looking for FSJ with my good eye closed

[oke-ja]

Hello
I've been a short Jeep guy for several years. But time & use have left my CJ kinda clapped... plus now I have three children and we can not all fit in a CJ (don't forget gear) any more. So - rather than keep the CJ going, I have been hunting for a low cost full size to swap for my short Jeep.
I think I found a prospect - drove past over weekend but could not stop (rotten schedules). Looks, from grille, like a '79 or '80 Wagoneer or 4 dr Cherokee. Has dents & rust but the price is right in my range. Bonus is that is sits about 30 min from home so I don't have to drive to PA where seems like most are for sale... nothing against PA but that is a long haul from MI.

Guess the year will matter bunch here?
1979 was last year for QT - right? Also wasn't '79 to '80 when auto transmission changed from TH400 to TF727 amd the transfer case changed from D20 or BW1339 to NP(something)? Was manual offered those years?

Far as what to look for when I go back tomorrow to have a close look...
any special caveats beyond the normal Jeep frame rust that gets worse from front to back ...attention to main eye spring mounts and shackle mounts (rust and cracks) ... FSJ specific kinda stuff?? Body rust is not giant issue to me... so long as the body is still firmly attached.

any advice or pointers would be cool... this is my first jump into big Jeeps :D

[Bob Barry]

The '80-'82 NP219 full-time transfer case was also badged a "Quadratrac", so the badge wouldn't determine the year.

The '79 and earlier units used the Borg-Warner 1339 version of the Quadratrac coupled to the GM TH400 tranny (though a D20 was available behind the standard tranny in the Cherokee only, not the Wagoneer, in '79). The pumpkin on the front axle was on the passenger side, and the rear axle was a passenger-offset D44.

In '80 and later they went to the NP208 part-time or NP219 full-time case mated to the TF727 (the NP208 could also come with a T176 4spd, or in '83 and later a T5 5spd manual tranny). They also went to a driver-side pumpkin on the D44 front axles, and an AMC20 rear axle, and a standard full-length gas-tank skidplate to protect the factory plastic tank.

For body-rust, check the rear body mounts at the rear crossmember; if those are shot, the boxes that retain the captive plates for the tailgate hinge bolts may also (or are vey likely to) be rusted, meaning major headaches for using your tailgate.

Also check that skidplate and the framerail it bolts to. Expect major penetrating rust that compromises the structural integrity of the truck. In that situation, angle iron and a stick welder are your friend. :D

[RustyJeep]

hey..you're in Rockford...that isn't too far from me. I'll keep an eye out for you. smile.gif OBTW, I know where one is for sale..I have been keeping it in mind for me, but right now, I can't afford 3 FSJ's smile.gif It's a 77 4Door Cherokee, orange with white top, and indian stripes. It says it has a rebuilt 360, new gas tank, and shift kit in the TH400. The frame doesn't look bad, the body is a little flaky in spots, but not TOO bad, and the interior is in pretty good shape (black velour). they are asking 1200, but it's been sitting all summer. smile.gif Man I wish I had the extra funds...IT'D BE MINE! :D Oh well...WMU gets my money first.

[ October 07, 2002, 04:57 PM: Message edited by: RustyJeep ]

[oke-ja]

Hey, RustyJeep.... that'd be like nextdoor in internet scope - thanks for the lookingout. I know what you mean about cashflowing somewhere else... family & house get my money first. I'm super low budget. $1200 would be topend - suppose if I actually put effort into selling my CJ then I would have more cash to work with hmmm.....

Thanks BobBarry for the details.
I do have my Grandfather's Lincoln AC-180S. Currently benched for "restore". I pulled it from his tool shed this summer... it hasn't been used in 8 or so years and was in need of some TLC. Can't wait to get that machine up & running ...should be a useful tool.


Just got back - here is what I found.

Nobody was around to talk to and no details were listed other than price and phone. Looks like it has been sitting in this spot most of Summer.
Wagoneer, no other badging. ODO reads 126k. Assume AMC 360. Rear is AMC20. Front is driver's drop D44 w/o locking hubs. It has 2wd - 4wd switch on dash and a lo - hi lever on driver side of trans hump. The t/c is NP looking so I am thinking is part time NP208. Grille is plastic w/thin horizontal slats and has two square headlights so I am thinking 1980.
Both left side doors are smashed but operable and left front fender corner is crumpled a bit. Rust is substantial. Both fronts have holes above wheel opening and holes in fenderwell (inside eng compartment). Rockers have holes. Doors are decent (except smash). Bottoms of rear quarters are gone... filled with expanding foam insulation :eek: Rust holes around tail lights. Rust holes in inside of rear pillars. Tail gate decent.
The underside is coated w/rust but frame seems solid. That fuel tank skid plate is gone - replaced by nylon tiedown straps and part of a conveyor belt. Most body mounts kinda ok solid. The rear mounts are gone.
Couldn't get under to check cond of other parts.
Front springs have negative arch - this normal? Rear springs are flat - normal?
The engine compartment is dry and dirty. The bottom of engine and trans are wet.
Interior shows wear. Except for glove box liner and radio, seems complete.
Don't know if it runs or drives or if 4wd works. Tires are worn.
$500 OBO
Assuming it does run, drive and 4wd works... seems like to me this could be ok deal if the guy takes offer.
Now I just need to decide if this is project I can handle and if it will fit in my garage.

What think?

[joe]

If it's got the vacuum 2WD/4WD switch on the dash it's an 83 or later w/np229 x-case(1986 np228). An 83/84 will have an obvious vacuum motor/diaphragm stuck in the front diff housing that operates the front axle. The 83/84 will also have a pull pin under the dash switch where as the later 229 rigs won't.

[RustyJeep]

This one I saw was in Holland. Seen as how it's been sitting out for sale all year, I was just gunna go over there with like 700 in cash and see what comes out of it smile.gif OBTW, it looks like it has a 3-4" lift :D AND the factory aluminum 5 slot wheelas and all center caps intact!

[ October 08, 2002, 01:55 PM: Message edited by: RustyJeep ]

[Narnian]

Springs should not have negative arch. I've seen mid-70's Jeeps with proper arch.

From the condition you describe, I think I'd offer a good deal less than $500 for it.