Before the jeep wrangler, it all started when the Americans were confirmed to participate in WW2 along with Europe before the invention of the current SUV 4th generation Wrangler JL. Only two companies were willing to develop heavy SUVs for the army under the impossible limit of 49 days.
This fantastic invention was aimed to provide ease in surveillance purposes for the military. Wrangler’s series is one of the favorite choices of many, especially off-road adventurers. We will discuss the various generation of wranglers’ jeep here in this article.
Let’s look at the difference between Wranglers YJ and Jeep CJ-7 before Generations.
Difference Between CJ and YJ
| Jeep Wranglers YJ | Jeep CJ-7 |
|---|---|
| Introduced in 1987 | Introduced in 1945 |
| The first model of the Wranglers series | One of the vehicles in the range of CJ-1 to CJ-14 |
| It was a replacement for a few features from its ancestor | same |
| People did not like its rectangular shape Headlights | Taller persons liked it due to its more legroom availability |
| Updated interior | Updated as compared CJ-5 in terms of size and room |
| Safety measures improved | More flexible to safety |
| It has wider tracks | It has a regular track |
| The stance is lowered down a little bit | The view was comparatively high |
| It had two types of engines when it was introduced to choose from 4- cylinder and 6-cylinder based | It came up with four different types of engines |
| IN 1991 122, the horsepower engine was introduced. | It came up with a 2.5 and 4.2 L AMC computer carburetor engine |
| A computer carburetor has the drawback of having low performance under leakage. It also had lost power and high engine temperature issues | It has a standard carburetor |
| A computer carburetor has the drawback of having low performance under leakage. It also had lost power and high engine temperature issues | It has a standard carburetor |
| It has square-shaped headlights | It has round-shaped headlights |
| Separate body and separate frame | Same |
| It has a front-engine and rear-wheel drive type | Same |
| It can be driven without doors, even | Same |
| Plastic interiors | Metal interiors |
| A crazy and advanced types of people like it | Simplistic kind of people choose it |
Best Generations of jeep wranglers in 2022:
Jeep Wrangler –YJ
These SUVs were introduced In 1987, starting the benchmark of the Wrangler series. They replaced the CJ model of the jeep. Their performance was outstanding but was little not liked due to having square-shaped headlights. At the time, it was owned by Chrysler Corp in August 1987.
People found it quite reliable, but headlights frowned at them. It was directly evolved from CJ-7 and had the same wheelbase, and the comparison is given above.
Best Engine:
the first engine was a 2.5 L AMC straight-4, which evolved into two types of transmissions from 1987 to 1995, as below
- 1987 to 1995 with the information of 5-speed AX-5 manual
- 1994 to 1995 with the transmission of 3-speed 30RH(A904) Automatic
The second was a 4.2 AMC straight -6 engine which evolved into three types of transmissions from 1987 to 1990, as below
- 1987 to 1990 with the information of 3-speed A999 automatic
- 1987 to 1989 with the knowledge of 5-speed BA-10 manual
- 1989 to 1990 with the knowledge of 5-speed AX-15 manual
The third was the 4.0 AMC straight -6 engine which evolved into three types of transmissions from 1991 to 1995, as below
- 1991 with the information of a 3-speed A999 automatic
- in the year 1991 to 1995 with the transmission of 3-speed 32RH(A999) Automatic
- 1991 to 1995, with the transmission of a 5-speed AX-15 manual
Carburetor:
Initially, hydraulic computer-controlled carburetors were used, which were highly problematic. There were two options: a 2.5-liter AMC 150 TBI fuel injection engine and a 4-liter computer-carbureted engine. Both of them used Peugeot BA 10/5, which had increased disadvantages.
Typically computer carburetor is the same as the normal one. The only difference in performance happens when there is a leak issue, and the air /fuel ratio has to maintain the related problems.
Drawbacks of the Jeep Wrangler YJ:
It has the following disadvantages.
How do we solve issues?
- A lift kit installment can provide extra ground clearance.
- For safety purposes, there is a roll cage installed in it..
- Dana D44 axles can be replaced with rear axles.
Jeep Wrangler –TJ:
This is the second generation of the wrangler series, with few upgrades to the previous model. Among them, one of the significant upgrades was the suspension. Jeep Wrangler YJ has a leaf spring, while Jeep Wrangler TJ comes with a coil-spring design that is more reliable and comfortable.
Another significant change was in the headlight design. The square headlight design of Jeep Wrangler YJ is changed back to a round shape which people demand at the moment. You can find more on “TJ” on Wikipedia.
Engine:
The first engine was a 2.5 L AMC straight-4, which evolved into two types of transmissions from 1997 to 2002, as below
- 1997 to 2002 with the transmission of 3-speed 30RH automatic
- 1997 to 2002, with the transmission of a 5-speed AX-5 manual
The second engine was 2.4 L Power Tech which evolved three types of transmissions from 2003 to 2006
- 2003 to 2006 with the transmission of 4-speed 42RLE automatic
- 2003 to 2004, with the transmission of a 5-speed NV1500 manual
- 2005 to 2006, with the transmission of a 6-speed NSG370 manual
The third engine is a 4.0 L AMC straight -6 engine which evolved into five types of transmission from 1997 to 2006
- 1997 to 2002 with the transmission of 3-speed 32RH automatic
- 2003 to 2006 with the transmission of 4-speed 42RLE automatic
- 1997 to 1999, with the transmission of a 5-speed AX-15 manual
- 2000 to 2004, with the transmission of a 5-speed NV3550 manual
- 2005 to 2006, with the transmission of a 6-speed NSG370 manual
Axles in Jeep Wrangler TJ:
Dana 30 axles were used in these models, which could hold tires up to 35 inches tall. But there were complaints of leaking and faults in joints observed. So it’s highly recommended to use Dana 44 axle to enhance durability and performance, also called Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
Best Topside and Doors:
Why do we use a half-door Jeep Wrangler TJ?, Because we may need to go on rough and rocky off-road areas. It is available with the option of half-door and full-door installments. But for on-road trips, full doors are convenient.
Jeep Wrangler –JK:
it is the third generation of the wrangler series. One of the main differences between JK and TJ is their width. So TJ uses 61-inch axles while JK evolved with 65-inch axles. Another main difference is that TJ uses Dana 44s with air-lockers, while JK uses Dana 44s to have E-lockers.
Why E-lockers?
Because E-lockers do not require any outside power for engagement, only 12 volts are needed for their functioning. Also, air-lockers require a 12-volt power source and a compressor to complete functioning.
Engine:
The first engine was a 3.8 EGH which evolved into two types of transmissions from 2007 to 2011, as below
- 2007 to 2011, with the transmission of 42 RLE automatic
- 2007 to 2011, with the transmission of a 6-speed NSG370 manual
The second engine was a 3.6 L Pentastar, which evolved into two types of transmissions from 2012 to 2017, as below
- 2012 to 2017, with the transmission of a 5-speed W5A580 automatic
- 2012 to 2017, with the transmission of a 6-speed NSG370 automatic
The third engine was the 5-speed 545RFE which evolved into three types of transmissions from 2007 to 2015, as below
- 2007 to 2010 with the transmission of 5-speed 545RFE automatic
- 2011 to present with the transmission of 5-speed W5A580 automatic
- 2007 to 2015 with the information of 6-speed NSG370 manual
The choice of two doors and four doors:
Jk offers two doors and four doors options and opportunities for top selection from soft and hardtop. Two doors look more sporty than four, which does not mean offering only two but four comfortable seats.
The four-door option brings more center and leg space idle for the taller person. Similarly, a soft top is suitable for off-road adventurers, and a hard top is inactive for a cleaner look on on-road movement.
Jeep Wrangler –JL:
Wow, declared SUV of 2019 by a motor trend that is more than enough for someone considering buying it. It is the fourth generation of the Wrangler series. Several upgrades are done as compared to its precedents models.
One of the notable changes is its bumper. The presence of a bumper and cutouts behind the front tires help cool down the engine rapidly. Due to some specific innovations, its weight is lowered comparatively. It is almost 200 pounds lesser in weight than its predecessor.
Engine:
It comes with a 3.6 L V-6 engine, which provides 285 horsepower, bringing up a torque of 260 lb-ft. A turbocharged four-cylinder is also available, which produces a torque of 290 lb-ft with 270 horsepower.
It also can create a fantastic torque of 440 lb-ft with 240 horsepower. It’s a diesel engine.
Tops and Appearance:
It is available with both options as soft-top and hard-top options. But, notably, the soft top is comparatively easy to remove and replace with a push of a button. Hard-top is also relatively easy to remove by lightning the weight.
Price:
Due to being the most advanced jeep form, it’s comparatively higher in price. An idea is like a 2-door sports vehicle starts roughly from $ 28000, and the 4-door unlimited starts at around $50000.
Conclusion:
I hope you have read it all, found the information exciting, and fulfilled your need. So apparently, Wrangler is not a luxurious vehicle but made to achieve harsh results off-road and on-road, as discussed in jeep jk vs jku and so on.
