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1989 Wrangler VS 1992 Wrangler HELP

3K views 23 replies 16 participants last post by  dos0711 
#1 ·
HI:

I am drying to decide between two Jeep Wranglers. Both are 4cyl, manual trans, and 4 wheel drive. Both have good bodies/paint and both soft tops are in good condition.
My delima - the 1989 Wrangler has 122,700 miles. The 1992 while three years younger has 162,700 miles. Should I be worried about the one with 162,700 miles. Both run good and seem to compare mechanically.

Which one would you choose and why?????

I am not mechanically minded at all and have never owned a jeep. Want one to drive around farm, hunt, fish, etc.

Thanks in advance

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
 
#3 ·
Danbo56 said:
HI:

I am drying to decide between two Jeep Wranglers. Both are 4cyl, manual trans, and 4 wheel drive. Both have good bodies/paint and both soft tops are in good condition.
My delima - the 1989 Wrangler has 122,700 miles. The 1992 while three years younger has 162,700 miles. Should I be worried about the one with 162,700 miles. Both run good and seem to compare mechanically.

Which one would you choose and why?????

I am not mechanically minded at all and have never owned a jeep. Want one to drive around farm, hunt, fish, etc.

Thanks in advance

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
i'd say the 92 simply because it has a slightly better engine. it's not much, but it does have a few more ponies than the TBI model in the 89. other than that, there's really no difference between the two. tranny, t-case, axles, etc will all be the same. if you can test drive them and like one over the other, go for that one. as far as milage goes, all three of the YJ engines are known to be pretty reliable when they're maintained. there's more than a few of us with over 200K on the clock without a rebuild. however, the engine isn't the only component with the miles on it. sure, lots of people change their oil regularly, but how about the rest of the drive train. I'd pick the one with the better maintenance record for those parts even if it has higher milage.
 
#5 ·
89 Or 92

The 92 also has the improved roll-bar, and a much better dash display. The seats could possibly be the better style as well. [ Though not that it matters ].
With the 89 you have the First style AMC 2.5L with TBi injection as mentioned and the old style roll-bar and steering colum that i think was made by GM. Though with the chrysler design you will have to depressure the fuel system to change the fuel filter ;) :cool: . What ever one you like more.
 
#6 ·
jeffy said:
'92's MPFI vs. '89's TBI

I'd go MPFI with the '92. You'll have 12 more HP and better throttle response because of it.
Period. No question about it. Forget the 89.
 
#7 ·
Ok I am having similar problem myself, thought I'd add on to this thread rather than start a new one. I have a choice:

-1989 YJ with 4.2 (unknown if BA10/5 or AX-15) w/ decent body & solid frame

-1992 YJ with 2.5 and AX-5 also w/ decent body and frame

Both Jeeps have hard tops and doors and are basically equal in terms of overall condition. Based solely on the engines, which would you choose? I know the 1992 has the better roll bar, better guages and MPI. But the 1989 has a 4.2 as opposed to a 2.5. Is having 2 more cylinders worth the aggravation of dealing with a carb and not having cool interior appointments?

I'd be using the rig as a trail vehicle only, with occasional short road trips during the summer. I plan a 4-5" lift and 33-34" tires as my modifications down the line.

Thanks for your input. :D
 
#8 · (Edited)
I would still take the 4 banger. Depending on your tire size power may not be an issue. I run 33s and have the stock 4.10 gears. My max speed is 75, but I can get there easily and do not need to go faster than that. If you have stock tires I bet you will not complain too much about power.

On the trial I believe the 4 banger will be far better for you, as long as you are geared properly, A 4 banger with the a good mecahnical advantge (gears) is the best because it is light and because it has less HP. Too much power break things. I have a 4:1 which works great.

As for fuel injection, I think it is sort of dumb to run a carbed vehicle. They never run well at altitude and spit an splutter at off camber obstacles.
 
#9 ·
You guys are silly. A carb doesn't mean the jeep is going to suck. I went to Rausch Creek with jeeps that had each type of motor. No one was limited in any way by the motor in their jeep. Tires make more of a differance on the trail then a few horse power. Why buy something with a bunch more miles cause it has a few more horses? And besides, thats the power it makes new, I'm sure those 12 extra hp are not that significant on old worn motors.
 
#11 ·
Go with the 6. I have a carb on mine and never have a problem. Personly I think the roll bar is way better looking than the newer gay family style. The new ones only purpose is to have some where for seat belts. Doesnt add extra protection. Besides who has room for passangers in the back. Not to mention the dash is better in my opinion too. Not a bunch of plastic crap to break all over it. Sure it has some but no much. Plus the 4.2 has more torque and you can rip out all the emsisions crap and run a nice clean motor. No stupid sensors to break. Slap a 4.0 head on there and you are in.
 
#14 ·
odd... I've had two jeeps. An 89 Wrangler and a '92 Wrangler.

I would take the 92 hands down regardless of mileage. You don't want to mess with the carb for one thing. Other than that, from my experience, the 92 has been more solid (could have to do with previous owner, yes). I have abused it more than my 89 and it's held up better. less repairs, better mileage, smoother engine, etc. If you like the old rollbar that much you can find someone on this forum who will trade you...the newer ones are better for making custom cages out of.
 
#16 ·
I have a 89 with 4.2 I love it! 189,000 miles runs great never had carb problems wheel it all the time never has let me down. 4banger has no power I can run 90 mph with 31/10.50 and my I6,do that with a 4 banger
 
#17 ·
Lets not forget the fact that the 89 has a ba-10 transmission. The 1992 has a ax-5 tranny. The ba-10 had tons of problems
 
#19 ·
myjeepsux420 said:
Lets not forget the fact that the 89 has a ba-10 transmission. The 1992 has a ax-5 tranny. The ba-10 had tons of problems
The '89 with a 4.2L could have the AX-15 instead of the BA-10 depending on when it was made. For example, I have an '87, but I have an NP231 t-case (most '87s had the NP207) and recently found out that it uses an '88+ ignition module.
 
#21 ·
I have both a 90 4.2 and 94 2.5. I have swapped to an MC2100 and it still doesnt compare to the 2.5 fuel injection. For a trail only rig I would go with the 2.5 and the right gearing. You only notice a lack of power with the 2.5 on highway.
 
#22 ·
KnuckleheadFabs said:
I have both a 90 4.2 and 94 2.5. I have swapped to an MC2100 and it still doesnt compare to the 2.5 fuel injection. For a trail only rig I would go with the 2.5 and the right gearing. You only notice a lack of power with the 2.5 on highway.
:agree:

Period.

And for all of the carb guys, we are not saying that Jeeps with carbs suck, we are simply saying that fuel injection is lot better. Certainly no one here is going to disagree with that statement.
 
#23 ·
Thanks for the input again. The prices for each are about the same. My initial thought was that the fuel injected 4 cylinder would be better than the carbed 6 cylinder in terms of reliability and smoothness on the trail. I have nothing against the carbed Jeep, I had an 88 with a carbed 4.2 and didn't have any problems. I just figured if I had the choice, the newer model and the fuel injection would be the way to go. Thanks again everyone!
 
#24 ·
offroadyjguy said:
I have a 89 with 4.2 I love it! 189,000 miles runs great never had carb problems wheel it all the time never has let me down. 4banger has no power I can run 90 mph with 31/10.50 and my I6,do that with a 4 banger
Who in the hell wants to go 90mph that is in their right mind? Buy a Mustang if top speed is what you care about. Jeeps (CJ,Wranger) have never been built for the highway. Don't believe me? How much curve does your windshield have??:laugh:
 
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