Teach Me about Jeep Wagoneer

Been looking at getting something to replace my 98 3L ranger (parts hauler, house repair, etc).... It would be nice to have something that my wife can also drive on really nasty days in the winter. She will be DDing a 79 honda powered mini soon.

She saw a Wagoneer today and mentioned how awesome it was. Hopped on CL and started looking to see what is around. Finding some pretty good examples.

I am talking about the mid 80s versions with the wood grain.

Do these have full frames? What sort of towing capacity can I expect?

Looks like most that I am finding have a 360 v8.... Are they all carbed?

And then...does anyone have one for sale?

I believe all are carbed, should tow like any 1970s half ton SUV.

Beastly (in good and bad ways). Single-digit fuel mileage, typical American fit and finish, rust, but built hell-for-stout. The FSJ design didn't really change much from its introduction in the 60's. There are people who restore them and command stupid money for nice ones.

Sweet:
The '80's models like pictured are known as Grand Wagoneer
At the time the was also just a Wagoneer which was apparently not quite as grand since it was based off the XJ Cherokee

The early 80's versions had a mix of electric and vacuum for the major controls and they all liked to fail. I ditched my 83 for a 79 cherokee for just that reason. The electric rear window was another crap shoot. I replaced both with manual as quick as I could.

All of the FSJ's were carbed. All got 12 MPG on a really good day. The 79 I had with the 401 was a single digit MPH beast.

They all needed a cam and good intake manifold badly. Once that was done, mine could pull an open trailer and a street stock or imca modified with no issues. I just added a tranny cooler to be safe. The TH400 on the 79 didn't really need it but the TF727 behind the 360 definitely did.

Mechanical parts are still pretty easy to find but the other items like window regulators and interior bits are getting very rare.

Tough rigs overall but honestly, I would look another way.

Hard to beat the Dana 44's, The TF727, 360 and the Borg Warner transfer case. My '87 was an absolute tank and would climb rediculous grades off road and never had it stuck. Actually tipped it on it's side in a washed-out ravine and had to keep powering through, roots popping through the windows and all. The one real drawback would be the LOADEDNESS of the interior. If I could have the extrerior and drivetrain without the super-appointed interior, I'd be in heaven. Just soooooo much to break. And yeah that back window.... grrrrrrrr. Btw, SNOW, what snow?

Oh, and Google "lifted Grand Wagoneer" and you'll be hooked!

http://www.allpar.com/SUVs/jeep/wagoneer.html

Didn't amc claim certain ones of those could get 19mpg?

yamaha wrote: Didn't amc claim certain ones of those could get 19mpg?

"Claim" is the key word.

iceracer wrote:

yamaha wrote: Didn't amc claim certain ones of those could get 19mpg?

"Claim" is the key word.

Maybe the XJ Wagoneer. The Grand was 11-13.

As has been mentioned, the build quality wasn't much, I'm sorry to say. In the early 90's I worked with a guy who had one and the stupidest things broke. Really, who gets stranded when a freeze plug fails? More than once?

Look for frame rust. If there isn't any, go for it. Anything else is easily fixable.
I've had lots of Jeeps, and my Waggy was the best in the snow, by far.

Would going to some sort of EFI help the econ?

What about swapping to a 5.3 LSx? I LOVE a swap and recently have been doing a fair amount with LSx stuff.

I want another one. Preferably with a tbi swap of some kind. Besides the incredibly terrible fuel economy, i loved mine.

Get used to reminding parts guys that your 360 is not a dodge product.

Waggy + Cummins 6BT = WIN!!

belteshazzar wrote: I want another one. Preferably with a tbi swap of some kind. Besides the incredibly terrible fuel economy, i loved mine.

http://www.bigscaryjeep.com/TBI_FAQ.html

BTW, I put mine up on a lift to start bodywork and to fix the fuel tank... Frame rotted clear through. Never saw the road again. But my friends' Scrambler had a low-mileage TF727 for free!

oooo diesel might be a good option, what sort of mpg could I that make with a 6bt?

As I said above. I enjoy a swap...and don't mind a project.

What would be a combo that could get 20mpg

There is an 84 about an hour from me...spun rod bearing.

He wants $750

jakeb wrote: oooo diesel might be a good option, what sort of mpg could I that make with a 6bt? As I said above. I enjoy a swap...and don't mind a project. What would be a combo that could get 20mpg

I know of a Suburban with a 6Bt and he says over an extended trip he averaged 25.5/gal at 65mph (1,400rpm).

He has an NV5600 and 3:73's with 305/75/16

I had an 84. I really liked it - except for the dismal mileage and the rear window. 13 mpg downhill with a tailwind, but unstoppable. An oil-burner version would be awesome.

The 6BT is a tight fit with no intercooler. Add the intercooler and I think you need to massage the firewall. The 4BT fits very easy but is a rattle trap of a motor. I'd personally do a 6BT. You can buy a running 6BT, truck and all for 2K around here, add that to the 750 waggy above, throw in a few hundred for bits and pieces and holy crap is that a heckuva truck.

I like the idea of a diesel except the price of a 6bt or even a 4bt is pretty high it looks like.

I can get a complete 5.3/trans/transfer case for 1k or so......and I would bet close to 20mpg.

The seller of that 84 is going to send more pictures....maybe take a drive and check rust.

DrBoost wrote: The 6BT is a tight fit with no intercooler. Add the intercooler and I think you need to massage the firewall. The 4BT fits very easy but is a rattle trap of a motor. I'd personally do a 6BT. You can buy a running 6BT, truck and all for 2K around here, add that to the 750 waggy above, throw in a few hundred for bits and pieces and holy crap is that a heckuva truck.

You have found them in the 2k range?

That body looks clean for that price. I'd jump on it.

jakeb wrote:

DrBoost wrote: The 6BT is a tight fit with no intercooler. Add the intercooler and I think you need to massage the firewall. The 4BT fits very easy but is a rattle trap of a motor. I'd personally do a 6BT. You can buy a running 6BT, truck and all for 2K around here, add that to the 750 waggy above, throw in a few hundred for bits and pieces and holy crap is that a heckuva truck.

You have found them in the 2k range?

Yeah. It was easier when you had search engines for craigslist. I've seen many under 3K, more than a few at around 2K. The body is rotted all to heck but that's fine.
And don't let mileage on a Cummins scare you. I sold mine with 365K on it. The engine had never been opened and I towed some pretty serious loads with it. Heck of a truck.