- Seller: Armando M (Contact)
- Location: Camarillo, California
- Mileage: 130,000 Shown
- Chassis #: 1J4FA29P0YP791937
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 2.5-Liter 4-Cylinder
- Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
Around the time that this 2000 Jeep Wrangler was coming off the assembly line in Toledo, I was a young man in my early 20s with some very definite opinions about cars. While time has tempered that opinionated attitude to some extent, I’m not sure I was wrong in thinking that Jeep CJs, Wranglers, and Chevy Corvettes should all have manual transmissions. Of course, in 2025, you can’t even order a Corvette with a stick (but you can still get a V6 Wrangler with a six-speed), so times have certainly changed. You might want to save yourself tens of thousands of dollars, however, and just pick up this clean five-speed Wrangler. With 130,000 miles on it, it’s got plenty of life to go, and it still has that classic Jeep styling. It’s being offered as a Barn Finds Exclusive in Camarillo, California, with an asking price of $10,000.
Here’s the proof that our featured Wrangler has the right gearbox, a five-speed manual in this case, which backs up the standard 2.5-liter four cylinder. The Jeep four-cylinder was not based on the GM Iron Duke (a misconception based on the fact that Jeep did buy GM 2.8s in the ’80s for Cherokees), but rather it was loosely based on AMC’s 258. Many parts are not interchangeable, however, so it was basically a new engine when it was released for the 1984 model year. It carried on through 2002, and in our featured Wrangler, it produced 120 horsepower and 139 lb.-ft. of torque. The five speed transferred that power to a NV231 (New Venture vs. New Process, by the way…the name changed, but the case is the same) transfer case.
The interior looks like it’s in good shape for a 25-year-old Jeep. The Wrangler will come with a hardtop and full doors in addition to a bikini top and half doors; it’s like two Jeeps in one.
The rear seating area is also owner-configurable; it will come with the standard back seat, but it also has a locking storage “trunk” for when the top is off.
The owner has added a few upgrades, including the following:
- A 3.5-inch lift
- Red Dirt Road wheels and B/F Goodrich tires
- A Blue Ox tow bar and a Delta Force braking system (for trailers)
- Welded-in Tyger Step Rails
- A 9,500-pound winch mounted on a steel front bumper (and a steel rear bumper for towing)
As Jeeps become increasingly expensive, clean used Wranglers will seem like an increasingly attractive bargain. If you’ve been wanting a Jeep for a while or are looking for another one, make an offer!
Rugged looking setup. Ready for off road adventure.
Nice Jeep except,,( sound of tires screeching) WARNING: the 2.5 4 cylinder, I can’t believe was still being offered in 2000. It is rather inept in MY Jeep, I can only imagine in a newer, heavier Jeep. 130K, getting up there, for a 4 cylinder. They tend to be driven harder just to keep up. Before I bought mine, a chap had a YJ with a 2.5, had 324K on it. He had 120K on the replacement motor, so they will spin for a while, just not a lot of power.
Couple things, the 2.5, I was told, WAS the 258 with 2 cylinders chopped off, much like Dodges 3.9 V6, a 318 minus 2 cylinders(?). Anyway, I believe most 6cyl parts fit the 2.5. I got a new thermostat, and the gasket years said “AMC/Jeep 4/6 cylinder, 1964-1995”,,,that’s what I’m talkin’ about.
The real cheese here is the gas mileage, maybe 25 on a ( slow) highway, and maybe 15 city, but better than a 6, if that’s a concern. I’ve seen a lot of Jeeps, and this is a nice one, but I don’t think this Jeep ever saw too many off road adventures, down the 401 it went and probably to its merit. The TJ was again as improved over the YJ, just as the YJ was over the CJ, and the new owner will be as happy as I am, just be patient on those long uphill climbs, and might want to turn off the A/C,,,:).
Down here at my Caribbean beach house I have an unusual 2003 Wrangler..right hand drive, five speed, six cylinder.Its a Japanese export model with quite a few changes from the US version..extra red warning light, different position for rear license plate..kilometer speedo and lots of Japanese writing!! I’d be interested to hear some thoughts on” Black Bart” and its rarity as its the jrst Jeep I’ve owned.(BTW we drive on the left here so right hand drive is a nice plus)