Jeep YJ Overview

Updated on Sep 14, 2023

As the grandfather of the Jeep Wrangler lineup, the Jeep YJ sports classic aesthetics and solid specs that make it a popular and reliable chassis for wheeling. From the CJ-based body and suspension to the peppy inline 6-cylinder powerplant, the YJ is a linear generational upgrade, combining the well-loved elements of the early Jeeps with some modern amenities and creature comforts.

These are just some of the reasons behind the popularity of Jeep’s first Wrangler chassis. While not sporting the TJ’s revolutionary multi-link suspension or the CJ’s iconic round headlights (a major point of contention for most Jeepers), the YJ helped to kick off the modern Jeep recipe that we know and love.

That’s why, in this article, we’re taking a deep dive into the first Wrangler: the 1987–1995 Jeep YJ.

History

After the widespread success of the Jeep CJ platform, ranging from the earliest civilian Jeep–the Willys CJ-2A–to the renowned Kaiser/AMC Jeep CJ-5, CJ-6, CJ-7, and CJ-8 Scrambler, the model was in major need of a refresh. The engineers at AMC (American Motor Corporation), who’d owned Jeep since its 1970 buyout of Kaiser/Willys, got to work revamping the CJ-7 to compete with modern vehicles while retaining the key characteristics of the beloved CJ. The resulting creation was an amalgamation of CJ engineering and modern tech, featuring a nearly identical galvanized-steel tub fitted onto a stiffer chassis with a reinforced frame and beefier leaf springs. A new swing-out tailgate replaced the CJ’s truck-style hinged unit, while new front fenders, hood, grille, and square headlights marked the significant changes to the body. An all-new interior added much-needed comfort and amenities, making the YJ far more inviting for daily driving.

Only a year after the YJ’s release, the Chrysler corporation purchased AMC and the company's other subsidiaries, marking the beginning of the Chrysler-owned Jeep era that still exists today! The company continued production of AMC’s original design without significant upgrades until 1995 with the introduction of the legendary Jeep Wrangler TJ; however, the model did receive some notable mid-generational changes. 1991 saw the shift from the carbureted 4.2L inline 6-cylinder to the legendary 4.0L fuel-injected inline 6 that carried over to the TJ. Other mid-generation changes included upgrading both auto and manual transmissions (for the inline-6 models), which also introduced updated slave cylinder tech.

Jeep Wrangler YJ Specification Rundown

Engine	2.5L AMC Inline 4-Cylinder 4.2L AMC Inline 6-Cylinder (1987–1990) 4.0L AMC Inline 6-Cylinder (1991–1995)
Transmission	5-Speed AX-5 Manual (4-Cylinder; All Years) 3-Speed 30RH(A904) Automatic (4-Cylinder; 1990–1995) 3-Speed A999 Automatic (6-Cylinder; 1987–1991) 5-Speed BA-10 Manual (6-Cylinder; 1987–1989) 5-Speed AX-15 Manual (6-Cylinder; 1989–1985) 3-Speed 32RH Automatic (6-Cylinder; 1991–1995)
Horsepower/Torque
2.5L	120 HP/140 lb/ft TQ
4.2L	190 HP/224 lb/ft TQ
4.0L	237 lb/ft at 4,000 RPM
Transfer Case	NP207 (1987) NP231 (1988–1995)
Axle (Front)	Dana 30
Axle (Rear)	Dana 35

Jeep Wrangler YJ Colors & Codes

Throughout the years, the Wrangler YJ wore numerous paint colors. Check out our complete list below:

Color Name	Color Code
Colorado Red	BE
Silver Metallic	BH
Spinnaker Blue Metallic	BJ
Vivid Red Metallic	BK
Khaki Metallic	BL, J5, HJ5
Sand Dune Yellow	BM
Pearl White	CA
Coffee	CW
Classic Black	P1
Navy Blue Metallic	AC8
Bright White	GW6, PW6
Malibu Yellow	KRD, PRD
Radiant Fire	HJ4, PJ4
Black	PX9, TX9, X9
Khaki Metallic	HJ5, PJ5
Canyon Blue Metallic	KCA, PCA
Dark Silver Metallic	KSE
Sage Green Metallic	PG1, LG1
Sand Beige Metallic	LJ1
Hunter Green Metallic	LG4, PG4
Bright Copper Metallic	PVA, LVA
Electric Blue Metallic	KC3, PC3
Navajo Turquoise Metallic	KQ2, PQ2
Jewel Blue Metallic	MC9, PC9
Poppy Red, Flame Red	PR4
Dark Montego Blue Metallic, Dark Blue Pearl	PCH
Light Montego Blue Metallic, Brilliant Blue Metallic	PCJ
Bright Mango	PV5, RV5
Light Pearlstone Metallic	HV1, H18, PV1
Aqua Metallic	LQE, LQE, PQE
Emerald Green Metallic	PGF

What Makes the Jeep Wrangler YJ So Popular?

The Jeep YJ can commonly be found tackling a variety of terrain, from packed parking lots to deep woods and demanding trails; but what exactly makes the model so popular?

Off-Road Performance

If you’ve read any of our other Jeep overviews, you’ll likely recognize this justification for the YJ’s popularity; after all, it’s a Jeep! Regardless of the generation, Jeeps are, foremost, off-road vehicles. Solid front and rear axles and small, narrow frames make traversing challenging obstacles and tight trails a breeze, and the YJ is no exception. While not as capable as multi-link TJ, JK, and JL chassis, the YJ’s leaf-sprung suspension offers decent articulation while holding up to significant abuse on the trail.

Reliability

Regarding reliability, it’s difficult to argue that the YJ is a top contender. Beefy Dana 30 and 35 axles can withstand most abuse (as long as you’re running moderately sized tires), and all three powertrains are known for robust durability, which is especially important on the trail.

The generation’s simple design means relatively few issues, aside from finicky electronically-controlled carburetors on early models and typical wear-and-tear, like sensor faults, worn bushings, and rust (depending on your part of the country). All in all, a YJ is unlikely to leave you stranded.

Long Production Run

Over the YJ’s lengthy 8-year run, AMC and Chrysler produced over 630,000 Wranglers; though paling in comparison to the JK’s 2.1-million unit run, that’s still a lot of Jeeps! As a result, you can still find clean examples of the YJ, ripe for building into weekend drivers, heavy-duty wheelers, or anything in between!

Active Community/Aftermarket

The key to keeping any chassis/community alive is sprawling aftermarket support. Luckily, as with any Wrangler chassis, the YJ is blessed with just that! From suspension upgrades to body armor and anything in between, if you can think of it, odds are someone’s engineered a kit to make it happen!

Aside from supportive companies like RealTruck, the YJ is backed by a faithful community of dedicated owners and enthusiasts that help keep the chassis alive. From forums to social media pages and Jeep-specific shops, the support for the first Wrangler is unwavering, and odds are, it’ll never stop!