[Sabretooth]

Hi this is not my account my friend is letting me use it to ask some questions but I am looking for a first car and really love jeeps I like the YJ but hear they are a rough ride but I dont like the YJ's interior now my friend has a TJ and I really like his what for you recommend I dont know much on mechanics but I plan on learning how to work on it any advice thanks

 

[Raoul]

...i dont like the yj's interior...

:rofl:

No seriously, I agree the interior looks like it was designed thirty years ago... oh wait.

 

[Motor7]

The CJ series dash(or lack of) made sense. The YJ looks like it came out of a '75 Oldsmobile....if you are ok with that you can get a Jeep relatively cheap. If, not(like me) you will spend a little more on a TJ.

 

[14Trailcrawler]

Read up on the differences. It will depend on your needs and budget.

YJ's can be found fairly cheap, but the newest one is still 20 years old. A late model 4.0 fuel injected YJ basically has the same driveline as a TJ, big difference will be leaf springs and interior. Good quality springs can make a world of difference in ride quality.

TJ's will be relatively more expensive due to the newer models. But your still in the 10-20 year old range, so reliability isn't automatically better. Cool suspension will ride better, but more expensive to lift.

 

[Sabretooth]

Thanks for the advice but ive heard that yj's aren't respected among the jeep community is that true?

 

[Pmryall]

Thanks for the advice but ive heard that yj's aren't respected among the jeep community is that true?

They take a fair amount of bashing because of all things the headlights. There are lots of people that think the headlights make or break the jeep.

 

[StanF]

Depending on your location, the TJ AC unit is also MUCH better. If AC is important, go for a TJ.

Personally, I'd recommend that you only buy a 4.0L Jeep, and stay away from the 4cyl 2.5L. You will find the 2.5L Jeeps much cheaper, but many of us find them underpowered - especially on the highway, in the wind, in the hills. There is a vocal group of 2.5L lovers who will likely now post that they "get 30mpg and can easily go 70mph up a mountain"

 

[rgreen65]

There is a vocal group of 2.5L lovers who will likely now post that they "get 30mpg and can easily go 70mph up a mountain"

Only if they have a hurricane force tail wind.

That reminds me of driving back to college to register for my final semester my senior year in my new '65 VW Bug. I had a stiff headwind and those 40 squirrels could only manage 50 MPH (60 MPH zone). A friend and classmate passed me in an older American V-8 and waved. Later coming the other way I now had that stiff tailwind and passed him doing 70 MPH and waved at him.

It may not seem like it but the TJ is actually more aerodynamic (relatively more). The windshield in the TJ has more of a rake, so the full doors and tops from a YJ will not fit on a TJ. Everything fits fine up to the header bar and windshield posts.

Each generation of Jeep (real Jeep) gets a little more refined. The original flat fender is about as refined and a horse and buggy, the CJ is some better, but reflects the 1955 design time frame. Then the YJ followed by the TJ and now JK. I had a '91 soft top and later a '93 hard top then got out of Jeeps in '96. (Boo Hiss time).

When I got into my 2003 TJ on the dealers lot two years ago, I was amazed at the interior comfort and the smoothness of the ride. And this was going to be my occasional driver. If I had seen a similarly clean YJ I doubt I would have given it a second look.

But, if it fits what you want to do, go for it. Keep in mind that unless you really overpay, and you hate it, you won't lose much. Be sure the check the underside for rust, really, really check it. Also if the seller won't give you a CarFax report, pay for one yourself. It will give you an incredible amount of detail not otherwise available. My dealer gives them on all their used vehicles.

 

[14Trailcrawler]

Thanks for the advice but ive heard that yj's aren't respected among the jeep community is that true?

I guess that depends on what you consider to be the "jeep community" and how important their perception of your vehicle is to you.

What is your budget and intended use?

 

[Spud100]

Thanks for the advice but ive heard that yj's aren't respected among the jeep community is that true?

I own a tj but I think a lifted yj with 33s or 35 look wicked tough.

 

[LFWrangler]

Depending on your location, the TJ AC unit is also MUCH better. If AC is important, go for a TJ.

Personally, I'd recommend that you only buy a 4.0L Jeep, and stay away from the 4cyl 2.5L. You will find the 2.5L Jeeps much cheaper, but many of us find them underpowered - especially on the highway, in the wind, in the hills. There is a vocal group of 2.5L lovers who will likely now post that they "get 30mpg and can easily go 70mph up a mountain"

This is right on. I drove a 4cyl TJ for 17 years and never got anywhere near 30mpg. Driving on RT 81 with only my wife, I was downshifting way too much. Maybe an automatic would be better? A lot of older Jeeps, especially YJs, may not have AC. Mine TJ didn't. Go for a 4.0L with AC regardless of which model you go with.

 

[Sabretooth]

Thanks for the advice everyone

 

[Tom95YJ]

I've had 1 TJ and 2 YJ's. A decent YJ spring will ride nice actually just as good as a short arm TJ. Soa Yj's ride even better then a sua YJ Me personally I love YJ's. They have never let me down. My TJ was a pos it was in the shop for warranty work all the time. Of the 3 years I had it it was in my possession for a total of 6 months. The YJ community is tight and plenty of knowledge there.