1. Welcome to Jeeps.net!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Jeep discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Jeep owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Thinking about buying a YJ

Discussion in 'New Member Introductions' started by bmgreenberg88, Nov 14, 2016.

  1. Nov 14, 2016 at 8:52 AM
    #1
    bmgreenberg88

    bmgreenberg88 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2016
    Member:
    #493
    Messages:
    4
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    Hello everyone,
    I am new to the Jeeps.net forum, and the jeep community. My wife wants a YJ wrangler, and I had a couple questions as we start shopping.
    • We are looking high mileage to keep the budget reasonable. What kind of mileage is too high?
    • She is looking for an automatic. Any known issues with YJ autos?
    • When I go to look at these vehicles in person, any specific things I should look for that might not be brought up by the seller?
    Thanks in advance, and if there are any other pointers for a Jeep newbie, I appreciate them.
     
  2. Nov 14, 2016 at 10:40 AM
    #2
    Bob

    Bob Well-Known Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1
    Messages:
    788
    Gender:
    Male
    Will this be a daily driver, for getting around town? Or heavier use like trails and off roading?
     
  3. Nov 14, 2016 at 10:44 AM
    #3
    bmgreenberg88

    bmgreenberg88 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2016
    Member:
    #493
    Messages:
    4
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    Bob,
    Great question. This will be a getting around town 2nd vehicle. My wife has a work truck, and uses my car to run errands, now she wants a jeep to take that duty.

    We are currently looking at a 93 i6 automatic with 210,000 miles. They are asking 4k which I think is high. It is clean, but high miles, old, and my lack of experience with jeeps has me concerned. Also, lack of detail on the craiglist ad on mechanical performance and maintenance, just "runs great".

    Thanks!
     
  4. Nov 14, 2016 at 10:55 AM
    #4
    OFFGRID

    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Member:
    #317
    Messages:
    2,018
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    1979 Jeep CJ7, 258, TH350, NP208
    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    20160917_182133.jpg
    Take your pick. High mileage and save $1500 and rebuild everything, or do like my buddy. He found a stock 91 YJ with 90,000 miles. They were asking $7900. He got them down to $6400. I paid $1200 for this 94 YJ and it has 72000 miles. I have to rebuild the axles, paint it and new interior. I'll probable have $6000 in it when I'm finished.

    Whatever you do I suggest for resale value sake get the 4.0L or 4.2L motor. I've heard that the 94-95 YJs are the ones to get. I tend to go for CJs myself.
     
  5. Nov 14, 2016 at 10:56 AM
    #5
    OFFGRID

    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Member:
    #317
    Messages:
    2,018
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    1979 Jeep CJ7, 258, TH350, NP208
    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    $4k sounds like a very fair price if the body and frame are in good shape.
     
  6. Nov 14, 2016 at 11:00 AM
    #6
    bmgreenberg88

    bmgreenberg88 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2016
    Member:
    #493
    Messages:
    4
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    Thanks for the tips! I'm happy to reinvest in the jeep, although not looking too far in the future in terms of resale. My wife just wants to get the party started by buying it initially, and if we can put off axle rebuilds or any serious down time for a couple months to a year I am happy.
     
  7. Nov 14, 2016 at 11:08 AM
    #7
    OFFGRID

    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Member:
    #317
    Messages:
    2,018
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    1979 Jeep CJ7, 258, TH350, NP208
    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    If you can get them under $4k, and the body and frame are in good shape I'd do it. I had to rebuild the axles because the PO took the covers off and left them out in the weather for a year. The axles will last forever if you don't wheel them hard and/or go bigger than 32/33in tires. The week link in the YJ Front axle is the vacuum activated actuator. I here that people replace the axle shafts with TJ axle shafts and block off the Actuator site with a plate, I've never tried that though. Good luck. Post some pics once you get your Jeep. I love to see other peoples jeeps.
     
  8. Nov 14, 2016 at 11:09 AM
    #8
    bmgreenberg88

    bmgreenberg88 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2016
    Member:
    #493
    Messages:
    4
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    Peter,
    Thanks for all the input, sounds like we will probably go for it. As soon as we bring it home we will be sharing!
     
To Top