Jeep YJ Overview

As the grandfather of the Jeep Wrangler lineup, the Jeep YJ sports classic aesthetics and solid specs that make it a popular and reliable chassis for wheeling. From the CJ-based body and suspension to the peppy inline 6-cylinder powerplant, the YJ is a linear generational upgrade, combining the well-loved elements of the early Jeeps with some modern amenities and creature comforts. 

These are just some of the reasons behind the popularity of Jeep’s first Wrangler chassis. While not sporting the TJ’s revolutionary multi-link suspension or the CJ’s iconic round headlights (a major point of contention for most Jeepers), the YJ helped to kick off the modern Jeep recipe that we know and love. 

That’s why, in this article, we’re taking a deep dive into the first Wrangler: the 1987–1995 Jeep YJ.  

History

After the widespread success of the Jeep CJ platform, ranging from the earliest civilian Jeep–the Willys CJ-2A–to the renowned Kaiser/AMC Jeep CJ-5, CJ-6, CJ-7, and CJ-8 Scrambler, the model was in major need of a refresh. The engineers at AMC (American Motor Corporation), who’d owned Jeep since its 1970 buyout of Kaiser/Willys, got to work revamping the CJ-7 to compete with modern vehicles while retaining the key characteristics of the beloved CJ. The resulting creation was an amalgamation of CJ engineering and modern tech, featuring a nearly identical galvanized-steel tub fitted onto a stiffer chassis with a reinforced frame and beefier leaf springs. A new swing-out tailgate replaced the CJ’s truck-style hinged unit, while new front fenders, hood, grille, and square headlights marked the significant changes to the body. An all-new interior added much-needed comfort and amenities, making the YJ far more inviting for daily driving. 

Only a year after the YJ’s release, the Chrysler corporation purchased AMC and the company's other subsidiaries, marking the beginning of the Chrysler-owned Jeep era that still exists today! The company continued production of AMC’s original design without significant upgrades until 1995 with the introduction of the legendary Jeep Wrangler TJ; however, the model did receive some notable mid-generational changes. 1991 saw the shift from the carbureted 4.2L inline 6-cylinder to the legendary 4.0L fuel-injected inline 6 that carried over to the TJ. Other mid-generation changes included upgrading both auto and manual transmissions (for the inline-6 models), which also introduced updated slave cylinder tech.