I was on Craigslist last year and bought a 94 YJ for $5,000. I don't know much about jeeps, but it had new tires, chrome wheels, new purple paint, great Bluetooth stereo with soundbar, original seats in great condition, it was so clean. I love it, I knew I would never be able to afford a new one. I've been offered double what I paid for it. Thanks for a great video, you let me know that I made a wise purchase!!

My grandpa bought a 94 yj se 4.0 5spd brand new in 93 and for the last 6 years I’ve had it. Best damn jeep ever and I’ll never get rid of it!!

I bought one of these new in 89 and after driving a CJ7 for years couldn't believe how domesticated is was. The YJ drove so nice and the heater worked lol. Seeing the values I wish I still had it.

‘93 Sahara 4.0 was my first car when I was sixteen in 2004. Still have it and get compliments on it nearly every time we take it out. Always liked the square headlights because it reminded me of an XJ.

Bought a 91 YJ a few years ago and fixed it up with my son. It’s his daily driver to and from school every day, he loves it!

I’ve used my 91’ 4.0 as a daily for about 4 years. Other than needing the fuel system cleaned and new fuel pump and filters, it’s been great to drive honestly.

I’ve still got a black 92 4.0 that Mom bought new . It has 155k on the odometer and aside from a new head unite is completely stock and in very nice shape. I love it!

I'm personally a fan of staying close to stock looking. I'd run some 31/10.50r15 tires on those stock rims and then regear to 4.56 or 4.88 and add OX lockers. It's kind of a "sleeper" . . . not sleeper like fast but sleeper in that it has a great stock look. The oversized tires on stock steel wheels looks great (more of a man's jeep than a boy's jeep) and the regear and the lockers will give you performance that will surprise others on the trails. When you're doing the regear and lockers, I'd also upgrade to chromoly axels and and if it's available for the yj, maybe a rear disc brake conversion. Besides that, I'd leave it looking as stock as possible. It's a great looking Jeep!

I love to see this. I got my 2.5l 5 speed ‘89 YJ a few months ago for my first vehicle. The frame and mounts do need some work, along with the bottom of the tub and brackets, etc. You sure don’t see these roaming the streets much today!

I bought one last year as my first project. I bedlined the inside of the tub to make it a bit quieter. Added some new front and rear bumpers because it did not have them when i bought it. Did a brand nee paint job that looks like an orange sunset. 2.5 5 speed. Payed 1400 for it. Put about 2-3k in it.

Great first jeep for youngster, also great for off road new comer, either as stock or as something to modify. Tremendous aftermarket support.

Love to se the yj getting love after getting mine 5 years ago

My first Jeep was a 91 Jeep Wrangler. I still have it and it’s gonna stay. I just bought a 2006 rubicon LJ. I sense a expensive hobby coming my way.

Yj jeeps are very reliable. We used them at the farm since I was a child and it's still alive today..

My 94' YJ is the first jeep I ever bought and it is basically stock except for the 2.5" lift springs. The rest of the drive train is original equipment and it's still going pretty strong with 262,ooo + miles on it. It's showing signs of it's age where the 4.o straight 6 is concerned though and am thinking of having the motor replaced or rebuild. I don't want to "stroke" the motor out. Just rebuild it to stock because it is a strong, torquay power plant that does well on highway or trail with the stock axles and T.case with open Diffs. It gets around 16 MPH to boot. Thanks for this video. I enjoyed hearing more about my Jeep and how it's a good strong platform for someone looking for a fairly inexpensive place to start in the Jeep world. 👍

I already had a 1995 YJ 2.5l auto. Love it. I have a little rust on the tub, paint clear coat is peeling, but it is stock. I have changed the front bumper, added a rear bumper with tow hitch, but I have all the original parts.

That is a nice jeep! Looks brand new!

My first vehicle purchase was a 1979 CJ7 with a 304 V8 that my brother and I saved up the money for by working the rice farm when I was 16. When we were in college I sold him my half of the ownership and purchased my first solely owned vehicle. It was a 1988 YJ Wrangler with a 258 I6, hard top, and full doors in 2005 when I was 19 years old. An engine overhaul after about the first 7 years, a transmission rebuild after "an incident" with deep water, a completely rebuilt steering system, a transfer case rebuild because it was 30 years old and I figured it was about time, some lockers, a new lift kit, steering column, seats, soft top, half doors, a couple carburetors (the first one wore out), a little rhino lining, a half a dozen other small jobs, a few sets of 33x12.50s, and 16 years later and I still drive that beauty to work almost every day. Most of that work was done by my father and I, and it's built the foundation for the mechanical knowledge I have today, as well as many fond memories. I've cussed that old YJ more times than I can count, but damn I love that Jeep! My brother still has the 79 CJ7 too!

“get one as close to stock as possible” *me with a 350 swapped YJ “Oops”

I agree. Bought a 93 4.0 automatic dec26 2020. Finished rebuilding the motor and transmission. Running great. Next is paint. Great video

Great post and comments. I bought a 1994 with 4.0 a few years ago and have been tastefully modifying to my liking while addressing known shortcomings like the Dana 35 and two piece front axle. I think they also look much better lifted and am building it for me, not for resale. Wouldn’t be opposed to buying a second one and keeping it stock though, would love a 94 or 95 Sahara.

I have a 1987 Jeep YJ. When we bought it it was almost a complete wreck. It now has a new top and on the engine and new paint. I will say with a lot of miles these jeans do you have a fair amount of problems. But from a mechanical standpoint they are pretty sound and fairly simple to repair.

I have one a 1993 and I love it it's simple to work on and looks cool and it's the last of vehicles that were made good I will never trade it for anything

I picked up a 1991 Wrangler with a 5 speed stick and 4.0 liter engine back in 2016. I love this vehicle more than any other I have owned. It came with the hard top and full doors. I haven't done much to it except buy a soft top for summer and some half doors. I was considering a lift, but after spending thousands on lifting my Grand Wagoneer, it isn't worth it, at least right now. My favorite days are driving the wrangler with the bimini top on trails/roads in the mountains.

Love my 1995 YJ . The last real jeep .Totally unmolested . Just some stainless bling and some OME alloy rimes . It gets more attention then any 4x4 monster Jeep because there are too many of them . Thank you for seeing it my way . lol

Just bought my dads 92 2.5L with 84k miles. Over the years we modified it to be an offroad beast. Lift, 33's, winch, lots of personality. It's the one vehicle I own that is guaranteed to start everytime i crank the key. Only thing I've had to replace in 5 years is the battery.

My first vehicle was a ‘93 white YJ 2.5L. Really enjoyed it.

I just bought a 1988 wrangler. It's stock but has a 2 in lift. I bought it because I live in the mountains of Oregon and wanted a tough 4x4. Turns out it's also a good investment . :) who would have guessed

Mine has been in my family since 2 days after I was born and I've been driving it for almost 20 years now. It spent most of its life on road and stock though the paint is fading and it's had its fair share of dings over the years. It's not the prettiest specimen I've seen but it's more mechanically sound than many Jeeps that are years and decades younger than it. I'm so blessed to have the 4.0L in there. Such a dependable engine with plenty of power and it's so much fun to drive. And the square headlights make me love yj's so much more. All the hate they got when I was a kid had me embarrassed by them for a while. People claiming they're not real Jeeps. But it's exactly that hate that makes them so endearing to me now. I'm not stoked about their rising popularity though. At first I was excited to have a sought after vehicle as it's flattering for people to ask to buy it when I'm not even selling but now I'm wishing their popularity would go down again as someone tried to steal mine a few weeks ago for the first time in our 29 years together. So on that note, yj's suck they're the worst vehicle ever and nobody should want one.

Love my 95, never any issues! Had it for many yrs, daily driver.

I have a 94 yj (2.4 L) and the frame has no rust, and it is my first car. It has over 200,000 miles and runs like a dream.

I've had my yj for 5 years now, it's a 1988 with a 4.2 liter straight six. Drive it everyday! Love it!

My vote is to keep it stock. It’s a survivor, when your done with it you will get your money back.

I have a 88 with a 4 inch lift and aftermarket steel bumpers with 33s no rust or rot its beautiful bought it 6 months ago for my first car

The hardest thing I find is finding one with matching 'half doors'. Up here in Canada they usually come with 'full doors'. I really like the half door look. Half doors come up for sale periodically but by the time you buy them and get the painted to match... ouch. It's almost as much as buying another Jeep!

Had a completely stock 90' Sahara. HATED the 4.2, Ill never go back to carb. Now I have an LJ. Bought it new in 06 and could not be happier. 15yrs later and still daily driving it cause I LOVE Jeeps!

Love mine even with the 2.5. Just upgraded axles to 4.88 for the 33s

Great video, thank you. I've watched it a few times as I recently picked up a Flame Red 95' YJ. Same engine as yours (2.5L) with some mods from previous owners (Electric fan, carpet out, aftermarket radio, hood lock, etc.) Very near stock, not a rock climber or mud rig. I'm keeping it that way and will be restoring it. Also learning to drive stick with it. These cars are in a class by themselves.

Hi... really good information on the video, well done. I do however disagree with keeping the Jeep stock. I just don't think a CJ or JY looks like a Jeep unless it has a 3" lift or higher and of course upgraded tires to go along with the lift. In my opinion the best thing about the JY's came along in 91 I believe with Mopar MPFI... total game changer over a carbureted engine. I do appreciate the video and I have subscribed to your channel and am looking forward to seeing more from you!

I have a 94 jeep Wrangler with the 4.0 liter engine inline 6. I bought it at jim tidwell ford in kennesaw ga on barrett pkwy, june 6 1999. I am in the process of re-carpeting it and putting in a new passenger seat. I love to ride as a rag top convertible in the fall, spring, and summer which is about 7 mos out of the yr in the south. It's very dependable and plan on maybe passing it on to my stepson when he graduates college ( hes 18 right now) he has expressed an interest in it and the paint is in pretty good condition.a very reliable vehicle over the yrs

I recently bought a 1988 5 speed YJ 2.5, already lifted. Great weekend warrior! Picked it up for $5k!!! No rust.

The YJ is my favorite Jeep! I’m actually saving money to get one. My best friend has his still. It was his first car and I have lots of memories in it as well as it’s the first vehicle I learned to drive a manual transmission. He actually tried to get rid of it several years ago and I convinced him to keep it. He thanks for that all the time. The only thing that I wish was different about the YJ was, I wish it had a factory V8 option.

No matter what, install an ax15, with an external slave!!! I helped a buddy install a new internal slave, and it’s a job!!! The slave failed after a month, so we yanked it all again and converted to an external slave. A few weeks later the ax5 gave up. Advance adapters came through with everything we needed

What you should do depends on what you’re use is gonna be. Daily driver, show and go, YJ meets = keep stock. She’s beautiful as she sits. Light off roading; dirt trails, fire roads = your 80’s build. Heavy off roads; Rubicon, Strawberry, Fordyce = all out build Personally, I’d keep her stock and use for parades, shows, daily driver and keep my ‘93 for the rocks

I own a 2 owner one-family-owned 1987 Jeep wrangler hardtop with a 4.2 and I absolutely love it.

I have the exact same one! Hahah everything stock! Same color same year

thanks for the great info!! I looking to buy my first Jeep and this helped me a lot!

I got a rusty one today ... it's going to be a long way to make it look clean again , but 4.0 swapped automatic from a Cherokee donor , rust bucket but still a jeep ❤️🤷🏾‍♂️ I have 1998 wrangler also 2.5 slow 😢 but fun !

Great advice, looking for one now

Bought my '93...2.5, brand new when I was 20 yrs old. I'm 49 now and have more memories than I could shake a stick at in that thing!!! Think I'll back it out of the garage today for a snow drive with the kids! I'll never get rid of it. It's been one of the most durable and dependable vehicles I've ever owned! And quite honestly....aside from the square headlights, the lines on the YJ are closer to the CJ-7 than the TJ. I love the looks of the YJ.

I got an 1987 exactly like the one in the video. It is very rusty but completely stock and runs and drives. Now that I have seen the video, I think I will restore it. The good thing about the Jeeps is all the nice after market replacement panels available.

I love the Jeep, this style is my fav!! I have a 94 YJ but I made mine Jurassic Park!!

Have a 94 4.0, love it. Just sold my 91 sahara hard top. It was still bone stock. Hated to sell but had to get rid of one of them...wish I could've keep both and I'll probably be kicking myself harder as time passes:)

I have 2 1995s ! love them both! one is stock one is lifted both are in great shape! and both are exact same color inside & out...my twin jeeps!

Love my 93 YJ. It's my daily driver

YesSiRr!! Mate, I'm a bigg fan of this style JeeP.. Definately wouldn't mind one in the garage!!

Yeah you got it right, I pick up a 90 yj. 5 years ago found it in Oklahoma and it's rust free. 6cly auto I love it

Had my 91 for about 22 years. Bought it from a guy in my Jeep Club, the original owner, as it was better setup than my '89 (plus efi vs carter carb!). This was in California, 6 months later we moved back to the UK so i sold the 89 and shipped the 91 here. It's been wheeled in the US, Mexico, England and Wales. Not many can claim that. On it's third engine as the original block cracked during shipping, the XJ engine replacement wore out it's cylinders (went oval shaped) and it's currently using a TJ engine. I sometimes think about selling it on, but just can't bring myself to do it. Guess i'll be keeping it for a long time yet!

My ‘92 YJ is approaching 80,000 miles. We’re going off-roading tomorrow. Though it’s a 4-cylinder, manual, and old, this puppy takes the ruts better than any of the new toys I ride alongside. I try to keep it all stock, but I sold my hard-top to someone on another island, since driving with it on felt like sitting in a coffin. It’s all Bestop covers for me. Also had to replace door mirrors with replicas that look great… originals couldn’t stay put. Love my YJ on Kauai, Hawaii. 🌴

My 93 drives like a dream. Really, really fun vehicle.

Just bought back my old 93 Renegade yesterday!

Had an 89 Wrangler Laredo. 6 cyl. A/C tilt wheel. Loved my square headlights. Sold it for a stinking 94 Chevy Astro because I was having my first child. My vote: Keep it stock. There are plenty of newer Jeeps to mess with. This is a pure classic and I'm envious.

Awesome Jeep and video!! Super excited to watch the build!

Currently own 2 stock Yjs, one modified. And one woods beater Yj. Love them all

I have a grey 2.5 liter 1995 mostly everything is on stock and will never get rid of it love it

Outlaw II's are must for an 80's build, lol I love the video. Thanks for your time and keep up the great work!

My 89 is basically stock. Only a 2” lift, 31” tires and a couple minor touches, radio, side steps. Bought it for 5,000 in 2017 with NO rust, been hunting with me 3/4 times, road driven for 200,000 miles. It’s a five speed.

I just sold my 94 yj 4.0 with 165,000 miles this past weekend. Owned it for 26 years. I just bought a 2020 4 door JL Jeep.

I bought my Jeep Wrangler YJ brand new. Only had 9 miles on it when I bought it. I drive mine to work and back.

I agree on looking for one as close to stock as possible, however I found a diamond in the ruff in 2016. 1995 4.0 lifted suspension and body, tummy tuck, SY elim / new rear drive shaft, ford 8.8 rear, 35's, hardly any rust and to top it all off 82k miles. Like you I responded immediately with 6500 cash and the dude took it although he was asking 7500. I'm never selling it and it gets the garage over my Gladiator. Gotta preserve it!

I just picked up a clean, slightly modified 1987 YJ with the 4.2L 5 speed with factory air last month!!!!

When I was looking at buying my jeep there was a YJ that I could've bought for around $7,000. Starting to regret not jumping on that. I bought a stock JK. Was also looking at a TJ that was a slightly modified for the same price as my JK

I agree with you don't hack it up. I have a '89 also that I have done some stuff to (bumpers, small lift, CB, rear locker in the stock D35, wheels but Istill have all 5 of the factory aluminum ones) but it can all be unbolted and put back to stock easily. It stays in my garage all winter and comes out for the season in May get enjoyed untill September. The best part is it is rust free! I love it and my family has really enjoyed it.

YJ still the BEST forever.

I got my YJ for 8,000 with a 4 inch lift, digital camo interior, and Star Wars shift knobs and stickers. It’s slow but amazing. Planning on celebrating its 30TH birthday soon.

I bought a 95 yesterday it’s got rust but it’s loved. Making plans

Like everything else. 30 year nostalgia in full effect. I will say though more and more people are learning that stock Jeeps are where the value is at. No one wants loose suspensions and oversized tires on cheap difficult to balance wheels running on too hard or too long shocks and springs that ride like a buck board. Along with a underbody that is rusted and pounded to death on Black with Red line trails.

For anyone in the East Ky area, I have a 1991 Jeep Wrangler for sale. 4cyl, 5speed.. $4000 Frame is good, body is good. Not beat and banged up, runs good.. Mostly stock other then a 2 inch body lift, aftermarket wheels and alpine CD player.. Comes with soft top, hard top, half doors and tops, full doors, bikini top and light bar.

Just bought an all stock rio grande. Love it. Only modification I’ve done is better headlights so I can see.

I have a 91 wrangler Sahara. It’s awesome. Rusty but great. Planning to fix it up

I’m getting one in a couple weeks. Hopefully it goes smoothly

I daily drive a 89 yj 2.5 with 35” tires and it goes about 55 mph max but its torque is crazy

I have a 1994 yj and love it. I enjoy watching your video

I'm picking up a 1995 YJ in four days: 6, cyl., 4" lift, TruTrac lockers; 5:36 ring & pinions, Dana 44's front and rear, 35" tires, chromoly axles, new paint job, exactly what I was looking for to get back on the Rubicon Trail. Paying $12,000...less than if I had bought an unmodified YJ and did all of the work myself. I may go to 37" tires, add a 1.5" body lift, or keep the 35" tires and regear to 5:13, but that decision will wait until I crawl across the Rubicon, rated as one of them most toughest trails to cross. *The 1995 supposedly has a galvanized body. I'll find out when I inspect it.

92 yj was my first Jeep, fun little thing out in the hills

I bought on saturday 9/31/22. Already willing to sell or trade. Was delivered before I got home, cranked it and has a light tapping in motor, not sure if exhaust or internal. Looks are what sold me on it. All black, new drive line, springs, universals,. Someone who is a bigger fan would love it. It's a 1993 YJ. Someone who appreciates can get a good deal. I know I'm gonna loose my butt on it . Bob Symonds, in South Carolina.

Good video, I own 1988 which I have modified during the last 21 years that is has been with me, to include a brand new 350 Chevy V8. It’s been garage kept for the last 18 years when I had it repainted. One thing I did not know is that they have gone up in value I thought they YJs nobody wanted them anymore. Good to know though. Thanks for the info. That one on the video looks pretty sweet.

Jeep might not be today if not for the introduction of the wrangler as AMC departed from face of the earth , first gen YJ brought much needed fuel injection and 4L into the lineup along with the trusted NP231 transfer case, a battle cruiser skid plate, some anti corrosion features and wider track for stability while keeping its heritage of leaf springs - top down - doors off and the high pinion D30 , my 89 which I still have came with AMC stamped keys least we not forget ... luv the YJ

1991 & 1995 YJs are the best years. The YJ is a really cool hybrid of old & new tech.

Have a 92 yj. New England weather kills these beauties. Has rust, but not giving rid of it. It'll be in my garage until I fix it. Thanks or the video, because I was going to junk it... not anymore though, thanks to you!!

I’ve got a mint 95 rio grande I picked up for $3800 It sits in the garage until the summer. I’ve always wanted one and I finally got to the point in my life to where I could afford one And I tell you what I’d sell my Cummins before I sold my jeep

My dad bought my 92 in 2002 for $4500. It sat after he passed away and I rescued it and it runs great and looks good. I’ve had many people stop and ask if I’d sell it two made an offer. One offered $8000 and the other offered $8500!! I almost fell over considering 12,000 was retail! I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of mine. I want to pull the body off and restore it completely.

I have a friend that has one in black. I don’t know the year of his Jeep. My parents had a 2002 Jeep but, my mother sold it to a good family friend with the plow on it. Even my father bought a 1983 Jeep CJ-7 in the early 90’s. He gave it away to a friend just after doing my parents yard in front. He sold it to another person. I liked the 2002 one better and it had less rust on it. My father only used it for plowing the driveway the last few years. I even drove the vehicle a few times.

I have good memories of a few YJs I had the privilege to drive around in back in the day, but give me a TJ and no way I’m driving this more than my JK!

80s build would he awesome! I personally own 3 TJs and love them. Would love to get YJ when I get more garage space.

I’ve been looking at the YJ’s past couple years I had one back in 93 and plan on getting one again soon and selling my ‘13’ JK.

Are there going to be any additional videos for this jeep? Just got a 93 YJ 2.5 and looking for videos about keeping it alive.

I had an 88 YJ rear-end my 05 Blazer, The YJ scratched his bumper.. my Blazer sustained $1500 worth of damage to the rear bumper, & the bumper housing.. Good thing I am getting rid of the Blazer on SOON..

How much did you pay and how many miles did it have on it? What is a good $$ range for these things?

the 80s idea sounds really cool!