Shopping for Wagoneer

[joeybcdt]

I usually buy 2nd hand trucks when they're 6 months old. 1994 Chevy Z71, $19K+, still have it. 2005 Ford F250 diesel, $28k, still have it. I had a CJ a few years back and really liked it. My son drives the Z71 and I need the F250 for trailor duty.

Even though I tend to keep my trucks for a long time I'm starting to think spending that kind of money on a truck is silly, especially when I consider my son starts college next year.

So I'm thinking about buying a full size Wagoneer and using as a daily driver. A nicer one in the $5k range but not so nice that I don't want to scratch it.

One ad I saw tonight said the seller's Wagoneer would be a good daily driver except for freeway use. This truck is not lifted so I assume the diff's ratio are stock? Why would freeway use be a concern for a Wagoneer?

Thanks,
Joey

 

[ljrubitm]

Maybe it won't go past 50, maybe there are some hidden problems. How good are the brakes?
Wagonners are an old jeep ( and I love them ) so theres gona be some problems with them unless you find one that was well tanken care of.
If you find one post a pic.

 

[TerryMason]

The last wagoneer came out in 1991, so they are going to be more than 20 years old, and would take a little TLC to drive daily. As to why that one isn't good on the freeway, I'm with ljrubitm, it could be anything, like sloppy steering, no power, or probably oversized tires.

If you can fine one in good shape then I'd get it - they are pretty cool rides, however you may have more luck finding a nice Cherokee (they were made until 2005).

 

[TerryMason]

I just did a look on craigslist and found this clean Wagoneer - only $17.900

Used Jeep Cars - Used Jeep Grand Wagoneer For Sale at Babish Auto Sales Inc. in Johnstown PA - Road2Jeep.com

 

[jps4jeep]

wagoneers are suprisingly reliable if you address a couple issues (particularly with late 70-91 models.) to add, never had a problem hitting 75 mph, just takes a while.

1. Horrible milage, and I mean **** poor, about 6-8 miles per gallon is what I've calculated.

2. unless it is a factory 401 (which is what you really want) very heavy, very underpowered when equipt with the 360. removing teh emissions control junk (if you can leagally), aluminum intake manifold new carb (I had great luck with an edelbrock 1406 electric choke carb) and better flowing exhaust bumped the milage up to a steady 10-11 mph I also had 33" tires on it and re-geared to 3:73 when this milage was calculated.

3. Rust, they rust, roof above the windshield, bottom of doors, and rockers. patch pannels are easy to find.

4. fake wood panneling hides rust. I will always suggest to remove the wood panneling, weld all teh holes up and paint. the fake wood trim holds moisture and it is what contributes to the rotted doors and rockers. (water gets in behind the pannel and rots the metal)

5. My last suggestion is, I had a 4 door, a friend of mine just picked up a 78 cherokee (same vehicle but 2 door) I really like the 2 door more, but this is personal opinion.


Hope this helps. it has been a little while since I've owned a FSJ, been looking for a good condition cherokee or gladiator in recent years amoung plenty of other vehicles.

 

[jps4jeep]

If you can fine one in good shape then I'd get it - they are pretty cool rides, however you may have more luck finding a nice Cherokee (they were made until 2005).

sorry to correct you terry but

the original FSJ cherokee was produced until I think 81, might be 80.
the XK cherokee was produced until late 2000, many models VINed 2001, but essentially were 2000's

the WJ grand cherokee was what you might be thinking of, they were produced 99-04, 05 the new grand came out.

 

[firemanharry]

I had a Grand Waggy, sold it last year. It was an 89 and had it's share of rust, electrical problems, and was getting an issue with the factory limited slip that when I ran it up at highway speed and she got hot it would start grabbing in the corners.

Electrical problems are a real problem for these because the wires tend to rub through where they run along the body and things start shorting out. The tailgate windows also tend to have problems so make sure you check that as well. They're easy enough to work on and you can still get parts although you may have to do some cross-referencing or improvising in some circumstances. For example, I had to get a new headlight switch and couldn't find it at local stores. Looked like a GM switch so I just looked though those until I found a plug that matched.

I'm not so sure about the fake woodgrain being the real culprit behind the rust, I think it's the wood toned molding that is around the sticker. Either way you can't have one without the other.

I bought a spare one with a tired engine for parts and stripped it so I have a lot of trim parts and stuff available. It turned out to be from Arizona and the doors and gate are perfect and completely rust free. If you end up finding something and need anything give me a shout and I'll look in the garage.

They are solid and heavy, drive like a Caddy down the road and like a Jeep everywhere else. My wife and kids loved it but it just got to be too much to keep up with. Good luck finding what you're looking for, there are plenty of them available and a lot of places that specialize in selling them if you do a search. From what I've seen if you find one cheap make sure you look it over with a magnifying glass and check EVERYTHING - most owners know what they have and you will pay accordingly.

Look around on the FSJ website if you have a chance. Good luck

International Full Size Jeep Association