Two Time YJ Owner

C6c6s

Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2020
Messages
55
Location
Binghamton NY
After running my ‘93 into the ground 6 years ago I’m back in the game with a 1989. Rattle can flat black over original red but minimal rust for the age. Frame looks very good. 2.5 seems to run fine. 4” Rough Country lift. 33 x 10.5’s a little squirrely for the lift so I need to upgrade to 12.5’s and probably 35’s. Only really concern is actual mileage unknown. Dash was swapped out two owners ago. Why? I don’t know. But at least a 2.5 is cheaper to rebuild than a 426 hemi.
C9E293BA-9E67-4E53-8369-C137D8227141.jpeg
87516D7A-D6D7-4BDB-95E7-3B60BF5413D7.jpeg
B8D3C322-8332-4F79-8F98-253D213B1856.jpeg
EB8DBF8C-71F7-40A6-BDD4-D05E3DD47476.jpeg
 
Nice YJ and welcome to the forum!

And yes, I have to imagine a 2.5 is drastically cheaper to rebuild than a 426 Hemi :ROFLMAO:
 
DMV appointment came and I got my plates. Been on the road a week. Finding all the little issues, blinker return spring, leaking dash when it rains, etc... all those weekend projects YJ’s never seem to have a lack of. Rides like a hay wagon but I’m used to that. Was never geared for the 33’s so drags ass on hills and 60 mph is so close but so far away. So time for research on that. I believe I saw machoheadgames (I think that’s the UN) mentioned 5.13 is as good as it gets for a 2.5 with 33’s. So let the new YJ restoration begin. Not a rock crawler, just a 3 season part time DD so I just want to clean it up and be a fun ride.
 
5.13 is as good as you're going to get with the stock axles, yes. It will help quite a bit, but it still won't overcome the fact that the 2.5 is anemic at highway speeds, and pushing 33s is going to suck regardless of gears (at highway speeds I mean). Great around town vehicles and trail rigs though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Whiplash2130
DMV appointment came and I got my plates. Been on the road a week. Finding all the little issues, blinker return spring, leaking dash when it rains, etc... all those weekend projects YJ’s never seem to have a lack of. Rides like a hay wagon but I’m used to that. Was never geared for the 33’s so drags ass on hills and 60 mph is so close but so far away. So time for research on that. I believe I saw machoheadgames (I think that’s the UN) mentioned 5.13 is as good as it gets for a 2.5 with 33’s. So let the new YJ restoration begin. Not a rock crawler, just a 3 season part time DD so I just want to clean it up and be a fun ride.
Solid choice on the gears, I did indeed recommend that and that is the only way to go on a 2.5 with stock axles. 5.13 and 33's will be decent enough that I don't think you'll be cursing it too much. It will struggle on some hills and wind, so downshift to 4th for those. Otherwise should be a blast around town and decent enough power for a 2.5 on the highway.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chris
I just finished re-gearing my ‘93 YJ. Went with 410’s and 255x70x16’s (old rear ended gear was 3.07 front was already 4.10). Need nothing more for around town and hoping to get reasonable MPG’s. Good luck with your project!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chris
Thanks everyone for the advice. 5.13 it is. Winter project when she’s off the road. Which here in NY isn’t too far away.