Two observations regarding Jeep’s iconic Wrangler. First, they have incredible staying power, seeming to be consistently popular and maintaining a solid resale. The second? I’ve lost track of the number of people, including a family member, who have bought one, kept it for a short time, and then ditched it – it seems like a conundrum. Whatever the case, here’s one today, a 1988 example that hails from the first year of Chrysler ownership. It calls Aurora, Colorado home, is on its second owner, and is now looking to move on to new digs.
Our subject Jeep is a YJ model that replaced the venerable CJ and was introduced by American Motors Corp. (AMC) in 1986. The year 1987 saw Chrysler Corporation purchase AMC in about July of that year, and one of AMC’s last big developments, occurring that year, was the wear-like-iron, 4.0 liter in-line six cylinder engine. First used in the XJ Cherokee in ’87, the Wrangler chose to remain with the 112 net HP, 4.2 liter AMC six-cylinder engine that dated all the way back to 1971. The seller of this Wrangler states, “…it runs amazing. It has the 5 speed transmission and 4.2 straight 6 cylinder engine that just purrs. I had the original carburetor gone through and clean and it idles perfect with no stalling issues.” With 93K miles of use, and assuming regular maintenance, this 4X4 should have plenty of life to still offer.
Said to be finished in “hard-to-find salsa red,” the paint still looks good with maybe just a slight bit of fade. The listing mentions “a few surface bubbles on the windshield/cowl frame, but it’s very minor.” The removable hardtop is said to be in great shape, and the floors and underside show as being corrosion-free. The listing images are extensive, and I would suggest that this Jeep needs nothing.
Moving inside, we find a gray fabric upholstery environment that is neat and clean while showing no objective evidence of wear – especially that induced by off-roadin’ mud-slinging kind of wear. We’re told the floor mats are original, though the radio isn’t, but all of the dash gauges, including the clock, are in proper working order, though the fuel gauge “has a mind of its own.” One interesting observation is the rear window sticker, after 36 years, it’s still in place, advertising the Jeep sponsored 1988 Olympics.
Originality and proper care appear to be the watchwords for this Wrangler. It has withstood the test of time and appears poised for more adventure. If you’re queasy about laying out the big bucks for a newer Wrangler, this 1988 edition may be the perfect salve. It’s available here on eBay for a no-reserve bid of $8,025, with twenty-one bids tendered so far. Be sure to review the listing; it contains lots of pictures.
P.S. The spare tire cover is not included in the sale!
Maybe only 112HP, but the 210’# of torque was a big factor..
hey Howard, is this one of the Jeeps you wrote about earlier for under $10,000 in your “backyard” so to speak?
Never did care for the square headlights, but that’s just about as nitpickin’ as it gets.
Nice article in the Hemmings E-mail this morning about the YJ.
Hmmm….had not heard of “salsa red” for an ‘88 Wrangler (perhaps a late introduction?). My recollection is that Colorado Red and Vivid Red were the red shades offered that year. Also, the “Wrangler” trim badges (later changed to decals under Chrysler ownership) are missing from the trailing edge of the body tub.
The Trailcloth seats and door map pockets would seem to indicate a Laredo trim, yet there’s no chrome grille or leather-wrapped steering wheel. A very nice YJ, but a few details that may be contradictory.
Howard this could be a mate to your trusty 2.5 AMC Jeep 🚙
Thanks all, ( here we go again), I suppose it’s nice to be known for something. The Marketplace for Jeeps I mentioned was just for CJs, I didn’t even try YJ or beyond. Don’t have to, my message is pretty clear, Colorado=Jeeps, not Bugtussle, Indiana. SEE? I’m not full of it( a bit of low esteem thanks to some) and Ouray IS the Jeep capital. The tire cover says so. It’s about 170 miles from me, but would have to cross Monarch Pass,( 9 miles up) that my 4 cylinder hates, but could be done.( right lane with flashers on as that RAM dually rides my rear all the way) Maybe camp out halfway and hit the summit in the morning,,,kidding, my biggest regret is the 4 cylinder, but too late now, and gets me to Walmart in any weather, is good enough.
I can, and have listed the many accolades of the YJ over the CJ, practically an entirely different vehicle, yet still holding true to it’s 4wd, 7 slot grill, and okay, the headlights are always the elephant in the room, dubbed the “Wrongler”, I happen to like the headlights, and immediately sets it apart from the round ones. I always get a “Jeep wave” from CJ/YJ drivers, others, not so much, if ever.
In case some may wonder what I meant by buying a snowblower in Florida on the CJ post, I meant, if you want a snowblower, don’t go to Florida, up north are piles of them. Same with Jeeps. You want a Jeep, naturally a clean CJ from the salt belt is going to be a rare thing. Jeeps in Colorado are plentiful, and I’d say this is about top dollar for one. The gas gauge is a bad ground, and remember, Jeep means, “just expect every problem”, and I realize that’s bad karma to say that, but I can say, so far, aside from “fuel pump failure paranoia syndrome”, or “fpfps”, something I never had to worry about with the old Jimmy pickup, and nowhere near as nice, but I paid half of what they want, and I’m very happy with it. It will probably be the last vehicle I will own.
Oh, just one more thing( Columbo), I didn’t go for that Jeep ride after the CJ post as intended, hemorrhoids are clearly the original PITA.( I know, too much info) I’ve found when young and working, never a thought was given, but in old age, seems one malady to the next. I don’t think I could work if I had to. Maybe today, feeling a bit better, as it looks to be a soggy weekend and back in the hills, when it rains, the roads, if you can call them that, immediately turn into grease, and actually no fun at all. Peace all, if you make it to old age, have fun with that.
Here I thought the Jeep Capital was Toledo Ohio.
Regarding the comment about folks buying these, driving them for a short period of time, then selling them…I bought a ’92 in 2011, drove it all over the Colorado mountains (yes, over Monarch) including back country dirt roads and trails, then sold it after 2 years. Realized I was just tolerating it, maybe because it was supposed to be cool. Never let me down and easy to work on but, as someone said “like being strapped to a paint shaker”. When I sold it the response to the ad was a mile long.
Realized I just didn’t like it…maybe other short termers feel the same. No quarrel or disrespect for anyone who likes them. My current older F250 does the same job much better.
These were called just YJ’s here in Canada because GM of Canada had a trim package for pickups called Wrangler. I would hear older Jeep owners say YJ stood for Yuppie Jeep
Count me in the group that bought one and kept in for a short period of time (7 years to be exact)….I bought a brand new one in 1998 w/ 5 speed 4 cylinder , soft top to take advantage of the fun and sun in South Florida….But it wore out it’s welcome… after a few years. With a soft top, you can’t keep anything valuable in it, and the sad gas milledge and pounding sound from the wind driving down the highway made it hard to stick with…But it was fun!
In response to folks who quickly flip them – I don’t think they have an idea of what they really want in a vehicle before they buy them. If you want a very simple analog driving experience, 4×4, classic looks, and a vintage driving experience with no BS found in all the newer cars, these are for you. I’ll never get rid of mine.
To the comment above regarding paint shaker – mine was similar when I bought it – but replacing the worn out bushings and then adding Bilstein B6 shocks – all stock – WOW! What a difference. Drives great – can drink a coffee even over bumps, and it actually handles really well. I actually find taking mine through the twisties a real hoot!
As a daily driver though – nope. But not much brings a smile to my face like taking my YJ for a drive. Nice to just disconnect.
Thank you, finally a voice of reason. Like for some, the Jeep is a novelty, and the saying, “It’s a Jeep thing, if I have to explain, you wouldn’t understand”, and has a ton of merit. If you want an AWD that has all the accolades of a Lincoln, then by all means, go with the Highlander. Jeeps have a different calling, and loses considerable in translation to a Highlander. Neighbor had one, nice, um, car, but just didn’t have the zing of a Jeep. People buy older Jeeps for all the wrong reasons, then are disappointed when they actually get one. Human behavior is funny that way.
Exactly. I remember wanting a Jeep from the time I was a kid. Was almost forty when I finally justified the idea. Taking a soft approach I asked to drive one as a demonstrator. No commitment just in case I didn’t love the vehicle. They are a blast. “Mine” were all TJs, twelve in all over the course of five years. All configurations. The most perfect imperfect vehicle, a true compromise. Taking passengers?Leave your stuff at home. Carrying cargo? No companions. What changed my perspective? It was impossible to drive my parents around in it. Sometimes you have to be a grown up. I bought a Caravan.
Have 91 and 94 YJs 4.0 autos,250k on both , not for sale, also my 01 60th anniversary XJ gonna hit 370k in a couple more trips to work..
any with the i6 (esp 258) are good to me, but I’d just buy the CJ8 (scrambler).