Should have done this years ago

by jay
(South Bound Brook, NJ)

For years I have admired Jeeps, while driving whatever cheap econobox I could find. The modular structure (hardtop/softtop/no top) or doors (full/half/none) and the largely exposed, simple mechanicals were incredibly appealing.

So finally, a couple of years ago, at 57 years of age I tossed aside my Acura sedan and bought a 89 YJ. I entered a different world and my last two summers have been spent with the top down. I gradually fixed the things that were wrong with it (and found that the problem that probably induced the previous owner to sell, a very stubborn rough idle, was cured completely by tightening the very loose manifold bolts).

I get a chuckle out of the debates of YJ vs TJ ride, hell, I came into this vehicle from one of the smoothest riding cars on the market, and I love it. It's like driving a brick. Solid. You feel everything (I described it to one person: you can run over a dime and call heads or tails) and I don't miss that soft ride one bit.

My 3 year old grand-daughter loves it. It's fun to watch her insist on climbing in over the half-doors, because she knows that's the proper way to do it.

This past summer my wife and I took it out to the Rockies and the southwest desert (from NJ), covering 6500 miles in 3 weeks. We explored on the fly. We took primitive back roads and cliff hanging mountain roads that we didn't even know existed, and had some of the best times I can imagine.

We were out in the open, it was rough, and it was real. The best road trip I've ever had. This wouldn't have happened with any other car.

I just bought a 1947 CJ2A to fix up and cruise the car show circuit.


Larry's Comment: Jay...that sounds like a blast traveling across country in your YJ. Would love to see some more photos of your Wrangler and especially that '47 CJ2A.