Custom Jeep YJL Built to Commemorate Quadratec 30-Year Anniversary: Throwback Thursday Presented by the All-New Nitto Recon Grappler™ A/T
Reverse restomod takes a modern Jeep JL and blends it with classic Jeep YJ touches. The result is the first ever Jeep YJL.
The basic restomod formula takes classic Jeep styling and inserts modern running gear. For example, taking an old Willys Jeep and dropping Tesla battery cells into it would make it a Willys restomod. However, what we have here is the very rare reverse restomod. This build starts with a modern Jeep JL and works backwards from there to make the Jeep look and, in some ways, even perform like an old YJ. The result is a one-off Jeep YJL. The build was inspired by the 30-year anniversary of Jeep aftermarket supplier Quadratec.
This week’s “Throwback Thursday” presented by Nitto Tire takes a look at this special Jeep YJL that was revealed at SEMA 2021. Rick Péwé from Gone-Gpn speaks to Greg Henderson from Unofficial Use Only about this Jeep that Henderson built. A video is posted on the Gone-Gpn YouTube channel that covers all the details and inspiration behind this wonderful Jeep.
Inspiration
If you own a Jeep you know about Quadratec. The company was founded in 1990 by Ted Wentz. He purchased a new 1989 Jeep YJ that he still has today. He quickly realized that there was not the aftermarket support for his new Jeep that he expected.
So, he started his own company, and the rest is history. The Jeep YJL that you see here was inspired by that 1989 Jeep YJ Sahara that Wentz purchased all those years ago. The idea was to pay homage to the original while building something that could be enjoyed for the next 30 years.
It’s a YJ
When you look at this Jeep the first thing you are likely to notice are the square headlights. So, right off the bat you are thinking this is a YJ. But the devil is in the details. Look closely at those headlights and you will see that they are LED lights that contain a heating element on them to prevent them from getting packed with snow and freezing over. The front bumper also has end caps on it like the original.
However, this whole bumper is quarter-inch plate steel. The paint on this Jeep is the same paint code that was used on the Wentz 1989 YJ Sahara. Even the Sahara stickers on this new build are new old stock stickers that were manufactured in 1989. So, from the outside this new Jeep very much matches the style of the old YJ.
Step Into 1989
On the inside the retro theme continues. The dashboard is a restored 1989 unit, however, the gauges used are new. But they do have that vintage look to them. The steering wheel has its own interesting story. Phil Toney was a long-time Jeep engineer that sadly passed on in 2021. His last company car was a 1987 Jeep YJ.
When Chrysler purchased Jeep and wanted Phil’s YJ back, he bought it and named it “Prodog.” Prodog was modified and wheeled at Moab many times. The steering wheel that is in the Jeep YJL is the actual steering wheel out of Prodog. Eventually the steering wheel will be replaced but for the reveal at SEMA the Prodog steering wheel was installed.
Straight Six
The 4.0L inline six-cylinder engine will go down in history as one of the best automotive engines ever produced. This unit powered Grand Cherokees, Cherokees, Wranglers, Wagoneers and even Comanches. It was a torquey powerplant that would run forever. However, times change and the beloved 4.0L has not been used in well over a decade.
So, when you pop the hood of the Jeep YJL you can’t help but smile when you see that familiar 4.0L. You would expect a new build like this to have a powerful HEMI engine dropped in the engine bay. But the YJ had the 4.0L so this tribute build also gets the venerable engine. We love that.
Happy Anniversary
This Jeep YJL is an anniversary present we can all enjoy. This is a lovely build and a fitting tribute to the history of Quadratec. Check out the video below to see all the details for yourself. Let us know what you think of this build in the JK-Forum forums.