MotorWeek | Retro Review: '87 Jeep Wrangler

Y not?

[@discoverlight]

I’m addicted to Retro review.

[@deborahy.nakamoto7739]

I'm the happy original owner of a 1995 YJ. It's got over 289,000 miles. The engine has never been opened. The clutch and tranny were replaced just last year. It's been a terrific vehicle. It's my daily driver and my trail rider. It's fun to drive on or off pavement. I love my Jeep!

[@workingcountry1776]

300k miles. Not bad. I don't think an FCA Jeep will do that

[@ggolds5]

My 95 was the best Jeep I ever had. I had a 90, 92, 95, 97 TJ. Although the TJ redesign was very cool and much nicer vehicle, the 95 was far better then the 90 and 92 and I could see it being more reliable then my somewhat unreliable 90 and 92. Congrats on having such a good Jeep for so long. Good for you.

[@wolfyboy11hitler61]

U had replace oil and battery each year I'm sure engine is dust always

[@DucatiPaso750]

@@ggolds5 did you ever own a 4 cylinder Jeep? If so, how was it?

[@ggolds5]

@@DucatiPaso750 My 90, 92 were 4 cyl. Purchased both new. Both 5spd. Neither of those had air conditioning. Overall I didn't think they were really slow. Peppy, not fast, but certainly very manageable. I loved both of them. I now have a 19 Wrangler Sahara Unlimited 6cyl. Auto and love it.

[@fathertime1331]

"Anyone who drives an off-road vehicle like a sports-car is a lunatic." Ah-men.

[@MrElPoderozo1]

You too smart 👍🏻🇺🇸. I always have said that you don't drive a Jeep like a regular car. The center of gravity is so high that you must respect it or else.

[@williamthompson969]

Exactly take them track bars out and go offroad

[@LoyalmoonieProductions]

There's a simple reason why I don't buy SUVs.

[@jimcarlson6157]

I prefer jeep BJ

[@joelalexander5338]

Jim Carlson I don’t know if I want to know how that happens.

[@McRocket]

4:41 'However we feel anyone who drives any off road vehicle like a sports car is a lunatic.' ROFL Could not agree more.

[@JeepTJWheelin]

😆😆

[@kylethestyle]

Hello, and welcome again to _Mhotehr Wheek_.

[@discoverlight]

I'm laughing out so bad. LOL

[@jeepcollector91]

1991-1995 4.0L YJ's will always be my favorite Jeeps...

[@bsgtrekfan88]

+JeepCollector91 indeed!

[@brunowskijr]

I have a 91 yj with 316,000 miles. great 4.0 engine!

[@robneville5728]

I'm one of the very few who like the square headlights. Had a 4 cyl '93. Then a 6 cyl 2004 TJ. Now, years later, back to a YJ (94) again. Less than 100k orig. miles!

[@vincentdingbaum5547]

I know how you feel, i love the round and square headlights

[@SuperFrankieOSX]

I have a 94' 6 cyl as well, I don't get why people don't like the square headlights, I love them!

[@jediknightjairinaiki560]

Me too. I owned a '87 Wrangler Laredo. I miss it.

[@vernonfindlay1314]

My /76 cj-7,304,I miss. Like to have another or in a pinch a YJ.

[@AtomicReverend]

Square peg in a round hole is where I stand.

[@hnnotyy]

Ahh the good old days when JEEPs were affordable..

[@hnnotyy]

One who talks a big game over the keyboard, just means hes angry about something wrong with oneself. So I would STFU TROLL.

[@lilskippa2574]

hnnotyy do you know even know ANYTHING about cars

[@watchdogs295]

I mean this thing was $22,631 you can still get jeeps for that price

[@chuckiphicus7675]

if you account for inflation the jeep has only went up 2-3 thousand dollars

[@misamisatv]

I'd say reliability has gone down the crapper too.

[@TheGtracer1994]

I love how they have gone through all of the trouble to make the YJ less prone to roll-over than the CJ by widening it, yet people lift YJs anyways and roll them.

[@mwilliamshs]

The leaf springs are wider and spaced farther apart. The front and rear tread, aka track width, are both wider.

[@leftoverporkchop9972]

the responsibility changes when you decide to lift it....

[@Jason_Phillips3679]

Any Jeep can be rolled tho.

[@fernandorocha901]

Jeep Wrangler CJ 85 and 86, Jeep Wrangler YJ 87 and 88 is my favorite

[@Trailsoffroad]

Amusing that people had the same complaints of YJ as they do now on the JKs. Now that the JL is out the JK owners are saying the same thing. I guess people just don't like change.

[@Harpoon2theRescue]

No. The JKs are garbage.

[@NickTarterOKC]

This is super cool! I love the YJ. It retained enough CJ magic to make it feel like a classic, but modernized enough to actually be enjoyable to daily drive. I’ve had two CJ7s, a YJ, and a TJ. The YJ was probably my favorite.

[@paleo704]

Yeah but it has those awful springs and no factory air

[@heavilyarmedgoy]

Mr. Davis, you will always be the best. Thanks!!!

[@prisoneralex2752]

Yuppie Jeep lol

[@1903tx]

I like how the automatic has a column-mounted shifter. Center console-mounted auto shifters are pointless and just take up room that could be used for something else.

[@snappy452]

+1903tx I think at this point car companies were starting to see the public regarding column shifters as antiquated and how a center-mount shifter gives the appearance and feel of a sportier car which seemingly everyone wanted in the 80s and all the way up to today.

[@georgeharrison9736]

The linkage is more complex with a column mounted shifter whereas the floor mount is easier with its direct connection with the tranny

[@MixerVM]

Actually, very few floor/console shifters are actually direct to the transmission. Most of them use cables or servomotors to shift the transmission. In any case, yes a column linkage is more complex, but it's been used for decades in all sorts of vehicles and not many people have complained of them breaking. They've disappeared largely for the reason that snappy452 said - people see column shifters as outdated. Plus the fact that manufacturers can save money on linkages, like you said.

[@nyrangers731]

So true. Automatics trying to act like manuals. Column shift is the way to go for automatics.

[@Lrules364]

I heavily disagree with this statement. Center shifters give the feel of a manual, and are also super convenient. And if your car is equipped with a sport mode other than just a simple drive mode, it makes shifting through the gears on your own an absolute blast. And they are super easy to maintain and repair too. Column shifters belong on luxo boats, where you dont do much shifting at all. And column shift is an absolute bear to fix and work with. Overall, center console shifters are just so much better. And besides, what else are you going to use that extra space for in the center?

[@Maverick_Van_Traveller]

The YJ (despite being hated for it's square headlights) has a lot going for it. Simple, effective, everything you need, nothing you don't. I still maintain that the '87-'95 dashboard was the best looking of them all. TJ's & JK's are nice, but lack the old-school character and charm of their predecessors IMO. The YJ was the last of it's kind, and I'd love to own one someday.

[@jacknedry3925]

Yep

[@jacknedry3925]

Also it Looks more aggressive

[@owenlawrence670]

People hated the square headlights??? I fcking love those things! to me it looks so much better than the old bugeyed round headlights from the cj.

[@jamesandrews7441]

M Kefer I just bought a 87 Laredo yj. A one owner garage kept. Paid 5500 for it. 93k on the clock. Runs excellent. I'm glad I purchased one of these classic gems

[@rygi23]

Very respectable 13.9 seconds 0-60! Lol. Times have sure changed. Picking up a ‘97 TJ today. Would love a YJ.

[@WeKnowTheTruth2012]

rygi23 i have a 87 4.0 and i beat a fiat wrangler lol

[@baldeagle7604]

'Venerable.' His favorite word.

[@Offshore1977]

This was my first car and was a blast to drive. It was more comfortable than you'd think. Wish they still made these new.

[@bing12345678901]

That thing is shiny. I had a red 87, loved it. Now own a 91, love it more.

[@robertcassidy4543]

I am also the original owner of a 1995 YJ. Mine has about 131,000 miles. Only a few problems - crankshaft position sensor and primary coil. Still fun to drive, even in comparison with my 2014 JKU. The YJ has a 2.5 L I-4. Not fast, but fun with the 5 speed manual. Never appreciated any vehicle much until I got this Jeep.

[@boss12]

These Wranglers are timeless.

[@Radarriderr]

If I didn't own my XJ Cherokee, the YJ Wrangler would be my go to car! I love the square headlights and the extended dashboard! I don't know what it is, but I just love the YJ styling.

[@zanehayes4380]

Definitely

[@MusicLover-ti6zo]

I drove this Jeep in high school. It was the best older car I've ever owned.

[@sirot5561]

JURASSIC PARK!

[@tyler-yz5cv]

I just bought an 88 and here i am admiring the old videos. Its the funnest car EVER. Offroad, convertible, and affordable? Reliable? Yes please. Get one if you find one

[@Commentleaver-c6x]

Dennis Collins has watched this episode over 10,000 times.

[@shanedworak8454]

I LOVE THE JEEP YJ WRANGLER

[@TheZumiezNation]

Just got one of these as my first car about a month ago. Absolutely love it so far!

[@johnbehneman1546]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I NEED TO BUY ONE IN THE FUTURE. FOR OVERLANDING AND CAMPING.

[@snappy452]

The only thing you couldnt tackle with this Jeep was rust. Without vigilance and rust proofing they all succumbed.

[@seanjohnston1076]

i have a 93 wrangler sahara edition, which was before they galvinized the body. and there is literally no rust.. 193000 miles too..

[@seththomas9105]

You must not live in the upper Midwest. Jeeps were on the hit list of road salt. :(

[@whitetrashcustomz5003]

Depends on where you live, we rarely if ever get that yankee stuff yall call snow down here in Georgia

[@seththomas9105]

@@whitetrashcustomz5003 If you ever see a DOT salt brine truck you WILL know what rust is.

[@whitetrashcustomz5003]

Seth Thomas never, like I said I’m from the South

[@briteidea08]

Good ole I-795 prior to opening shots.

[@robertkeefer2128]

I still have my Jeep Wrangler yj from 1993 when I bought it new

[@MixingGBP]

Man, Jeeps look so great.

[@johnbehneman1546]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I LOVE IT THEN AND I LOVE IT NOW!!!! GREAT VIDEO AND THANKS FOR SHARING!!!! SO MUCH FUN!!!!

[@MrCarGuy]

I have a good idea. You could create a short list of all the vehicles you have planned for upcoming throwback reviews. I think it would help the people making suggestions for sure.

[@Motorweek]

I've fulfilled several requests already, the others are archived on tricky formats to digitize. They're all important and will be posted as soon as possible. Thanks to all for watching.

[@MrCarGuy]

***** That's great! Thank you so much for working on all the great video archives! There's going to be 100 a week at this rate. Haha

[@gxdjoeybaby07]

***** thank you for the effort you make in posting these....I watch all of them that I can =)

[@jeepguy95]

Despite the controversial Y-slot grille, this was actually an awesome vehicle... gimme an AX15-equipped base model with a 4.0 and 4X4 any day and I'll be happy! (:

[@mmiller1188]

+Vincent D I'll take a 4.0 or 2.5 YJ with a manual over *ANY* jeep made today.

[@SlaughterDog]

“…even a cellular phone is an option.” Weird to think cell phones were so big and power hungry they were often tied to cars (the ‘car phone’). Never seen one but I know mobile car phones go back to the 40’s!

[@MusicLover-ti6zo]

I had an 87 Wrangler in high school in 94. I lived in the area an areas with a lot of places to off road. I lived it.

[@xavichuvy9047]

I guess I'm a lunatic then.

[@kevinrichards3288]

Those Jeep Wranglers with the square headlamps are becoming more rare every year.

[@LextechLighting]

5:55 the grill is tilted back at the bottom. I think you mean the top.

[@k-art-L]

I love my 94 yj, little power from the 2.5L, but is fun and cool to drive it!!!

[@Harpoon2theRescue]

Will always be the JP (Jurassic Park) Jeep for me.

[@buzzfeedright4154]

I'm 16 the other day i was in the process of closing the deal on one of these. Then my mom found out they don't have air bags, and just like that it was done.

[@robertkeefer2128]

BuzzFeedRight that’s bull shit !

[@JeepTJWheelin]

No she found out it didn't have round headlights. Deal was over. Get a real Jeep! The best ones I ever saw are CJ7's and the 2 door JK X '07 - '10 only. The rest of the JK's suck. And don't get me started on jku and jlu 4 door limos.

[@jacknedry3925]

Jeep Life71, No, since you seem to like CJ’s I’ll say this: A YJ is basically a CJ slightly modified with the addition of sealed beam rectangular headlights. “BuT a ReAl JeEp HaS rOuND HeAdLiGhTs!” Can you shut up? “Oh no! The headlight shape changed! I’m terrified!” The ascetics don’t matter, what does is the simplicity. A Jeep is simple and rugged, and guess what??? THE YJ IS BOTH! The YJ is the last good Jeep, why? This is the last model with a leaf spring suspension and the simplicity. The TJ is the last acceptable Jeep, it’s when Chrysler took over and changed pretty much everything, suspension? Coil. Engine? More computerized than the YJ. Interior? Plastic everywhere. So, yeah.

[@jacknedry3925]

Jeep Life71, One more thing, what’s more common? YJ or CJ?

[@JeepTJWheelin]

@@jacknedry3925 YJ's are cool, my college roommate had one and that was the second Jeep I drove in. The doors and windows were in the dorm. The cool factor was certainly there. My grandfather had CJ and it was an animal off road. But even he said my JK was more capable and certainly was more comfortable with coil springs. Plus all the other suspension upgrades I made. Leaf springs are retro cool but the ride is rough. All real 2 door Jeeps are but who cares. If we wanted a smoother ride, we would all own Cadillacs. Jeep On 🇺🇸

[@JamesK7911]

Maybe it’s just because I’m young but I can’t be the only one who likes the square headlights more than the round ones 😅

[@MyDyerMaker]

McGyver made me want one. I liked the CJs, YJs and TJs. Jeeps weren't Jeeps after the TJ.

[@nosuchluck9477]

D'yer Maker Amen! The JK and now the JL are both an embarrassment to the heritage of the breed imo.

[@nwezetx1]

No Such Luck How so? I can agree with D'yer Maker, as the JK was a revolution. Ideally I'd choose an 1986 CJ, alongside a 2006 TJ Rubicon, and 2018 JT or JL. The JK and JL are more of spiritual ancestors.

[@frankdenardo8684]

the TJ was for the Canadian market.

[@neosneos3680]

I LOVE The Jeep Wrangler YJ

[@danielbarker3459]

The matter-of-fact demeanor of his 'lunatic' statement was pretty enjoyable.

[@theKevronHarris]

There was a Jeep CJ-7 on the classic TV show called "Mork & Mindy"; however, the jeep belongs to Mindy.

[@cflo1386]

I miss my 89 Wrangler I should've never sold it.

[@robertkeefer2128]

JL no shit

[@Astolfo2001]

Fun Fact: In the movie Clueless, the main protagonist Cher drives a white 1994 YJ Jeep Wrangler.

[@barfyspitz]

My first vehicle. So fun to drive and it would go anywhere but down the highwayfast.(4 cyl).

[@schmoab]

I saw a white one of these today on 40s that looked brand new.

[@conservativeamerica9655]

The AMC jeep was the best!! I had a CJ 7! With a 343 V8

[@empowermph]

Reminds me of George Michael's Sports Machine, but for cars. Love Motorweek.

[@rushbroussard5399]

IN SEASON 2 OF MACGYVER MACGYVER'S JEEP WAS A JEEP WRANGLER

[@nickk7769]

Jurassic Park Brought Me Here!!!

[@KreaperSlayer]

I'm a highschooler and I bought a 91 YJ last year, original engine 197000 miles. I plan on restoring the vehicle

[@oilyspanner]

Love my YJ

[@SataniaMcDowel]

These Wrangler are now a $30k+ vehicle in my area.

[@m53jyd]

I grew up with the yj it’s the most Jeep of them all and if I can ever find the one my father owned a dream vehicle

[@fernandochaves9665]

Even chased by a T-rex once...

[@johnbehneman1546]

SUGGESTION: MORE AFTERMARKET SUPPORT FOR THE YJ.

[@hutchcraftcp]

I bought a new 1988 Wrangler. 2.5L 5 speed. Seats were better in 88. Interestingly even though Chrysler owned Jeep at that time it still said AMC everywhere. Not a word of Chrysler. It was built in Canada. Only problem I ever had was the slave cylinder went out and the drain for the ventilation system dumped water straight on to the starter. One time it was pouring rain but the temperature was 32 degrees F. Starter was frozen in a block of ice. Had to be replaced and the drain hose moved

[@kevinwong6588]

The AMC merger was ongoing during the 1988 model year, American Motors changed its named to "Jeep-Eagle Corporation" in 1988 and was fully merged into Chrysler in 1990. The 1988 Premier (introduced January 1988) has AMC builder plates on the doors and the VIN has the legal manufacturer of record as American Motors Corp. It took three full years from Chrysler's March 1987 purchase agreement (acquiring controlling interest and outstanding shares from Renault) to having AMC fully merged. YJs from 1986 launch to end of '92 model year (April 23, 1992) were built in Brampton, Ontario.

[@lunarwinds2000]

Ah memories. I had a 92 an 95 of these. Both the 4 bangers. I found the auto was actually better even though the salesman told me it wouldn't. Like the way the optional ac looks like an add on.

[@CentralKentuckyWeather]

My first Wrangler was a '92 YJ. I likened the ride quality to that of a hay wagon. LOL. Leaf springs WITH track (panhard) bars? That was unheard of. Combine that with the short wheelbase and the YJ Jeeps would literally make your kidneys hurt on the highway. Offroad it also meant that you had zero articulation, so the YJ was one of the poorer performing 4x4s you could buy. After throwing the track bars in the trash can and installing sway bar disconnects, these Jeeps could be more comfortable on road and more capable off road. Cool video!

[@landyachtfan79]

I have a request for 3-part-in-one video. Both of Joyce Braga's What's New On Wheels reports om the Yugo, plus the road test of the red '86 that the staffers had to "carry" after it broke down. I REALLY want to MW's take on just how bad it was!!!

[@landyachtfan79]

Actually, I ended up being wrong this whole time. They were actually carrying it to demonstrate how light it was. I guess it was a matter of having never seen the test before & being so eager to just jump on the "Yugos are pieces of s***" bandwagon that I jumped to conclusions that a brand new one had already broken down during testing.

[@landyachtfan79]

I have even heard stories of them breaking down on the way home from the dealer & even ON THE FREAKING TEST DRIVES!!!!!

[@rickwyliee2910]

Love those jeeps

[@jeepguy95]

BTW ***** do you have a review of the '93-'98 Jeep Grand Cherokee you could post! Thanks! (:

[@jackaslope]

went out to greenport, long island recently, and a buddy of mine's uncle has an old 80's wrangler. It was so sick. I want one!

[@eaglescoutbryan1740]

Long Island is jeep cancer

[@steveespinola7652]

This Square lighted Jeep ( by the way I still like them) reminds me of the ones used in the movie Jurassic Park. ( still a great movie)

[@brucelee9941]

That thing is better than my 2001 jeep wrangler

[@jessebfly]

I have a 1988 6cyl Wrangler that is still going strong. ODO just turned over 100k and only replaced the clutch because the master cyl went out. It's a warhorse that's taken me everywhere.

[@Rocketyfox]

Even back then people were complaining about the placement of the light switch lol

[@TheDodgefan9]

***** I would love a Pontiac Bonneville GXP throwback video. I can't seem to find any video reviews of it.

[@Sebastian_Dinwiddie]

They were known as YJ’s in Canada as the Wrangler name was being used by, I think, Ford as a trim level. On the F150 maybe? Long time ago, can’t quite remember

[@BigXSmoke1]

thanks for the upload haha i asked a month ago about an YJ vid and you delivered

[@Y10Q]

I get 14-17mpg with my 97 Tj. lol Can't drive it everyday, but it's my weekend toy. Daily is a Subaru wagon, 24mpg

[@stephenhunter6507]

"Slightly more aerodynamic shape." haha

[@boinknook]

4 leaf springs wow, wish they had them on the JLs. Things would last forever.

[@alfonsoramirez5780]

Yo tuve un jeep wrangler río grande 1995 auto 4 % 4 moto d 4 cl y tenia 300000 millas y muy bueno adoro estos autos algún día comprare otro

[@frankdenardo8684]

1987 was the year Chrysler bought American motors. Jeep was the profitable division. American motors bought Jeep from Kaiser in 1970.

[@michaelsekalala8041]

My love and dream

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

John Davis......Legend

[@R3D_R0CK3T-5]

"Distinctively the most American vehicle ever" also there all made in Canada, still love my YJ

[@DMX-PAT]

Literally as he's saying "we feel anyone who drives an off-road vehicle like a sports car is a lunatic" there's a guy driving like a crazy person. That's funny, that being said after seeing that slalom test through the pylons I will never be worried about rolling a jeep again. That thing held so tight to the road it looked like it was glued to it, that's insane!! If the YJ is a yupimobile, than I'm a big time yupi! Also is he incapable of saying CJ normally, without massively emphasizing the J?

[@georgetown8986]

I enjoy driving my 2018 Wrangler Sahara 2 door JK like a sports car. I wonder if I am a lunatic....? Haha

[@Iwokeupscreaming]

I'm a lunatic...

[@jacknedry3925]

Angryjolly Me also

[@jared7263]

Me too

[@bigmike8847]

5:16 WOAH WOAH WOAH are you just telling me a BONE STOCK AUTOMATIC 87 Jeep Wrangler just ran a 13 second 1/4 mile!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[@northernairmtb4183]

I'm pretty sure that's the 0 th 60 time.

[@dodgeguyz]

I'de like to own one of these, but finding one with more than half its sheet metal intact is impossible!

[@billypate2479]

dodgeguyz , well I got one "NO RUST HOLES" anyware, for sale soon.......

[@1975ukandbored]

The best thing about a jeep is the name jeep

[@yhiissuchbs]

No mention of stopping distance? (a standard metric of your fine reviews) Thank you for posting these! :-)

[@AtomicReverend]

My biggest car regret was getting rid of my 84 CJ7, I was happy to dump my 91 wrangler for an 1987 Range Rover. Next Jeep will be a shorthood 5 although I did like how my buddies TJ drove, the sea of plasic is terrible and it gets progressively worse the newer the "tub" jeep gets.

[@daverunner3397]

I owned a wrangler in the Bahamas... bullet proof.

[@whitetrashcustomz5003]

Best wrangler ever... from a xj guy

[@hinterseerherold]

I had an I-4 manual, drove it until it literally rusted away (Ontario, Canada)😂

[@josemontano7767]

Looks awesome

[@MrNuggetface]

I am really looking for an 87-90 Nissan Sentra review.

[@gxdjoeybaby07]

Maserati bi-turbo spyder in the background?

[@Motorweek]

10-4.

[@jmorris023]

I always wonder where these test cars are now.