Potential new FSJ owner with a few quick questions.

[Gally99]

So I may be acquiring a free wagoneer soon. Based off the grill I assume it's 66-69.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gally99/4689203317/
I have a couple questions.
First, where do I find the VIN? The owner recently died, so we're still working on finding the keys, and I haven't been able to check the door sills and whatnot, all I know is that it's not on the dash like my wrangler.
Second, are there any major issues that would make me want to flat out avoid a 66-69?
Last, the tailgate is rusted out.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gally99/4689837440/
I believe the truck has spent it's whole life in California, most likely in the SF bay area. Shouldn't have spent a bunch of time on salted roads.
Is this rust common for any wagoneer this old, or is it likely that there's more rust hiding. Doing a quick walk around I didn't notice rust anywhere else besides a light coat on the hood (the hood and one door seem to have been replaced).

I'm also a member at jeepforum, but their FSJ board seems to be rather sparsely populated, and while they've been very helpful with my wrangler, you guys seem to be an awesome resource for an FSJ.

Thanks for any help!

[mud89]

Welcome !
The identification plate is located in the upper left corner (driver side) of the engine firewall
Floors may also have rust. Check also fenders, rockers, rear quarter panels.

[jaber]

Welcome to the land of empty pockets and unfinished projects....

Once you get the drivers door open, there might be a vin plate on the hinge side of the door jamb. It will have a # like 1414X or something similar. I think there might even be one on the drivers firewall, but could also be mistaken...:rolleyes:

A good slim-jim would make short work of that locked door.
Good luck with it....

[joe]

On my 63 the VIN plate is on the drivers side A pillar, on my 72 it's on the firewall in the eng bay. Some rust can be expected even in non road salt areas. My 63 has a quarter coin size rust sport on the rear fender lip. My 72 had 52,000 on the clock but the truck sat 20 years in a wet climate(western Or) and bad rust on the floors. Owner got sick and couldn't drive anymore so it sat under a carport till he died 20 years later. Without being driven with the widows open or heater on in 20 years allowed moisture to get the carpet wet w/o drying out so the floors were rotted from the inside out so look under the carpets. Also coastal folks for some reason like playing on the beach so if yours has been exposed to ocean salt water or wet beach sand expect some rust.

[mattbauer]

Welcome from the land of OZ:) .

[suzq044]

As my bf says, the first place to chexk is your wallet. Otherwise, what they said.

[Gally99]

Thanks a bunch folks for the quick responses!
I'm currently unemployed, so I don't have a lot of money to sink into a vehicle obviously, but it does mean that I have a lot of time...
I got my Wrangler for free as well, barely running and getting 8 rough mpg, and it's now my daily driver getting about 20 mpg. I've only put about $500 in the last year too, so I'm pretty confidant.
Supposedly the Wagoneer was running not too long ago, and if I can't get it to a point where I can drive it home within a day or two I'm not going to bother with it.

So I'm gonna be looking around the door frame or on the firewall for the VIN...
And as for rust and the tailgate, I guess I'm wondering if it's common for the tailgate to totally rot out like that, or if I need to assume that there's rust equally bad in other places.

[Al Johnson]

I had a '78 many years ago that rusted out in the tailgate area similar looking to yours. (Minnesota truck.) I went after it with replacement sheet metal and a welder, and by the time I was done, had replaced a LOT of metal in the tailgate, and the surrounding opening, and the lower rear quarter areas in general. Yours may differ, but that was my experience. However, it was so worth it. A weekend of fun with the tinsnips and welder got the tailgate area looking way better, not spraying water into the interior when hitting a puddle, and much more solid, as well as the tailgate not threatening to fall off the back of the truck when the rust gave way.

By the way, nothing's more expensive than a free Jeep. So good luck, and have fun!
:drivin:

[Tad]

The tailgate rust is encouraged by bad wipe seals at the top, water just rolls off the glass and right down inside. Many of these rigs have similar lack of maintenance issues.
Next worse area is usually he floorboards up front. The cowl channels air through the firewall area and down to vents in the front driver and passenger area. It's traditionally full of leaves and rot, the drain holes clog and the debris hold moisture there too long.

[joe]

I guess I'm wondering if it's common for the tailgate to totally rot out like that, or if I need to assume that there's rust equally bad in other places.
It's real common on some tailgates like the ones on Commando's but in FSJ's I don't think it's very common unless it's from a rust belt state but yours may have been an ocean beach runner. When it comes to rust don't assume anything you have to dig and look but I've found rust is like rot in a wood boat, the more you dig, the more you find.

[Gally99]

Thanks again everybody.
So they still haven't found the keys, but I was able to poke around for a minute. It doesn't look too bad under the hood. Everything's fairly clean, belts are in good shape, carb looks much newer than the motor.
As for the motor, it's a Tornado 230. I'm a little less sure of the year of this thing now.
Digging through google, it looks like there's still a lot of people running and maintaining these motors. So how bad is it finding parts?
I'm still trying to figure out if I want to dump any of my no money into a new project. Either way I'm having a bunch of fun digging through your forum here.
Thanks a bunch everyone!

[CLS]

Yes rust can occur in California vehicles too.I am sure if they are not propery kept out of sun and water rust can occur.My 72 J2000 has some rust in the typical spots.The 80 Cherokee I owned had no rust at all.

I believe the Tornado motor is known for being a good motor and many parts are available since the motor was used in the wagoneers, the trucks, and the m175.I am sure there are others on this forum that can speak to that.

but sounds like it has some potential and free is not bad at all.

Chris