJ7 and drop a modern 4.0L Jeep motor into it. Kept the T5

[Shifter]

Just
Empty
Every
Pocket

I love my jeep. I don't regret a dime I have spend on it. I do have a LJ, the longer wheelbase TJ.

That said, I probably wouldn't bother with a YJ, leafers and either renix fuel injection or a carb. Just not worth it. We won't even discuss the rectangular headlights.

Now, it it was a cherry ride, needing zero work, run, don't walk away. You will be alarmed how easy it is to spend money upgrading it. Yes, you will upgrade it...

If someone wants a great deal on a CJ7 needing bit work, I have the deal for you!

[Arizona_928]

That's where the whole "it's a jeep thing" comes from. ^^
The aftermarket are extensive for jeeps. Always can find something you don't need, or a powertrain swap that is unique..

I dumped a lot of money into a xj. At the end of the day, it's best to get some nice lockers and keep everything else stock.