1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ Restoration Project

Just after college I made my first major life purchase: A brand new soft top 1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ (YJ...hmm? "Yuppy Jeep"??). The purchase price was roughly equivalent to my annual take home pay at that time (see window sticker below). Finding a YJ with a 4.0 L AMC straight-6 engine and an AX15 transmission was not an easy task at the time due to high demand and limited supply. The YJ was nearing the end of its production run (Note: YJ production ended in 1995. There are no 1996 Wranglers.) and most of the 4.0 engines at the time were going into the more expensive Jeep Cherokee (XJ) line.

Sadly, life happens...family happens...and after eight+ years of abuse (OK....let's call it what it was: LOTS AND LOTS OF FUN!!!) the Wrangler feel into disarray and was no longer "road functional" (alternator, brakes, rust spots). The Jeep was put in the garage in 2005 pending a plan.

(Continued reading story below...)

1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ "as purchased new" specifications (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS)

  • Build Location: Toledo Assembly #2

  • Trim Level: SE

  • Color...

    • Exterior: Black

    • Interior: Charcoal

  • Dimensions...

    • Height: 1826 mm / 71.9 inches

    • Length: 3886 mm / 153 inches

    • Width: 1676 mm / 66 inches

    • Wheel Base: 2372 mm / 93.4 inches

    • Ground Clearance: 213 mm / 8.4 inches

    • Estimated curb weight: 1390 kg / 3060 lbs

  • Engine...

  • Transmission...

    • 5-Speed Manual: Aisin AX15 transmission

    • NP231 transfer case - 4x4: Part-time (Command-Trac NP231, rear permanent, front engaged manually in off-road conditions, shift-on-the-fly)

    • Rear Trac Lock Differential

    • Gears: I6 Standard - 3.07:1, 3.54:1 or 3.73:1 (NOTE: Need to verify with the tag on the axle or by pulling the differential cover and reading the numbers stamped in the ring gear or by counting revolutions of wheel versus driveshaft.)

  • Wheels...

    • Axle: Dana 44

    • Tires: P225/75RF OWL A/T (5)

      • Diameter: 28.3"

      • Width: 8.9"

      • Wheel: 15" x 6-7.5" (LT Tires 6-7")

      • Sidewall: 6.6"

      • Circumference : 88.8"

      • Revolutions per mile: 713 (Note that a 33" tire has 630 revolutions per mile ...+~12%)

    • Wheelbase: 2373 mm / 93.4 inches

    • Front/rear track: 1473 mm / 58 inches

    • Turning Circle: 32.9 feet

    • Axle ratio: 3.07

    • Stock Wheel Size: 15-16", Lug Pattern: 5 x 4.5", Stud Size: 1/2 x 20, Hub Center Bore: 71.5

  • Towing capacity: 907kg (2,000lbs)

  • Sport Package #25F

  • Accelerations: 0-60mph in 7.9 seconds

  • Fuel consumption and mileage: 17 mpg (U.S.)

1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ Soft-Top all versions specifications and performance data

VIN: 1J4FY29S3SP######

  1. Origin: United States (1)

  2. Make: Jeep (J)

  3. Vehicle Type: ??? (4)

  4. GVWR: 4001 to 5000 (F)

  5. Model Line: Wrangler (Y)

  6. Trim: Base (2)

  7. Body Style: 2 Door Open (9)

  8. Engine: 4.0L (S)

  9. *Manufacturer Assigned*: (3)

  10. Model Year: 1995 (S)

  11. Assembly Plant: Toledo, Ohio Plant #2 (P)

Sequential Serial Number (Last six digits of VIN): ######

Window Sticker - August 1996

1996 Photos...

(Continued from above...)

Fast forward from 2005 to 2020......
My young son

So what exactly is being done to this Jeep?

2020 Photos...

June 2020

2021 Photos...

Coming soon!

Parts (Click here for a list)

  1. Lift Kit: Rubicon Express 4" Standard Suspension System with Twin Tube Shocks (Quadratec Part #: 16300.303 / Rubicon Express Part #: RE5515)

  2. Shackles: https://www.crownautomotive.net/Heavy-Duty-Greasable-Shackle-Kit/RT21023.html / https://www.quadratec.com/products/56005_0009.htm

  3. Wheels: Fuel Wheels Anza Gun Metal Wheel; 15x8 (87-95 Jeep Wrangler YJ) - Item J118563-YJ

  4. Tires: TBD

  5. Smittybilt 7601 SMI Hood Catch Kit in Black for 42-95 Jeep CJ & Wrangler YJ - Quadratec Part #: 13004.0402 - Smittybilt Part #: 7601 SMI

  6. Noram Auto Body Parts 16130-R Passenger Side Replacement Steel Rocker Panel with Lower Cowl for 76-95 Jeep CJ-7 & Wrangler YJ - Quadratec Part #: 22522.02 - Noram Auto Body Parts Part #: 16130-R

  7. Noram Auto Body Parts 16130-L Drivers Side Replacement Steel Rocker Panel with Lower Cowl for 76-95 Jeep CJ-7 & Wrangler YJ - Quadratec Part #: 22522.01 - Noram Auto Body Parts Part #: 16130-L

  8. Hood: Smittybilt 7601 SMI Hood Catch Kit in Black for 42-95 Jeep CJ & Wrangler YJ - Quadratec Part #: 13004.0402 - Smittybilt Part #: 7601 SMI

  9. Driver Side Fender:

  10. Passenger Side Fender:

  11. Headlights: TBD

  12. Dash Lights: TBD

  13. Center Console: TBD

Useful information...



Wrangler body...


Wrangler YJ lift kit...


Wrangler YJ wheels and tires...


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Cool YouTube videos (click here)