Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Looking for Jeep YJ Opinions...
From: brycerw@brandonu.ca
Date: 14 Dec 92 11:22:42 CST
Organization: Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada

In article <B9ugVB2w164w@cellar.org>, blu@cellar.org (Dan Reed) writes:
> Simon_Kok@mindlink.bc.ca (Simon Kok) writes:
> 
>> Hi.  I'm currently in the market for a 'Jeep' and would like to get some
>> opinions on the Eagle - Jeep YJ series.  Basically performance, options that
>> I don't need, options that are available, should I be looking at something
>> else?, ...basically all those questions a neophyte would ask... =)
>> 
>> Any information is appreciated!
> 
> Here you go..
>                            The Jeep from Hell.
>  
>    What had me very angry was the service from the dealerships.  I went
> to Center Line Ford/Jeep in Hammonton NJ, and also Lehan Olds/Jeep in
> Marlton NJ.  Both dealers jerked me around t'ill no end.  I mean, these
> were the people that knew best about the Jeeps right?

Yea, dealers can be a bummer.

>   Most people get a Jeep, then later hate them because they are crude.
> Not I, while I'll admit, the ride was harsh, the steering was hard, and
> the top made lots of noise at speed.  I rather enjoyed the Jeep, as it
> was very nice to drop the top on those hot summer days, and nights.  I
> really liked it.  I mean, aside its pathetic mechanical record, It was
> cool.

You shouldn't buy a YJ for a smooth ride.

>   As much as I hate to say it, this Jeep is going to be the reason that I
> will be _very_ weary about buying another US car.  Over all, it had *far
> too many* "simple to fix" design flaws.  Flaws that should have been
> noted in testing.  They should not market a Jeep, as a "rough and tumble"
> type "fun mobile", while it cannot stand common highway use.  Even with
> the 4Cyl engine, it had lots of power for passing and so on.  The brakes
> in it were fantastic, as was the heat (for the driver).  The body was
> SOLID and RUST FREE!  Thats for sure, it was red and shiny.  The ride was
> harsh but tight (after stock shocks/steering damper were replaced).
> I feel as a "basic form of transportation" my Jeep did a pretty poor job,
> I feel that it failed more than it should have, for a "new" car built in
> todays auto world, especially such a *simple basic* design, somehow it
> went all wrong.

I own a Jeep.  110K km's, and less than $400 Can. in repairs.
>  
>  
> Shocks and Steering Damper were replaced -
>  
> The shocks pretty much died at 30K, the sttering damper *failed* out on
> the highway at 45K.  All were replaced with aftermarket parts of better
> quality.

Most vehicle's shocks should be replaced after riding on the trailer to the
dealer's lot.  Notable exceptions would be HD trucks.
>  
> 7 Clutch Master Cylinders*(kidna)-
>  
>   Most hydraulic clutches work for 200,000 miles with no problems, not
> mine.  Seems the O-rings that seal the unit, wear out, and let all the
> fluid go on the ground.  These went every 15K or so.

Could be a buffer, but after that many, and the reliability with mine (no
problems), I wonder if you're riding the clutch too much.
>  
> 2 - Two exhaust systems -
>  
>   From the converter back.  Seems the stock exhaust could not hack the
> riggers of the harsh suspension, and thus beat itself to death.  The
> problem was finally fixed after a CUSTOM aftermarket system was
> installed.  First one failed at 30K, the second at 62K.

Yea, I'm on my second exhaust.
>  
> 1 Transfer Case*-
>  
>   While driving in 4WD during a snow storm, and 3" of snow on the
> ground, the chain in the case snapped.  Leaving me with a seized trans.
> Failed at 25K.
>  
You leave it in 4wd?  If there was too much traction, and the wheels couldn't
slip, the transfer case would "wind up", which would explain this one.  Manual
says 4wd should *only* be used on really slippery services.

> 1 Transmission*-
>  
>   While downshifting to a stop sign, coming into 3dr gear, the main
> shaft of the trans, cracked.  Letting all the gears slide off, into the
> spinning trans.  The Jeep then came to a "grinding" halt.  The Jeep was
> at the dealership for two (2) months, while they waited for a new trans
> to come down from Canada.  Failed at 50K.
>  
> 3 Fuel Pump Relays -
>  
>   These little buggers are a standard Radio Shack part that runs for
> around $5 each.  Jeep however sells "Jeep Brand" ones that cost $14 each,
> and don't seem to last very long.  The relay overheats, burns out, and
> thus the fuel pump goes with it.  At one time, I had to "wire" the pump
> on, by shorting out pins on the relay, with a paper clip, crude, but it
> got me home.

I had one overheat on me.  Bloody hard to track down.
>  
> 1 Front differental -
>  
> Contaminated with water. "Snorkel Tube" kept falling out, letting water
> from common rain into fluid.  The fluid turned to slush, rusting the
> diff.

I'm not satisfied with this design here.  I used some plastic ties to hold the
thing under pressure so it didn't come out on mine.
>  
> *(kinda) = Only covered for first 12K of Jeep, only one was fixed under
> warrantee.  Jeep did not consider this as part of the drivetrain, and was
> not covered under its 70K drive train plan.
>  
> There you have it...

Sounds like you had a bit of a lemon.  Heard of worse.  Don't think yours was
the norm, though.
> 
> 
> --
> Dan Reed AKA Blu Max - blu@cellar.org - AnalCADGeek! - Industrial Music Maker
>     68' Cougar XR-7, 89' VW Golf, 74' Honda CL360t, Vextrex Unit Lover

--Rob