1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

new to me 89 yj

Discussion in 'Quitters' Club' started by Shoepick, Dec 21, 2011.

  1. Dec 21, 2011
    Shoepick

    Shoepick Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2010
    Messages:
    56
    I still got my 75 cj5 with no plans of getting rid of it but I recently bought a 89 yj I got a hard top full doors half doors bikini top and a brand new still in the box soft top with it. Its got the straight 6 and an automatic trans. There is not a fiber of carpet missing or a tear or dent anywhere on it and its still all factory even the ac works. I would like some opinions on liftkits and lockers for about 31 or 32 inch tires. Just gona be doing very moderate wheeling.
     
  2. Dec 22, 2011
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    I have an 88 YJ 4-banger, low miles, also great condition. It is underpowered on the highway, but very nimble on trails.

    I put in a 4" lift spring kit, and run 31x10.5 BFG AT tires.

    I am happy with the 31' tires, although they rub a little at full lock.

    If I was doing it again I'd use a bit less lift, maybe 2.5' or 3" - I don't think 4" was necessary. Not familiar with the six, but 4 cylinder has a very short rear driveshaft, and the 4" lift meant installing a Slip Yoke Eliminator and replacement shaft with a CV type U-Joint.
     
  3. Jan 18, 2012
    RandyMolson

    RandyMolson New Member

    State College, PA
    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2012
    Messages:
    1
    Not sure where you are, but I doubt it is in the rust belt! Sounds like your YJ is in good shape. All the YJs in my area are rusted out.

    I can't offer much for wheeling mods. Mine 4-banger YJ has a humble body lift, milemarker winch, and a heavy rear bumper to counter-balance the winch. The first thing I did (years ago) was herculine the tub. That saved the tub for sure. My frame rusted out a couple years ago - last winter I finally located a solid frame and did a frame swap to get my YJ driveable.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. Jan 19, 2012
    RyanBailey

    RyanBailey New Member

    Salt Lake City, UT
    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2012
    Messages:
    14
    According to "managers" at tire shops you can put 31" tires on a stock YJ.... but my 89 did not like it :(. I did 2" shackles... I know not the best option but gave me plenty of clearance, cheap, and "easy" to install. Don't do more than 2"-6" of lift and whatever amount you decide on choose the correct tire. Remember... bigger tires are more expensive all around! (Sad how many people fail to understand this concept)
     
  5. Jan 19, 2012
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    Not too familiar with YJ lift kits, but BDS has a good reputation, and I would look there first.
    I'd also install some stronger-than-stock shackles.
    A lunchbox locker or a good limited slip would be OK in the rear, but the rear will be a D35 and is considered light duty; many stories of axle weakness can be found. I've also seen some stock D35s take much abuse without failure, seems to be luck of the draw. You might consider a cable-actuated disconnect to replace the temperamental front axle vacuum disconect.

    Post pics soon! :)
     
  6. Jan 19, 2012
    ojgrsoi

    ojgrsoi Retired 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2002
    Messages:
    2,231
    No advice but my brother's YJ has 31" tires and rough terrain has put the tires in the fender flares causing some rub wear....well a lot of rub wear. Lift for those tires are a good idea.
     
  7. Jan 20, 2012
    jeepcj

    jeepcj Member

    cincy, Ohio
    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2009
    Messages:
    601
    My brother has had a few 4 cyl yj's, both with 31's. he put on extened brake lines, and a inch or so shackle lift, I think thats about it. I had a 79-7 with 4" lift and rear locker and 33" swampers and his little jeep followed me everywhere I went. Once in a while a had to pull for lack of ground clearance. That little jeep never stoped impressing me. He never had problems with the rear 35.
     
  8. Jan 21, 2012
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2009
    Messages:
    3,869
    the frame will rust at the rear the trans mounts then the steering box in that order ive got one with 4 inch springs and 31s no trouble other than the sacklessness of the 2.5
     
  9. Jan 22, 2012
    Long&Low

    Long&Low Active Member

    Geauga County, OH
    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2009
    Messages:
    1,212
    I've got a YJ that I'm working on for my daughter.. I'm disguising it though

    [​IMG]
     
  10. Jan 22, 2012
    all4jpn

    all4jpn Member

    fredericksburg,va
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2006
    Messages:
    363
    id get it running perfect first..meaning nutter bypass and mc2100 or weber..team rush upgrade....any carb'd yj can use those...you should have the non c-c;ip d35 too....if the springs are sagged due to age stick with 31's..or just enjoy what it is and formulate a plan of what you want it to be and do it right, once
     
  11. Jan 25, 2012
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
    Joined:
    May 25, 2006
    Messages:
    2,871
    Always carry a spare ignition box with a 4.2, I went through a few of them on the 89 I had.
     
  12. Feb 12, 2012
    Shoepick

    Shoepick Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2010
    Messages:
    56
    Thanks for the info guys. I have looked at a bunch of different kits on the web and I have decided to go with the BDS 2" kit with 1" shackles and 32" tires.
     
  13. Feb 14, 2012
    jeepcj

    jeepcj Member

    cincy, Ohio
    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2009
    Messages:
    601
    I think you will be happy with the BDS kit. My brother and I both have used the BDS 4" kit and were very pleased with it. It seemed to take a few off road trips to get the springs boke in, but once broke in they rode nice on the road and flexed well off road.. Don't tighten the shackle bolts too tight or the springs won't flex and your ride will be stiff. My brothers jeep rode sooooo much nicer than mine, and we found I had my shackle bolts too tight, we loosend them and my ride improved.. One thing I would add to your suspension is extended brake lines, your new lift will flex more than the factory springs and the factory brakeline isn't very long from the frame to the wheel. Its just a automatic thing I do to any jeep I get, if im going to use it off road at all it gets longer brakelines. The brakeline can limit flex or worse.. BRAKE. if stretched too far.
     
New Posts