The 2k expo rig
- Thread starter preacherman
- Start date
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
Outstanding! Those old FS Jeeps were tanks! Not only that, they didn't change a single body panel (except for the grilles, which underwent several evolutions) for the entire 30 year run, which makes replacement parts easier to find in the junkyard.
Good luck, this is exactly the kind of build I like to see. Anyone can aim the "money cannon" at a vehicle and get it looking good, but working within a tight budget requires skill and ingenuity.
Looking forward to seeing this develop! :wings:
Good luck, this is exactly the kind of build I like to see. Anyone can aim the "money cannon" at a vehicle and get it looking good, but working within a tight budget requires skill and ingenuity.
Looking forward to seeing this develop! :wings:
Root Moose
Expedition Leader
33"!
Cool! A Jeep with a frame, built during the Age of Steel! I think '91 was the last year for that machine. Does it have "Final Edition" badge on the dashboard? Some of those later models also came with an overhead console (from Chrylser's minivan parts bin?)
I think you're on the right path. You can pick up a reprinted factory service manual for about $50 on eBay. Go thru it from stem to stern and take care of all the standard maintenance items that the previous owners ignored. Most of it will be more labor than parts, and the parts are relatively inexpensive, like u-joints, seals, filters, and fluids. You'll end up with a reliably drivable vehicle -- then mod from there.
Yeah, the rear windows always seem to be a problem, due to the multiple electric switches involved. If you haven't already discovered it, here's a link to IFSJ's tailgate repair tips:
http://www.ifsja.org/tech/tailgate/
BTW: if you're shopping for shocks, Edelbrock is having a crazy-cheap clearance sale on IAS reservoir shocks:
http://store.edelbrock.com/universallifted.aspx
(Not everyone has good luck with these, so do a little web research.)
And Bilstien is having a buy-3-get-one-free sale on their shocks thru the end of April:
http://www.1freeshock.com/coupon.html
You're in for a fun, rewarding build! Wagoneers and Cherokees have a great history: Wagoneers placed first and second when they ran the old Sno*Drift rally, and have competed successfully in the Trans-Amazon rally (9000 miles!), and have been in all kinds of off-road and overland efforts.
Bill Harrah (of the Harrah's Casinos) had one built with a Ferrari V-12 engine. It was sometimes referred to as a "crime against nature" and was displayed in his Auto Museum:
http://www.trombinoscar.com/willys/jeep7701.html
The best part is the strong community of enthusiastic modders and problem solvers -- which now includes you! Have a blast!
I think you're on the right path. You can pick up a reprinted factory service manual for about $50 on eBay. Go thru it from stem to stern and take care of all the standard maintenance items that the previous owners ignored. Most of it will be more labor than parts, and the parts are relatively inexpensive, like u-joints, seals, filters, and fluids. You'll end up with a reliably drivable vehicle -- then mod from there.
Yeah, the rear windows always seem to be a problem, due to the multiple electric switches involved. If you haven't already discovered it, here's a link to IFSJ's tailgate repair tips:
http://www.ifsja.org/tech/tailgate/
BTW: if you're shopping for shocks, Edelbrock is having a crazy-cheap clearance sale on IAS reservoir shocks:
http://store.edelbrock.com/universallifted.aspx
(Not everyone has good luck with these, so do a little web research.)
And Bilstien is having a buy-3-get-one-free sale on their shocks thru the end of April:
http://www.1freeshock.com/coupon.html
You're in for a fun, rewarding build! Wagoneers and Cherokees have a great history: Wagoneers placed first and second when they ran the old Sno*Drift rally, and have competed successfully in the Trans-Amazon rally (9000 miles!), and have been in all kinds of off-road and overland efforts.
Bill Harrah (of the Harrah's Casinos) had one built with a Ferrari V-12 engine. It was sometimes referred to as a "crime against nature" and was displayed in his Auto Museum:
http://www.trombinoscar.com/willys/jeep7701.html
The best part is the strong community of enthusiastic modders and problem solvers -- which now includes you! Have a blast!
Backwoods Rambler
Explorer
Very cool build. Subscribed :sombrero:
preacherman
Explorer
What trucks did the 208 come in?
MoGas
Central Scrutinizer
Mostly Jeep trucks with the 727 automatic. Occasionally in the Cherokee. All these would be Driver's side drop.
I'll try to nail down the year and model ranges better. If you are in the wrecking yard, they are really easy to ID. Look on your case above the drain hole, there should be a round tag with "New Process" printed on it. Where on your tag you see NP229 stamped, you will be looking for one with 208AM or maybe NP208AM. It is important that there is the "AM" to designate it for Jeeps (AMC) as they also made 208s for Dodge, GM, and maybe others.
Dave
Last edited:
MoGas
Central Scrutinizer
Found it:
NP208 Command-trac (1980-1987; up to 1988 and maybe even to 1991 for fleet and government orders)
Very rare to find in a Grand Wagoneer as they were all fully optioned except for sunroof, vinyl roof, wind deflector, tow package (3.31s,extra tranny cooler,receiver hitch) and the dealer installed items.
Should be found in most trucks (all GVW) and some Cherokees. I think it might have been behind the manual tranny rigs of those years, too. I'll do some more digging.
NP208 Command-trac (1980-1987; up to 1988 and maybe even to 1991 for fleet and government orders)
Very rare to find in a Grand Wagoneer as they were all fully optioned except for sunroof, vinyl roof, wind deflector, tow package (3.31s,extra tranny cooler,receiver hitch) and the dealer installed items.
Should be found in most trucks (all GVW) and some Cherokees. I think it might have been behind the manual tranny rigs of those years, too. I'll do some more digging.
MoGas
Central Scrutinizer
BTW, I noticed that yours has an aftermarket receiver hitch. If there is not a transmission cooler in front of the A/C condenser, than yours probably didn't come with the factory tow package and will likely have 2.72 gears. Don't attempt over a 30 inch tire without a gear swap. I put 3.73s in mine, planning to move to 32s or 33s, but stayed with the 31s because I really liked the power off the line. The tow package got you 3.31s.
Dave
Dave
Last edited:
preacherman
Explorer
Mine has the transmission cooler in the front of the A/C condenser I will check the gearing tomorrow but hopefully I have the 3.31s
Maximus Ram
Expedition Leader
Very cool. Free is always good. And with 2g for mods, you can do it..
Congrats and have fun:wings:
Congrats and have fun:wings:
MoGas
Central Scrutinizer
Here are a couple pics of my old one:
1987 Grand Wagoneer
Optioned with: Factory towing package, vinyl roof, electric moon roof, brush guard, wind deflector)
Modified with:
Rough Country 3" kit with rear springs (no blocks), NP208, Warn hubs, 3.73 gears, limited slip front and rear differentials, 31-10.50-15 BFG AT/KOs, Tad Rack (custom builder from IFSJA. It mounts directly to the factory roof rack holes), I put an early square bore 4V non EGR manifold with an edelbrock 600 cfm carb on it.
It was an Arizona truck with the original owner (I was the second) being a doctor from Paradise Valley, so no rust and no off road use.
One of the rigs I would buy back if I had the chance.
Dave
1987 Grand Wagoneer
Optioned with: Factory towing package, vinyl roof, electric moon roof, brush guard, wind deflector)
Modified with:
Rough Country 3" kit with rear springs (no blocks), NP208, Warn hubs, 3.73 gears, limited slip front and rear differentials, 31-10.50-15 BFG AT/KOs, Tad Rack (custom builder from IFSJA. It mounts directly to the factory roof rack holes), I put an early square bore 4V non EGR manifold with an edelbrock 600 cfm carb on it.
It was an Arizona truck with the original owner (I was the second) being a doctor from Paradise Valley, so no rust and no off road use.
One of the rigs I would buy back if I had the chance.
Dave
preacherman
Explorer
Busy day today. I set out to find why my rear window has been down for 11 months. After tearing down the tail gate I found a few problems.
This could be an issue...
Or maybe this...
In the end it was neither. The first pic is the rear defrost, the second was the intermittent wiper. The window ended up being a bad switch. As easy as it sounds it took me 6 hours to get to it fixed.
After I got the window fixed I set out to clear the beast and get a new battery. While testing the battery (it was dead) I noticed a sticker that said 9/07. I took the battery to Advanced Auto and found out it had a 2 year warranty. I splurged and added $10 for an upgraded battery. I also spent $80 on fluids and a small torx set.
Total cost so far. $90
$1910 left:sombrero:
Before I cleaned
After
This could be an issue...
Or maybe this...
In the end it was neither. The first pic is the rear defrost, the second was the intermittent wiper. The window ended up being a bad switch. As easy as it sounds it took me 6 hours to get to it fixed.
After I got the window fixed I set out to clear the beast and get a new battery. While testing the battery (it was dead) I noticed a sticker that said 9/07. I took the battery to Advanced Auto and found out it had a 2 year warranty. I splurged and added $10 for an upgraded battery. I also spent $80 on fluids and a small torx set.
Total cost so far. $90
$1910 left:sombrero:
Before I cleaned
After
Root Moose
Expedition Leader
It's cleaning up nice. Great stuff.