YJ wrangler vs. a grand wagoneer

[smithmachine]

anyone got any thoughts about this...

I have a 92 YJ Wrangler with a bad motor. Someone has offered me a 85 Grand wagoneer in trade...

Never owned a FSJ, really liked my wrangler, not sure what to do...

[jeepjseries]

well the wag is running i asume and in decent shape i say go for the wag unless you planed on fixing the yj whats the specs of the wagoneer

[vintagetrks]

First off Welcome. Now how well does the Wagoneer run and are there any problems that you would need to immediately address that would cost you more than repairing the YJ. That being said I would take a Waggy over a YJ anyday of the week and twice on Sunday but thats just me.

[JeepsAndGuns]

We need more info. I know you said the engine in the YJ is bad, but exactly whats wrong with it. Also list anything else wrong with it, and whats good about it. Then list the specs on the wag. Whats the condition, runs? rust? etc...

[PlasticBoob]

Well, what do you want to do? They're different tools for different jobs. :)

[harleyx2]

Well I had a Waggy and the frame was broke and I also had a Wrangler with no motor. Now I have a 360 powered YJ with a 727 tranny and Dana 44 axles front and rear. I put a 208 transfer case in it and run front Waggy springs all the way around SOA. I tured the Waggy springs so it would stretch the wheelbase front and rear. They are both grat vehicles in my opinion. I miss my J10 also.

[HD_JEEP]

For me to give MHO I would really like to compare the both for what they have to offer.

Pics we love the pics....:eek:

[jaber]

Details, details, we need more details....:banghead:

Welcome. Once you get the first, theres no turning back, mmuuuhhhaaahhhhaaaa....

[mattmopar440]

:worthless:

you should be able to get a pretty sweet FSJ for even a broke YJ price

[vintagetrks]

X2 on the pics then we can see what your working with. The details are very important.

[smithmachine]

YJ: 92 2.5/5 spd. Hydro-locked and the head gasket blown out. Gonna need to be replaced. minimum of $800 for a decent engine and basic parts...

Wag: 85. It has 114k original miles and a clean NC title. It has a 360/727 auto/ 229 selectrac transfer case. from the current owner "There are a couple spots of surface rust on the body, but that's it. The frame is solid, no "through-rust" anywhere. The only mechanical issue is that I think the flexplate needs to be replaced (confirmed by a couple 'real' mechanic friends) because there's a loud ticking sound. It's louder than a normal lifter tick, and usually caused by hairline cracks between the mounting bolts on the flexplate. The part itself is only about $50 but you can imagine the labor involved in doing it yourself. If you have any questions please ask, I have nothing to hide. I've owned it since March and as I looked today it is just now over 115k miles. -Jon"

Not sure about the ticking... but it does run and mine doesnt. I came on here to ask if that was something you guys had ever heard of. Sorry it wont let me put pics up... exceeds some kind of something...

[vintagetrks]

YJ: 92 2.5/5 spd. Hydro-locked and the head gasket blown out. Gonna need to be replaced. minimum of $800 for a decent engine and basic parts...

Wag: 85. It has 114k original miles and a clean NC title. It has a 360/727 auto/ 229 selectrac transfer case. from the current owner "There are a couple spots of surface rust on the body, but that's it. The frame is solid, no "through-rust" anywhere. The only mechanical issue is that I think the flexplate needs to be replaced (confirmed by a couple 'real' mechanic friends) because there's a loud ticking sound. It's louder than a normal lifter tick, and usually caused by hairline cracks between the mounting bolts on the flexplate. The part itself is only about $50 but you can imagine the labor involved in doing it yourself. If you have any questions please ask, I have nothing to hide. I've owned it since March and as I looked today it is just now over 115k miles. -Jon"

Not sure about the ticking... but it does run and mine doesnt. I came on here to ask if that was something you guys had ever heard of. Sorry it wont let me put pics up... exceeds some kind of something...

If you use photo bucket you can post the pics. Have you thought of just buying the Wagoneer outright and then fixing your YJ?

[smithmachine]

money is the issue. i am not really able to play that much with my cash... otherwise i would buy the wag and beef up the yj and everyone would be happy!

[RED-85-Z51]

Let me give you some quick trouble spots to look for...

Get under it and look at the gas tank skid plate..If the tank is hanging down, the skid plate can be expensive, at least all Ive found were. Also look for frame rot where that skid plate meets the frame rails.

Oil pressure..You need some, and it seems these things dont have alot...they say not to trust the stock gauge..so...

Look up under the body, look at the floor pans, front and back...look at the floor cros supports...you might be looking up at carpet.

Look at the bottom of the inside of the doors..if the swipes are gone the doors may be rusting out.

Rear lower quarters...give em a stern tap. Or go in the cargo area and pull the conceal panels off and look at the lower rear quarters from the iniside.

Look for redneck engineering, specially under the hood...especially with wiring.

Engage the 4WD and make sure it locks in and works..the mickey mouse vacuum setup on these things is kinda tricky but when it works it is nice...so Im told.

[Zorm]

Not to toss off the Wag, but I kinda had the same issues as you with the YJ but I had a 89. I ended up getting a 93 2.5 engine for 250, replacing all my wire harness and up grade the fuel system, now I have a MPFI 89 YJ, or I sould say, my son has the YJ.

Swaping out the 2.5 is a real easy thing is the YJ, then again, a V-8 FSJ is a nice thing too. PlasticBoob is right though, two different tools for two different jobs.

[Mex in the city]

When I got my first Waggy I got it cheap because it had a loud ticking sound which was supposed to be caused by a cracked flexplate.

I paid for it, drove it home, crawled under it to start loosening the bell housing to block bolts in order to remove the tranny, and guess what: They were already loose!!!! All of them!!!! I tighten them up and I have had no more ticking.