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...
- AMC 242 I6 4.0L I-6 MPi Engine (Inline) - Multi-Port Injection - 180 hp @ 4750RPM
- Torque: 220 lb.-ft. @ 4,000RPM
- Displacement: 3956 cm3 / 240.7 cubic inches
- Compression Ratio: 8.8:1
- Bore x Stroke: 99.0mm x 87.0mm (3.90" x 3.43")
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######

Origin: United States (1)
Make: Jeep (J)
Vehicle Type: ??? (4)
GVWR: 4001 to 5000 (F)
Model Line: Wrangler (Y)
Trim: Base (2)
Body Style: 2 Door Open (9)
Engine: 4.0L (S)
*Manufacturer Assigned*: (3)
Model Year: 1995 (S)
Assembly Plant: Toledo, Ohio Plant #2 (P)

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

Window Sticker - August 1996

Driving This 1995 Jeep Wrangler Is ‘Like High-Fiving Somebody’ - Wall Street Journal

John Cena’s First Vehicle: 1989 Jeep Wrangler

1996 Photos...

(Continued from above...)

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

So what exactly is being done to this Jeep?

Repaired the body...
- Replaced the fenders - Fender - Front, Passenger Side / Fender - Front, Driver Side
- Repaired the bottom side of tub: Noram Auto Body Parts 16130-R Passenger Side Replacement Steel Rocker Panel with Lower Cowl for 76-95 Jeep CJ-7 & Wrangler YJ and Noram Auto Body Parts 16130-L Drivers Side Replacement Steel Rocker Panel with Lower Cowl for 76-95 Jeep CJ-7 & Wrangler YJ.
- Repaired drivers side floor: TBD
- Rocker Guards: Barricade Rocker Guards with Step (J100299)
- Hood Catch Kit in Black - Smittybilt 7601 SMI Hood Catch Kit in Black
Replaced the stock bumpers...
- Front Bumper - Barricade Adventure HD Front Bumper with D-Rings
- Rear Bumper - Barricade Classic Rear Bumper with Tire Carrier
Added a lift kit - Rubicon Express 4.0” YJ Standard Leaf Spring Kit (Quadratec Part #: 16300.303 / Rubicon Express Part #: RE5515) - Instructions
Added new shackles - TBD
https://youtu.be/Au6367cMl9I
Replaced the brake lines - OPR Stainless Steel Brake Line Kit (1995 2.5L Jeep Wrangler YJ w/ Power Disc Brakes w/o ABS) (J110276)
Wheels/Tires: TBD
Lighting: TBD

2020 Photos...

June 2020

2021 Photos...

Coming soon!

Parts (Click here for a list)

Lift Kit: Rubicon Express 4" Standard Suspension System with Twin Tube Shocks (Quadratec Part #: 16300.303 / Rubicon Express Part #: RE5515)
Shackles: https://www.crownautomotive.net/Heavy-Duty-Greasable-Shackle-Kit/RT21023.html / https://www.quadratec.com/products/56005_0009.htm
Wheels: Fuel Wheels Anza Gun Metal Wheel; 15x8 (87-95 Jeep Wrangler YJ) - Item J118563-YJ
Tires: TBD
Smittybilt 7601 SMI Hood Catch Kit in Black for 42-95 Jeep CJ & Wrangler YJ - Quadratec Part #: 13004.0402 - Smittybilt Part #: 7601 SMI
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
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
Hood: Smittybilt 7601 SMI Hood Catch Kit in Black for 42-95 Jeep CJ & Wrangler YJ - Quadratec Part #: 13004.0402 - Smittybilt Part #: 7601 SMI
Driver Side Fender:
Passenger Side Fender:
Headlights: TBD
Dash Lights: TBD
Center Console: TBD

Useful information...

Wrangler body...

Wrangler YJ lift kit...

Wrangler YJ wheels and tires...

Dick Cepek Extreme Country 35X12.5R15L
https://www.extremeterrain.com/wrangler-jeep-aluminum-wheels-steel-wheels-explained.html
https://www.quadratec.com/c/blog/top-6-things-consider-when-choosing-jeep-wheels
https://www.cjponyparts.com/resources/wrangler-wheel-fitment
"With a leveling kit, you can actually run 35-inch tires if you’d like. But since this is a significant increase over the stock tire, there are other changes that may need to be made. Though it’s possible to find 35-inch tires that will fit a 15-inch wheel, it’s not recommended. You’ll end up with a lack of stability that will make road driving challenging and less enjoyable, even for a seasoned driver."
"For 35-inch tires and larger, upgrading your wheel size is recommended. A wheel with a 17-inch diameter will suit this size tire much better than a 15-inch wheel will."
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jeep-Wrangler-YJ-1987-1995-2-Lift-Heavy-Duty-Shackles-with-Greasable-Bolts/254191998060
https://viciousoffroad.com/
https://skullvibe.com/products/tactical-car-seat-organizer-v2

MORE

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COMBO DEPO Smoke Bumper Signal+Side Marker Lights For 1994-1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ

Cool YouTube videos (click here)

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