From: shinn@sunbolt.DAB.GE.COM (Steve Shinn)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
Subject: Re: Jeep YJ
Keywords: Cherokee/Wagoneer
Date: 10 Sep 92 16:57:50 GMT
Organization: General Electric SCSD, Daytona Beach FL

In article <1992Sep8.154855.3151@ultra.com>, hayes@ultra.com (John Hayes) writes:
> In <14940@mindlink.bc.ca> David_Cristofoli@mindlink.bc.ca (David Cristofoli) writes:
> 
> >I am very interested in purchasing a Jeep YJ soon. I would like some feedback
> >regarding other peoples personal views on this vehicle. I would like the good
> >and the bad.
> 
> I purchased a '91 YJ about 1 1/2 years ago.  So far I am VERY pleased with it.

I had an '85 YJ for 6 years and think it's great!  I just sold it so I can get
a new Jeep, and I really miss it.

> I have only had one problem, after about 4k miles, the clutch slave cylinder
> went.  It seems that the bellhousing was incorrectly machined and ate the
> slave cylinder.  The dealer replaced both the bellhousing and the slave 
> cylinder without question.  Since them I have had no problems at all.

AMC/Jeep had poor quality control.  It has improved greatly since
Chrysler bought Jeep.  I've heard of few problems with the newer ones,
though mine had several missing (non-critical) bolts and screws (rear
window wiper motor mount and trim panels) and poor fitting components
(electric window mechanism).

Even so, I don't have any horror stories to tell.  The only major
problem was mine was related to the carb (at about $450, this was
really major! :^( )  The only other item that I can recall (other than
normal maintenance/upkeep) was a problem with the cruise control that
was tracked back to a bad vacuum hose.

> On things to watch out for, make sure that you get the 4.0 litre engine.  I'd 
> also reccomend the trac-lock rear.  All around a good vehicle if you don't 
> need to haul a lot of people around.  Even with the rear seat, things can get 
> a bit tight.

I agree 100% on the 4.0L.  Unfortunately, I had the (GM) 2.8L V-6 (the
4.0L became the big engine in '87).  For most normal driving and off-
road stuff, the 2.8L was adequate but definitely not thrilling.  It
wasn't much fun trying to pass on two lane highways, and highway towing
with moderate to heavy loads was a royal pain.  (I've been anxiously
awaiting my chance to get a 4.0L!)

As far as the trac-lock rear goes, I'd have to disagree.  I had the
standard rear, so I can't comment from experience on the trac-lock, but
most of the 4X4 magazine testers have reported the trac-lock to be a
waste of money.  It didn't perform much better than the standard diff,
and recommendations were to use a true locker rear (aftermarket) if you
want a locking diff.

I'll also second the problems with the tight rear seat.  Another
problem is that you don't have a lot of luggage space with the rear
seat in use.  Even with the rear seat down, there's not as much room as
you might expect.  For cubic space, it's pretty good, but it's a tight
fit to put a beach cruiser bike in the back.  (I might go with an
external spare tire mount on my next one.)

For normal people/luggage hauling, a compact or intermediate size
station wagon would beat the YJ.  The Jeep also requires a little more
effort to enter than a car (my in-laws didn't care for that -- I didn't
notice much difference until they complained).

Advantages for the YJ over a station wagon include increased head room
and the ability to see over traffic.  It's also a lot tougher than a
car.  Mine has taken some pretty good licks with little or no scars.

The YJ is one of the better off-road vehicles of it's size.  It's small
enough to handle tight trails, but big enough to be comfortable on the
road.  The front hubs are auto locking using vacuum.  This is nice
unless you are climbing a long steep hill in 4WD.  When the vacuum tank
runs out of vacuum, you have about a minute left before you find
yourself in 2WD (since the front hubs are no longer locked).  I haven't
experienced this myself (can't find a big enough hill around here :^)
), but I've heard from a couple of people who have.  A solution is to
add a vacuum pump.

The YJ makes a great trailer puller within it's limits.  Even with the
2.8L, it was great for pulling boats up the ramp.  My only problem
towing was when I was trying to accelerate (or climb hills) on the
highway.  A 4.0L should solve these problems.

I'm stuck with automatic transmissions (since I had and am getting the
factory trailer towing package).  I prefer manuals, but I'll admit that
the auto is a better choice for trailering.  I didn't like the 3-speed
auto on my old Jeep.  It was fine for city/town driving, but I ran over
3000 rpm on the highway.  The newer 4-speed makes for a much quieter
(and fuel efficient) ride.

Good luck, and happy Jeeping!

	- Stevie Wonder
-- 
Steve Allen-Shinn	shinn@helios.dab.ge.com
GE Aerospace, SCSD	Daytona Beach, Fla.