Caught the bug...

[bwildered]

I am new to this forum, so I apologize in advance if I posted this in the wrong forum.

I think I have caught the FSJ bug. I currently own 2 jeeps, a 00 XJ and 04 TJ. Both are paid off, so I started pricing/planning on building/lifting my 00 XJ. When I got done pricing out all the parts; lift, adj trackbar, control arms, skid plates, etc., my jaw dropped and my hand smacked my forehead, as I exclaimed "I could buy a whole jeep for less than that price!!"
Then in a moment of clarity, I thought of my old 84 CJ7, and how much easier that was to lift. But a CJ won't work for my needs now, I have a wife and a 4 year old daughter, and I already have a TJ (the wife's ride and she won't let me touch it). So I started reading and searching the classified ads. Found a 1971 GMC Jimmy, boy do I love that year K5, but it's just too big and they are pricey. What I did find was some older Jeep wagoneers for sale. I started researching the wagoneers, saw some of the reader's rigs here and now I am hooked. I can't sleep. I found 2 different ones that I am interested in. Both have the same price tag, under $1k. My plans are for this to be a Sunday driver/trail rig. Not going to be a monster bogger or rock crawler, at least not yet.

So I need some advice. One is a an 88 GW, the other is an 86 GW. From what I have read there isn't much difference between these years. Outside of the normal mechanical items, what are things I should be looking for specific to the GW's (frame rot, rusted floor pans, etc)?

If you want I can post pics of the 2 I am looking at. If the answer is stay away and save your money for a better GW, that's fine. TIA.

[Tad]

Welcome,
Sure post some pic's, most of these folks have a very keen eye.

Frame Rot = Yes, by the gas tank area is typical, check rear brake line tere also if you can.
Rusted Floor Pans = Yes, pull up the carpet in the front by the vents, look under neath the rig there also.
Windshield Frame Rust = Yes, poke around a bit by the seal area.
Rear Quarter Panel Rust = Yes, check for bondo and look inside the storage area in the rear right side.

If you find rust it's not necessarily the end of things but keep poking around, you'll find more.

[jeepdreamer]

And when (not if!) you realize the back window doesn't go up and down...that can be a haggling point in your favor!!:D

[bwildered]

Thanks guys. Trying not to get too excited until I actually see them. I'll see if I can get some pics. I think they are both Texas vehicles, so I am hoping the rust will be minimal (I am originally from MI, so I know what rust is).

I'll try to get some pics up.

Here is the write up on the 1986:
I have a nice solid 1986 Grand Wagoneer FSJ it needs a litle work mileage is 215,000 body is very straight, motor is a 360 v8 automatic four wheel drive works. I just need it gone but Im not going to give it away, so please dont waste my time. It is not tag or inspected, Therefore you will need a trailer to take it home or some way to tow it.Its all power windows ,seats etc..This would be a great rock crawler project or make it a family 4 wheeler...... I just have to many other projects is the only reason Im selling. THE BAD it needs a tune up, and the transmission has an o-ring that is leaking.

Here is the 1988:
I'm selling my 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. I bought this truck as a restoration project and no longer have the time to devote to it. The truck runs well for it's age, and has virtually no rust that I can find (with the exception of some VERY minor surface rust that was under the interior carpeting that has since been sanded out and re-coated with either paint, primer, or a rust-inhibitive coating).
The orange paint you see peeling off in places is interior latex (yes, you read that right) applied by the previous owner. The portions where you see it peeling came off at a coin-opperated car wash. I would guess that the rest can be blown off with a higher-pressure washer of some kind.
You will receive the truck as I bought it a year ago, with two exceptions: (1) the carpet (trust me, you wouldn't have wanted it anyway), and; (2) the roof rack (which is included but was removed for restoration and subsequently neither restored nor re-installed; the mounting holes in the roof have been appropriately plugged and are water-tight).
The truck also comes with a set of four 31x10.50/LT15 all terrain tires that I also haven't had an opportunity to install. Two have some wear, and two are virtually new.
I am only trying to recoup what I've got in the truck and tires. This truck would be a good project vehicle and with a little work could be a rough - but serviceable - daily driver; or throw on a cheap lift and some ugly mud-terrain tires and leave it a deer lease.

I am leaning toward the 88 (despite the latex paint), and awaiting more info from the seller.

The original one I wanted, I could never reach the guy. Maybe someone on here maybe interested. It's for a 1970 wagoneer.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/1017110008.html

[tonyrio]

The '88 sounds like a winner if it's not too expensive and the frame is solid.

And with the paint.... I found from experience that rattle can painting an old jeep can be a fun family project.

[bwildered]

Both are asking $800.

[Brizio]

Welcome!

[Dirtball]

Welcome from Alabama!!

I agree that the 88 sounds better... I wouldn't get anything that says "you need a trailer to get it home" unless I wanted it that way or it was being given away. Pluse, just the tires are worth at least half of what he wants for the whole truck.

[Chrome]

Welcome aboard! If you can get both for $1,600 then you will have the "His n Hers" issue taken care of....at least that's how I would explain it to the wife. ;) :D

[bwildered]

Thanks to you all for the info, I think I am a step closer to getting my first FSJ. Here's some more info I got from the owner.

"I think it started out egg-shell, but now... ;-)

It's got around 208k miles on the AMC 360ci (not to be confused with the Dodge 360) V8. It's a TF727 Torque-Flight tranny with an AMC-specific case, and an NP 219 full/part time case. I keep the battery on a battery-tender, and start it up every other weekend or so just to keep the seals flexible (well, as flexible as they're going to be, in any case)."

Sounds, like he at least is trying to keep it in running condition the best he can. Trying to work out a time to go see it in person this weekend. Keep your fingers crossed.

I am a little confused by the NP 219 comment, from my research that was in early 80's GW's. It may have been swapped. Any comments on the pros/cons of the 219?

[jaber]

Welcome! :thumbsup:

[lkmarsh]

Welcome to the land of Big Jeeps! :thumbsup:

[Ziptie]

I also have a TJ and it is fun. The Wags are much less $$$ and also VERY fun to build and run. Also better for a family (size and $$$) Good luck and welcome!

[ThisGuyUKnow]

And when (not if!) you realize the back window doesn't go up and down...that can be a haggling point in your favor!!:D

Nice i like how you worded that. I just recently got around to getting mine to work. When I got it it would only open half way.

[bwildered]

I have yet to go see this GW, seller had to cancel meeting this past weekend, but I still talked to him, and there is a new "wrinkle" as he put it. See below:

"It is still available, but there's a new wrinkle. The guy that drove it over the weekend wanted it for a deer lease, and discovered (I swear I didn't already know) that the lever for low range won't engage. I don't have any reason to think that something catastrophic has gone wrong, but for whatever reason the lever won't move to engage low range. Of course I'd be willing to come off the price because of this."

So my question is, what could be the worst case scenario for that? I know it could be as simple as the lever being rusted/frozen, or it could be a completely blown TC. He is asking $800, so I was thinking with this new problem I might be able to get it for $600.

Or is it time to just let this one slip buy and keep shopping.

[Chrome]

Possibly something a little WD-40 or PB Blaster can fix.....or a BALL PEEN HAMMER! Sometimes you have to let the Jeep know who's the boss. ;)

[tonyrio]

Shoot... the guy may just not have known how to put it into low properly. My first FSJ I had no clue how to switch it. The second one, I drove it for 6 months before I even realized it HAD low range... previous owner had replaced the carpet and buried the lever under the carpet!

[J.J.]

Welcome from California.

[Rihahn]

I'm gonna side with the 'no clue' theory. Low range on QTs, for me at least, has always been a bit fiddly. My '83 insisted on rolling backwards a bit to go into low... My current '76 goes into low just fine but it's a Dana-20 and everything in it is very, very manual. ;)

Your best bet is going to be going and driving it around a bit.

Before I buy a 4wd, I've always engaged 4wd and driven the vehicle in a figure-8 on something loose like gravel as a driveline test - that makes all of the wheels turn at different rates which is about the most stressful thing you can do to the 4wd drivetrain. If something isn't quite right, you'll hear it pretty quick.