Newbie FSJ Owner Long Introduction but worth the read...

[gtodude]

Hi everyone! My step-son and I are the proud new owners of a 1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer! Before I go into what we have and share a few pictures of it, let me give you all a little background on it.

This truck was owned by my step-son's father who died last November at the age of 36. My son is 10 and was his only child. His father's only worldly possession was this Jeep. My wife and son went to Orlando a couple weeks ago to pick it up. I didn't know what we were in for as I only saw this thing a couple times from a distance. Turns out it actually is a pretty decent "Rig". It's a dark cherry color with a reddish interior. The clock says 169,000 miles but it sure doesn't look it. I think this is the cleanest Jeep I have ever seen that isn't made of plastic. The floors literally have zero rust! Being originally from Michigan, I don't think I have ever seen one as clean as this.

Anyhow, my step-son said to me that he wants to keep it and he wants him and myself to fix it up so it's all done and ready to go when he turns 16 and gets his license (Remember that is 6 years from now). He wants me to drive it until then. At first I was a bit troubled with this, but when I saw it, I thought to myself..."Wow, this is a pretty nice truck!" So low and behold, I'll be driving it starting next week after we get it licensed and such. At least the gas mileage can't be any worse than our 2004 Ford Excursion that with the big ole V-10 gets a whopping 8-10mpg in the city.

I found this site while looking up some info on it and this place has been a help already! On the way home, the oil dipstick tube must have vibrated loose and oil covered the entire underside of the truck. In the 3 hour trip from Orlando, it only lost about a 1/2 quart so my wife was very lucky. She noticed the smoke but she knows nothing about cars so she called me and I told her to take it easy and watch the oil pressure and temp. To make a long story even longer.... I searched for a new dipstick tube as this one was a bit cobbled together. Yeah that was fun...no one locally here in SW Florida had one except for the dealership...supposedly! I got the new one and tried for about an hour and a half to coax that thing it until it snapped in half. I was beyond irritated! I found here that Bulltear makes a replacement that actually fits, so I ordered it immediately. It should arrive this week. Wish me luck!

Here are some pictures of the beast....The only major issues I can find are that the headliner is falling down, the dipstick tube sucks, the dashpad is a bit warped, and some nicks, dings, and scuffs here and there...but hey it's a Jeep, shouldn't it have some marks from getting dirty? The engine runs like a champ and mods that I have noticed thus far would be an Edelbrock intake and carb, Mallory ignition system, headers, dual exhaust with some unknown mufflers that sounds pretty mean and a small lift, 31" rubber and some not so cool wheels.

Yes this has been a long post and I apologize, but without the whole story you would never know the importance of this new addition to our family. Which by the way is quite different that most nowdays. We have 6 children that are hers, mine, and ours. We have 5 boys and 1 girl so plenty of hands to get dirty on this thing.

Enjoy!

[gtodude]

Yes, and as my name implies, I am and always will be a Pontiac GTO nut. Unfortunately I sold my last GTO to move to Florida in 2004. I've had a lot of them but the last was the hardest to sell as it was a 1969 Ram Air IV Judge. Maybe someday I'll find another but until then, we have "The Beast" as my son calls it.

[jaber]

Welcome to the land of empty pockets and unfinished projects...

Great story about a beautiful Jeep. Congratulate your son for an awesome ride.

[REDONE]

Welcome! That story was worth the read!

[Brizio]

Welcome!!!

[HD_JEEP]

Great intro. I hope you have as much fun with yours as I am with mine. You have a great starting platform to work with there.

Just remember you joined this group and your family just got LARGER..

Glad your here

[semojeepchief]

welcome to the fold, nice rig!

[ajminla]

Welcome.
Great story too.
Remember to post up for parts in Wanted.
You can get everything on here for good $.

You definitely need to change those rims.
Wait for someone near you who is selling but won't ship. Local pick up only.
Then you'll get a great deal.
Eventually someone will need to sell.
Check CraigList too.

[azpackrat]

Welcome from the Valley of the Sun, as I sit here reading, wearing my worn out GTO t-shirt (never owned one, yet...) I couldn't help being touched by your story. I am also a step-son (not uncommon) but all my 'Dad' ever left me, as the song goes, was alone. My love of Jeeps comes from my 'Step-Dad' whom I refer to as Dad, In fact I own both of his Jeeps, he couldn't afford the time or finances to keep them any longer. So anyway I saw a weird symmerty in that you are starting to love Jeeps through your Step-son. I hope when he takes possesion in six years, you won't regret loosing your ride because you'll have one of your own by then!

P.S. Outlaw II wheels are my favorites, they'll grow on you.

[REDONE]

Originally Posted by REDONE

Welcome! That story was worth the read!

I read the OP from my phone on break at work. I was moved so I had to reply. Now I'm at home and can be loquacious.

I got my love of FSJs from my dad:



But I'm doing my darnedest to infect MY step son with the bug too! I'm so glad the members here are so willing to help, like Tripwire, who let my boy come over and checkout the paint job in progress!




I'm sure you've noticed as you looked this forum over before joining, there's not a lot of fake-ness around here. Bad influence and occasional bad advice, yeah. From time to time you'll see some of that, but bad intentions - never! Those folks get burnt up and banned pretty quick.

As another member said, your family just got bigger! We're glad to be a part of it. Welcome again!

[men in black]

Being originally from Michigan

You or the GW? what part?

Welcome aboard from Michigan

[jpcoutts]

Welcome! That's a great story. The young man who will get this Jeep in a few years has a great experience ahead of him. And like somebody else said, I see another Jeep in your future! As far as mods go, think about long-term. My advice is don't do anything that affects driveability or dependability. Any mod that makes your Jeep less dependable may be the beginning of your decision to get rid of it. It sounds like you have great truck to start with so don't get in a hurry. I always remember that mods = $ and that is another big factor in your attitude toward whatever you drive. May you and your son share many memories , including some involving the Jeep!

[ROK360]

Great story - I find it very interesting how generally these old Jeeps always have a story on how they entered the family.

I know my two boys love our Waggie.

[Dumpy]

Welcome! Great Jeep and great story. Have fun!

[gtodude]

Thank you all for the warm welcome! I have always wanted a Jeep, but more of the CJ type. This GW will be a learning experience for sure. Men in black, I am from the SW part of Michigan near Grand Rapids...actually born and lived 14 years in NE Wisconsin and spent 15 in Michigan. I've been here in SW Florida for 7 years.

[smogdredd]

Hopefully You and You're stepson will make many happy memories in the new rig. I may be a bit mental but some of My fondest memories of My dad are out in the boonies in a 63 Scout, including My first sighting of a Waggy that one can tell I never got over.

[smogdredd]

I recently found out that My maternal great granfather was a Willys dealer in Colorado, I think Colorado Springs.

[Chevelleguy]

Welcome. Just a 'heads up', you will need to drop the oil pan to install the dipstick tube. There is a hole in the windage tray, in the pan, that the tube has to be aligned with. If you don't you wont be able to get the stick all the way in.

[five16]

Welcome from Winder, Georgia!

That is a very nice Wag and a great story. You should be commended on your efforts and I hope you enjoy the time with your step son!

[gtodude]

Thank you again for the warm welcome! I was looking at the dashpad of this thing and holy crap!!!! It is really warped and looks to be a pain to replace. Are there any aftermarket or used parts guys that have these available? Or am I outta luck with this hilly looking dash?