Evidence of front end damage...

[Frank]

Nothing showed up on Carfax but looking over Sluggo II, it's my determination that it had some activity in the front end. No decals in the engine compartment tips me off, but I noticed the grille surround was chromed plastic, not the metal one as on Sluggo I. Another thing was the plugs used to fill the wood trim rivet holes are almost all missing from both fenders. Nothing obvious on the frame - everything seems to line-up but the lack of decals got me nosing around. And, it's missing the support rod on the passenger side fender, forward of the wheel.

Carfax is okay but it's not the be-all, end-all...

[The Colonel]

Originally Posted by Frank

Carfax is okay but it's not the be-all, end-all...

Only reported accidents and repairs through insurance company's get on Carfax.

[gsmikie]

and they do not do leased cars/trucks

[DerekTJeep]

Originally Posted by gsmikie

and they do not do leased cars/trucks

Don't worry. No one will lease a FSJ. It costs too much to fix.

[Wagonforever]

Your 88 may have had a plastic grill from the get go. My 90GW Had a plastic grill, but both my 86's have had metal grills. My 86 was also into some sort of fender bender as the wood on the left front fender isn't as faded as the rest of the wood. But it drives strait and the radiator core support looks original and unbent so I'm not worried about it.

[Frank]

Originally Posted by Wagonforever

Your 88 may have had a plastic grill from the get go. My 90GW Had a plastic grill, but both my 86's have had metal grills. My 86 was also into some sort of fender bender as the wood on the left front fender isn't as faded as the rest of the wood. But it drives strait and the radiator core support looks original and unbent so I'm not worried about it.

Hmmm.. I saw the plastic grille and assumed aftermarket - I didn't know they were OEM. And, like you, I don't worry too much as mine drives straight and everything underneath (while scaley) looks unmolested. It's also got an aftermarket ignition module but that could be by choice...

[beloth]

my 66/73 jeep has nice folded creases in the passenger fender...like it smacked the H out of something...and the hood front ends are bent and folded in areas...you can see how the hood sits a little funny in my avatar...does not quite close lined up flush.....plus the ends behind the rear bumper are bent in like it got smacked in the butt a couple of times....and there is a crease in the rear quarter panel where the gas cap mounts, i just look at it as beauty flaws and character marks....but mine is an old jeep, probably not the same as comparing damage to a 80's or 90s jeep.

[jaber]

Originally Posted by Frank

Hmmm.. I saw the plastic grille and assumed aftermarket - I didn't know they were OEM.

My '79, '85, and '88 all had chromed plastic grills...
For some reason Jeep liked them...

[babywag]

Take a close look @ the bumper mounting horns on the frame, and the mounting points for the front axle track bar.
Also check the front spring hangers where they attach to the frame.

The '89 I had was repaired @ all those points from a collision. Carfax didn't show it, DMV records didn't show it.

Probably a minor collision, or maybe a rock jumped out @ it in the desert.
It drove fine for the 250 miles I put on it before I chopped it into little pieces.