'89 YJ new to me, have some questions

Tanker_01

Tanker_01

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I have some things I am wanting to do to my '89 YJ. I am wanting to get a smaller steering wheel as I have a hard time fitting my thighs between the seat and wheel getting in. I currently have a 14" wheel and I am wanting to go to a 11". On amazon it looks like I can buy a Grant adapter and 11" wheel, has anyone done this?

I am also wanting to put in aftermarket inner fender guards as i do not have any right now. Any recommendations there?

EDIT: Forgot to also add that I am wanting to put in a center console. I can find tons of different types on amazon and ebay. Recommendations on those too?
 
For center consoles, the Tuffy seems to be the favorite:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Y2YCQK/?tag=yjforum-20

I've seen them in person and they are very nice.

As for the inner fender guards, I am not aware of any that fit with stock fenders. All the ones I know of are meant for aftermarket tube fenders such as GenRight.

While I haven't seen an aftermarket steering wheel, I have no doubt your plan would work.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!
 
Chris said:
For center consoles, the Tuffy seems to be the favorite:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Y2YCQK/?tag=yjforum-20

I've seen them in person and they are very nice.

As for the inner fender guards, I am not aware of any that fit with stock fenders. All the ones I know of are meant for aftermarket tube fenders such as GenRight.

While I haven't seen an aftermarket steering wheel, I have no doubt your plan would work.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!
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Thanks!

I will take a look at that center console.

I actually already have tube fenders so that might work out for me. I have fabrication experience so I dont think I would have any issue either getting a stock set to work or modifying an aftermarket set. I just wasnt sure if the stock were fine or the aftermarket would be better.
 
Tanker_01 said:
Thanks!

I will take a look at that center console.

I actually already have tube fenders so that might work out for me. I have fabrication experience so I dont think I would have any issue either getting a stock set to work or modifying an aftermarket set. I just wasnt sure if the stock were fine or the aftermarket would be better.
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Stock inner fenders are just fine, yes. The aftermarket ones may provide more durability, but honesty, I'm not so sure about that. Plastic (like the stock ones are made of) is definitely more flexible than metal.
 
What tube fenders do you currently have?

I'm sure they'll work, the very most you may need to do is some trimming of these inner fenders, but I can't see much beyond that.
 
Chris said:
What tube fenders do you currently have?

I'm sure they'll work, the very most you may need to do is some trimming of these inner fenders, but I can't see much beyond that.
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These look exactly like mine. They have a little flange on the bottom with three holes in it that looks like its supposed to attach to the inner fender guard. Those sheet metal ones look like they would attach but I wanted to make sure before I spend $150. I suppose worst case scenario they're metal and I can fab up something to make them fit. They have to be close if you're supposed to be able to use your stock inner fenders with these tube fenders.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C5JL95I/?tag=yjforum-20
 
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My thought is that they will work. It might take a slight bit of fabrication, but it should be pretty easy given they aren't thick metal or anything like that. Like you said, it should be close since you can use stock inner fenders with those tube fenders.
 
Chris said:
My thought is that they will work. It might take a slight bit of fabrication, but it should be pretty easy given they aren't thick metal or anything like that. Like you said, it should be close since you can use stock inner fenders with those tube fenders.
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Yep I just went ahead and bought them. Also bought a soft top with frame and hardware as well.

I looked around the engine bay last night just to see if anything looked like it needed replaced. I think I either need to replace the valve cover gasket or (hopefully not) the rear main seal. I get a little oil drip on the ground overnight. And it also looks like the belts need replaced. I looked online at belts and I am not sure which ones I need exactly. Do I need a tool to install them as well?
 
Tanker_01 said:
I looked around the engine bay last night just to see if anything looked like it needed replaced. I think I either need to replace the valve cover gasket or (hopefully not) the rear main seal. I get a little oil drip on the ground overnight. And it also looks like the belts need replaced. I looked online at belts and I am not sure which ones I need exactly. Do I need a tool to install them as well?
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No special tools needed to install belts, you just need basic tools (a breaker bar and sockets) to release the belt tensioner and take the belts out. As for the brand of belts, it doesn't really matter, just whatever you can find.

The rear main seal leak often ends up being a valve cover gasket leak, though sometimes it actually is the rear main seal. I always use UV dye to find out where it's leaking from for sure.
 
Flyer58 said:
Which top kit did you buy? I'm starting to look around too. All I have is the roll cage, no frame or top and only half doors.
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This is the one I got, it has really good reviews: https://www.4wd.com//p/rampage-comp...oor-uppers-black-diamond-68035/_/R-CLSG-68035

Chris said:
No special tools needed to install belts, you just need basic tools (a breaker bar and sockets) to release the belt tensioner and take the belts out. As for the brand of belts, it doesn't really matter, just whatever you can find.

The rear main seal leak often ends up being a valve cover gasket leak, though sometimes it actually is the rear main seal. I always use UV dye to find out where it's leaking from for sure.
Click to expand...

I think I will go ahead and replace the valve cover gasket just since its relatively easy and see if that fixes it. If not then UV dye is in my future...
 
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Tanker_01 said:
I think I will go ahead and replace the valve cover gasket just since its relatively easy and see if that fixes it. If not then UV dye is in my future...
Click to expand...

Can't hurt. Even if it is the RMS, at least doing the valve cover gasket is good preventive maintenance.
 
Tanker_01 said:
have some things I am wanting to do to my '89 YJ. I am wanting to get a smaller steering wheel as I have a hard time fitting my thighs between the seat and wheel getting in. I currently have a 14" wheel and I am wanting to go to a 11". On amazon it looks like I can buy a Grant adapter and 11" wheel, has anyone done this?
Click to expand...
You might keep an eye out (Craigslist?) for a tilt wheel column, as opposed to going to a smaller steering wheel. I've done the smaller steering wheel on other vehicles, and found I rarely like the feel of driving it as much as with the stock wheel. Of course, it's a lot more work, expense, and hunting for the part than it is to just swap the wheel, obviously. Still, it's another option.
 
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Squatch said:
You might keep an eye out (Craigslist?) for a tilt wheel column, as opposed to going to a smaller steering wheel. I've done the smaller steering wheel on other vehicles, and found I rarely like the feel of driving it as much as with the stock wheel. Of course, it's a lot more work, expense, and hunting for the part than it is to just swap the wheel, obviously. Still, it's another option.
Click to expand...

I honestly didn't know this was even an option. What year would have a tilt steering column and how much of a job is it to replace the whole column? Is it like a couple hours of work or a whole weekend?
 
Tanker_01 said:
Thanks!

I will take a look at that center console.

I actually already have tube fenders so that might work out for me. I have fabrication experience so I dont think I would have any issue either getting a stock set to work or modifying an aftermarket set. I just wasnt sure if the stock were fine or the aftermarket would be better.
Click to expand...
I second the Tuffy console. Mine's a little older, with the space for the head unit, but still works great. It's nice having the stereo in there so it can be locked up. Only thing I didn't like was the fact that mud would get into the cd player if I forgot to close the lid. But now that everything is bluetooth, I don't need to worry about that.
 
Ok now that this is just basically become my build thread I have another question. I ordered that soft top but then I got to thinking and looking, I have sport bars on my Jeep and all of the pictures I see the family cage. I know the soft top has its own frame but will it matter that I have sport bars at all? Or will the soft top work with either?
 
Tanker_01 said:
I honestly didn't know this was even an option. What year would have a tilt steering column and how much of a job is it to replace the whole column? Is it like a couple hours of work or a whole weekend?
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I "borrowed" this from another site (was posted years ago):


"The steering column in a Jeep YJ is called a GM Saginaw column.
They are the same column that was used in the 80's chevy products (before air bags) and in the Jeep XJ's as well as some of the 80's-90's Toyotas.
Columns will switch from tilt to non tilt, and are just plug and play. Providing that all the switches are already on the column you are switching to. As for off brand columns...i.e. chevy, Toyota, the only thing that needs changed is the flange that bolts to the firewall."


I've also read a number of posts where folks have stated that it was a 1-2 hour job to swap 'em out. I haven't done one on a Jeep, but have done other vehicles. Some are more difficult than others, to be sure. And btw, it appears that the tilt column was an option for all years of the YJ, so there's that. (y)
 
Squatch said:
And btw, it appears that the tilt column was an option for all years of the YJ, so there's that
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Yep. The factory YJ did have that option. One of my YJ’s has a tilt column. There isnt much to it as far as movement.

If getting in and out of the YJ was a hassle, I would look into a removable steering wheel and/or some of those big boy seat brackets, similar to what I have seen in the TJ world.
 
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Ok I am putting my Rampage Soft Top on before the weekend. Any tips on putting it on the first time? I am already planning to set it out in the sun for a few hours and make sure I take my time and not rip anything. Anyone had any experience with this soft top in particular before?
 
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