History of the Jeep YJ Wrangler

[wayoflife]

For all you YJ fans, here's an article that was published on AllPar highlighting the history of it that I think you will enjoy

1987-1995 Jeep Wrangler (YJ): Changes come to the CJ


Code-named YJ, the first major re-engineering of the old CJ line was named Wrangler in the United States, YJ in Canada. It was first shown in February 1986 at the Chicago AutoShow, and landed in showrooms on May 13, 1986.

Functionally, the biggest difference was the new suspension, altered to avoid flip-overs, which had become increasingly common as CJs became popular for recreation. The YJ, like CJ, was a live-axle design with a Hotchkiss (parallel leaf spring) suspension. In short, the car used longitudinal, semi-elliptical leaf springs in the front and rear, with a front stabilizer bar and front and rear track bars.

To increase stability, the springs were widened and moved further apart, and a “track bar,” or Panhard rod, was added (along with numerous other changes). The setup worked well in preventing rollovers, though Jeep engineer Evan Boberg wrote, “the ride quality was very poor ... [and] stiffer springs were required to meet durability requirements, making the ride even worse.”

See whole article here:
http://www.allpar.com/SUVs/jeep/1987-wrangler.html

 

[Saharaunlmtd]

Thanks for posting. It's always good to get a historical refresher.

Makes me think of my boy "blue". I drove that thing for a decade.

 

[BERT.]

apparently, it ended badly his life....:shock:

 

[RamP]

I remember how much of an upgrade the YJ was in comparison to the CJ. I loved mine.

 

[rinkishjk]

cool article! i always wanted a yj, which was what my neighborhood "cool kid" had when i was young, lifted with big tires and a set of subs that would shake any teeth loose.
i still love them, and hope to get 1 one day.

 

[MobyJR]

Mine still looks great but needs pretty much a whole new drivetrain and some other minor stuff.

This is what a jeep looks like, if you wash it after every time you wheel it... 26 years later