Throwback Thursday: Husband and Wife Team Up to Transform a 1994 Jeep YJ From a Salvaged Wreck Into a Summer Dream
Venerable 1994 Jeep YJ was a basket case when it was purchased. But 65 hours’ worth of elbow grease has it ready for the road and trails.
Ah, the online auto auctions. They can be a lot of fun and yield some great finds. But they can also be a danger to your bank account. The owner of this 1994 Jeep YJ was looking for something that would look great on the road but also be capable on the trail. He won this Jeep in an online auction and then drove it a couple hundred miles back to his home. That might not sound like a big deal, but the Jeep was really in no shape to make that kind of drive at that time.
This week’s “Throwback Thursday” is all about this 1994 Jeep YJ. It was one step away from heading to the scrape heap when it was auctioned off. But the owner and his wife decided it would make a great little DIY project. They were right. They rolled up their sleeves and got busy addressing the biggest mechanical issues first. They then upgraded the look and functionality of the Jeep. A video posted on the Ballistic Magazine YouTube channel shows us the process.
Buyer’s Remorse
After driving this Jeep YJ, the couple hundred miles home the new owner was wondering if it was wise to drive it home. And was it wise to buy the thing at all? He took some time to decompress after the bouncy, and rattle-filled drive. He then began to assess what he really had on his hands. The first order of business was to get a new transfer case as the one currently in the Jeep was split in half. He needed a new Dana 30 front axle and a new suspension that was not as bent up as the current one. He was able to source all these parts and after several hours on the garage floor they were in place. As part of the process, he also decided to go with a modest 1.5-inch lift. The Jeep YJ was now much more roadworthy.
New Look Exterior
With the major components now replaced, it was time to turn attention to the exterior. The decision was made to go with a coating of Monstaliner for a rugged yet clean look. A classic OD Green color was selected. Even though he had never done something like this before, he and his wife blocked out 6 hours one day to complete the application. That is one of the best aspects of restoring an old Jeep. It is a great family bonding experience. Although they were novices, they did an excellent job, and the exterior of the Jeep YJ looks fantastic. New front and rear bumpers along with a winch contribute to exterior makeover.
Interior Refresh
The last thing to do now was to replace that nasty interior. Many parts were able to be saved and required just some elbow grease to bring back to life. But all-new seats were installed. A new center console was also part of the interior refresh. The last brand-new bits on the inside were the door panels and seals. The transformation is dramatic.
Summary
The couple put in 65 hours’ worth of work to get this 1994 Jeep YJ to where it is today. And we can confidently say that it was time well spent. The Jeep looks great and should be a great trail companion for many years. Check out the video below for a closer look at how this Jeep went from a salvaged wreck to a summer dream.