Question is this a good tow car - 1989 Jeep Wrangler

Scubawise · 05-27-2021, 07:14 PM

i see year miles etc not sure if this is a good deal. need our tow car experts

Question is this a good tow car - 1989 Jeep Wrangler

**16ACE27** · 05-27-2021, 07:39 PM

Maybe a good TOWED car, depends on the real condition and price. Can it be towed? Yes.

Mousemate · 05-27-2021, 07:51 PM

5 speed 6cyl...is a good choice.....the 4 cyl are slow and the trans are smaller ...
my 95 is set up to tow....
see this web page for good info (I used it to set mine up )
https://www.jedi.com/yj-flat-tow/

Mousemate · 05-27-2021, 07:55 PM

By the way YJ's are my favorite of the jeeps

**EA37TS** · 05-27-2021, 08:03 PM

With 180,000 miles I would not invest the money in setting it up to tow.

Bob Denman · 05-27-2021, 08:16 PM

I think I agree...

The mileage is a bit too high for my tastes.

Scubawise · 05-27-2021, 08:26 PM

With 180,000 miles I would not invest the money in setting it up to tow. so just pull it no expensive tow setup?

NG7V · 05-27-2021, 08:38 PM

This jeep will tow well no problem. The question is should you blow 5K on this jeep? That depends... If you are a good mechanic and you have the time and resources. Yep, I know lots of guys who would love to get one like this but they practically live on the trails and modify their jeeps for rocks.

I own a jeep and i love it. It is a 2015 with 20K on the clock, mostly dirt and a good additional 35K towed and not clocked. They are really good towed vehicles.

So should you invest in this? Take your time and think about it. Contact a local jeep club and have them look at it to see if the price is right. Take your time...

Scubawise · 05-27-2021, 08:44 PM

i will not good at cars at all. my wifes brother sent the ad..i told her not a fan of a 30 year old jeef

Judge · 05-28-2021, 12:51 AM

You want to watch older Jeeps with lots of miles. When the steering components and suspension get excessively worn, the death wobble is know to occur.

ducksface · 05-28-2021, 01:04 AM

A jeep like that is a solid pass.
They're more than a bit cultish.
They're not for the incapable.
No hardtop is a deal killer. Cold, hot, loud, leaky, windy, expensive...and that's the good things.
Miles are a suspension problem.

First internet hit says
'Wrangler is one of the most dangerous cars on the road. Its 27.9% chance of rolling over is worst among all SUVs, ...its poor ratings for side crash tests and visibility make the two-door model even worse than the four-door version.'
And THAT'S FOR NEW ONES!
Now add 180,000 miles on a lowline model.

Good news is:
Some use the same size tires as your RV.

MJC62 · 05-28-2021, 01:50 AM

As others have said I would pass mileage is too high and after all those years how many different owners beat the crap out of it. If you are not solidly in the Wrangler fold then there are many other Jeep and other branded SUV's out there that can be had reasonable and are 4 down towable as well as capable of some light off road work. The jeep Liberty comes to mind built from 2002 to 2012 all the 4 wheel drive models are 4 down towable and are a fairly capable off road vehicle (within reason). We owned three an 02, 05 and 07. They all performed well on the forest service roads we drove them down. In fact I wish I still had the 05 I miss that one the most

Scubawise · 05-28-2021, 02:29 AM

Thx all will look at Jeep liberty also

Scubawise · 05-28-2021, 02:37 AM

We have started looking any advice or miles please pass along
Will see if any setup for flat towing

Chateau_Nomad · 05-28-2021, 05:02 AM

I bought my 2001 TJ Sport in 2003. I set it up to flat tow just last year. BUT... mine's a cream puff with only 63k miles, all stock and never off roaded. I've kept it garaged.
The problem with TJs and most older Wranglers are rotten underneath with rust. TJs are notorious for frame rails rotting from the inside out. I actually had the frame on mine blown out, welded in a couple spots and coated... and I have kept mine garaged!
Before towing, I replaced the tires, radiator, brakes, brake lines, all hoses and belts, diff seals and other odds and ends ... all for safety and peace of mind. Bottom line: The only reason I used my jeep was because I knew it's history. I would NEVER buy a 20+ year old tow vehicle of unknown history... ESPECIALLY not a Wrangler!
Do yourself a favor for you and yours safety. Invest in a more reliable newer vehicle.

Joelfke · 05-28-2021, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mousemate

5 speed 6cyl...is a good choice.....the 4 cyl are slow and the trans are smaller ...
my 95 is set up to tow....
see this web page for good info (I used it to set mine up )
https://www.jedi.com/yj-flat-tow/

this is very similar to my setup - one question: do you use a brake system with your jeep?

Scubawise · 05-28-2021, 02:12 PM

Hi All thanks for all the comments. my wife told me to skip all Jeeps based on her research. Will look in other directions

**EA37TS** · 05-28-2021, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scubawise

Hi All thanks for all the comments. my wife told me to skip all Jeeps based on her research. Will look in other directions

Why skip all Jeeps?

Bob Denman · 05-28-2021, 03:03 PM

I agree: why?
Lots of folks tow them..
I will say that if you're looking at the Liberty models: be very aware of which transfer case is in it.
There is a ComandTrac, and a SelecTrac...
One of them is towable; and one isn't
(But I've forgotten which is which! )

atreis · 05-28-2021, 03:12 PM

I don't know about his wife, but I would say the same. They do tow well, but their overall reliability relative to other brands is poor. (FWIW, I tow a Prius using a dolly.)

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