possiblly getting my FSJ back

[Nullifier]

about 12 years ago I sold my '87 Grand Wagoneer to a couple. I loved the truck but after getting seriously discouraged with one repair after the next I had just about rebuilt the whole rig and got tired of wrenching, so off it went. I saw the truck about 4 years ago and the people who owned it were the same ones I sold it to. THey told me that once they installed a new exhaust as I told them it needed it ran fine and for like 5 years the only ting outside normal service they did was an alternator. Go figure. I told them if they were every going to sell it to call me first.

Well after like another 4 years they called me today and left a message. Said if I was still interested to call them before they listed it next week. So what to do. I left a message for them so I will hopefully go see it this week. Last I saw they had done fresh paint and fixed the trim up so I'm sure it is still in good shape. If I get it I think I want to do a diesel conversion. I'm thinking 5.9 cummings. Get a donor truck and take everything I need out of it.

ANythoughts on the swap. Anyforums where folks may have done this motor tranny swap on a waggy?

 

[kcowyo]

This the forum for full size Jeeps - IFSJA.org

If anyone has done a diesel swap in a Waggy, it would be these guys.

Sounds like a fun project.

 

[Nullifier]

Well the deal is dead. I didn't realize the guy I sold the Jeep to was an #$%*&^!!! I called him back today and he told me that he had just finished restoring an older chevy truck to use as his new tow rig for his show car and that he was going to park the Jeep. SO he figured that he would call me and see if I wanted it. He told me that in the past 12 years years he had put about 25,000 miles on it and only had to spend about $1000 in repairs/cosmetic work. I sold it to him for $1700.oo and it needed a few odds and ends which he did.

The guy says to me "So let me tell you how this is going to work. Your gonna get a mechanic to come and inspect the truck and then your going to do some research on these Jeeps. When your ready to make me an offer your going to get 1 shot and I'll either take it or not. I do not negotiate on price." I was a little taken a back and said ok then why dont we just cut through all the crap and you just tell me the number you have in your head is. Then I'll either agree to buy it at that price or not. SO then he starts going into this whole disertation on how these jeeps are collectors items now blah blah blah. How the only thing this jeep needed was new tires, some dimples in the hood repaired, and some of the wood grain trim pieces needed attention other then that it was "perfect". Next he says "I wont take less the 7K"! I paused for a moment and said do you relize that is like 4x what you bought it from me for 12 years ago. I said the only reason you had a reliable truck is cause I dropped about 5k in repairs to it over the few months before I sold it to you. I had just got frustrated and decided to call it a day on the truck. You lucked out when you got it and now your going to try and sell it back to me for almost 4x the price! He told me that recently one went on ebay for 36K due to the high demand for them. SO I said well yes for a truely perfect low mileage unit with all factory papers and documentation you can get a high dollar. But this is not an original vehicle. He said "well you should have known what you were selling when you sold it so if your not going to pay 7k then this conversation is over". SO I said well I guess the conversation is over and hung up.

Man I guess I'm either off my rocker or this guy is. Having owned the Jeep I know some of it's history. I can tell you that there is no way it is "perfect". It really got me mad that this guy was such a jerk about it. I mean his price is his price but the tone in his voice and the almighty and all knowing attitude really pissed me off. So much for reliving my late teens early 20's darn it.

 

[Colorado Ron]

That stinks. Sorry to hear that. I hate it when guys act like that. Had a guy here in Denver with same attitude about a Ford Galaxie that he had. $8k and dont bother negotiating, blah blah blah. Long story short I talked him down, but only after he was in need of some cash. I hate when they get that way.

 

[Nullifier]

Thanks ,

I guess in my head I was thinking when he said he only put 1K into it I might be able toget it back for like 3K and he would b able to sy he had a reliable tow rig for 12 years and it cost hi m nothing. The worst part about it is that he told me if I didn't buyit he was just going to park it for 5 or so years and then possible do a full restoration. I'm thinking if it sits for 5 years it wont be worth anything! oh well guess I'm holding on to tight to the vest. Jst had alot of great experiences. First cross country road trip, lost my virginity in it, did my first motor swap, all the good stuff ya know.

 

[ox4mag]

Wow, sorry to hear that your deal went dead! Just out of curiosity, what were you planning or prepared to spend for it? Surely the two of you can come up with a good middle ground on this if he's a motivated seller and you are too as a buyer. Or just tell him that if he doesn't make the deal, you'll send the "JPFreeks" over to clean house (equivalent of Guido). Best of luck to you.

 

[oldcj5guy]

He's off his rocker at that price. I think he's been on the wagonmaster website or something. My '85 GW has a fresh engine, fresh tranny with a dana 300 that's built. Not to mention a lot of other custom stuff along the way, and I know there is no way I could ask a price like that.

On the other hand I can definitely understand the frustration level you were experiencing when you sold it. Been there a time or two myself with FSJ's.