New Memeber with a project!

[1978JP]

Hey FSJ Owners,

I'm new to the site but not to a FSJ. I am 21 years old and have had this Jeep before I was born. My mom picked it out at a used Chevrolet Car lot back in 1985. My dad sold his k20 Pickup for a bigger vehicle to haul my brother and I around to school. Anyways from what I have been told the day my dad drove it to the house the engine caught into flames from faulty wiring and the problems have been going on ever since. Fast foward to 2002 I was 16 and got my licesnse my dad and I worked on that Cherokee so I could take my drivers test in and passed of course. 3 months later it went down and which brings it to 2007 and still not running. I was going to sell it to a Jeep person but no body wanted it. I guess we were ment to be together. So enought with my story of how i got it...

This is going to be my project that I want to share to you and hope to learn more about these great rigs. I am somewhat on a budget but don't want to take any easy shortcuts around it. I want a great performing rig that will be good for daily driven and I can take it on my trips of camping, fishing and whatever else I may want to do.

Pics of its Current State:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/FrontGrill.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/Soonenough.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/LittleChief.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/BrokendownJP.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/IMG_0443.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/IMG_0439.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/IMG_0441.jpg

I will update as often as I can. I hope to get the steering column fixed and get it pushed into the carport. At least Ill have a dry place to work on it.

Some Goodies:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/IMG_0438.jpg
Finally a Cluster that dosn't have the lens falling out. And some crafty touch up!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/FullWiring.jpg
A full wiring kit for all the torn and battered wiring to be replaced.

[Dirtball]

Welcome, and good luck... I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say we look forward to seeing your progress.

[bigun]

Welcome to the addiction!!

[jeeping1974]

welcome aboard! looks like on the right track to get it back up and running :thumbsup:

[Kali]

welcome, nice truck. sounds like you and i share similar goals for our rigs, i will follow closely to see what direction you head in as i am undecided with how to proceed at this point.

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

Nice W/T :) . Im guessin a '78 from your handle? Whats it got for a motor, 360? 401? Looks to be pretty straight, real nice shape. Oh, and, NICE INTERIOR! Its freakin MINT.

[Gambler68]

nice, that one aged well.

Ok, so how'd you roll back the OD on that cluster?

[Ugly Truck Nut]

Nice rig, welcome aboard.

[drlocke]

That one looks very clean! :thumbsup:

Welcome to the insanity. :D

[HeavyHauler]

Welcome aboard. Overall, a nice looking rig! What's that wire wrapped around the radiator hose? What happens when you turn the key?

[CustomWag]

Welcome from Oregon! Good looking rig, I think it's pretty cool you're going to bring it back to life.

[FSJ Guy]

Certainly one of the nicer looking "project" trucks I've ever seen! Welcome (to the maddness!).

[rockingon24_7]

That first post is always the easy one, now the work begins

[1978JP]

well here are some more pics of the interior just another quick shot. I am surprised by how many like the interior. Yes its complete but its moldy, due to a leak on the roof and when the sun hits it. At least the dash is still in good condition. But I want to keep it stock looking with a little flare. Any ways here are some answers to your questions as well.


Nice W/T . Im guessin a '78 from your handle? Whats it got for a motor, 360? 401? Looks to be pretty straight, real nice shape. Oh, and, NICE INTERIOR! Its freakin MINT.

It's a 360, I'm debating weither to get a 360 or 401 rebuild.


nice, that one aged well.

Ok, so how'd you roll back the OD on that cluster?

From what the seller of the cluster told me, you put in a alan wrench or alan bit to a drill and start winding backward. PM me if you have more questions about it.

Welcome aboard. Overall, a nice looking rig! What's that wire wrapped around the radiator hose? What happens when you turn the key?

That wire is for the radiator fan. The wire is a sensor that my dad wrapped around coolant house and it will go off when gets too hot. Or the other option would be to hook it up to a switch and have it run during the summer months. I don't like and will be finding something better. As far as starting it it will run and idle but after a good week of running it just won't start or stay started. I have no idea and would rather spend the extra money on getting a completly new rebuilt 360 or 401.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/headliner.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/armrest2.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/Badarmrest.jpg

I'll start to get the engine pulled or removed in the next few weeks, but need to get the ignition to turn so I can put it in neutral so I can get it pushed under some cover then the engine removal and engine bay recovery begins! :D

[krek]

Up until those last photos I was going to tell you that it "wasn't a project"... but it is. :D

Good luck with your project!

[1977cherokeechief]

Up until those last photos I was going to tell you that it "wasn't a project"... but it is. :D

Good luck with your project!

X2


where is the rust at?:p

and good luck, u will need it

[jeepfan93]

Welcome from Jersey. Looks pretty good. I might be buying a Chero myself next week.

[thor1966]

As far as getting the mold out use a mild bleach or vinegar solution.I used both on mine when i had both worked fine.BTW...nice rig
Thor
Currently Jeepless

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

Well, ok,...the dash was nice! lol

[1978JP]

Still havn't been able to work on the ignition but hopefully tomorrow i can get it in neutral and push it under some cover with a lil help with the ford pickup. Here are the exterior problems I have to deal with: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/frontfenderdamage.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/fenderdamage2.jpg
These pics are of the Front fender. Had a little accident with a light pole when I first started driving. Im going to replace the fender, door, and rocker panel. I came accross a fiberglass fender for it but I think I would rather stick with a metal one that has minimal rust. And I love the flares on the fenders!:D

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/fenderrust.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/intfenderrust.jpg
Heres the rear fender flare that is rusting out pretty good. I was thinking of just ordering new fenders from BJ's w/o the flares and cut off the rear flares and fab up the Bushwachers that some people have done to their wagoneer's. But like I said I love the stock flares so thoughts and suggestions please ingquire. lol
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/Quarterpaneldamage.jpg

And the last major problem is the Quarter Panel near the upper tailgate and quarter panel.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/interiorroofsurfacerust.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/interiorroofrust.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/moldyoldheadliner.jpg

And I pulled out the rest of the headliner a little surface rust but not a big deal. Finally no more moldy saggy headliner!:thumbsup:

Hopefully I can get it some cover by this weekend.

[1978JP]

Well between a new job and everything elese I havn't done mutch. I figure it will be easier to get my towbar from my uncle and hook it up to the truck and back the jeep into the carport...I hope to find a good AMC rebuilder in northeren CA as well. Need to get my engine going or just get a new block, maybe a 401. :thumbsup:

[hull1962]

Really a beautiful project, that you have exitos:thumbsup:

[FSJ-Jackson]

where in northern CA are you? A buddy of mine Dave, who owns Dave's Auto Parts in Santa Rosa, is an AMC fanatic and has been building and racing AMC products for many years.:drivin: He would probably be willing to tell you all you want to know about engine rebuilding. BTW, he is going to be selling his 401 out of his Gremlin bracket race car in the next few weeks. Apparantly it is a healthy 470 hp 401 bored .040. Nothing real special but it made his Gremlin do around 12 sec flat, sometimes as low as 11.8:thumbsup:
PM me if you are interested in his phone number

[shimniok]

Welcome and let us know how we can help you get that fine cherokee running...! :D

[J4GRAND]

Just a thought but you don't need to unlock the steering to put that rig in neutral. If it has low range on the QT, you can pull the low range handle up so it is between hi and low range even with the shifter in park. It will now roll like the tranny was in neutral however the steering will still be locked.

[1978JP]

Just a thought but you don't need to unlock the steering to put that rig in neutral. If it has low range on the QT, you can pull the low range handle up so it is between hi and low range even with the shifter in park. It will now roll like the tranny was in neutral however the steering will still be locked.

Really, I never thought of that. I'll give it a try and I can always put it on the flat bed trailer. I'm going to research a little more and see what I can do. Thanks for the tip!


UPDATE: I tried what you told but it seams like its frozen. Couldn't get the handle up. Felt like I was going to break it off. Anyways I'm going to go get a steering wheel puller and a lock plate compressor. Just going to have to get that ignition lock out and put in a new one.

[1978JP]

Well I finally fixed that darn steering wheel ignition problem. It was actually the steering wheel mechanism that locked up the ignition system. So lubed it up with white lithium and got it free. Now it can go into gear. Engine work begins.

[jaber]

The ignition gremlins must be migrating east, I just had one eat the key and not give it back. :eek: I tried to start it and it wont go back into the lock position to release the key. :banghead:

[1978JP]

The ignition gremlins must be migrating east, I just had one eat the key and not give it back. :eek: I tried to start it and it wont go back into the lock position to release the key. :banghead:

LoL...As you all know how bad these Jeep's leak in all the right places. It's been raining so hard here in the Bay Area for a good 2 days and the past other storms just caused so much saturation and when the sun hits it it's like a rain forest in there. Everyday I have to open up the windows to let it air out. But all that humidity in there locked up the steering wheel and ignition, and the rear window had problems as well. I sure hope I don't find rust spots in the floor pan. But I looked underneath the chassis and I don't see anything major as far as rust. Ill have to wait and see :banghead:

I emailed some gents up in Portland Oregon that rebuild AMC engine's for Jeep's and AMX's there website ishttp://american-motors-jeep-engines.com/americanmotorsandjeepenginebuilders/index.html. I hope they can peice me together a good 360 for my Cherokee. Since I have yet to find a good AMC engine builder here in the bay area.

[1978JP]

Well I just got an email back from AMC Engine and Jeep builders from Portland Oregon, and they are very informative and help full. I told them I want a high torque engine and reliable engine. They said about 3k for a 360 with a high torque cam with roller timing chain to match. matching steel heads, a edelbrock air gap intake and 4bbl carb to match, plus dynoed and tuned to the correct specs and all shipped to me:D. I think thats a good price for something I can basicly "customize" my engine to what I am wanting. I need to go over my funds and see if the 3k is going to bell well worth it for my rig. I will have other things to repalce such as a new gas tank, with fuel pump and fuel lines, oil lines, aluminum cross flow radiator with electric fan, nickel plated oil and water pump housing and cover plus an hei distributer, new engine wire harness, header, and dumped into true dual exhaust to make this rig roar! Tell you the truth I can't really wait. :)

[energyhutch]

Congratulation on giving into the addiction! I just purchased my first FSJ Cherokee and I am pumped also. Mine is the same faded red (ill say it-its pink) color and everything!

[1978JP]

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/gwag_seats.jpg

I'm thinking of picking these G-Wag seats off of Rainman for $50 bucks for both. Of course I will recover them. I'm thinking of going with a Buckskin leather for them. Maybe some of that neoprene for the inserts or whatever that new material is on the new Jeep Wranglers. They are power but don't come with any bases. Maybe I could rig them up on my orig sliders that the lowback have. But I will have to figure a way to get them to fold down if I need to put someone in the back seat. I love the orig lowbacks, but I want something that is going to support my upper portion. I'm trying to stay OEM as possable since they can fit and look the best or make them fit. I'm going to ditch the middle armrest and get a middle armrest/storage box. I like the ones that have a key for it since in fact it makes my belongings a little more safer when I'm out in town. Or I can just look around for a complete set of new seats from a company.

[1978JP]

Well I was talking to a coe-worker today who has owned numerious full size jeeps and tell's me he's selling his 1991 Grand Wagoneer and offered me 1000 for it. He says it's running strong and has no major problems. Only an exhaust leak and paint will need to be taken care of. Orig color is dark blue, but the orig owner repainted it to a red that was crap job and now its gone to hell in a hand basket. I'm going to take a look at it but if the engine is strong and worth the effort for a little tlc then I might just pick it up and keep the Cherokee as a side project for my dad since he wanted to fix it up. He told me I could have the cherokee as long as I took good care of it. (I think the cherokee has a soft spot in his heart just like it does with me.) I'll grab a couple digi pics of the G-wagoneer when I see it next thursday just to get some opinions. I just would like to have a truck where I can work on it and yet use it for the things I would need to use it for. Since in fact my little 95 civic is my daily driver and what to keep that going. I guess I'm getting into the CRAZE!!!:thumbsup:

[GWDriver]

Just saw this, so...........................welcome & enjoy.

[1978JP]

Well I saw my co-worker's 1991 Grand Wagoneeer and am pretty pleaseed with it. He has a good running 360 that has a small exhaust leak though, paint is on the fritz its red right now but orig paint is that dark blue. Interior is good but has some things to be fixed. Just a little TLC here and there but it RUNS! and he's only asking $1,000 for it. I think it's a pretty good deal. I would like a truck I can take to drill with (I'm in the Marine Reserves) and throw all of my gear in and also do whatever other stuff i want to do. But not having to spend a whole lot on it to make it run or go. I figured on doing this...

Engine:
Summit 8600 camshaft
Summit Double Roller Chain and gear set
Edlebrock Performer intake (EGR or non EGR? do i need to keep the EGR for smog reasons, since im in the state of CA????:confused:)
Edlebrock Performer Carb or Holley Electric TBI
Rebuild the heads.
HEI distributer
Ultimate AMC V8 Oil Upgrade from Bulltear.com
Aluminum radiator with new Electric fan
Edelbrock Shorty Headers (once again EGR or non EGR:confused:
New Thermostat and Waterpump
Starter and Alternator
I will determine the shape of the piston's but if they are in good shape i will just leave them alone.

Paint and body work

6" Lift and Rims/ Tires

Misc Interior work.
Onboard air compressor and tank.

[1978JP]

Since I'm still living under my parent's roof I had my dad come look at the G-Wag that my co-worker is selling. He's not sure as there is a given exhaust leak but no worries for me. He sees theres some body work and damage that needs to be fixed but hey it's a jeep it not perfect. The cherokee has a little more paint/body the this g-wag. My dad was concered about an oil leak, it's not much, but all jeep's need to mark their territory!:D It also has a little fluid exiting out the tailpipe (a gasoline/water mixture?):confused: a little more then usual but a lot of newer trucks even do that when they first get started up. I don't know he's asking for $1000 and I would have full responsability over it buying insurance mechanical work, but that's kinda what I would like to do. I just want it to be ok to bring it home. I feel my dad wants me to fix up the Cherokee more and I know my plans for it isn't what he would like to see. I figure do my own thing with my own vehicle and he can have his cherokee for himself. I just want to have some fun and have a little investment that will last me a long time, if it craps out and turns out crap then I guess it's a I told you so and we learn. If you have comments or thoughts or ideas let me know. I want all the help I can get. Thanks IFSJA:thumbsup:

[rjgilliam]

Welcome from KY!
I wish I could get to work on my rig that quickly. I see it from my kitchen window every day thinking "Soon baby. . . soon".
Good luck!
rob g.

[MGrimm]

Nice Chero! It will require some work for sure. For a headliner check with http://www.smsheadliners.com/ I am in the process of getting one myself.

What's wrong with the engine? Good luck! Low budget? Better rethink that statement, as these thing will nickle and dime you to death. Every week is a new adventure. You have a good starting point though. Try to get it running first if I can make a suggestion.

[1978JP]

Nice Chero! It will require some work for sure. For a headliner check with http://www.smsheadliners.com/ I am in the process of getting one myself.

What's wrong with the engine? Good luck! Low budget? Better rethink that statement, as these thing will nickle and dime you to death. Every week is a new adventure. You have a good starting point though. Try to get it running first if I can make a suggestion.

No I wouldn't want to go cheap on it since your right these thing's do require a lot of lovin. My quote from some engine builders in Portland estimated 3k for a total custom build, low torque and good compression everything to make a complete longblock and dyno tested ready to be dropped in. But I also need to upgrade fuel lines, vaccum and everything elese. As far as the engine that is in there already, It's not worth my time right now. Because its had nothing but trouble in the past and to many "unskilled" mechanics have worked on it in the past and mest it up. Thinking they know what they are doing. But I may pay 1k for a well running Grand Wag from my co-worker and let my dad deal with the cherokee. I'm not really looking forward to spend 4500 to complete the engine work and other drivetrain item that need to adressed to get it to move. And then what if it crud's out I would be pissed. At least if the G-Wag goes out I would have already invested 1k to 1300 in it.

[1978JP]

Ok so I saw this wagoneer on craigslist for about 2k they want it for it's a 1965 wagoneer blue paint and black interior, 3 speed manuel and they say it runs good and shift's good. Heres some pics I pulled off the website. I'm going to go check it out and see how it drives. I will let you know what I think. Let me know any opinions and thoughts based on the pics. I wish I got some pics of the 1991 G-Wag that my co-worker that had offered me 1k for. Like I said I love the cherokee but I don't want to spend 3k for an engine alone plus another 1500 for other crap to just get it running. I don't want to go cheap but I don't want to get screwed and have something else come up and go over my budget of 6k for the cherokee.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/Wagoneer5.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/Wagoneer4.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/Wagoneer3.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/Wagoneer2.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/Wagoneer1.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/WagoneerInt3.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/WagoneerInt2.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/WagoneerInt1.jpg

[moorehouse77]

Looks like a good project. Have fun with it.:D

[COLOFIREMAN]

Hey with a color like it is you should call it gold mine. Getting hard to find those W/T that are not rusted to death. :thumbsup:

Nice build and good luck.:cool:

[1978JP]

Hey thanks for some more replies but I think im going to let my dad mess with the Cherokee Chief and let him build that up for his like. Im still not sure about the 65 wagoneer I found but here are some engine pics. Would it have a 327 Vigilante in it. Here's a cell phone pic that I took of earlier. Can someone help me out. It started up great and had no problem going into reverse and 1st without having to accerlate at all by the way it's a 3 speed manuel colum shift and took it around the block for the first time in a real classic jeep. they want 2k for it. it does have some int and body work to be done. They said some sweet older lady sold it to them...but heres the engine shot and another day pic.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/WagoneerEngine1.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/Wagoneer6.jpg