What to look for when looking at a Grand Wagoneer?

[Safari Ary]

Was at my favorite camping/hiking store yesterday talking to a friend of mine when his co-worker overheard me mention something about my Jeep. Turns out he's the proud owner of an '87/'89(not sure he said both numbers while he was talking) 4-door Grand Wagoneer. I know for sure that it has the 360, is an auto, and has the part-time transfer case. He said it's not running right now and that he thinks it's just the fuel pump as it was running a few days ago. He said he'd sell it for 500 not running and anywhere between 500 and 1200 if he can get it running. The guy seems to know enough about vehicles to maintain them and keep them running, but doesn't seem like the enthusiast type.

I'm really curious as to what tranny and case these had. I know that it should have D44s front and rear. Also he said it was fuel injection, but I didn't realize the 360 was ever injected, is he full of it or am I just uninformed? Any major hidden rust spots to be concerned about? He said there wasn't any rust whatsoever on the body, but that there was a leak from one of the runners on the roof and that the rear cargo area's carpet was wet(indicating to me possible rear floor rot). Anything else I need to look at?

I'd be getting this 'cause it'd be too good a deal to pass up and for general tooling around purposes. Maybe one day swap the power/drivetrain(frame?) into/under a flatty that I've got waiting in the wings, but that's more of a dream than reality at this point.

Thoughts, opinions? Should I run away as fast as I possibly can?? Thanks

Ary

P.S. Don't even bother commenting on my grammar, I just woke up and I know it sux :rof:

 

[LRRH]

Don't run away...that would be silly. =)

Well.....everything after 86 came with Dana44 front and rear, TF727 trans, and an NP229 trasfercase. It's a full time case with no "LOCK" for 4HI. Drive on pavement all you want. Pretty good case.

The biggest rust area to watch out for by the gas tank on the drivers side. Make sure the skid plate is there (not rusted away) and that the frame is solid.

They never came with fuel injection......but there are quite a few kits to convert them. If he is mechanically inclined then it's possible he could have added one of them.

I'd say for $500 check it out. If it's in good shape tehn it's a great deal. If it's rust....then I would probably pass. But.....a fuel injected 360 is for at least $500.....it'll bolt to an AW4 if nothing else. :flipoff:

 

[Safari Ary]

Went and checked it out today and it is 99% rust free!!! It's not Fuel Injected, he didn't know what he was talking about. He said it was running fine up until last Thursday when he thinks the fuel pump went out(mechanic friend of his said that's what it sounded like). He bought the fuel pump and got halfway through installing it when he gave up and called me(he's tired of it, his wife needs a "new" more reliable car 'cause they have a baby now). He said the tranny is a little slow to engage first gear when it's cold out(when first going from park to drive and also after coming to rest while in drive), but operates just fine when warm and in 2nd and 3rd gears(any insight here?).

The body, chassis, interior are PERFECT(well for an 18yo car anyway). There's a dent in the passenger side front fender and the driver's side rear door, but that's it. No rips on the interior, the cargo area floor's carpet is soggy from a leak in the roof, but I pulled it back and the floor is still mint underneath. I couldn't really find any rust anywhere, the chassis looks remarkably clean(no caked on grease and crap), but not suspiciously clean like he cleaned it. The truck had been sitting in the same place since last thursday(like 8-9 days) and there were no oil spots or any other droppings to take note of. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna pick it up sometime this week, just thought I'd post my findings incase anything(like the tranny) was cause for concern. Thanks

Ary

 

[LRRH]

sounds like a sweet deal to me. if it is really that rust free. fuel pump is easy to finish.

as for the tranny....it could be the pump going or just low on fluid?? the tranny won't pump any fluid until it's in gear. plus...a TF727 will cost you less than $100 and they're pretty easy/cheap to rebuild.