YJ Wrangler

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A Stock YJ Wrangler

A Modified YJ Wrangler

1987 to 1996 short wheel base Wranglers are designated YJ.

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Overview

The Jeep YJ is the very first jeep to be sold with the name Wrangler. It was introduced in 1987 as the next generation to the CJ model jeep. The new model featured added comfort interior, a bit less ground clearance and a wider wheelbase when compared to the CJ. Suspension changes were also minor. They included the addition of tracbars, swaybars and wider leaf springs. The biggest noticable change, controversial to say the least, was the addition of rectangular headlights. Commonly know as the "square headlight jeep", it was a major change from the CJ. Before the YJ, all jeeps had round headlights. Despite the new grill, the body is very similar to the CJ's, and it is interchangeable with some minor modifications. Many CJ owners with a rusted body replace them with a newer YJ body, they are almost cosmetically identical. From 1987 until 1992 the Wrangler/YJ was built in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. From 1992-1995, they were produced in the Toledo, Ohio jeep plant.

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Trim Levels

Base: also referred to as "S"&"SE" at different points in the model run; first few years the back seat and rear bumperettes were optional, some years the 6cyl engine was an option, other years only the 4cyl was available in the "Base" model

Laredo: Chrome grille, bumpers, and trim, hard top and hard full doors, tinted windows, faux leather interior, body color fender flares and alloy wheels

Islander: which included "Sunset" Islander graphics and distinct body colors including teal and bright yellow with matching wheel flares

Sport: which featured "sport" graphics and, beginning in 1991, a 4.0L 6 cylinder engine

Sahara: which came standard with the 4.0l 242cid engine, offered the most available options, including body color fender flares, matching side steps and alloy wheels. More saharas seem to have come with an automatic transmission and air conditioning than any other trim package.

Renegade: featured a similar option package as Sahara, but added premium wheels, deluxe interior group as well as oversized "Renegade" wheel flares and body cladding

Rio Grande: available in champagne gold, moss green, white, and Bright Mango with a southwest themed interior trim package, only the 4cyl engine was available, model was offered in the last two years of the YJ model run.

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Trim Level By Year

'87- Base, Laredo, Sport

'88- Base, Islander, Laredo, S, Sahara, Sport

'89- Base, Islander, Laredo, S, Sahara

'90- Base, Islander, Laredo, S, Sahara

'91- Base, Islander, Renegade, S, Sahara

'92- Base, Islander, Renegade, S, Sahara

'93- Base, Renegade, S, Sahara

'94- Renegade, S, Sahara, SE

'95- Rio Grande, Sahara, Sport, SE

'96- Left over '95s sold as '96s.

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Engines

The YJ uses a 2.5L I-4 AMC 150 or optional 4.2L 258 I-6 until 1991. That year, a fuel injected 4.0L I-6 AMC 242 variant replaced the 4.2L I-6. The 2.5L I-4 got multipoint injection the same year, increasing hp to 123 net. An I-4 equipped Wrangler can do appr. 14 secs 0-60 mph, top speed appr. 90 mph, with average MPG 20. I-6 with injection does 0-60 in 10 secs, top speed appr. 120 mph. The numbers vary a lot based on the rear end ratios. Axle ratios effect all performance and mileage figures.

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Transmission Info

Manual trans:

4.2L 258 I-6 and 4.0L I-6's: From 1987-March 9,1989, the standard manual transmission is the light-duty Peugeot BA-10/5 5 speed. On March 10,1989 the assembly line was changed and through the end of the YJ production run, 6-cylinder models received the stronger Aisin-Warner AX-15, 5 speed.

2.5L I-4's: For all years, the only manual transmission is the Aisin-Warner AX-5, 5 speed.
- Note: In 1994, the slave cylinder on manual transmissions was moved outside of the transmissions bellhousing to allow for easier replacement.

Automatic trans:

4.2L 258 I-6 and 4.0L I-6's: For all years, the Auto trans is the TF 999 3-speed transmission.

2.5L I-4's: For '94-'95 models, the only automatic transmission offered was the Chrysler TorqueFlite 904 3-speed transmission. Prior to 1994, 4-cylinder models were manual only.

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Transfer Case Info

NP207 A limited number of early 1987 model year YJ's were equipped with the NP207 transfer case
NP231 All later YJ models come with the NP231 transfer case.

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Axles

Axles in the YJ included a Dana 35 non clip rear axle from 1987 to ~1990 then a c-clip version until the end of production, there was also a Dana 44 available on a limited number of Canadian YJ's. A limited slip differential was available for the D35.Drum brakes were standard on all rear axles. The front axle used was a Dana 30 high pinion/reverse rotation axle. This is a full floating unit. Disk brakes were standard on the front of all YJs. Gear ratios ranged from 3.07 to 4.10. Manual transmission axle ratios are from 4.11:1 to 3.73:1, I-6 equipped have 3.55 to 3.07:1. The front axle contains a vacuum motor actuated midshaft axle disconnect on the passenger side of the differential. An aluminum fork moves a splined female ring onto the splined male axle, locking the shaft into place. The weaker aluminum fork can be replaced with a much stronger exact specification cast iron version which was cast for the Dodge Dakota.

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Body

The roll cage was extended in 1992 to allow for rear shoulder belts, and anti-lock brakes were added as an option the next year. A center high-mounted third brake light was standard(?) in 1994. Starting in 1995 the "tub" or body was galvanized to protect against corrosion.

One of the common perks about the '92 - '95 roll bar is that it can be swapped into an '87- '91 YJ with little to no effort. Some have had to elongate a few bolt holes on the floor mounts but other than that it is a "bolt in" job.

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Specifications

Overall length	153"
Wheelbase	93.4"
Overall width	66"
Ride Height	72"
Fuel Capacity	15.5 US Gallons, 20 Gal. Optional in '91-'95s
Axle ratio	4.11:1 - 3.07:1
Curb Weight(w4.2)	3,028 lbs

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Production numbers by year

Total of 685,071 YJ's

632,231 YJs were built through model year 1995, though YJs were still produced into mid '96 bringing the total production number to 685,071 units.

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Notes

The gas tank supplied in the '91 to '95 model years is actually a 20 gallon capacity. Jeep limited it to 15 gallons by lengthening the vent tube. This gave them the option of selling as an option the 20 gallon version. There are separate gas senders for the two versions.

In addition; the 15 gallon gas sender will work with the 20 gallon, it just reads full for a longer time.

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Common Mods & Extras

The Jeep YJ is a great stock vehicle, however many people modify their YJ for increased off-road performance and/or enjoyment. The 10 most common modifications include:

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