The 2k expo rig
- Thread starter preacherman
- Start date
IllianaXJ
Adventurer
Subscribed. I have a line on a 89 Waggy in decent shape for $750, so I may be following in your footsteps this summer. I figure it would be a great replacement for our Durango as a family truckster/boat hauler/camping rig. My budget would be about the same as yours.
Just have to convince the wife to let go of her truck and drive the Blazer
Just have to convince the wife to let go of her truck and drive the Blazer
BigAl
Expedition Leader
... 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:.Tools are an investment and should not come out of the bottom line
preacherman
Explorer
So I have spent some time going through the jeep and came up with a list of items I know I need. I plan on going to the store tomorrow. Since I have a three day weekend this weekend I hope to get a lot done. Check out this buys list:
Plugs
wires
cap,rotor, coil
gas cap
radiator cap
belts (4)
upper radiator hose
lower radiator hose
several feet of heater hose
air filter
pcv valve
several misc light bulbs (blinkers, interior lights etc)
thermostat
radiator flush
coolant
oil and filter
tranny filter
1 headlight
transmission temp gauge
front break pads
rear brake shoes
3 u joints
I still have to check the tie rods, ball joints and wheel bearings but so far my list just seems to keep growing. All in all I still think I should be ok budget wise but it should be a full weekend.:Wow1:
Plugs
wires
cap,rotor, coil
gas cap
radiator cap
belts (4)
upper radiator hose
lower radiator hose
several feet of heater hose
air filter
pcv valve
several misc light bulbs (blinkers, interior lights etc)
thermostat
radiator flush
coolant
oil and filter
tranny filter
1 headlight
transmission temp gauge
front break pads
rear brake shoes
3 u joints
I still have to check the tie rods, ball joints and wheel bearings but so far my list just seems to keep growing. All in all I still think I should be ok budget wise but it should be a full weekend.:Wow1:
KEENO
Adventurer
Great find Preacherman!
I also have a soft spot for the Grand Wagoneer, my girlfriend had one affectionately called "the Woody". Classic Ride.... Always made me feel like Clark Griswold when I drove it! :smiley_drive:
I do remember making frequent stops at gas stations on our journeys.... Combination of a small gas tank & a thirsty V8 / 3 speed Automatic Trans always gave us opportunity for another Cold Drink in route.
I believe the girlfriend was once quoted as saying, "If you left this thing idling at the pump while filling.... You never would get a full tank of gas"
Looking forward to this build..... I like your Style!
KEENO:sombrero:
I also have a soft spot for the Grand Wagoneer, my girlfriend had one affectionately called "the Woody". Classic Ride.... Always made me feel like Clark Griswold when I drove it! :smiley_drive:
I do remember making frequent stops at gas stations on our journeys.... Combination of a small gas tank & a thirsty V8 / 3 speed Automatic Trans always gave us opportunity for another Cold Drink in route.
I believe the girlfriend was once quoted as saying, "If you left this thing idling at the pump while filling.... You never would get a full tank of gas"
Looking forward to this build..... I like your Style!
KEENO:sombrero:
jesusgatos
Explorer
Good score. Instead of lifting it though, you should think about cutting the fenders out like the old M715's. The guy I bought my Deuce from had a Wagoneer like yours and he cut the back fenders out to match the front. Looked sweet and was super-functional.
preacherman
Explorer
I toyed with that idea but the front springs are bent so they need replaced. If I can't find some used locally I will just buy the lift springs bc they are about the same price.
dieselcruiserhead
16 Years on ExPo. Whoa!!
Awesome! Old Wagoneers and FSJs are my favorite Jeeps of all time... I've looked many times at building one as well including those cheap Rough Country kits. I had a beautiful old '69 with the Buick engine that was just awesome. It belonged to a friend from San Diego who was a baja explorer and surfer, it had probably 20 years of regular trips to baja on it...
preacherman
Explorer
Long weekend
I tried to take advantage of a three day weekend and get a lot of stuff done on the Waggy. I started out Friday with theses supplies...
And after three days and 5 more trips to the auto parts store I have managed to get to half of the supplies. Dohhhhh
So here is how Friday started. I decided to start with trying to diagnose a few issues I know I would have to address. First the thing leaks oil like a sieve and has low oil pressure. I suspected a rear main seal and hopefully a bad oil sending unit. After 4 hours of digging and working I discovered the real main is perfectly fine (The flywheel is bone dry as is the nose cone of the starter) but the valve covers leak badly and all of the bolts on them can be loosened with my hands:Wow1: problem 1 figured out.
Next the transmission shifts like poo and the truck wants to die when I put it in drive. After taking a break and doing lots of reading on the www.IFSJA.org web site I suspected a vacuum problem or a carb problem. I almost cried myself to sleep as day one ended with no actual work done, only a day spent figuring stuff out.
Day two I started poking around in the engine bay looking for my vacuum issue. I immediately noticed that many of the vacuum hoses where cracked, old, disconnected and then I was greeted with this..
Many of the vacuum hoses where actually plugged with bolts and screws. I went inside before I had a melt down and thought. After 30 minutes of internet searches I made and executive decision. Working out all the emissions stuff on this car was going to be next to impossible. Since I don't live in a emission testing area, my choices where clear. Spend the rest of my life (or at least my weekend) chasing vacuum leaks and issues or spend an hour de-smoging the beast.
A picture is worth a 1,000 words...I will let you figure out my decision.
After my "creative re-routing" of my emissions systems I decided to see if it would actually run. To my surprise it fired right up, purred like a kitten in a warm sunny window and drove like butter. The transmission was much better and it had LOTS more power.
Next I decided to tackle the valve covers. As I said the bolts could be removed with my hands and I could actually watch oil seep out. I removed the first one to find almost not gasket left.
Unfortunately that's about all I got done this weekend so far. As far as my job goes today is kinda like Christmas and the Superbowl rolled into one so I didn't get much done. Tomorrow I hope to install my super duper ignition upgrade (more on that later) and post some pics of my valve cover creativity....
I tried to take advantage of a three day weekend and get a lot of stuff done on the Waggy. I started out Friday with theses supplies...
And after three days and 5 more trips to the auto parts store I have managed to get to half of the supplies. Dohhhhh
So here is how Friday started. I decided to start with trying to diagnose a few issues I know I would have to address. First the thing leaks oil like a sieve and has low oil pressure. I suspected a rear main seal and hopefully a bad oil sending unit. After 4 hours of digging and working I discovered the real main is perfectly fine (The flywheel is bone dry as is the nose cone of the starter) but the valve covers leak badly and all of the bolts on them can be loosened with my hands:Wow1: problem 1 figured out.
Next the transmission shifts like poo and the truck wants to die when I put it in drive. After taking a break and doing lots of reading on the www.IFSJA.org web site I suspected a vacuum problem or a carb problem. I almost cried myself to sleep as day one ended with no actual work done, only a day spent figuring stuff out.
Day two I started poking around in the engine bay looking for my vacuum issue. I immediately noticed that many of the vacuum hoses where cracked, old, disconnected and then I was greeted with this..
Many of the vacuum hoses where actually plugged with bolts and screws. I went inside before I had a melt down and thought. After 30 minutes of internet searches I made and executive decision. Working out all the emissions stuff on this car was going to be next to impossible. Since I don't live in a emission testing area, my choices where clear. Spend the rest of my life (or at least my weekend) chasing vacuum leaks and issues or spend an hour de-smoging the beast.
A picture is worth a 1,000 words...I will let you figure out my decision.
After my "creative re-routing" of my emissions systems I decided to see if it would actually run. To my surprise it fired right up, purred like a kitten in a warm sunny window and drove like butter. The transmission was much better and it had LOTS more power.
Next I decided to tackle the valve covers. As I said the bolts could be removed with my hands and I could actually watch oil seep out. I removed the first one to find almost not gasket left.
Unfortunately that's about all I got done this weekend so far. As far as my job goes today is kinda like Christmas and the Superbowl rolled into one so I didn't get much done. Tomorrow I hope to install my super duper ignition upgrade (more on that later) and post some pics of my valve cover creativity....
preacherman
Explorer
Almost forgot, I also did a compression check and it was between 125-130 in all cylinders which makes me feel better. I was beginning to think I spent too much on the car...oh wait it was free:victory:
tdesanto
Expedition Leader
Keep up the good work, Paul. It will pay off; it may just take a little longer than you wanted. Time figuring stuff out, is not time wasted. It's an investment.
Before too long, you will have long forgotten those first few "tough" days. I can't wait to see this thing on an overlanding trip.:jumping:
Before too long, you will have long forgotten those first few "tough" days. I can't wait to see this thing on an overlanding trip.:jumping:
jeepmedic46
Expedition Leader
Great find, I always liked the Wagoneer, I wish I had bought one years ago. Good job on the buildup so far.:smiley_drive:
preacherman
Explorer
New Water pump??
I am going to flush the radiator as well as change the thermostat and all the hoses today and have been debating wither I should change the water pump while I am in there. There are two schools of thought. "If it ant broke don't fix it" and "an ounce of prevention" What do you guys think? Change the water pump while I am at or or let it be and save the $50-$70? (The water pump seems to be fine BTW and shows no sign of going out)
I am going to flush the radiator as well as change the thermostat and all the hoses today and have been debating wither I should change the water pump while I am in there. There are two schools of thought. "If it ant broke don't fix it" and "an ounce of prevention" What do you guys think? Change the water pump while I am at or or let it be and save the $50-$70? (The water pump seems to be fine BTW and shows no sign of going out)
Root Moose
Expedition Leader
I'd be inclined to at least pull it and look at the vanes and feel the bearings with it off the engine.
Given your budget I'd keep it if it checks out ok. I like the idea of seeing how far you can stretch that $2k.
Given your budget I'd keep it if it checks out ok. I like the idea of seeing how far you can stretch that $2k.
preacherman
Explorer
Good idea