JPFreek - Index

JPFreek - magazine - Index

Freek Show
SUMMER 2008
84
The Freek Show
Abbas Fahmy's 1995 “YJ"
My ‘95 4.0L engine Wrangler is basically a YJ Wrangler as they
know it elsewhere in the world (1987 - 1995), stretched from the
93.4 inches to 103 inches of wheelbase.
Some people may mistake the long wheel base (LWB for short)
YJ Wrangler for a CJ8 (1981 - 1986) with just a YJ grill clipped onto
it. However, it is a YJ chassis with extra length and extra
strengthening cross member, and it is proportioned exactly like a
CJ8 (stretched in the middle & the back), having the same rear
overhang ... unlike the TJ (1996 - 2006) Unlimited and 4-door JK
(2007 - present).
How did this YJ come to be?
Chrysler (way before the merger with Daimler) developed this
long chassis YJ for military contracts as a light utility troop
transporter. It was manufactured for a short while in Venezuela,
but mainly in their long time AAV (Arab American Vehicles)
assembly plant here in Egypt on the outskirts of Cairo. The same
model was also assembled in Israel by STORM (which also
produces other military vehicles). However, the Israeli version
had a different front, dash, and had CJ8 doors (square edge), and
was sold under the STORM brand not Jeep.
Jeep has been assembling CJ5s, CJ6s, CJ7s, CJ8s, Wagoneers
(Cherokee Chief), J10s, and J20s since the ‘70’s in Egypt. In the
‘90s they started assembly of the YJ (Short & Long chassis), and
the XJ Cherokee offered in 2.5L & 4.0L manual and auto. They
were also the first assembly plant outside of the U.S. to retool
and assemble the Liberty. Now production has shifted to the
new 2008 Liberty and starting in July ‘08, the all-new and unique
Jeep J8, developed for the military, will commence production
as well. Their next dilemma will be whether to assemble the
4-door JK.
In 1992, they made civilian versions of the YJL available to the
public. But only with CJ8 hardtops & square edge doors, and
only 2.5L engines (useless on the long chassis).
In 1995, an improved version of the long chassis YJ was offered
with a stretched YJ top (with a hump), round edge doors, and
the 4.0L high output inline six. Needless to say, I jumped on it
like a maniac.
Also, the reason why you guys have the TJ unlimited is due to
its military success in our part of the world, and Jeep for once
listening to the unrelenting demands of Jeepers during Camp
Jeep and Jamborees across the USA. But the stretched TJ was
never made available to the public.