Jeep Wrangler (YJ)

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Jeep Wrangler YJ
1992 Jeep YJ.JPG
Overview
Manufacturer American Motors (1986–1987)
Chrysler Corporation (1987–1995)
Also calledJeep YJ (Canada)
ProductionMarch 1986 – December 1995 (Canada, U.S.)
1989–2001 (Iran)
1995–1998 (Indonesia)
Model years 1987–1995 [1]
Assembly Toledo, Ohio, United States
Brampton, Ontario, Canada (Brampton Assembly (AMC))
Tehran, Iran (Pars Khodro) (Ensambladora Carabobo)
Venezuela
Designer Chuck Mashigan (1983)
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door convertible
2-door SUV
Related AIL Storm I
Powertrain
Engine 2.5 L AMC 150 I4
Complete engine specs
4.0 L AMC 242 I6
Complete engine specs [2]
4.2 L AMC 258 I6
Complete engine specs
Transmission 3-speed TorqueFlite TF904 automatic
3-speed TorqueFlite TF999 automatic
5-speed Aisin AX-5 manual
5-speed Aisin AX-15 manual
5-speed Peugeot BA-10/5 manual
Transfer case: 1986–1987 NP207 1988–1995 NP231
Dimensions
Wheelbase 93.4 in (2,372 mm)
Length1986–89: 152.6 in (3,880 mm)
1989–92: 153 in (3,900 mm)
1992–95: 151.9 in (3,860 mm)
Width66 in (1,700 mm)
Height1993–1995: 71.9 in (1,826 mm)
1986–1992 soft-top: 72 in (1,829 mm)
1986–1992 hardtop: 69.6 in (1,768 mm)
Curb weight 2,855–3,241 lb (1,295–1,470 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor Jeep CJ-7
Successor Jeep Wrangler (TJ)

The Jeep Wrangler YJ is the first generation of Jeep Wrangler four-wheel drive small off-road vehicles, rebadging and succeeding Jeep's CJ series, which was produced from 1944 to 1986. The first Wrangler (internally "YJ") was launched in 1986 and ran through 1995. Although the new Wrangler stood out from its CJ predecessors by its square headlights, its body was a direct evolution of the preceding CJ-7, and rode on the same wheelbase. The Wrangler featured an updated interior, offered more comfort and improved safety and handling, through a revised chassis that included a wider track and a slightly lower stance.

Contents

Development of a potential CJ-7 replacement was green-lit in 1982, with engineering and design work (under Chuck Mashigan) commencing. After approval earlier in 1983, a final design freeze occurred by the fall of 1983, with CJ-7 based mules being built in late 1983 and the first production body test prototypes in the spring of 1984. By late 1985, development concluded, as the transition from pilot to series production began. In February 1986, the 1987 model year Jeep Wrangler was unveiled. It entered production that March and went on sale on May 13, 1986.

History

The Jeep YJ, sold as the Wrangler in the United States, replaced the Jeep CJ line in 1986 and was built in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, until the plant closed on April 23, 1992. Production was then moved to Toledo, Ohio, using the same plant that produced the Willys Jeeps during World War II. Jeep could not use the Wrangler name in Canada, as General Motors had used it on a truck variant and owned the rights to the name there. [3]

American Motors Corporation (AMC) had designed the new Jeep to be more comfortable on-road in an attempt to attract more daily drivers. [4] It was a significantly new design with a wider track, slightly less ground clearance, more comfort and improved handling. The YJ still had leaf spring suspension similar to that of the CJ – however the springs were wider, and the first Wrangler sported trackbar suspension links and anti-roll bars for improved handling and safety, making it less easy to flip by untrained or unwary drivers. [5]

Despite the new grille, the body is very similar to that of the CJ-7, and it is interchangeable with some minor modifications. The YJ also was given a larger windshield over the CJ. The YJs are easily identifiable due to the rectangular headlights and the fact that the wiper blades rest on the windshield, giving this version a distinctive look. The blades rested on the windshield due to the now wider arc of the blades to clean the larger windshield. These two changes were later removed when the TJ was launched in 1996. 632,231 YJs were built through the 1995 model year, although YJs were still sold into mid-1996, bringing the total production number to 685,071 units.

The YJ used a 2.5 L AMC 150 I4 or optional 4.2 L AMC 258 I6 until 1990. Power outputs at the time of introduction are 117 hp (87 kW) for the fuel injected four-cylinder, while the carburetted 'six only produces 112 hp (84 kW), albeit with more than fifty percent more torque than the smaller engine. [3] Starting in 1991, a fuel-injected, 190 hp (142 kW) 4.0-liter AMC 242 variant replaced the AMC 258 straight-six unit. The NP207 transfer case was used only for 1987 and replaced by the NP231.

In 1988, the Sahara model debuted. The roll cage was extended in 1992 to allow for rear shoulder belts, Also that year, the YJ switched over to an electronic speedometer, outmoding the cable speedos on older YJs. Anti-lock brakes were added as an option in 1993. An automatic transmission option for four-cylinder Wranglers came in 1994, as well as a standard center high-mounted brake light. Also, the clutch slave cylinder on manual transmission Wranglers was moved outside of the transmission's bellhousing to allow for easier replacement. In 1995, the Dana 30 larger U-joints were used [front axle U-joints (297x) and rear pinion U-joint (1330)].

There were no 1996 model year Jeep Wranglers. [1] The last YJs were sold as 1995 model years but featured a few new parts not seen on any earlier YJ. This included the new TJ bumpstops on the hood (rubber boots vs the traditional U-bars), reinforced tailgate hinges, and some even had rear TJ bumpers. Some also got the newly tuned straight-6 engine that was designed to run quieter in preparation for the TJ.

Top options for YJ were the same as those offered on TJ. A Soft top with "half doors", featuring soft plastic zipper windows came standard (windows could be removed completely from these doors). Full-frame doors with conventional glass windows were optional on soft-top models. Hard tops with rear wiper and defroster were optional, but came standard with full-framed doors. The YJ featured large mirrors with manually adjustable arms on half-door models, while full-framed doors received smaller adjustable mirrors with fixed arms (which were mounted further away from the door corner, compared to the larger-style mirrors). Depending on year and interior color, Jeeps could be had with the top colors in black, white, tan and gray. Roll-bar padding normally matched top color, with the exception of white tops.

Powertrain

EngineYearTransmission
2.5 L AMC straight-4 engine 1987–19955-speed AX-5 manual
1994–19953-speed 30RH(A904) automatic
4.2 L AMC straight-6 engine 1987–19903-speed A999 automatic
1987–19895-speed BA-10 manual
1989–19905-speed AX-15 manual
4.0 L AMC straight-6 engine 19913-speed A999 automatic
1991–19953-speed 32RH(A999) automatic
1991–19955-speed AX-15 manual

YJ Wrangler Islander

From 1988 to 1993 Jeep produced an options package known as the "Islander". Several colors were offered, such as Bright Red, Pacific Blue, Malibu Yellow, Navajo Turqoise, and White, and both engines were offered. Features of the package are as follows:

YJ Wrangler Renegade

1991 Jeep Renegade 91 Jeep Renegade.jpg
1991 Jeep Renegade

From October 1990 until 1994, Jeep produced an options package on the YJ Wrangler listed as the "Renegade Decor Group". Vehicles were shipped as optioned Wranglers to Autostyle in the Detroit area, where the Renegade Decor Package was installed, then shipped back to Jeep for delivery to dealers. Renegades all have a small sticker on the driver's side door, right above the latch denoting the visit to Autostyle. Initially, all Renegades were white, black, or red. Blue and bronze were added for the 1992 and 1993 model years, respectively. The Renegade Decor Group was a $4,266 option over a base Wrangler for 1991 and included special alloy wheels, exclusive body flares, along with many other features. Contents of the Renegade Decor Package include:

Door Jamb Sticker for Jeep Renegade models Renegade Door Sticker.jpg
Door Jamb Sticker for Jeep Renegade models

A hardtop was a $923.00 option and came with a mandatory rear window defroster at $164.00. Although soft-top models came standard with "half doors", full framed doors with glass windows were an option, and as on all 6-cylinder Wranglers, air-conditioning was also an option. Renegades typically had the tilt steering wheel ($130.00) and an AM/FM/cassette stereo radio ($264.00). A column shift automatic was also an available option, but it was not popular.

AIL Storm

Up-armoured AIL Storm I, ("Sufa") Protective sufa.jpg
Up-armoured AIL Storm I, ("Sufa")

Israeli military carmaker Automotive Industries Ltd. introduced its first generation of the AIL Storm, the workhorse off-road vehicle of the Israeli Security Forces, as a variant of the 1991 Wrangler YJ, but on the 103.5 in (263 cm) CJ-6 / CJ-8 wheelbase. AIL builds the vehicles in-house with the exception of various externally sourced engines. Long and short wheelbase versions were also available for civilian purchase.

A Jeep-managed production line in Egypt supplied vehicles for the Egyptian armed forces. After 1995, this facility was absorbed into the AIL Storm production. [6]

Trim levels

North American YJ/Wranglers were available in the following standard trims.

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References

  1. 1 2 Foster, Patrick R. (2004). The Story of Jeep. Krause Publications. p. 231. ISBN   978-0-87349-735-0 . Retrieved 2010-11-11. One highly irregular thing about the 1996 model year was that the company didn't offer a 1996 Wrangler.
  2. 1 2 3 "Section 9: XJ 4.0L". Service Manual 2000 Jeep Cherokee. DaimlerChrysler. 2000. p. 115.
  3. 1 2 Tracy, David (2023-06-15). "This Rare 1986 Jeep Wrangler Press Kit Is Filled With Information That Never Made It To The Internet". The Autopian.
  4. "Jeep Wrangler: The Real Thing or Compromise?". 4-the-love-of-jeeps.com. 1995-03-21. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  5. "How the Jeep got its name". 16 November 2020.
  6. "Jeep Egypt". Archived from the original on 2007-08-14. Retrieved 2008-07-06.