Intro+Some help choosing a wagoneer?

[duncanstives]

Hey everyone... I am new here... Just browsing the forum for a few minutes and figured I would introduce myself as well as try to get a few questions answered.
I live in KY and I got introduced to Jeeps (and offroading) when I happened to buy a 97 ZJ because some friends were leaving the country and needed to sell it fast. I took it out once and was immediatly hooked... Long story short I drove the crap out of it... Never did anything with it other than a set of 31s and some tow hooks, herculiner, radio equipment etc... It never let me down... I was absolutely amazed what that thing could do completely stock (as an example here is an old video I made: ). Even when I burned up the transmission it STILL made it home under its own power (in first gear on the back roads). However at that point I realized that a rig with a d30/d35 was not really for me and I did not have the budget to do what I wanted to make the ZJ rock (long arm kit, ford 8.8, lockers, etc).

So now my plan is possibly buying a Wagoneer, putting a few inches of lift on it, 34in TSLs and a locker in the rear and wheeling it. I have heard great things about wagoneers and I tend to have a lot of people/gear along on trips.
So my questions are:
I heard many or most years of wagoneer had D44 axles front and back... True? Can anyone tell me exactly what years so I know what to look for?

I know plenty of people who run 34 or even 35s on d44s but their rigs are much lighter. Is it reasonably safe to do with a wagoneer?

Prices seem to vary widely... When I am ready to buy what is my best bet? I was thinking I would ask mechanics to keep an eye out for a broken one cheap and then I would buy it and have it fixed... Any other ideas (this is a super tight budget rig since I have WAY too many exspensive hobbies).

Thanks!

[duncanstives]

Forgot the video link LOL.

EDIT: Grrr... Stupid video site... The page is dynamic so if you click the link you just go to the homepage. Nevermind then.

[710 Burner]

I think it is safe to say (without looking) that the last half of all Wag production had D44 fronts and D44 or AMC20 rears. The AMC20 is a good axle in its own right. You should investigate the facts and figures area of the tech library link above. There you will be able to choose a year range that suits your needs best.

[funhog]

Welcome to the site. You are right about the D44's on most of them. Some have a model 20 in the rear but they are better than the ones for a CJ. If your goal is to wheel and lift you may want to look at a WT cherokee model. You can fit larger tires under them with a lot less lift.

[duncanstives]

I found the tech page just after I post ed this so that answered my axle questions... Thanks.

I have heard there were cherokees from a long time ago that also had 44s and could be had with a manual transmission... I like the space offered by the wagoneer (and since its an offroader and is not going to be pretty on my budget anyway I am not really against trimming the fenders to make the tires fit with less lift) however I have had bad luck with autos so if I could get one of those I would be happy. Problem is I never see old cherokees for sale (well... Not THAT old anyway). Ebay has got a 76 right now but it does not run and its to far away to be worth shipping :(

[Chrome]

Welcome aboard! Buy whatever you can find because the way it goes with FSJs......this will be your first of many.

[bushwood44]

the d44s should hold up fine with 35s

[duncanstives]

Thanks for the wecomes guys... I have my eye on this: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=84336

Rusty, I am sure it looks like crap and it needs some work but its close enough that I could have it towed for not to much money and the price is right (though I will still see if he will take $600 :D ).

Maybe I will get it towed to a mechanic in lousiville and get it drivable then drive it home for further work.

He said in an email that it needs new vacuum hoses for the quadratrac.... I assume it will run in 2wd without them? (trying to minimize the amount of crap I have to have done before I can drive it home).

EDIT: Oh yeah... One other question: He says it has a borg warner rear... Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley? He was not sure so maybe he means the AMC 20? If so: I plan on putting in a locker... Does anyone know if they make a fairly cheap locker for the AMC 20 axle (detroit or lockrite... I can't afford all the junk needed for a selectable one like ARB)? I already know they make them for the 44 obviously.

[jeepguzzi]

Do not run it in 2wd. First of all, it is a full time transfer case (if stock) and will immediately burn out the cones in the transfer case differential. Many have been converted to part time, but you need to absolutely verify this before driving. If you have it towed, get a flatbed or full trailer. Also, the guy selling it doesn't know anything about them. Do not believe anything he tells you about what it is equipped with or when they made what or how any of the equipment is supposed to function.(especially the transfer case!!). the only thing that 1978 was the last year for was the 401 engine and the four barrel option for the 360. Oh and three piece bumpers.

The rear end is a Dana 44. The transfer case is a Borg-Warner.

Who would buy headers for a CJ and expect them to fit????? They do make headers for FSJ's.

I am going to guess that he can't get it going because of wiring issues. Possibly a bad ignition module.

For what he claims to have in it,( seeing reciepts would be nice!) $800 is not too bad of a price. If you are having a mechanic get it running, though, plan on spending a bit. It sounds like you would have to finish this guys' engine project.

Don't worry, though, we are here to help!:thumbsup:

[duncanstives]

Yeah... He does not seem like the brightest bulb in the pack... I have doubts about the intelligence of anyone who types in all CAPS.

Yeah most of the engine work I would be having someone do... I don't like doing it and i am not that good at it.... So yeah... I would expect to spend some money on it.

I will ask to see any documentation he has when I go take a look at it...