This thread is for the general discussion of the Item 1994 Jeep YJ - The YardJeep. Please add to the discussion here.
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
1994 Jeep YJ - The YardJeep
- Thread starter CyberSniper
- Start date
1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ 2.5L/AX5/NP231/HP30/D35
This was my Dad's 1994 YJ. He daily drove it to work for about five years. He retired in 2009 and it has been parked since 2011. After many attempts to get him to resurrect it from "storage" I told him I wanted it and would give him money for it so he could get an automatic TJ. His knee is really bad so driving a manual is pretty miserable.
They bought a 2003 TJ Sahara for my Mom as she just retired... and I shipped him a ton of new parts for it... told him to get the YJ out and find all the parts I'd bought for it over the years that he never put on. He couldn't find most of them except the SYE kit and rear drums (that I don't want). I made him keep the hardtop and doors for it because I don't think I want them. haha.
My goal for this Jeep is to replace my lifted golf cart I use in the yard mostly. Sometimes I drive it to town, and now the cops are starting to be assholes about parking golf carts in town (but still letting people ride Banshees without helmets?). Anyway, the lifted golf cart is fine but it still gets stuck in the yard sometimes and the boss lady doesn't like riding on it in the winter into town. So... the YardJeep is born. Goal is something tiny, light, and easy to use.
First thing was to get it home and see if it ran.
I had to air up the tires so there was air in them to get it to roll off the trailer. Safety second!
I found out it had a tenant I had to get rid of.
My Dad said he had it running last year... I'm going to go with typical retired person problem of not remembering when he last had it running. I'll say he must have had it running in the last few years because the battery had a date on it when he last charged it specifically and that was 2021. Otherwise it sat with a solar charger on it. The fuel sender had the ground stud rotted off it and the return line had rotted through.
First thing I built for it was a new exhaust hanger. I had Chrysler shit so I switched it over to GM style.
Nice thing about YJs is that they made them for so long and they're still in service all over the world so parts are cheap if they're not easily fabricated. New gas tank hanger/skid was $80, new straps were $25, and new fuel sending unit/pump was $50. I think I paid $12 for the new filler and vent hose.
Ran the fuel pump, pisses gas all over the ground. Took a lot to get the fuel filter shield off, find a hole in the side of the fuel filter.
Get that replaced, and it runs. Has a tiny exhaust leak in the muffler that seemed to have sealed with rust flake as it ran. I was too scared to press in the clutch because I noticed mouse nest bits dangling from the inspection cover. Plus there is no way I was going to press the brake pedal on something that hadn't had the brakes used in 13 years.
View attachment ItRuns_20240308.mp4
They bought a 2003 TJ Sahara for my Mom as she just retired... and I shipped him a ton of new parts for it... told him to get the YJ out and find all the parts I'd bought for it over the years that he never put on. He couldn't find most of them except the SYE kit and rear drums (that I don't want). I made him keep the hardtop and doors for it because I don't think I want them. haha.
My goal for this Jeep is to replace my lifted golf cart I use in the yard mostly. Sometimes I drive it to town, and now the cops are starting to be assholes about parking golf carts in town (but still letting people ride Banshees without helmets?). Anyway, the lifted golf cart is fine but it still gets stuck in the yard sometimes and the boss lady doesn't like riding on it in the winter into town. So... the YardJeep is born. Goal is something tiny, light, and easy to use.
First thing was to get it home and see if it ran.
I had to air up the tires so there was air in them to get it to roll off the trailer. Safety second!
I found out it had a tenant I had to get rid of.
My Dad said he had it running last year... I'm going to go with typical retired person problem of not remembering when he last had it running. I'll say he must have had it running in the last few years because the battery had a date on it when he last charged it specifically and that was 2021. Otherwise it sat with a solar charger on it. The fuel sender had the ground stud rotted off it and the return line had rotted through.
First thing I built for it was a new exhaust hanger. I had Chrysler shit so I switched it over to GM style.
Nice thing about YJs is that they made them for so long and they're still in service all over the world so parts are cheap if they're not easily fabricated. New gas tank hanger/skid was $80, new straps were $25, and new fuel sending unit/pump was $50. I think I paid $12 for the new filler and vent hose.
Ran the fuel pump, pisses gas all over the ground. Took a lot to get the fuel filter shield off, find a hole in the side of the fuel filter.
Get that replaced, and it runs. Has a tiny exhaust leak in the muffler that seemed to have sealed with rust flake as it ran. I was too scared to press in the clutch because I noticed mouse nest bits dangling from the inspection cover. Plus there is no way I was going to press the brake pedal on something that hadn't had the brakes used in 13 years.
View attachment ItRuns_20240308.mp4
So, now that I knew it ran, I had to decide how much I was going to spend on it. Goal is to replace the golfcart with it, and have something if we wanted to someone could drive around town.
Well, it needs new tires as per the tire thread I already bugged you guys with. The two "new" 31x10.50r15 BFG ATs are from 2009, I bought them for him when he ruined a tire on a trail just before he retired. The other one became the spare, but they are all from 2007. The wheels are tired from being put away with salt on them. It's amazing what salt does to things.
It has the tiny 260 joints in the front, and the center axle disconnect was temperamental when my Dad parked it. So I figured it needed new shafts but wasn't certain until I found one seized.
Springs are tired, one of the shocks is going to leak the first time it cycles because the shaft is all pitted.
The boss said I could spend on it whatever was in reason that if we sold it we wouldn't lose much money on it. It is my "fun" project since I haven't had one in a very long time.
Well, it needs new tires as per the tire thread I already bugged you guys with. The two "new" 31x10.50r15 BFG ATs are from 2009, I bought them for him when he ruined a tire on a trail just before he retired. The other one became the spare, but they are all from 2007. The wheels are tired from being put away with salt on them. It's amazing what salt does to things.
It has the tiny 260 joints in the front, and the center axle disconnect was temperamental when my Dad parked it. So I figured it needed new shafts but wasn't certain until I found one seized.
Springs are tired, one of the shocks is going to leak the first time it cycles because the shaft is all pitted.
The boss said I could spend on it whatever was in reason that if we sold it we wouldn't lose much money on it. It is my "fun" project since I haven't had one in a very long time.
So, I started inspecting it back when I replaced the fuel system and did a lot of wire brushing/scraping/brake cleaning/painting. I noticed it needs the center six body mount bushings so I bought a whole set. Promptly broke one bolt and lost the threads on two others.
The stupid battery retention system pissed me off so I bought a GM battery tray to mate with the factory one. Two new threaded plug differential covers and the new rear calipers freshly painted.
The stupid battery retention system pissed me off so I bought a GM battery tray to mate with the factory one. Two new threaded plug differential covers and the new rear calipers freshly painted.
So far I bought all new brakes front and rear (calipers, Powerstop Z36 pads, backing plates for the rear, etc).
Since I was going to be in the axles anyway (front for shafts, rear for brakes), it kind of spiraled out of control.
I forgot how wittle Jeep parts are. I'm used to dealing with at least 10bolt stuff if not 60 stuff.
4340 TJ shafts, 4.88 cogs, Zip locker for the front (it already has electric onboard air), LockRight for the rear.
I couldn't find my dial indicator gauge or case spreader so I bought new Chinesium ones.
The problem now is... that I'm old. I think it'd be easier to do gears with the axles out of the vehicle. The Ubolts won't survive removal. So there is $80. The next problem is that if I'm going to go through that effort (it's spring under) it's only one more bolt to pull the leaf springs out. So might as well replace the springs. If I'm doing springs, the tired shocks need to be done also.
But I'm torn on springs. I can get a cheap Rough Country kit for $500. Everyone else is north of $1000.
Since I was going to be in the axles anyway (front for shafts, rear for brakes), it kind of spiraled out of control.
I forgot how wittle Jeep parts are. I'm used to dealing with at least 10bolt stuff if not 60 stuff.
4340 TJ shafts, 4.88 cogs, Zip locker for the front (it already has electric onboard air), LockRight for the rear.
I couldn't find my dial indicator gauge or case spreader so I bought new Chinesium ones.
The problem now is... that I'm old. I think it'd be easier to do gears with the axles out of the vehicle. The Ubolts won't survive removal. So there is $80. The next problem is that if I'm going to go through that effort (it's spring under) it's only one more bolt to pull the leaf springs out. So might as well replace the springs. If I'm doing springs, the tired shocks need to be done also.
But I'm torn on springs. I can get a cheap Rough Country kit for $500. Everyone else is north of $1000.
For a "yard" jeep it's getting some serious axle parts. Wondering about your yard lol
If no lift I agree remove axles,
Then sure MAW those parts make it safe
If no lift I agree remove axles,
Then sure MAW those parts make it safe
how much lift are you thinking about?
Yukon Zip Locker for Model 35 with 30 spline axles, 3.54 & up
* Fits AMC Model 35 with 30 spline axles * 3.54 and up ratio only * Forged case and 8620 internals for added strength * Works with a variety of air delivery systems * Assembled in the USA The Y
eastcoastgearsupply.com
now you could match the front
I have a couple dozen acres of heavily wooded yard that is very moist most of the time as the "low" areas the water table is maybe 8" below the surface. I have a year-round creek and a 1.5 acre pond. Anything too heavy gets stuck most of the time. My Bolens 2wd garden tractor with trencher tires is about the limit. My mud truck in my avatar gets around fine but it's WAY bigger than my trails.
The YJ has a 4" lift on it now. I don't want to go any taller, would actually prefer less. I mostly think I want to put 33s on it so I can keep it fairly narrow so I don't have to make my trails too much wider (right now they're 66" wide).
From the below I can get the 285x70r17 for $1550 and the 315x70r17 for $3k locally.
I don't really need the beadlock wheels, but they do look pretty sweet... he has the 33" tires on the beadlock wheels for like $2600.
The YJ has a 4" lift on it now. I don't want to go any taller, would actually prefer less. I mostly think I want to put 33s on it so I can keep it fairly narrow so I don't have to make my trails too much wider (right now they're 66" wide).
From the below I can get the 285x70r17 for $1550 and the 315x70r17 for $3k locally.
I don't really need the beadlock wheels, but they do look pretty sweet... he has the 33" tires on the beadlock wheels for like $2600.
you probably already know this but the JK and JL pattern is 5x5 while your YJ (and TJ) pattern is 5x4.5; so you will have to get spacers which will widen your track slightly
I had considered it, but no one seems to have a deal on Dana 35 Zip lockers and with that one I'd need shafts. Main reason I wanted to keep the D35 is because it's so light. Not like a 100nothin' hp 2.5L is going to break one.
Yeah, they make 1" Chinesium wheel adapters which is what I need at a minimum to move the wheel back out over the balljoints because the JK and JL wheels have so much offset.
Don't know how big a lift you're looking at...these are just the springs. I think I'd use these before ranchos...
bds-suspension.com
Shop High-Performance Leaf Springs
Shop durable, premium-grade leaf springs for trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Engineered for strength, lift, and ride comfort. Free shipping on orders over $750
bds-suspension.com
I worked on a girl's TJ over the summer that her pinion bearing left the chat. she bought JK wheels and tires for it without knowing they weren't the same pattern and I bought some adapters off eBay or Amazon for it. I used 1.5" to clear her studs.
Zone Offroad 2" Lift Front/Rear Leaf Spring Each for Wrangler YJ ZONJ0200 | eBay
Zone 2in Leaf Spring This 4-leaf pack features anti-friction pads and center leaf spacer plates between each leaf to significantly decrease internal friction. The spring is designed to give 2" of lift for the front or rear of your YJ. Sold individually, bushings sold separately. 4-leaf design...
www.ebay.com
how about these springs? you could basically build your lift with these, greasable bushings, new heavy duty shackles, and then you could get good shocks to go with it
Anyone try the Zone Offroad stuff? I assume it's mostly just lower rent BDS stuff still?
BDS fix their bent leaf problem? I used to use BDS (another murder mitten company) until I kept bending them years ago and started buying Tuff Country springs. I'd buy Tuff Country but they don't make 4" lift YJ springs anymore.
BDS fix their bent leaf problem? I used to use BDS (another murder mitten company) until I kept bending them years ago and started buying Tuff Country springs. I'd buy Tuff Country but they don't make 4" lift YJ springs anymore.
are you wanting 2" or 4"?
tuffcountry.com
sorry to be bothering you so much. I am building my YJ vicariously through you LOL
Tuff Country 42800K 2
Buy this Tuff Country 42800K 2" Lift Kit EZ-Ride with No Shocks for Jeep Wrangler YJ 1987-1996 at Tuff Country. The #1 Suspension brand in the world.
tuffcountry.com
sorry to be bothering you so much. I am building my YJ vicariously through you LOL
No bother! I have been out of the offroading scene for a long time and am not familiar with what makes sense these days.
I'd like to stay in the 3-4.5" range. I want enough to fit 33s without cutting the front behind the tire but I guess I'm not that picky. The rear I'm fine with buying Metalcloak cutouts if necessary but I'd mostly just want to keep the inside wheel liner.
Looks like 3.5" BDS springs are available in piecemeal fashion for around $130 each plus bushings. Looks like Rubicon Express 4.5" is around $100 plus bushings. Zone Offroad 4" is around $80 plus bushings. Seems like they're all different lengths from each other though, which is why I ended up with the springs that are on it right now. Trying to keep the geometry right is a PITA. I don't want longer shackles. Seems like I need to do some research.
I'd like to stay in the 3-4.5" range. I want enough to fit 33s without cutting the front behind the tire but I guess I'm not that picky. The rear I'm fine with buying Metalcloak cutouts if necessary but I'd mostly just want to keep the inside wheel liner.
Looks like 3.5" BDS springs are available in piecemeal fashion for around $130 each plus bushings. Looks like Rubicon Express 4.5" is around $100 plus bushings. Zone Offroad 4" is around $80 plus bushings. Seems like they're all different lengths from each other though, which is why I ended up with the springs that are on it right now. Trying to keep the geometry right is a PITA. I don't want longer shackles. Seems like I need to do some research.
I had another YJ years ago with Rubicon Express 4.5" springs. it did real good
I like it. How were the RE springs on the road? This thing is mostly going to be a YardJeep and a Rubicant Xtreme Recon Mall Crawler.
I think I'm going to end up with Zone Offroad 4" springs. I bought some Rubicon Express U-bolt kits. You guys convinced me to piece the suspension together since I don't really need a kit. Need to figure out which 1.5" spring bushings they take without overpaying for them.
I think I'm going to end up with Zone Offroad 4" springs. I bought some Rubicon Express U-bolt kits. You guys convinced me to piece the suspension together since I don't really need a kit. Need to figure out which 1.5" spring bushings they take without overpaying for them.
