Possible new FSJ

[kd5kzz]

All,

I have 76 Cherokee Chief that is in the process of becoming my "family" rock crawler. But after doing a "Living Last Supper" on Maundy Thursday, one of the guys in the supper with me, told me he has a 1991 Grand Wagoneer for sale. I am going this evening to look at it. Hopefully, it isn't in too bad of a shape. I do know that it has some damage to the front left (?) quarter panel and has been sitting for 2+ years.

My thinking is that this may make a much better vehicle to pull the Cherokee on a trailer than my current 1997 Chevy p/u with a V6. Thoughts?

Donnie

[freeincolorado]

I would at least go check it out. If it is in good shape and the price is right, i'd go for it.

[kd5kzz]

Well, I am definitely hoping it is in better shape than my Chief. What I thought were fairly decent rear quarter panels....weren't. They were very skillfully done bondo, some fiberglass, some galvanized sheet metal and spray insulation!! So the chief is going to end up being tubed out. I am hoping that this one won't require that level of "customization".
Donnie

[joe]

Axle gearing on a 91 wag won't be real tow friendly.

[kd5kzz]

Ok, just got back from looking at the GW. It isn't a 91 but an 89. It has a 360, automatic and the Quadra-Trac transfer. The body has issues as the last time it was trailered...it fell off the trailer. Front left quarter panel is trash, plus the normal wear and tears of a 21 year old vehicle. The interior is about what you would expect for a vehicle of that age that has setup for that time period. The owner wants $500 -$800 for the vehicle.

The big question, I have for the group is....What is the opinion of the Quadra-Trac? I have heard a lot of miss givings from people concerning it...would like this groups opinion....Good, bad or in-between?

Donnie

[Songman]

89 is not 'real' Quadratrac. It should be an NP229 I think. Others who know more will chime in. I don't know that there is anything wrong with the 229 for daily use. It is just not what people want for big time wheelin'. I have two of them but haven't used them enough to give you an impression.

[1983 j10]

unless someone swaped in a q track case its older than 89

Originally Posted by kd5kzz

Ok, just got back from looking at the GW. It isn't a 91 but an 89. It has a 360, automatic and the Quadra-Trac transfer. The body has issues as the last time it was trailered...it fell off the trailer. Front left quarter panel is trash, plus the normal wear and tears of a 21 year old vehicle. The interior is about what you would expect for a vehicle of that age that has setup for that time period. The owner wants $500 -$800 for the vehicle.

The big question, I have for the group is....What is the opinion of the Quadra-Trac? I have heard a lot of miss givings from people concerning it...would like this groups opinion....Good, bad or in-between?

Donnie

[kd5kzz]

Ok...I will admit I am a complete newbie with what t-case came in what model GW. I do know that the man said "Quadra-Trac" and that it had the switch under the dash for 2wd-4wd, with a lever right below the driver's seat by the tranny hump for high and low. Hope that helps.

[kd5kzz]

Also, I am thinking that this GW won't stay around long. And since I have to fly out Saturday early AM, I would really appreciate any info that the group can pass along.

Donnie

[Songman]

That's an NP229 (New Process). Jeep continues to use the Quadratrac name even though they are really Quadratrac.

[davidrodriguez6769]

I'd rather see a Jeep pulling a Jeep than a cheby pulling a Jeep

[Songman]

Kinda hard to say what it is worth without seeing it. From your description, it sounds pretty rough. The first FSJ I ever bought had zero body or frame damage, a running engine (but with a leaky radiator), and a trashed interior. I gave $600 for it. I figured interior is a lot easier to change that doing body work. Depends on how high and hard it fell off the trailer if there is more damage than just the body.

You already have a Cherokee so you already know these things get bad gas mileage. I gave up towing with my 90 because the 4mpg just didn't even justify the trip. But then again, the GM V6 probably won't do the job very well if you get off of flat ground.

Just look it over good and drive it and make a good decision. Look at rust, leaks, pay attention to the trans to see if it slips. They're just like any other car. But the good news is that there is a great network of people here to help if something goes wrong. There are always Wagoneers for sale. This one might be better passed up,depending on the damage, and look for a better deal. In the past two years, I have bought 3 Wagoneers and 2 J-trucks. Two more J-trucks are dangling on the line. They are out there so you don't have to rush to buy the first one.

[joe]

An 89 will have the 229 tcase with 2wd/4wd vacuum switch on the dash and a h/l manual shifter next to the tunnel in front of the drivers seat. AMC called it Selectrac not quadratrac. An 89 will have the same poor axle gears for towing that a 91 would have.

[Songman]

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=118581

Here you go. Just run on over to Mobile and pick this one up for $850. It's listed in the Classified section.

[DerekTJeep]

If you are mechanically inclined, then that 1989 for $500-800 will be ok. If not, it would be better to get a running one for around $1000-1500.

If it was sitting for 2 year, for all I know all it needs is new gas and battery.

the best luck

[kd5kzz]

Thanks everyone for the answers. After thinking on it overnight, I am thinking I am going to have to pass on this one. It isn't the price or even the issues that this GW has...but the fact that I already have one project jeep (76 Chief) and I also have a new baby due here at the end of the summer. Not sure there is going to be enough time in the schedule for another jeep with that many issues.

Thanks for all the help.

Donnie

[Songman]

Congratulations on the upcoming offspring. Get that Cherokee all dolled up and ready to start him (or her) into Jeeps early!

[kd5kzz]

Thanks!! Yeah that is the idea...just have to figure out how to strap the 5 year-old girl's and soon-to-be newborn son's carseats into the racing seats with 4-point harnasses???

[CJ the noisemaker]

Originally Posted by Songman

89 is not 'real' Quadratrac. It should be an NP229 I think. Others who know more will chime in. I don't know that there is anything wrong with the 229 for daily use. It is just not what people want for big time wheelin'. I have two of them but haven't used them enough to give you an impression.

It's not quadratrac at all.

[ThisGuyUKnow]

Originally Posted by Songman

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=118581

Here you go. Just run on over to Mobile and pick this one up for $850. It's listed in the Classified section.

thanks I was going to suggest my wagoneer on him but you beat me to it.

Originally Posted by kd5kzz

Thanks everyone for the answers. After thinking on it overnight, I am thinking I am going to have to pass on this one. It isn't the price or even the issues that this GW has...but the fact that I already have one project jeep (76 Chief) and I also have a new baby due here at the end of the summer. Not sure there is going to be enough time in the schedule for another jeep with that many issues.

Thanks for all the help.

well crap I was hoping to clear some yard space.



Donnie