I am going to look at a '91 YJ tomorrow for sale through a family friend. From what I hear it's a good deal and I was wondering what to look for when giving it a visual inspection as well as anything I would look for otherwise. From what I've been told it's not in great shape, but is mechanically sound and has a few new parts (new soft uppers, wheels, front bumper), and was told the clutch is good and the motor doesn't seem like it has anything wrong. I basically am buying it for a 4WD for the winter and for the nice spring/summer days where I can go topless again. Also to try and keep the miles off of my MS3.

I'll post some pictures up tomorrow when I go look at it!

Thanks!

 

Def look for rust...especially body floor. Last thing you need is a big hole on the ground. Mechanically I can't help you...obviously make sure it runs and is fairly clean... Search top for rips, doors seized?, sturdy bumpers etc. can't really think of much now.

 

Thanks!

I'm definitely going to crawl under to see if I can see any rust, and pull the carpet if there is any to look at rust also. I know that the exhaust needs some work, but that's not a big deal.

 

Def. look for frame rust-shackle mounts, body mounts, shock mounts, and around steering box tend to be the real issues.
Floor rot is common and many weld in some sheet metal as a quick fix. Brake lines can be deadly, so have a good look there too.
Oil leaks can be common--run throug the 4wd in hgh and low.
Just picked up a 94--surface rust on the frame but it is solid and one shackle mount had been welded... had to do a pretty big brake job due to it having sat for a while and the rust on those parts was pretty bad.
Good luck-Gotta love a YJ!!!

 

Just got back from going to see it. First impressions were good. It's in better shape than I thought cosmetically.

Mechanically it looks okay, the owner wasn't home so we couldn't start it up, but I did notice and oil leak around the transmission, and some small rust spots. Nothing too major from first glance, but something to look at. The first thing I'll do is change all fluids because the oil was darker than the paint, which isn't good because it's black, haha. For the price I'd say it's a good deal. Will be something to work on during the summer and get it looking good again! I'll post up pictures here in a bit.

EDIT: Here are some pictures.