Would love to be in Ouray in 2010, but...

[JFlu]

Hey everyone! I have been looking through previous years trips and my wife and I would love to go!! BUT....first of all I'm fairly new to all of this but I am already addicted. I found a guy selling a 79 Waggy a few months back and decided to do a little research. My search brought me to this site and after spending hours browsing threads I decided I wanted to buy the Waggy and join in the FSJ fun! It turns out it is in great condition with only 28,600 original miles. It belonged to his wife who drove it for 30 years and he had most of the service records plus all the receipts for tune ups and misc things. Never any major work done.

SO.....I was hoping some of you that make this trip often can give me some idea of what I would need to improve, upgrade or add to prepare me for one of these trips. Tomorrow I am replacing all the cooling components with a rad, high flow water pump w/matching stat, fan clutch, and all hoses, etc. from BJs. Where should I focus next? Upgrade carb? Lift and tires? It runs like a top right now with no leaks(sorry) so I believe the 360 and TH400 are solid. :drivin:

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[will e]

Hey!

First: WELCOME
Second: Nice looking rig you got!
Third: Great looking kid.

Okay, for Ouray. You need low range. You should have that no problem.
Without a lift (and with that nice rig) you can avoid the one or two more technical trails and still see so much beautiful scenery that you won't be able to believe your eyes. Even the difficult ones can be done with a mild lift, some 31"tires and some experience. But there are LOTS of places to got that are basically dirt roads or just a bit worse.


Sign up now!

[tkiller13]

Wow. That is one sharp looking jeep you got.

[JFlu]

Thanks! He takes after his mother there! But that's where it ends..:D

Yeah, I don't think I would be crawling the advanced stuff on my first trip so I may just settle for bigger tires......how about the carb? It currently has the stock Motorcraft 2bbl. I'm going to flush the tranny in a couple weeks. I'm pretty sure the fluid is original, but it is still pretty red. Should I upgrade the brakes? I see the hydroboost term used alot on here.....

[JFlu]

Wow. That is one sharp looking jeep you got.

Thanks! The color kinda put me off for a whole 5 secs....that's when I drove it and brought it home promptly there after!

[will e]

Most of us use the 'stock' brakes. My lawyer said I should tell you to do what you think is best.

With street or 31" tires a hydroboost would not be 'my' first choice. Serious, for Ouray, if you want to upgrade, a 4" lift and some 31" will get you pretty far.

Don't know about the carb. I run a holley. A buddy gave me some smaller jets once I got there. BIG DIFFERENCE. If you can lean it out a bit you will see more power and much better gas milage. One of the guys went through 1/2 tank and I only used a couple of gallons. The right mixture makes a lot of difference.

[JFlu]

Most of us use the 'stock' brakes. My lawyer said I should tell you to do what you think is best.

With street or 31" tires a hydroboost would not be 'my' first choice. Serious, for Ouray, if you want to upgrade, a 4" lift and some 31" will get you pretty far.

Don't know about the carb. I run a holley. A buddy gave me some smaller jets once I got there. BIG DIFFERENCE. If you can lean it out a bit you will see more power and much better gas milage. One of the guys went through 1/2 tank and I only used a couple of gallons. The right mixture makes a lot of difference.

Thanks for the tips! I'm making my to do list then I have to save $$$. My money tree was stolen and divided up amongst my neighbors....some new #@$!& government program. :mad:

I was thinking 4" lift too.....I want to pull my travel trailer eventually and I don't think 4" would impede towing too much.

[will e]

No, the 4" spring lift will help with towing IMHO since the springs are a bit stiffer.

I was able to do a lot of wheel'n in a 81 waggy with a 4" spring lift and 31" BFG tires.

[JFlu]

No, the 4" spring lift will help with towing IMHO since the springs are a bit stiffer.

I was able to do a lot of wheel'n in a 81 waggy with a 4" spring lift and 31" BFG tires.

Thanks will e! Hope you don't mind if I hit you up for more info as my projects progress.....and when I finally make it to Ouray, beers on me. :thumbsup:

[Chevelleguy]

The stock 2150 carb is a very good carb off road. If it is running well now just leave that part alone. Insulate the fuel lines that run next to the left exhaust manifold so that you will lessen your chance of inducing vapor lock when you go up in elevation.

[Gambler68]

Be careful and go slow swapping waterpumps. Not to jinx ya, but nicely running AMC engines tend to get hinky once you pop em open.

Cya in Invasion 2010: An Ouray Oddessy. :thumbsup:

[JFlu]

Be careful and go slow swapping water pumps. Not to jinx ya, but nicely running AMC engines tend to get hinky once you pop em open.

Cya in Invasion 2010: An Ouray Oddessy. :thumbsup:

I'm just concerned that after 30 yrs, once I start towing it might leave me high and dry.....I've read through several threads on here of other water pump experiences, plus my pop and brother are Master Mechanics, however they are 2000 miles away in Arkansas......so I'm on my own. :eek:

[JFlu]

The stock 2150 carb is a very good carb off road. If it is running well now just leave that part alone. Insulate the fuel lines that run next to the left exhaust manifold so that you will lessen your chance of inducing vapor lock when you go up in elevation.

Great tip! I'll look into that this weekend.....I can use refrigerator or AC insulation right?

[Carleysjeep]

Nice rig! I always liked those rims (too much starsky & hutch as a kid maybe?) Looks like the dark blue matches the blue on your trailer. :thumbsup:

[grand_wag_85]

Whatever you do install an electric fuel pump as close to the gas tank as you can get it. You will vapor lock! Carrying water to hose down the fuel pump, filter and intake manifold have helped me to immediately jump back on the road in the past.

Great looking Wagoneer:thumbsup:

[shiner2001]

The first thing I would modify would be your driveway so you have room to park that one and the one that you want to beat up...that's one sweet ride! Seriously though, everything those guys have said is pretty spot on, you really can enjoy alot in a pretty mild FSJ.

[fulsizjeep]

I really like that tutone! :thumbsup:

Yeah, electric fuel pump has made big difference for many who have ventured to the higher elevations. If you are towing the trailer much, I would advise that as the first thing to upgrade.

[crazydog]

Normally I do not like blue, but that is awesome!!

It is yours and you can do what you want with it, but I feel that one that nice needs to be kept original. Get a $500.00 one to build to go offroading and save that one.

[fulsizjeep]

I agree that a beater would be better suited for a lot of off road use.

We have also seen very pristine, stock FSJs successfully run most Ouray/Silverton area mining trails (considered just a dirt road by many) without damage. Not so much technical driving as incredible views at high elevations on bumpy two track. Challenges are different than most like vapor lock, extreme rich load up in carb from improper tuning for high elevation and punctured tires. Low range is highly recommended - as in don't come without it.

Two trails I would advise against for stock FSJs that care about body damage:
Poughkeepsie Gulch (tho Kenny H did it topside down)
Engineer Trail (tho Kenny H and Tonka J200 have run it)
conditions vary each summer

Engineer used to be a lot more friendly but it gets a butt load of traffic. I am pretty sure butt load has been properly defined in a thread in the Ouray section. :D

[draglink]

Hey JFlu, glad to see another Tidewater Wagoneer owner! Check out this item on Ebay....

http://cgi.ebay.com/1979-JEEP-WAGONEER-PULLING-TRAILER-BLUE-MAGNET_W0QQitemZ230364994993QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_ DefaultDomain_0?hash=item35a2d2ddb1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[Rande]

Your Jeep won't be the only one feeling the altitude. I did a high pass last spring and it was bad. You may need a few days to acclimate. Thought I was going to have an aneurism. My desire to attend an invasion has diminished considerably.