As a 60s child, I grew up loving the military Jeeps and CJ5, but ended up not buying one till a few years ago when I picked up a 2019 two-door Rubicon JL with the very reliable and strong V6 and 8-speed automatic. I then modified this Wrangler with a 2.5" lift, 35" mud tires and AEV wheels, steel bumpers, fenders, inner fenders, 8,000 lb Warn winch, onboard ARB air, CB radio, etc. I have not found any trails in the Oregon mountains that it will not handle. It also is my daily driver and work vehicle, as I haul a small utility trailer with chainsaws etc. I average 14 to 18 mph off-road, but routinely get between 18 to 22 mph on the highway. I love this Jeep, because for me, it's the perfect compromise for all my needs.

yj is the NICEST jeep in all jeep history,especially its beautiful front grill and dash.I enjoy keep looking at it.

Best Jeep is a TJ rubicon, even better an LJ rubicon. Keeps the classic look with just enough off-road capability and cargo space

... Had a '99 Cherokee Classic and loved it ... Bought a home in the mountains, and traded the '99 for a '88 MJ, Comanche long bed, 4.0, 5 speed, fuel injected, and put a nice camper shell that is about 1 1/2 foot taller than the cab's roof... I can sit on my fold out bed with my hat on, and still clear the ceiling ... ... Decided to add a '65 Willy's CJ 5 to the fleet... 327 SBC, 4 speed, Warn full range overdrive, 4X4, with a steel top with glass windows and steel doors with roll up glass windows, rear hatch, all with locks ... Loving my mountain life in the Sequoia National Forest ...

Great video. Good comparisons. I would recommend the YJ only to people who don't care about "square headlights" [ ]. [ ]. Lol. Blasphemy! From a very biased 73 CJ-5 owner. 😅

THANK YOU for posting this! I drive jeeps as a tour guide and I'm looking to finally buy my own rig. Doing a lot of online research before buying and was confused by all the trim packages (Wrangler, Sport, Sahara, Rubicon, etc.) and trying to understand the differences between a CJ, YJ, TJ, JK and so forth. This gives me an excellent buyer's guide. Thanks muchly! EDIT: Since you asked for a bit more info, here it is... I was introduced to off-roading by hiring on as a tour guide for Rainbow Adventures jeep tours in Sedona, AZ. The company owns about 40 jeeps (some working, some for parts), all of them modified for trail use; lifted, canopied roll bars and rear-extended to carry 5-7 passengers. The majority of the jeeps are TJs, with a few YJs and JKs. Jeep touring is a great way to get introduced to off-roading because the company trains you and you get A LOT of practice, driving up to 8 hours a day on a variety of terrain from pavement to rough dirt trails with steep hills and rocky stair steps. The company has a shop with mechanics that inspect the jeeps every day. Drivers are responsible for daily washing and fueling of the jeeps. Drivers also monitor how the jeeps are driving and write them up when they have issues. Unlike private jeepers, when we break down, we radio mechanics to assist us. They usually drive out in 2 jeeps-- one for us guides to switch to so we can continue our tour and the other to tow the broken down jeep if they have to. Personally, I prefer the TJs because they're small, nimble and they park like a dream. For my personal use, I'd want a jeep mostly for remote camping in places like Northern Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. I don't need to do the Moab-adrenaline-pumping-extreme rock-crawling; I want to be able to go down any dirt road or trail and reasonably deal with whatever obstacles it throws at me. Overall, tour guiding is a great introduction to jeeping.

Thanks for the great video. I owned a '97 TJ Sport with the AX15 transmission for 10 years, and it was a fantastic vehicle. At 205K miles it was involved in a collision that ended its life, but was going strong until that time. It was my daily driver, and I drove it everywhere with no reliability issues whatsoever. I have replaced it with a 2005 TJ X model with the 6 speed manual and Mountain Edition package. The difference is sort of like putting on a new pair of jeans after having worn old ones all your life.

Video well put together. Bought my first in the 1960's with the Buick V6. Very basic but serious off road unit. Next up new 1976 CJ5 Levi 304 V8. Quirking on road drive ability (darty) no roll up windows, drum brakes. Several, 1977 (disc brakes, V8's) 3 speed trans. (power out on steep hills), 1983 Laredo CJ7, 4.2 crappy carb (changed out). Restored so could not off road. Beautiful, sold for 22K. 1985 CJ7 (current) 5.0 Ford V8, Built T5, trans, hard top, A/C.

I owned a CJ2A and the CJ5. 1948 and 1976 both at same time. I miss my 2A the most. Had to pass them on due to wife health issues. Would love to find an other 2A. I have good stories on both.

I had a 1984 CJ7, we went everywhere with it! It was our family car due to the back seat! My car before that was a 79 Toyota SR5!

Great video. Thank you!

Well done bro

Enjoyed the comparisons and your personal comment. I had a used 88 CJ and a new YJ and TJ. I currently own a used 2011 JK, for a second fun vehicle. I pretty well agree with your thoughts and observations. Thanks for doing this video. The old advertisement and footage is cool. Two persons riding a buffalo….really? Lol.

Very comprehensive thanks

good video Thank you🎉

Great job

Factory A/C in a YJ with CJ grille, hood and fenders. Then install Old Man Emu 1.5" lift springs and 35" tires, and you will have classic looks with modern ride quality and comfort, but be seriously off road capable with flexible suspension. It's a simple recipe that you can daily AND cross the Rubicon Trail or play on the rocks in Moab. Adding skid plates and rock armor is recommended if you're hardcore.

I have a 2006 JEEP LJ with a 4.0 L inline Straight 6 engine.. bought it with 50,000 miles in 2020. The only problem I've had with it was Death Wobble, it's since been taken care of. I have 80,000 miles on it to date. It's been doing great. Thanks for the videos. Robert

Loved my ‘86 CJ-7, which I bought new, but was stolen after 11 years of ownership…I’ve had a 2006 TJ Sport since new, and while not a CJ, it’s been extremely reliable, with only minor, ‘wearable’ items needing replacement, from time to time…(Still drives like new, on the original clutch too…).

You did a good job on your choice of which models were best, but did not mention anything about the width. When used off-road & as a utility rig the last thing you want is a big wide rig. Some farmers are even complaining that as the years go by they keep making everything too wide. The old 5' wide jeep was great as it could go down berry rows & follow down a "cow path" so to speak.

My favorite for daily driver was 68(pre amc) with the best Jeep engine 225 v6

I have 2 TJ Jeeps with manual shift, a 1999 and a 2006, gave $1,400.00 for the pair. Frames seem good, front fenders I am replacing. The 2006 is a Rubicon model and I have it almost ready to go back on the road. Crazy amount of fun for around 3K. My wife bought a new Jeep Wrangler Sport in 2016, while it’s nice, the sales tax cost more than my Jeeps will fixed, lol

If memory serves correctly, there was no 1996 Jeep Wrangler. I owned a 1995 Rio Grande edition YJ, and my sister-in-law owned the 1997 TJ.

I think you should have mentioned the LJ. After all it is basically the same difference between the C-J 5 and the 7. Lj is a longer version of them Tj. I love mine, it has more room and can tow 3500 lbs and it is a beast on the trails. The down fall is because they were fewer made they are hard to come by and cost more.

As the owner of a 76 CJ5 I was actually hoping that you were going to explain how and why no actual Jeep has been built since 1986. Wranglers are just Dodge living off the Jeep legacy. Keep in mind that it's not a Jeep unless there's a data plate on the firewall that states "MADE BY JEEP CORP TOLEDO, OHIO". Oh, and a REAL Jeep has 0 Mopar parts.

was gifted a rusty cj7 as my first car recently. Wish me luck

You left out the CJ8 Scrambler WTF I have a 1985 CJ 8 6cy 4.2l t5 transmission dana 300 transfer case love it daily driver

I have an inside joke that Luigi is a "Jeep Guy" Now it's canon thank you

If you would have listed which jeep type ( CJ TJ etc.) on the side by side chart that would have been helpful .

Right off I am down two as I have a 1973 CJ5 and replaced the three speed with a TH 350 , it works with the Atlas and the 5.7 LT1 . 4:56 true true tracts ,disk brakes , and much more. Did I say that I bought the Jeep new ?

CJ-8's were awesome! The 1987 - square headlight Wranglers were an anathema and should be banned from the face of the earth.

Cj7 is just a little longer

How small are they,same size Toyota mr2,hmmmm

YJ or NoJ

Do they still tip over,ouch

The Jeep to purchase is the TJ and prior. DO NOT PURCHASE ANY JEEP WRANGLER NEWER THAN 2006. THEY ARE JUNK.

Real chicks drive Jeeps

People who do not work on their own cars have no business owning ANYTHING over 5 years old. 5+ year old cars will nickle & dime you to death. You are better off to trade up & get a car which is trouble free. You will be $$ ahead. !