New guy, Looking for some advice.

[automan2164]

Hey guys, just thought I would cut straight to the chase here... I am a moderator for the Comancheclub.com forums, and know the XJ/MJ's very well. I have been looking for a tow rig for sometime now, and finally found one I like... Here is what I know about it. (Or what the current owner says)

1989 Grand Wagoneer
VIN: 1J4GS5877KP111060
360, 727, (part time t-case), D44's front and rear.
100K on chassis, about 100K on '86 360 out of GW.
New pan gasket, rear main seal, alternator, cooper tires, and ignition module.

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2283/12277348/22678323/381045218.jpg
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2283/12277348/22678323/381045211.jpg

The guy who has it now bought it 2 weeks ago, for $800, not running. He put the oil pan gasket, rear main, alt, and ignition module on it, and got it going. Seems to run pretty strong, even on the old gas, but he didn't get the passenger side downpipe to seal good on the manifold after having it down for the pan, and its LOUD. The PO before him bought it from a kid with a bad 360, had a shop toss in the '86 360, and rebuild the trans. Drove it for a bit, and it stopped running. Took it back to the shop, where it sat until the owner told him to come get it or it was going to the scrap heap. He still had no clue what was wrong, so he sold it to my friend at work. Guy at work is getting rid of it because his wife wants the space back in the garage... :banghead:

So, its up for sale now, he's asking $2500. I would like it as a tow rig for my MJ projects, and a nice driver with style. :cool: So far, just looking and poking around it today at dusk, I found a few things... It seems to leak a ton of oil from around the harmonic balancer, the water pump is leaking, and the 4x4 doesn't engage(Most likely vacuum). The exhaust is kinda hackjobbed by the downpipe where it bolts on the manifold. Also, there is a dent under the gas tank, the right rear quarter is rusted through, and rust starting under the woody trim in various spots. The back right window had a bunch of surface rust on the lower edge, like its been leaking... The back window seems to go up and down with trouble, and gets stuck on an angle. Interior is in good shape, but carpet is VERY DIRTY. Blower motor seems to have gave up the ghost, but I did feel heat floating around the dash. The kid must have had some stupid stereo in it, there are wires coming under the seat in back, and the speakers are all MIA.

I am writing to ask the pro's. :D I know my Comanches and Cherokees, but want to know what I should be looking out for on these, common problems, or dire signs of going down hill. From what I hear, the drivetrains are pretty stout, but am I correct? Is it worth $2500? I was thinking around the $1500 mark... What is fair?

Thanks in advance guys, and I hope to buy it if I can... :drivin:
Rob L.

[Long&Low]

Look for frame rot back near the fuel tank. check the floor boards for rust.

[automan2164]

Done and done... Floors looked solid, and the frame looked good back by the leaf perches, and back by the hitch... I got burned by a CJ-8 scrambler frame years ago, and now I am a stickler on the frames. Looks like this one might have been undercoated... Its flaking off.

Thanks!
Rob L. :D

[vintagetrks]

For the amount of things wrong with the rig and the repairs made it's still leaking oil and water. Offer the guy $900.00 and if he does'nt take it go elsewhere. You can find a much better rig for $2500.00. :thumbsup:

[jaber]

WELCOME TO THE LAND OF EMPTY POCKETS AND UNFINISHED PROJECTS...


I agree with the price being too high...

[addicted]

Done and done... Floors looked solid, and the frame looked good back by the leaf perches, and back by the hitch... I got burned by a CJ-8 scrambler frame years ago, and now I am a stickler on the frames. Looks like this one might have been undercoated... Its flaking off.

Thanks!
Rob L. :D


Welcome and the part of the frame long&low was referring to is under the rear drivers door. The tank is tucked into the frame and held in place by the skid plate where it traps dirt and everything else and rots the frame from the inside out.

I also agree on the incredibly high price for the stuff that's wrong.

[automan2164]

Hmm. Thanks for the input guys... Thats kinda what I had figured. I knew the price was high, but I didn't know he overshot it by that much. It told me he thinks that its worth $2300 or $2400... I even walked him through what I found, and my limited knowledge of FSJ's... Hes a jeep guy, but was mainly CJ's. He seemed surprised at what I could tell him about it, but still thought it was worth the same after my run down.

What can I say. I am dissapointed, but I'm no sucker.

Thanks guys!

Oh, is there anything I can keep an eye out for on future finds?
Rob L. :thumbsup:

[jeepskater433]

Welcome fellow CC member!! $2500 seems a little steep, $1500 i think seems about right, It looks nice but it does still need some work, and theres no hood ornament :/

[vintagetrks]

Oh, is there anything I can keep an eye out for on future finds?
Rob L. :thumbsup:

Check out the for sale section here. Also check out CL you'll find a good rig at a good price just keep looking til you find a good one. :thumbsup:

[Ristow]

i'm in the rust belt like you. i get mine in the clean zones. you can find driveable solid ones for a grand,if your patient. catch a bus to it,drive it back. i've driven one from K.C (CA truck) and one from S.C back here to WI. i currently have a 1000.00 '91 from VA. i trailered home,but had i put an alternator in it -like i did when i got home-it would have easily made the trip,blowing cold from the a/c all the way.


2500.00 better not need any immediate work in my book.

[vintagetrks]

I guess I'm lucky out here in Az the first FSJ I bought was $500.00 and I drove it home. Bought my RUST FREE Cherokee for $400.00 have'nt driven it yet but she runs. If your looking for a rust free rig and can travel to get one there are tons of them here in Az for very reasonable prices.:thumbsup:

[jaber]

For $2500, I could get you a '67 Glad with no rust and just needs a head gasket. It comes with a '71 Jeep bed trailer, cab and front clip.

[vintagetrks]

For $2500, I could get you a '67 Glad with no rust and just needs a head gasket. It comes with a '71 Jeep bed trailer, cab and front clip.

Heck Jeff for $2500 you could probably get the guy a whole fleet of jeeps? LOL :thumbsup:

[lkmarsh]

...I found a few things... It seems to leak a ton of oil from around the harmonic balancer, the water pump is leaking, and the 4x4 doesn't engage(Most likely vacuum). The exhaust is kinda hackjobbed by the downpipe where it bolts on the manifold. Also, there is a dent under the gas tank, the right rear quarter is rusted through, and rust starting under the woody trim in various spots. The back right window had a bunch of surface rust on the lower edge, like its been leaking... The back window seems to go up and down with trouble, and gets stuck on an angle. Interior is in good shape, but carpet is VERY DIRTY. Blower motor seems to have gave up the ghost, but I did feel heat floating around the dash. The kid must have had some stupid stereo in it, there are wires coming under the seat in back, and the speakers are all MIA.
Welcome to Big Jeep Land. Your diagnosis reminded me of Dan Akroyd buying a 59 Cad ambulance in GhostBusters.:lol:You can do a lot better for $2500. Just for laughs do a Tempest search of CL for Jeeps. $1200 got me a custom with 350/TH400/D20 and buckets, console and tilt.

Tempest (http://www.searchtempest.com/)

[AMC-J/20]

Done and done... Floors looked solid, and the frame looked good back by the leaf perches, and back by the hitch... I got burned by a CJ-8 scrambler frame years ago, and now I am a stickler on the frames. Looks like this one might have been undercoated... Its flaking off.

Thanks!
Rob L. :D

:D Welcome aboard, you got had by rotten frame ? :eek: isn't that the first thing them Comanches taught ya FRAME rust ? :D

Mike aka AMC-MJ :thumbsup:

[Voodoochiled445]

Like many said that price is way too high.

I know not too far from me there is a I believe an 86 wagoneer thats got a 4" lift, lots of aftermarket upgrades(lights,winch, front and rear bumpers, skid plates and goodies under the hood)runs and drives and the guy was asking $2900 obo.

:fsj:

[PlasticBoob]

$1,500 to $2,000 seems fair to me, depending on the general availability of decent FSJs in your area.

She sure looks like a comfy place to be sitting in the snow. :D

[automan2164]

Thanks a bunch guys! I think after mulling it over, I am going to offer $1000, and tell him what I know, and what I learned here... If he bites, he bites, if not, and someone gives him what he wants, good for him.

I am defineatley keeping my eyes peeled though... Looking for a GW, or J20 in the IL/WI area...

Thanks again!
Rob L. :thumbsup: