The saga begins...

[kyamcalvert]

I suppose I'll start at the beginning.

The mystifying allure of the Full Size Jeep first took hold on me when I was about fourteen. The drive to school was short and fairly unexciting, except for the fact that every day, making a right past Jim's Rib Haven, I would lay eyes on an early 80's Grand Wagoneer.
Now, Jeeps have been in my family all of my life. My mom had a baby Wrangler YJ ('95) that got totalled and replaced by a Cherokee XJ ('01). The Cherokee was my main daily driver for the good part of five years, and I loved every second of it.

ANYWAY, despite the peeling simulated woodgrain, the faded/chipped/rusty brown paint, and peculiar sagging rear end, the Waggy had stolen my heart.

The years passed, beaters came and went, and eventually about a year ago I found this forum.
Fast forward a few months and I've finally graduated high school, and my beater 1990 Subaru Wagon (got it for pocketchange prices) needed to go. With one less Subaru and 900 more dollars in my pocket, I began the hunt for my first FSJ.

One day, I came across a local craigslist ad for a 1981 J-10 pickup. 82k original, to-die-for sheet metal, clean interior...SIX HUNDRED BUCKS? I was all over it. Over the course of a couple hours and emails, he sold it out from under me. Oh how stricken I was. I immediately consulted the local Jeep forum, begging the users to help me...One thing led to another, and I ended up with an email address and hopes of a J-20 for a thousand buckaroos. After speaking with who some of you may know as rustywagoneers (or something similar, I'm not too sure), I headed down to check out his extensive FSJ collection.
I had only seen a couple of his Jeeps online, and I knew he had many, but I had my eye on one in particular...

And here she is the day we met:

http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/Kyam_Calvert/1987%20Wagoneer/46566_431608568892_741538892_5139812_4098339_n.jpg
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/Kyam_Calvert/1987%20Wagoneer/47188_431608803892_741538892_5139814_4596492_n.jpg

The deal was, the engine, and I quote: "has the horrible sound of an engine with TONS of slop in the bearings. Not one knocking. Not knocking at idle. But it sounds like a threshing machine if you turn the R's up a little".
The good news: he had a spare 360 to go right in.

I am (well, was) a complete mechanical newbie. Being painfully aware of this and much inclined to change it, I asked if I could help swap the engine. He kindly agreed.

We got to work.

The old 360, complete:
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/Kyam_Calvert/1987%20Wagoneer/photo2.jpg

Radiator housing cut for ease of pull (since it had already been cut before) :
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/Kyam_Calvert/1987%20Wagoneer/photo7.jpg

Buncha stuff gone:
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/Kyam_Calvert/1987%20Wagoneer/photo11.jpg

http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/Kyam_Calvert/1987%20Wagoneer/photo14.jpg

New engine, fresh coat of paint:

http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/Kyam_Calvert/1987%20Wagoneer/intakemanifoldvalvecoverspainted.jpg

All photos are here (http://s986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/Kyam_Calvert/1987%20Wagoneer/) in case anyone's interested :D

We are farther than the pictures show. Currently, the new motor is mounted, it's connected to the tranny, the exhaust, starter, and cooling lines are all set up, and we got the carb on.
So, after today's work, we've got an estimated two more days (of a few hours per day) before it's running.

Sorry it was so long, this is my first legit post, so I had to be thorough. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[badaboom]

Right on.
I like the barbed wire trim. :thumbsup:
Pretty good FSJ hunter too

[kyamcalvert]

Fancy, isn't it?

[badaboom]

Yah make sure your wearing gloves when your opening the doors. LOL

[bigun]

I only know Dave from various forums, he always seemed to be a stand up guy. Glad to see he is!

[lost1]

Welcome aboard! Having not been in the wrenching game that long myself, let me assure you these things will frustrate you no end, but are really pretty simple once you start to figure them out.

HINT: they're a lot like a cranky girlfriend. :D

Good looking rig!

[amcpsycho2]

I can connect on this thread on SO many levels.To start with,just the mention of Jim's Rib Haven makes my mouth water!It's been a few months since I've had a boney box! I'll be going by there on a scrapping trip to and from Carter Lake tomorrow,but they're CLOSED on Mondays!:(
Anyways,back to the saga,I'm good friends with Dave,rustywagoneers,and I've had Dave drive your new baby down here a few times.I really admired the barbed wire decal on that Waggy,seriously considering having that motif added to my J20 project.I've been into AMC and JEEPS for 35+ years!Dave will take good care of you,enjoy your Jeep.If you're ever running thru Wahoo,stop on by,actually just south of Wahoo in Swedeburg. KEEP on JEEP'IN!!:fsj:
psycho

[kyamcalvert]

I only know Dave from various forums, he always seemed to be a stand up guy. Glad to see he is!
He definitely is. Putting up with a newbie like me.:D

Welcome aboard! Having not been in the wrenching game that long myself, let me assure you these things will frustrate you no end, but are really pretty simple once you start to figure them out.

HINT: they're a lot like a cranky girlfriend. :D

Good looking rig!
Thanks! Even with only about five days of work under my belt, I've learned a ton.

And I've had plenty of cranky girlfriends...



I can connect on this thread on SO many levels.To start with,just the mention of Jim's Rib Haven makes my mouth water!It's been a few months since I've had a boney box! I'll be going by there on a scrapping trip to and from Carter Lake tomorrow,but they're CLOSED on Mondays!:(
Anyways,back to the saga,I'm good friends with Dave,rustywagoneers,and I've had Dave drive your new baby down here a few times.I really admired the barbed wire decal on that Waggy,seriously considering having that motif added to my J20 project.I've been into AMC and JEEPS for 35+ years!Dave will take good care of you,enjoy your Jeep.If you're ever running thru Wahoo,stop on by,actually just south of Wahoo in Swedeburg. KEEP on JEEP'IN!!:fsj:
psycho
Man, SO glad you know Jim's!! :thumbsup::thumbsup: Saucey fries FTW

It's awesome to post up your rig and have someone who knows it respond. The barbed wire actually looks real good up close, doesn't it? :D Whoever painted it did a good job. Thanks, and I'll keep in mind that I have a fellow Jeeper in Swedeburg.

[Tigger4X]

I was bummed at first and started to get :mad: at the guy that pulled the rug from under ya, but then hearing you connected with Rustywagoneers and seeing the beauty you picked up I knew for sure you were gonna be so much happier with it.


CONGRATS and enjoy the life long road you are embarking on enjoying the FSJ lifestyle! :fsj:

[kyamcalvert]

You're so right, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm glad the dude sold the J or I wouldn't be here with a sweet wag, gaining knowledge and experience. As opposed to shaking my head and begging the forums for help:D

[jeeper54]

Kiddo, you don't know how lucky you are! Off to a great start with a wag like that and the learning experience to boot. Congrats!:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[rustywagoneers_com]

I love that truck.

I hate that truck.

Oh, wait - it's an FSJ! That explains it perfectly!

At least you didn't post the 'Gimli' picture.....

[CJ the noisemaker]

Pretty sweet Wag!

rustywagoneers, what size tires are on that beast?

[usmc_mwroseberry]

Looks to be a 77 like mine. Only difference is my body is rusted out and my waggy has a 401. Even though I've replaced alot of little parts because of breaking down my total on my waggy with purchase price and new parts is still well under 1K. These things are so much fun it's rediculous and I'm glad you've been bitten by the bug. Congrats on your new truck and I'm jealous of the body on that thing ;)..

Good luck :fsj:

[jaber]

First off, welcome to the land of empty pockets and unfinished projects...

Looks like you are jumping in with both feet. Congrats on the new ride and the new friends. This board is full of awesome people...:thumbsup:

[rustywagoneers_com]

Those (in the pictures on the slot mags) are 33x10.50-15LT TSL Thornbirds (aka thornturds).

The tires are for sale separately if anyone cared!

[710 Burner]

...they're a lot like a cranky girlfriend. :D
Is there another kind?

[kyamcalvert]

Kiddo, you don't know how lucky you are! Off to a great start with a wag like that and the learning experience to boot. Congrats!:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Trust me, I know. :D Can't believe my luck.



At least you didn't post the 'Gimli' picture.....

Careful...people will start to get curious...then I'll have to.

Pretty sweet Wag!



Thanks, I've quite admired Setsuna from afar for a while.

Looks to be a 77 like mine. Only difference is my body is rusted out and my waggy has a 401. Even though I've replaced alot of little parts because of breaking down my total on my waggy with purchase price and new parts is still well under 1K. These things are so much fun it's rediculous and I'm glad you've been bitten by the bug. Congrats on your new truck and I'm jealous of the body on that thing ;)..

Good luck :fsj:

Thanks! I am very pleased with the condition of the body as well :D :D :D

First off, welcome to the land of empty pockets and unfinished projects...

Looks like you are jumping in with both feet. Congrats on the new ride and the new friends. This board is full of awesome people...:thumbsup:

I was waiting for the signature jaber welcome. Thanks! I've learned quickly since joining that this forum is full of the greatest people on earth.

[amcpsycho2]

Keep us posted on your progress,hope all goes well,and you're happily driving her home soon.:drivin:

[kyamcalvert]

Got some more work done this weekend.

As follows (iirc):
- top side of engine basically all the way done
- re-welded the radiator housing and got the cooling system all sorted
- began work on cleaning/flushing oil system since the engine's been sitting so long

Oh, and Dave modified a distributor to act as an oil pump to make oil pressure. Pretty cool stuff.


A/C compressor and power steering installed:
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/Kyam_Calvert/compressorandpowersteeringon.jpg

Dave did the work, not I:
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/Kyam_Calvert/weldfinalleft.jpg
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/Kyam_Calvert/weldfinalright.jpg

Return of the Boobie:
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/Kyam_Calvert/replacegrillalmost.jpg

So, it's coming along pretty nicely. She will be running next time we work, and then we'll be flushing out all that two-year-old oil in the lines.

I'm going to ramble for a couple more minutes though:thumbsup:

So, in the first post I mentioned my mother's wrangler getting totaled. Well, the tires were about 99.9% tread the day of the crash, and I dug them out of the shed to throw on the wag. Personally, I love the tread pattern and I think stock size tires look pretty good with a slight lift. The pattern is Goodyear Workhorse (LT235/75/15). I don't think they make them anymore. They've even got studs :eek: Old school.

http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/Kyam_Calvert/wheelshot.jpg

http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/Kyam_Calvert/DSC_0150.jpg

http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/Kyam_Calvert/DSC_0148.jpg



This seems to be my biggest rust spot:
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/Kyam_Calvert/rearrust.jpg

Looks trivial to me.
I plan on painting the entire truck, and you can all rest assured you will be very, very sick of seeing my "PLEASE HELP" posts when that happens :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Ok, I'll stop now.

[amcpsycho2]

The tires look agressive!Not looking forward to the weather that you'll be needing those studs for,should get you thru when it does though!LOL!Keep up the good work,and as my 4 year old grandson said to his 1 year old sister,watch and learn!

[jeepjseries]

Looks good keep up the good work and keep us posted, oh and by the way that isn't a rust spot.

[rustywagoneers_com]

Well, it runs…..
I give the project as of last night an 80% (solid 'B' territory).

We got high marks for:
- No oil/ coolant leaks after warming it up
- Fired right up once it had fuel in the system
- No exhaust leaks
- Hits on all 8
- All the big stuff is on, where it belongs, with proper fasteners

However, we get a 'D' for:
- Ticks that have not yet gone away

We will try a couple of short-duration oil changes, and a good dose of 'seafoam' and see if that gains us any ground.
Then if necessary (I expect it will be necessary) we will go in and replace some rocker pairs.

[eurowag]

like the tyres , like the barbed wire decals! good luck with it nice truck

[rustywagoneers_com]

Drove it. Put it through several hot cold cycles.

Probably still going to need some rocker pairs, though.

[kyamcalvert]

Dave worked his magic tonight and we got a deer strainer on the truck. Some 1 1/2 inch tube (iirc) and a couple slices of i-beam did the trick nicely, I'd say.

http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/Kyam_Calvert/1987%20Wagoneer/deerkillerpainted.jpg

In other news, even a baby Cherokee will save your life. Some lady ran a red light, clipped one guy's front end, and full-on smashed me, driver's side, in my mother's XJ.

http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/Kyam_Calvert/rearsideview.jpg

RIP good Cherokee. We'll miss you. Welcome TJ.

http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/Kyam_Calvert/2006%20TJ/tjatdaves.jpg


Okay, I'm really done now. :D

[kyamcalvert]

Wait, one more thing - drove the truck a few miles. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[rustywagoneers_com]

And the ticks have been eradicated, thanks to a bunch of rocker pairs.

Now it needs a life in the hands of an enthusiastic owner to deal with all the idiosyncracies, and who can appreciate such a fine example of true 'Merrrcan engineering.