YJ's-give me the down and dirty

[Wrench]

Looking at buying a YJ. Want all the dirt on these you can muster.

It's a '95, 2.5l, 5-speed, bone stock with nearly 300k miles on it.

My plans with the chopped Cherokee involve a different drive train and axles, so I was contemplating buying the YJ to transfer all my current drive train into. This will also give me a fuel injected setup on my 2.5 to play with.

I plan to use the axles/wheels/tires from the Cherokee and lift it SOA using the stock springs. The axles are already geared correctly, and the Dana 35 is a non-c axle, so it will be somewhat of an upgrade.

My other reasoning for this is: I need another vehicle available, for wheelin' and for when my teenager has the car. Having two commuters and 3 licensed drivers with totally uncoordinated schedules sucks.

[79chevy39.5's]

To put hp d30 in involves either brackets to yj or leaf perches id radius arm the front (I know your capable of this) The 2.5 fi is a good setup. No speed demon. Hack and tap rear driveline. Some good skinny 33 or 34 inch tires and go keep it simple a drive it. And watch the rear frame section of its not from around here

[SPR]

This spring over axle is roughly a 5 inch lift. How big of tires do you plan on running? You will also will need to do TC case modifications to keep your driveline from falling apart with such a great left. You stand a good chance of bad axle wrap unless you run a anti wrap bar of some sort or stiffen the rear springs. YJs come with front sway bar and I think rear track bar to help control the effect of soft springs. These may not be necessary with a little stiffer spring and more conventional lift. Lastly, the rig may be more fun to drive if you kept it like Dan's. I hear that the 1995 is one of the better years.

[rednecktified]

i got a 95 with a 2.5 in it and a 4 inch lift with 33's just rolled 190k in it with minimal problems check the alternator bracket they break some what easily also for some easy power take a 4.0 maf and swap it out with the 2.5's and a better exhaust over all they are great vehicles ive had mine over the hood in water in the middle of the pond with this setup and it made that pond a piece of cake their aint anything they cant do

[Roman]

A SOA will let you run 35-37 inch tires...

YJ's can roll 31's on stock springs, might need lifted shackles with 300k on the clock!


I know SOA sounds cheap, but even with 4 squirrels of death, I think you will be fighting axle wrap! Buy some 2.5-4" lift springs and wheel the snot out of it...

[Danny]

Paul, you know mine. '93 with a 4" spring lift running stock axles on 33's and lockers. Have somewhere in the 200,000 on it and even after doing the rubicon trail last year (it could use a little TLC now) I wouldn't hesitate to take it anywhere.

[OldGreen]

Paul, you know mine. '93 with a 4" spring lift running stock axles on 33's and lockers. Have somewhere in the 200,000 on it and even after doing the rubicon trail last year (it could use a little TLC now) I wouldn't hesitate to take it anywhere.

This. SOA on a YJ brings up many other things. . .I'd actually run a 2.5" lift, your 33s, some 3x5 angle on the rockers. ON a 95, it should have the good front end so just swap your gears over. Rear. . .spring perches and golden. . .

[Toolegit86]

best set up ive ran on yjs are oem waggie springs. it moves the wheel base a little bit and rides awesome..

[bobracing]

best set up ive ran on yjs are oem waggie springs. it moves the wheel base a little bit and rides awesome..

This in a SOA or SUA setup?

[Wrench]

best set up ive ran on yjs are oem waggie springs. it moves the wheel base a little bit and rides awesome..

Ah, thanks for the tip.

Looks like Waggy front springs are longer and have offset centering pins. Run them one way (front and rear on the YJ), you will have longer springs and the same wheelbase as stock. Run them the other way, and they stretch the front and rear by about 2". Looks like stretching the rear like this will require you to clearance the fuel tank or it'll hit the pumpkin.

Rumor has it stock Waggy front springs used SUA lift a YJ about 2.5", so figure about 8" lift SOA.

[bobracing]

Nice write-up on SOA vs SUA with waggies.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/jeep-non ... ughts.html

and Just 2.5 lift and 37s
http://nw-wheelers.com/forum/showthread ... light=Jeep

[SPR]

Rumor has it stock Waggy front springs used SUA lift a YJ about 2.5", so figure about 8" lift SOA.

8"s! Are you going for the tall rig with small tires or the tall rig with huge tires?

[Wrench]

Rumor has it stock Waggy front springs used SUA lift a YJ about 2.5", so figure about 8" lift SOA.

8"s! Are you going for the tall rig with small tires or the tall rig with huge tires?

No, I was just posting info I found and answering bobracing's question.

Chances are, I'll use the 33's with the stock springs and just find clearance by trimming the fenders.

[Toolegit86]

stock waggie sprigns d60 f/r spring over. on warn 37s