Jeep Reliability?
07-18-2003, 06:21 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Marysville WA.
Posts: 1,847
Jeeps are fun vehicles. I have had my 90 wrangler for 6 years now and I love driving it. Its definitely not a desirable commuter, but I drove a 100 miles a day in it for 2 years without any problems. Now for that Jeep I would say the price is kinda low, so I would assume its a little worse for wear. Before I ever bought another Jeep I would definitely test drive it, make sure the 4wd works etc., and see how much off road time the thing has had. That Jeep has a couple of week points you should know about. From 1987-1990 the 6-cyl engines used a 2 barrel Carter carb and not fuel injection. The carb was a turd, and had numerous idle problems. It was riddled with emmissions crap that essentially hampered the carb from running well, but the carb had internal problems as well. I had mine rebuilt once at 100,000. It lasted about 20,000 miles until I finally ditched it for an aftermarket weber, wish I would of done it sooner. The engine doesn't put out a lot of power either. The fuel injected 4.0 liter offered in 91 and up Wranglers will give you much more power and torque than the 4.2. When you check out the 4wd system and it doesn't work you might want to inspect the shift actuator motor on the front axle. The early YJ's were a hub-less design with three piece front axles. The axles were engaged via vacuum and a shift collar on the axle. The lines get brittle over time and leak I believe. Also since the front hubs are always engaged the front u-joints on the axle are always turning. You might want to reach in and see if they have any play in them. I've had to replace mine a couple of times from wear. Also check the leaf springs for sagging, they have a tendency to do that. If I was to buy another Jeep I would search out a 4.0 fuel injected 91 or newer. Here are some specs that might be helpful.
1987-1990= 4.2 6cyl carbed, 4cyl fuel injected
1991 on up= 4.0 6cyl fuel injected.
1987-1995= YJ with squared head lamps and leaf sprung suspension
1997 on up= TJ with round head lamps and coil spring suspension
1987-1990= 4.2 6cyl carbed, 4cyl fuel injected
1991 on up= 4.0 6cyl fuel injected.
1987-1995= YJ with squared head lamps and leaf sprung suspension
1997 on up= TJ with round head lamps and coil spring suspension
07-21-2003, 09:57 AM
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Ames, IA
Posts: 4,773
Originally Posted by 4RotorRocket' date='Jul 20 2003, 07:29 PM
Its a 1989 man and I bet its been ragged on. 
07-26-2003, 01:48 PM
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Ames, IA
Posts: 4,773
The Jeep was a total shitbox. What you can't see in the picture is that the paint looks like it was applied with a broom, and the windshield support is so rusted it would need to be totally replaced. The thing shook like mad at 60 and stalled on her while she was at my apartment. IMO, it's worth about $1200 tops.
