Reconditioning an 89 woody

[t_g_farrell]

I'm not a noob to working on cars but I am a noob to jeeps in general and this 89 grand cherokee woody my niece bought last year. Shes going to drop it by so I can go over it and freshen things and tune it up. I'm looking for typical things I should make sure not to overlook.

At present I'm planning on getting the following:

1. Haynes manual
2. Hoses (radiator, heater, fuel, and brakes)
3. Fluids (oil, diff lube, coolant, brake fluid)
4. Carb kit for rebuild
5. Filters (air, oil, fuel)
6. Plugs, wires, cap and rotor (points?)
7. Vacuum lines (thx ricbee)
8. tranny fluid & filter (thx addicted)

Heres all the info I have on the truck:
1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Woodie

4X4 Dark Blue
A/C, Cruise Control
Tan Leather interior
Trailer Towing Package
New White Wall Tires
Excellent Condition inside and out
Garaged

I will say this, I've seen the jeep and it is a really nice example for being 20 years young and its got a full leather interior that looks almost new. This thing was babied since it was new. When I last saw it, it ran a bit rough and was hard to start cold. It sounded to me like it needed a good tuneup more than anything.

I'll monitor this thread for any and all information. Once I get it in my garage (if it fits) I'll snap some pics to share with you all.

Thanks in advance.

[jeepjseries]

seems like a good start as far as parts check other things too the haynes manual will tell you what to check or replace. No it dosent have points just worry about distributor cap and rotor button.

[t_g_farrell]

I don't have the vin yet. Sounds like its electronic distributor then. Thanks.

I'm asuming its a carb on there, is that right?

[ricbee]

Don't waste your money on the stock dist cap&wires!Do a search here for the'TFI upgrade'& upgrade that ignition for a couple dollars more than stock.Also that carb will need rebuilt(it's easy!)& vacuum lines replaced.

[addicted]

Don't forget the trans fluid, filter and t-case fluid.

[t_g_farrell]

Updated the list, thx guys.

Read up on the TFI upgrade and found this site with recommendations for parts and what not. Is it fairly accurate? Looks like a very worthy mod in this go around.

http://fsjeep.homestead.com/TFI_Upgade.html

[t_g_farrell]

Is there a special lube to use in the diffs or additives I need to add?

I know some 4wd diffs require special fluids or additives, so just wondering on these as well.

The vehicle gets here on Halloween weekend, I hope its not too scary! I'll get some pics up then. I'm about to do a huge order on rock auto for a bunch of stuff as well. Definitely doing the TFI upgrade for sure. Thanks for all the advise so far. Keep it coming.

Tim

[addicted]

Synthetic lubes are always good. The only additive you might need is in the rear diff if it has a limited slip. Then you will need a limited slip additive to keep it from chattering around corners.

[t_g_farrell]

Ok got the vin and heres what it comes out as:

Year: 1989
Manufactured in the U.S.
Jeep Corporation
MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle)
5001-6000 GVWR
Grand Wagoneer
Laredo/Grand
4-Door Wagon
5.9 Litre V-8
Toledo #2 Plant

One question I had was does this thing have the 85 amp alternator or how
can I tell without seeing the vehicle?

Also is there a description of what the option package Laredo/Grand would include?
I guess I can look on kbb.com to figure it out.

I was looking at ording hoses and belts and whatnot when this became an
issue. The belts differ based on whether it has the 85 amp alternator or
not.

[mdill]

The "big" alt not sure what your parts books are listing (I thought the big one was 93 amps) is rare, so the standard belts should be fine, the hard part is geting a matched set, accept nothing else, don't buy a non matched set for the alt/AC/Fan.

Add to the list new power steering hoses, fuel line, (some 1/4 most 5/16 and a little 3/8)

Mike D.

[t_g_farrell]

Originally Posted by mdill

The "big" alt not sure what your parts books are listing (I thought the big one was 93 amps) is rare, so the standard belts should be fine, the hard part is geting a matched set, accept nothing else, don't buy a non matched set for the alt/AC/Fan.

Add to the list new power steering hoses, fuel line, (some 1/4 most 5/16 and a little 3/8)

Mike D.

Are the power steering hoses special parts/fittings on end or just regular high pressure hose with some sort of clamps? Sorry for the noob question but the truck isn't in front of me yet.

EDIT: Nevermind I see they have special ends for fittings.

So its a dual belt setup then? Was going to order these from rockauto but maybe I'll go to NAPA instead. Thanks for the heads up.

[t_g_farrell]

Ok, so I worked on the jeep yesterday and changed the oil, filter, diff lube, transfer case fluid and greased everything up. Next up is the tranny fluid and the coolant along with hoses.

Plans are to delete most of the emissions (air pump, CTO etc). The air injection manifolds are not repairable and not seeing much value in trying to source replacements. Then go with a TFI ignition upgrade and full tuneup.

No pics yet, but I'll post some up soon. This truck is in excellent shape, its almost like new working on it. The only rust (other than the air injection manifolds) is along the left lower edge of the intregal gas tank shield where its perforated and coming apart from that corner. I wonder if a new/another tank will be required if I want to fix this since the shield is part of the tank?

[men in black]

Welcome aboard

[Brizio]

Welcome!

[t_g_farrell]

Ok, I have one poor picture so far of me working on it in my garage.
This things huge, I have to put it in there at an angle to close the door.

I removed the air pump and air injection stuff and will be replacing hoses
and rerouting vacuum lines to finish the emissions delete. Picked up an 89
SHO taurus eletric fan to replace the clutch fan and also a TFI coil to use
the the TFI upgrade at the local pull-a-part here in Charlotte.

[Brizio]

Nice color!

[t_g_farrell]

Yeah, its a really nice blue and I think original. Theres a couple of really minor areas where the clear coat is lifting but nothing worth fixing for now.

For anyone who tries the electric fan upgrade in the future, an 89 Taurus SHO electric fan won't clear the front pulley bolts Back to pull-a-part to grab something with 3.5 inches or less to clear the bolts.

[FSJ Guy]

The gas tank skid plate is a separate piece from the gas tank. The tank itself is plastic. In between the tank and the skid plate is a plastic mat. Don't mistake the mat for the gas tank bladder!

If the tank isn't falling out and your niece isn't going to go 4 wheeling soon, the tank is probably safe for now.

BJ-s Offroad makes replacement upgraded skid plates for your Jeep. If your frame rail is really rusted badly, Auto Rust Technicians make a frame repair kit. It requires removing the gas tank and welding. No sense replacing the skid plate to a rusted out frame rail.

For cooling options, click on my sig link and check out my ebay radiator install and fan clutch upgrade.

Oh, and WELCOME TO THE MADNESS!!! It won't be long before you start looking for one of your own...

[t_g_farrell]

So I replaced the fan clutch mounting studs with hex head
bolts but the clearance was still lacking. I did some more
research and it looks like a dual fan from a Plymouth/Dodge
minivan 95-99 or a chrysler new yorker late 90s will work.

I'm taking my tape measure this time

[t_g_farrell]

Nabbed a 93 New Yorker dual fan setup and it will fit perfectly.
Just add some brackets and drill a few holes to get it on there.

Not worried about the tank skid plate at this point but
thanks for the advice.