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YJs are the new CJs?

Rosco1974

Rosco1974

Scrambler Junkie
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With the sharp increase in CJ values over the last few years I have returned to looking @ YJs (my first Jeep). They are increasing too, but was able to buy one recently for about 1/3rd of what the same condition CJ would be. As I was searching I came across this original, 38k mile 1994 California YJ @ $30K on Ebay. Seems high, but still think it's probably worth >$20k to the right buyer.

What do you think about the long term value and collectability of YJ's?

www.ebay.com

1994 Jeep Wrangler | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1994 Jeep Wrangler at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com

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I had my wife and 2 of my kids in YJs at one time. All 4 cyl ones and mileage was worse than our 6 cyl Scrambler. I believe a 6 cyl YJ would get better mileage with more power than the 4 cyl, so there is really no point in getting a four banger except for the lower cost and something for your kids to drive around town. Sold all the YJs and stayed with the CJs. But nothing would be wrong with having a nice 6 cyl YJ.
 
I've had 2 which I bought brand new. I loved both. I've always been fond of the dash but you couldn't give me an automatic YJ. I think they are primed to grow in value like all things 80s.

I watch and bid on and occasionally buy and sell other classics and I notice that generally manuals are commanding a higher premium than slush boxes. Whilst I would like to attribute this to my undeniable role as a global trend- setter, I attribute this to the fact that it's getting harder and harder to obtain a new manual vehicle in America.

I think this is leading the same Gen X folks creating the increase in 70's and 80’s values to be nostalgic for the enjoyment of the shift-your-own vehicles of our youth. Kind of a 'why get a classic auto when I can get a brand new auto?' scenario.

I've not seen this spelt out anywhere, it's merely an observation.... For what that's worth.
 
Here is my wife's 1995 YJ. It has the 6 cylinder and AX15 5-speed. Picked it up 3 years ago for $6,500.00 with 130K miles. Has 165K miles now and has been very reliable. Put in a new water pump and tuned it up with new plugs, wires and coil but that's it. Also did the 20 Gallon gas tank mod by cutting down the vent hose. The guy we bought it from was building it up. He swapped in a 4-Cyl high pinon Dana 30 with 4.10 gears, a Ford 8.8 with 4.10's and did a SYE conversion on it. He put a 4" Fabtech lift on it and 33's. The 4.10 gears give it a lot of grunt. It has factory AC that works well too. She loves driving it.

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Always had a soft spot for the square eye. They are the illegitimate son of a jeep. Been busy on this build off and on; more so when the 5 left town.
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Dry fit on a modified TJ frame.
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Rust is a constant friend. The frame was fairly decent...so I thought.
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The 8 is just a little jealous...it's the garage pet after all.
 
I had a 95 yj about 15 years ago as a Daily Driver, until a drunk harley (test) rider (wasn't even his) blew through a stop sign. He was being chased by cops. He hit my driver's side rear wheel going over 60mph, I was going 40.
Do the math, I started yawling hard & instead of hitting oncoming cars head on I had to yank the wheel.
I started rolling (2nd time in a Jeep..)
I came to a rest with Glass, oil and rad fluid all over me. Asked bystanders if anyone was hurt or if the jeep was on fire, nope.
So I crawled out through where the windshield was & gathered my bearings.
I started going down as everything started to relax then spasm.. Lots of stress to about every muscle! No serious problems but jacked my back up. I was just getting over a back injury too so I had multiple rxs for really good pain meds 😉🥴😎
Jeep was totalled, I got a check from insurance, motorcycle had none, bought the jeep back & pieced it out.
It was a good Ole 94 yj, nothing special, 31" tires. Hard top was mangled. Still have various odds n ends from it.
.. Need a hardtop rear window with all hardware 😉🤣 or dash gauges?
Anyway, that drunk flew 100' & face planted into pavement. Permanently disabled & in jail with no recollection of what happened.
There's my yj story 🤷
 

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I got a 1995 YJ in 2006 for $3k. It was the 4cyl and could not get out of its own way. But it was a great little Jeep. I sold it when I found my POS Scrambler that I will have until I die. When I sold it, I got $3,200 in 2009. And they keep going up in price.

If James (Jim’s Chop Shop) ever come on here, he can give you an idea. He has moved on to buying and tearing apart YJs now. The parts must be worth something on these guys now as well.
 
Hated the YJ when they came out, but with each successive generation of "Jeep" the YJ fits more with the CJ's than the newer stuff.

I'd still have to swap in at least a CJ grill, but the YJ's have grown a bit on me over the years.

The 4 bangers had 4.10 gears, so find a 4 cylinder and swap in a 258. Probably cheaper than swapping out two gearsets for most of us who can't set up gears.
 
wm69 said:
Hated the YJ when they came out, but with each successive generation of "Jeep" the YJ fits more with the CJ's than the newer stuff.

I'd still have to swap in at least a CJ grill, but the YJ's have grown a bit on me over the years.

The 4 bangers had 4.10 gears, so find a 4 cylinder and swap in a 258. Probably cheaper than swapping out two gearsets for most of us who can't set up gears.
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We did that once, way more work then a CJ. The frame mounts on a 4 vs 6 cylinder YJ are totally different, transmission/bellhousing/etc are different, radiators are different, computer and under hood wiring is different. So many differences that it makes the swap a PIA.

We did it for a young guy in the Jeep club who was going to the Naval Academy. Swapped a 4.0 into a 2.5 YJ. Pretty involved swap. You would think it would be simple, but so many little differences.

IMO, if you want a 6 cylinder YJ, buy one, don't buy a 4 cylinder planning on an easy swap :twocents:
 
Seems like all used vehicles are up in price now a days, especially trucks and Jeeps.

I always kind of expected YJs to become collectible, but didn't expect it to be now. I guess it's in line with the CJs becoming collectible. I really should have bought a CJ back in the early 2000's, but didn't. I got my YJ in 2013 when they were still cheap and the CJs were starting to creep into silly territory. That would have been a good time to get a Scrambler, but I got my YJ instead from my wife's cousin. I really couldn't beat the 1k price tag, even with the rusty rockers and front fenders. There's no way I can complain, it has the 4.0L and AX15. Of course now it's nothing like it was when I got it. At this point, I don't think I'd trade for a true CJ unless I was getting something really special.
 
AdamH said:
This has always been my favorite YJ ever made. I just love that color combo.

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That one is nice looking. A guy I graduated HS with had one like that. He was a complete a-hole, but he had a nice Sahara LOL. I prefer the original OEM aluminum wheels though.

My tan 85 CJ7 was supposed to be the dark metallic green color they used on YJ's around 1995, but the paint shop lost the paint code, and when they went to NAPA to get the paint, the counter people at NAPA gave them 3A Almond Beige because that's what I'd decided on after perusing their books, and I didn't tell anyone at NAPA I'd changed my mind LOL.

The YJ's have definitely grown on me over the years. I'd drive one now without a thought.

I do distinctly remember when they released the YJ Renegade though. I was a teenager obsessed with CJ's, and when I heard they were bringing back the YJ I thought "Finally, they're bringing back the CJ". Imagine my disappointment when I saw the YJ Renegade. Not only was it not a CJ, but they'd made the YJ as ugly as one could make it.....
 
I bought these covers, here is YJ link

www.ebay.com

UPHOLSTERY KIT - FITS JEEP YJ 1986-1990 EARLY WRANGLER FIXED BUCKET SEAT | eBay

New Jeep Upholstery Kit for Jeep early YJ Wrangler 1986-1990 Fixed High Back Bucket Seats. This is for a pair, driver and passenger side. This upholstery is stitched in the YJ style inserts but also fits the CJ Fixed Bucket Seats 1979-1985.
www.ebay.com

Mine were for a CJ, not OEM quality but good, my seats in photo
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I didn’t want one but my friend moved to Florida and had a rollback drop it off at my house 1987 with no frame or body rust. Original paint. Ford 8.8 with Detroit Dana 30 with ARB 4.88 auto has fresh 6cyl sitting as long block. Been in a barn for 10 years so needs a few things. Will be selling
 
I bought my son this 94 YJ when he was 15, needed fenders ans a windshield. It was a 4 cyl originally, previous owner installed a 4.0 with an AW4.
He drove it for a couple of years and sold it, he regrets selling it now.
 

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