The Jeep products of the 1990s are among some of the most iconic models the company has ever produced. From the Wrangler to the Wagoneer, Jeep was seemingly firing on all cylinders with its lineup. The YJ-series Wrangler was also looking like a home run for the company, with strong sales, a proven drivetrain under the hood, and loads of high-visibility placements in movies and television shows. Put simply, it was hard to turn around without bumping into a YJ product placement. This clean Islander edition listed here on eBay retains its iconic graphics and features the preferred 5-speed and has bids to just under $9,000.
The YJ combined a few things that many Jeep fans still covet today: square headlights, a gutsy 4.0L inline-six, and killer period graphics. The Islander was just a dress-up kit for the most part, but you could opt for things like a larger fuel tank. Overall, this was your typical special edition model that was simply an appearance package, but as far as decal kits go, this one was pretty great. The Islander graphics still present well on this Jeep, with the iconic sunset and stripes still visible on the hood, doors, and rear tail section. This Jeep also sports clean chrome trim and no apparent rust.
The reason for the clean condition is due to this Jeep residing in New Mexico and Colorado for most of its life, and being towed behind a motorhome for much of that time (which also explains the low miles). The interior is in mint condition, and the presence of a manual transmission isn’t necessarily a guarantee in a Wrangler like this, so that’s an added bonus. As you might expect, the years behind the RV did some paint damage, so the seller has performed some spot paint corrections to address rock chips. The seller notes that there is no A/C in this Jeep.
The 4.0L became standard in 1990, so this Wrangler comes with a healthy 190 horsepower inline-six engine. While displacement fans will point out that the earlier models got a larger 4.2, the later engine really is a legend in its own right. The seller notes that recent servicing includes “…new shocks, oil flush and fuel injection service,” and really, what else will a low mileage truck like this need? The Islander is a smart buy, in my opinion, for a truck that will appreciate nicely and be a welcome attendee at any car show of your choice. When’s the last time you saw a clean Islander edition?
Just when I’m feeling lower than kelp roots, and then a long comes BarnFinds, just to be crystal clear, the similarities between this and mine are few, but a shot in the arm is a shot in the arm.
The “Wrongler”, so named because of its headlights, gets a lot of attention. Any “specialty” edition will command a higher price, and this one is worth $10gs, but not a heck of a lot more. It’s not like they are rare, and an internet search brings up hundreds. Like this? Well, okay, not like this, more like mine, the “used” kind. To be clear, this vehicle sat inside somewhere, and probably never saw a flake, I’ve recently thought of selling mine, or a trade, maybe a vintage Z1 to ride off into the sunset? They don’t get much nicer than this.
Waaaaaait a minute, I thought this looked familiar. A couple years back, this Jeep, or one exactly like it, was from my little town. The “Islander” is not very common, and the Colorado license and I think it had a $15,000 price tag. If that’s true, someone taking a bath here.
Yeah, I think this jeep has been for sale several times in my area in the last few years. Doesn’t make it a bad purchase, just that it gets around! Tons of yj’s, not many Islanders in Colorado. I had a basic ’92 yj….as the saying goes, like being strapped to a paint shaker.
This should be the “Official Vehicle” of Provincetown or Key West.
There’s only one real Jeep, well two.
A straight 6, or a bent 8.
Had an XJ with the straight 6, best 4WD I’ve ever owned. Gave it to my son, doh, lol.
Buddy had a YJ w the 2.5L mill. Was an excellent vehicle.
Mine is a 2.5, and while I would have preferred the 6, the 4 does okay, ( crossing fingers) on the flats, and can get 20mpg to boot. Not bad for a “brick”. When looking for mine, I talked to a guy that had a YJ, 4 cylinder, he had an amazing 325,000 miles on it, 120K on the replacement motor. I realize my results may vary, but many parts are interchangable with the 6, for example, the thermostat and gasket for applications said, Rambler/AMC 4 or 6, 1967- 1995,,,that’s what I’m talking about,, :)
91 first year for 4.0 HO I have one, was Blue Islander ,OD green now..
I owned a 92 Wrangler Sahara edition. When I sold it the mileage was 53,000. That was about 2 years ago. It was shipped to France. We sold it for $20,000.
Anywhere there was road salt used? The local YJ’s featured lots of cool looking diamond plate, holding the bodies together.
Many a Wrangler is held together by the skid plate. Mine was a Co. vehicle its whole life, and still has rust in the usual places, like floor and frame, but not wasted. My nephew had a YJ in Wisconsin that broke in half.
Loved my ’90 YJ! last real Jeep era to me. 4 pedals on the floor and steel and vinyl everywhere