Following World War II, a commercial version of the Jeep that G.I.'s grew to love overseas was brought back home. These utility-first vehicles were the original SUV before the term SUV was even popularized, and they offered prowess, compact design, and simplified maintenance, perfect for work in the field, jobsite, or for unpredictable daily driving.

The CJ remained in production for over 30 years in an array of wheelbases and body styles, and went head-to-head against models like the Bronco, Land Cruiser, Scout, and Blazer, but was ultimately succeeded in the 1987 model year by the Jeep Wrangler.

The first generation of Wranglers, known as the YJ, were made for the 1987 to 1995 model years, and shared much of the design language and powertrain components as its predecessor.

Like the Jeep CJ, the Wrangler YJ made significant improvements to suspension, safety, and handling by way of wider leaf springs and a wider track. However, the biggest difference between the CJ and the early YJ was the square headlights, which bucked the trend established by the CJ of circular lamps.

The Jeep Wrangler YJ initially retained the legendary 4.2L AMC I6 motor through 1990 when it was replaced by a slightly smaller but more powerful 4.0L AMC I6, which would go on to be renowned for its epic longevity and hassle-free maintenance. The I6 engines were offered as upgrades to the standard 2.5L fuel-injected 4 cylinder engines that offered 117 hp. All three engines could be mated to either a 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission with standard 4-wheel drive.

The Jeep Wrangler YJ remained in production until 1995, and after a break in the 1996 model year, was replaced by the Jeep Wrangler TJ.