Found a 1965 Wagoneer 3 spd colum shift.

[1978JP]

Ok so I think im going to let my dad work on the Cherokee since it seems there's a small place for it in his heart. no big deal to me. My every day driver is a 95 civic and i love it. But I am in the Marine Reserves and it's pretty hard to stuff ALL of my gear into it and would like a truck of suv of some sort to go to drill in. Not to mention I would use it for the beach and camping and just having fun and use my little civic for long trips and going to work in it everyday.

Any ways I found a 1965 Wagoneer for sale in my area. asking 2k. It starts up fast and goes into gear and can get going with out any acceleration; under the engine's own compression. But I don't know much and would like some in put and opinion's. Yea I know it all comes down to me, but I want to make sure it will be a good buy.

There are some small problems with int and ext the need to be adressed like theres a quarter size hole in the rear tailgate and a missing rear manual tailgate window crank and the speedometer dosnt work too good. But that's it. My first question is about the 3spd colum shift. The top most position is Reverse then Neutral then put it in 1st correct and thats it. I couldn't shift it any lower or move it any lower. And I'm not to sure what engine it is, is it a 327 vigilante from the picture? Let me know and give me some opinions would be great on to the pics!

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/WagoneerInt2.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/WagoneerInt1.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/WagoneerInt3.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/Wagoneer6.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/jdmej1b16/WagoneerEngine1.jpg

[Mill4060]

That looks pretty good. .. and clean!

[Long&Low]

That's nice.:thumbsup:

[ComancheRob]

did you take it for a spin while shifting? 3spd column shifters in wags from my experience tend to bind while sitting still if trying to g from the plane nearest the wheel to the one nearest the dash. Go back, take it for a zip down the road and trying going 1-2 shift. Should work

[energyhutch]

2000 seems a little stiff to me but she looks quite clean!

[nvgoat]

I saw that Wagoneer at Steadfast too. Just check it again carfully for rust. I passed because I was suspicious of some of the rust. I think some of it is covered over with partial repaint. I couldn't figure out why there is total rust through in the hood and tailgate and almost none visible elsewhere. Overall it is pretty nice and original for a '65. The factory air is rare but not working. I didn't look at the motor that closely, I was more concerned about the body. His asking price is way too high considering the rust and missing interior trim like armrests, window cranks and door handles.

[1978JP]

I'm going to have my dad come with me tomorrow and have him take it for and for a spin as well. Yea I took it out but didn't go that fast in it just around the corner. Yea I'm a little baffeled at why there is only a rust spot in the hood and in the rear tailgate area and everything else seems to look ok. They are offering it high but I talked them down to 1745, they orig wanted 2300 out the door and I knew that wasn't going to happen. Yea it's a 1965 Jeep Wagoneer but there would have to be no rust or flaws on the body at all to go for 2,300. And the engine would have to be prestine. I'm going to go back and see it again tomorrow.

[Elliott]

Yes, the engine is a 327 Vigilante. Looks like it may even have the 4bbl carb on it (?)

[tgreese]

The shifter is indeed a H pattern, with the cross-part of the H parallel with the column. Toward you and up for reverse, down for 1st, away and up for 2nd, down for 3rd. Column shifters tend to get balky when they are worn, and they are never really smooth. They work fine if in good shape though. Usually all they need is some tinkering, but you might need to make some bushings, build up the worn spots on the rods, etc.

That corner of the hood is above the heater box (leak? steam?), but I can't think of any other way the hood would rust in that corner. The hole in the tailgate may be related to the missing handle; ie a hole was drilled to try and free the tailgate or glass, or something rubbed through from the inside and rusted there.

There are some nice little houses in that neighborhood - reminds me of the older part of town where I grew up in CA (Orange).

If you like it, I'd suggest you go ahead and get it and not worry about the price. Over the years, a few dollars in the purchase price won't matter compared to the amount of money you'll spend on it to keep it running.
$1700 isn't much for a running, driving car these days.

[fulsizjeep]

I have to ask myself if I would pay $1745 for a 65 Rambler Ambassador with a 327 that runs but needs a little attention? To me, a Wagoneer is kind of the next step up from the Ambassador. Upgraded to 4wd. The "crossover" of the 60s. ;) I am assuming it needs a little attention. A magnet would tell the rust story on the rocker panels. The 2 rust spots are odd too. But back to my question. Yes, I think so. :cool:

The 3 speed column shifter is an H pattern shift.
R 2
H
1 3
2nd & 3rd being closer to the dash. They are known to be troublesome shifters. Same design Rambler used. Alot of folks that finally got tired of the insanity have converted to aftermarket floor shifter.

Twice pipes Rock!! :thumbsup:

[1978JP]

Hey thanks for the help, I do need it if I'm considering the Jeep. Anyways one more question. Do you know what type of tranny it is? That way maybe in the future I could upgrade to an aftermarket floor shifter. I looked underneath the body and saw no visible rust spots in the floor or the frame. But magnet would help determine other spots on the vehicle. Thanks!:D

[krek]

Yea I'm a little baffeled at why there is only a rust spot in the hood and in the rear tailgate area and everything else seems to look ok.
That rig has been posted here several times and this is just a guess because I'm half a country away from it, but my guess is "Bondo". I would take a magnet it along and see if it sticks anywhere along the rockers and rear quarter panels.