I contend that Jeep Wrangler purchasers often don’t keep their off-roaders for too long. You know, seemed like a good idea at the time but then the matter of the agrarian ride and general utilitarian nature settles in, and before you know it, it’s resale time. Of course, there are always exceptions, and this is one of those, as the seller tells us that this 1987 Wrangler has been in his family since it was new. It still looks good and that may invite an inquiry as to “Why sell now?” Well, let’s give this Jeep a review and see what we can uncover. Located in Napierville, Illinois, this Jeep finished in the, “insanely rare color ‘Mocha Dark Brown’” as the seller proclaims, is available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $13,500. Thanks are due to Kiwie49 for this tip!
Another contention that I have is that Facebook Marketplace isn’t the best sales medium for a car. “Why?” you ask, well the listings and this one is no exception, are always light on detail, and often miserly with the images too. What’s provided reveals a clean, sound body with “insanely rare Mocha Dark Brown” paint that is said to be original. Perhaps so, but I’m positive that I’ve been a lot of Wranglers from this generation in what I would consider to be this less-than-optimal hue. Then again, maybe that’s why it could be considered rare – it just wasn’t a popular color. I don’t know, and it doesn’t matter, and the paint job, insanely rare or not, is not going to be a value enhancer for this Laredo-trimmed Jeep. The entire package shows quite well, despite its 96K recorded miles, and that’s good enough.
“So, what powers this Jeep?” I was afraid that you would ask that question and the answer is, “I don’t know.” The listing/seller is silent and includes no image so research tells us that it’s gonna be either the standard 2.5 liter, in-line four-cylinder engine, or the new for ’87 “Power-Tech”, 173 net HP, 4.0 liter in-line six. I know that it has a five-speed manual gearbox but can’t tell you a blessed thing about how the entire package motivates.
I thought the front seats looked wrong, in a good way, and we are told that they are new, having been purchased two years ago. Considering that they are head restraint-less, that would mean that it’s the seats, in their entirety, that are new, not just the upholstery. They look great and actually stand out a bit from the rest of that utilitarian and somewhat aged interior environment.
There you have it; oh, and that question that I posited at first, the why is it being sold now, after a 37-year family residency? Search me fish, that tidbit is not disclosed. Sure, this Wrangler seems like a sound example, one that has been well cared for, lo these many years. But for me, I’d look for one that isn’t painted in that insanely rare color ‘Mocha Dark Brown’, how about you?
“Welcome- can I get a drink started for you?”
“Hi, I’ll have an ultra grande Insanely Rare Mocha Dark Brown, with an extra shot, a splash of Yak milk, no whip and peppermint sprinkles.”
“That will be $27.50. Please pull forward to the window.”
Being that it so cheap, it probably has the 2.5 in it. A gutless suburban crawler.
Watch out. I think Howard has a Gutless suburban crawler!
Ha! See below,, :)
$13,500 for that is cheap?
I seem to remember a lot of these in this color, but I did not pay much attention to the year. Maybe it is super rare with this engine and tranny combo.
Super rare whiplash edition
Old buddy had a 2.5L YJ w the autoloader if I recall. Need Howard or someone to confirm that combo was available. It was a great little small mountain town runabout. ❄️ 🏔 ⛷️
1994 was the 1st automatic YJ with a 4 cylinder.
The limited description and pictures do this Wrangler no favors. Have to wonder whether it’s actually a Laredo trim (according to the seller) versus a Base level—no chrome grille, no chrome front bumper with extensions, no leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the glimpse of the rear seat looks more like the Base Denim Vinyl rather than the Laredo’s Buffalo Grain Vinyl.
The replacement front seats are unfortunate and would be more appropriate for a mid-seventies CJ5–definitely out of place for a Wrangler. The full roll bar padding is missing. Likewise, the carpet (which would have been standard on a Laredo trim), or it was never there in the first place. The black paint on the floor of the tub implies there was a rust issue and/or the original paint got scuffed and scraped pretty heavily (if no original factory carpet). No pictures of the under-carriage should prompt an in-person inspection.
With the manual transmission, this could be either the base 2.5-liter I4, or the optional 4.2-liter I6. (The three-speed automatic was not available with the four-cylinder in model year ‘87.) The fuel-injected Power Tech 4.0-liter I6 did not replace the 4.2-liter I6 until 1991.
And, JO is right: Mocha Brown Metallic is not one of the more flattering colors that year, and it is not “insanely rare.” As one who is the original owner of an ‘87 Wrangler, this could be a nice example to start with, but more information is needed for that asking price (now showing $12,500).
Note the attached, the 4.0 “Power-Tech” option was first made available in ’87. You’re thinking of the H.O. version (190 HP) which was introduced in ’91.
JO
You’re both correct. The 4.0 first appeared for 1987, but it wasn’t used in the Wrangler until 1991.
Yeah, you’re right, I just read the small(er) print in the ad.
JO
Even up here in Canada where the sales numbers for these are but a fraction of the U.S. i’ve seen many square eyed Jeeps in this colour,maybe it’s rare on his block?
Well, going to have to disagree with the author on this one, particularly the ownership part. I think next to Subie owners, Jeep owners are still some of the most loyal, and the YJ set that all in motion. The YJ addressed all the issues of the old CJ. Mine rides like a car. Yes, it’s true, “Power-Tech”,,whoo, sounds, um, powerful, and technical,nice try on the Madison Ave. schtick, and is underpowered, and no automatic with the 4 cylinder, but in a highway setting ( with no hills) it will hold 60, and gets maybe low 20s, and that’s pretty good for something shaped like a box. Most, if not all early YJs had a 4 cylinder. This does have some options, like tilt wheel, and may have a 6. Obviously, the seller probably couldn’t open the hood. We have to remember, 1987, gas mileage was the hot button, the US was struggling to match the Asians, and the only way was a 4 cylinder. It truly holds back sales today, and no way will they get 5 figures. If they do, mine is definitely for sale. I happen to like the color and a hardtop is paramount. Living in climates that these inhabit, I wouldn’t want a Jeep without one.
I love my Jeep, a little rough around the edges, but it’s a Jeep, not a Lambo or a Firebird, an in true Jeep form, if I have to explain, you wouldn’t understand. Another in the seemingly never ending saga, dads vehicle that the kids don’t want.
I like the Jeeps but I’ve only owned one brown vehicle and will keep it that way. Nice ride here but it’s brown.
I had a friend years ago that bought a brand new ( I think it was a 90) base model 4 cyl stick shift model. It was always fun to drive, you never saw any of us driving rhe thing with a frown on our face I can assure you. It was perfect for running local. I do not remember taking it on any highways but back then we still had the “Double Nickel” speed limit. So like Howard said 60 was good enough. If you dont go nuts with huge oversize tires ( keep it a stock size) they did just fine. With 4 guys aboard we never had any problems climbing any hills, I recall the gear ratios on the 5 speed worked out great.
As for the brown. When I first saw the opening picture, if it weren’t for the square headlights and the newer style rims, I would’ve thought it was a 1980 model because of the colors and decal package colors. But you have to remember, 1987 was not that far off from when Brown was a hugely popular color. Stop and think about it, its actually a great color for a Jeep. I mean, dirt is brown, it would blend right in. I saw the seats and wgile they are in good shape, they dont quite match the rest of the interior. But my concern is being rear ended with absolutely no head restraint protection. That to me is a major safety issue.
Good point on the headrests.
I’ve seen plenty of instances where headrest-equipped seats were recovered with headrest-less covers. The fabric just hides the hole. Just saying, because it doesn’t have headrests doesn’t mean the seats in question originally did not. That said, I bet these are headrest seats.
I like the color. I think it’s appropriate for a Jeep. I’m probably in the minority there.
The seats in this are completely wrong for the year. These were used on early model CJs. The seats in this year were shaped completely different with a high back design and no separate headrests.
The seats are absurd.
Give it up on the rare color BS.
Having a casual association with these I’ll say that this is a good looking YJ Wrangler regardless of the engine. The six will be most everyone’s pick but the four carried these around just fine with a 4.10 gear and stick shift. The four shifts at around 3000 where you can upshift the six around 2000. Freeway driving will have the 2.5 in the kitchen but not beyond its ability. I believe David E Davis Jr even recommended the four for its all around driveablity. Now after all that praise, the four cylinder automatic combo is a slow noisy ride.
Am I the only one who thinks brown is a nice color, especially with a little metal flake to give it a “root beer” appearance? Though this Jeep looks good, the only way I’d pay 13 large plus change for this would be if it had the 4-liter, which wasn’t offered in that year anyway.