Jeep Wrangler 1986–1996 car dimensions: 3878 mm long, 1676 mm wide and 1829 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,295 kg. Braked towing is 1,000 kg.
The cabin has a full plastic dashboard with analog gauges including tachometer, speedometer, fuel, oil pressure, temperature and volts. High-back vinyl bucket seats are standard on base models with cloth on higher trims. A heater and blower are standard. Air conditioning is available as an option or standard on Laredo and Sahara trims. An AM radio is standard with AM/FM cassette optional or standard on upper trims. Cruise control is available as an option. No electronic driver aids are fitted.
Cargo space behind the rear seats is 320 litres. Folding the rear bench expands capacity to over 1200 litres for larger loads.
Towing capacity is rated at 1000 kg braked and 750 kg unbraked. Payload is around 500 kg depending on configuration. An off-road package with heavy-duty shocks is available along with a heavy-duty cooling option and snow-plow suspension package for work use.
The cabin is basic with a full plastic dash holding multiple gauges including tach, speedo, fuel, oil pressure, temp and volts. High-back vinyl bucket seats are standard on base models with cloth on higher trims like Laredo and Sahara. Heater is standard and air conditioning optional. Soft top is standard for open air feel while hard top is available. Some trims add carpet, center console with cupholders, sound bar and leather-wrapped wheel.
Fuel tank holds 15 gallons standard with 20-gallon optional on some models.
EPA estimates around 15 city/17 highway mpg for the 4.2L six and 16 city/19 highway for the 2.5L four.
Engine oil change every 7,500 miles or 6 months under normal use.
Anti-lock brakes available starting in 1993 and standard later.
Wider track, sway bars and track bars improve on-road stability over prior models.
Standard padded roll bar with three-point belts added for rear seats in 1992.
Fuel use stays modest for the era with regular unleaded of at least 87 octane required. The 15-gallon tank is common while some packages offer 20 gallons. Expect real-world figures near the EPA city and highway numbers depending on the four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine and driving style.
Servicing follows two schedules based on conditions. Normal use calls for oil and filter changes at 7,500-mile or six-month marks along with chassis lubrication. Severe duty shortens that to every 3,000 miles. Air filter, plugs and other items follow at 30,000-mile points. Fluids in axles, transfer case and transmission need periodic checks.
Safety gains come from the revised chassis with wider track, lower stance, wider leaf springs, anti-roll bars and track bars that reduce rollover risk compared with the CJ. A padded roll bar is standard. Power brakes are fitted and rear three-point belts arrive with the extended roll bar in 1992. ABS becomes an option in 1993.
Keeping the car means watching for frame rust despite galvanized metal, checking leaf springs and u-joints after off-road use, and verifying soft-top seals or hard-top fit. Regular fluid services and rust prevention help these simple solid-axle machines last.
Length 3878 mm, Width 1676 mm, Height 1829 mm, Wheelbase 2373 mm (Wrangler 1986–1996)
Sources: manufacturer data, Quadratec 1987 YJ specs and autoevolution, cars-data.com, AMC 1986 press kit via The Autopian.