by Scott Shaddox

Created on: July 05, 2010   Last Updated: June 13, 2011

Without doubt the Jeep Wrangler is the quintessential American vehicle.  Combining ruggedness with style, the Wrangler embodies freedom and individuality.  There is nothing quite like the feeling one gets while driving down the roadway top down, radio on and not a care in the world. While this may sound like the perfect driving experience for everyone, in reality careful consideration should be given before buying one of these classic vehicles. 

Unlike any automobile on the road today the Jeep Wrangler's history is long and storied.  Jeeps helped the United States Army maneuver its way to victory in World War II and, as the war came to an end, easily integrated into civilian life. The vehicle retained many of the characteristics which had made it famous in military folklore.  The Wrangler version of the Jeep first appeared on the market in 1987 and since that time Wranglers have been classified as the YJ, TJ, LJ, and the JK.

The first Jeep to be branded as a Wrangler was the YJ, which replaced the popular CJ line in 1987.  These vehicles were unique in that they did not have the classic round headlights found on most Jeeps.  Instead of round headlights the YJ featured rectangular ones.  The YJ also had a leaf spring suspension and rode accordingly.  Like all Jeeps of the modern era, the YJ came equipped with either a hard or soft top.  From 1988-1992 a special edition of the YJ, the Islander, was produced.  This edition featured different colors, a larger fuel tank, and other cosmetic changes from standard YJ’s.  A Renegade package was made available in 1991 and would remain in production until 1994.  The YJ was produced until early 1996.  The 1995 model was the last version of this Jeep.

There was no 1996 model year for the Jeep Wrangler.  A new version of the Wrangler, the TJ, was released in the spring of 1996 as a '97 model.  This Jeep brandished a coil spring suspension which made a definite improvement in terms of ride compared to the YJ.  The TJ also marked Jeeps return to standard round headlights, perhaps the most distinguishing feature of the vehicle.  The TJ retained much of the look of earlier Jeeps with the added enhancement of a smoother ride.  The Wrangler Unlimited, the LJ, made its debut in 2004 and featured a longer wheelbase.

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