Now Is the Time to Buy a Classic Jeep YJ: Throwback Thursday Presented by the All-New Nitto Recon Grappler™ A/T
Jeep YJ was the first-ever Wrangler and 2021 might be the perfect time to put this classic Jeep in your driveway.
The Jeep Wrangler is so incredibly popular it is hard to believe that it did not always exist. However, until 1987 the iconic Wrangler name was not something that was found in the Jeep lineup. The Jeep YJ was the first to use the Wrangler name. And while the styling may not have been universally loved, it was incredibly popular. The Wrangler became a dream vehicle for many. For those that were never ever to live out that dream, now might be the perfect time.
This week’s “Throwback Thursday” presented by Nitto takes a look at the first gen Jeep Wrangler. Matt Mohl posts a video on the CJ Off-Road YouTube channel showing his recently acquired YJ. He discusses what to look for when buying a YJ and why now might be the best time to grab an early Wrangler.
What is a YJ?
The YJ replaced the beloved Jeep CJ. The CJ was produced for decades, and any vehicle that was going to replace it had some big shoes to fill. To say the CJ was going to be tough act to follow is an understatement. The YJ was produced from 1987 to 1995. It proved to be popular, but Jeep fans had lukewarm reactions to start.
The main sticking point was the styling, more specifically, the square headlights. It is interesting how much headlight design can sway opinion on an automobile. People get used to a specific design and feel that any departure from it is blasphemy. A Jeep CJ had round headlights, so the square YJ headlights were an outrage. If that sounds a bit silly just ask Porsche enthusiasts what they think of the 996 generation 911 headlight design. Headlight loyalty is not unique to the Jeep world.
At the end of the day, more than 700,000 people didn’t care about the square headlights, and they quickly scooped up the new Wrangler. Some of these sales can be attributed to the fact that about halfway through the YJ model run the venerable 4.0-liter inline-six was available. The YJ was a solid performer, and many were sold. However, many were driven hard and put away wet. As a result, finding a good example of one today is getting tougher and tougher.
Y a YJ?
Why do you want a YJ? Besides it being a very cool vintage Jeep, it may make financial sense to purchase one right now. At least that is the line you want to use if you need to convince your significant other of the idea. Mohl makes the point that the YJ is the first-generation Wrangler. And if you are at all familiar with the prices of the first gen Bronco or first gen FJ Cruiser you know what happened to them.
They have taken off like a rocket and are highly sough after. The YJ could be next. Will it see the same type of price spike as the Ford or Toyota? That remains to be seen. However, they are not likely to get cheaper anytime soon. So, worst case scenario you will get to enjoy a Wrangler that will never decrease in value.
What to Look Out For
Mohl gives us a few tips if we are looking for a YJ of our own. The first tip is to try to find a YJ that is as close to stock as possible. Unless you are looking for a crazy rock crawling YJ that is already built, a stock Jeep is the best bet. As a rule of thumb, a classic stock vehicle will have a higher value than something modified. Especially if the mods come from Pep Boys bargain bins.
Next, checkout the condition of the paint and typical rust points. According to Mohl, the fender flare, area behind the rocker panel and the frame are all susceptible to rust. Like any vehicle, finding a YJ that is rust free is going to be key. Mechanically, the YJ is fairly simple and easy enough to repair. But a rusty YJ is going to be expensive to fix properly.
See For Yourself
Enjoy the video below and get a close look at a solid example of the Jeep YJ. After that, you can begin your search for a YJ of your own. Do it now, because the longer you wait the more money you are going to have to spend for a good one.
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