looking at an 85 Grand Wagoneer this Saturday

[Saul32]

Hey guys I'm going out of state this Saturday to look at an 85 Grand Wagoneer and need some help/advice

the truck has 8 lug Ford Dana 60 in rear w limited slip and dana 44 in front. geared w 4.55 in both
are these the stock axles or changed out?
he has 36 inch tires on 16.5" rims.
I dont really like the tires and was thinking of going with 33" tires and possibly smaller rims...
would I be able to with those gears? or would I be running into problems?

also is this a select-trac trans? or quadra?
what should I keep an eye out for??
it has Edlebrock performer intake and carb w/o EGR.
He said it runs awesome and that its mechanically sound. Only problem he said it has is the fuel gauge isn't working but the speedometer is.

The truck looks amazing in the pics but it could be a clunker. What would a fair price be if its in decent shape?

I have an 88 now and I'm not sure if they're the same so any advice would be appreciated.

[Stuka]

Those are not stock axles, they are ford axles from what you say.

If its geared with 4.56's, 35's are the smallest you are going to want and keep it drivable. Unless you like having a top speed of 50 or so.

An 85 is going to have an NP229 from the factory. So 2wd, 4wd full time, and 4wd low-lock. Unless he swapped that out also for an NP208 or the like.

The fuel gages are a common issues among FSJ's.

Your 88 has a few differences. Rear axle, starter, dash, some other small things. Most swap between them without issues.

[Saul32]

Thanks Stuka. Any idea what my mpg's would be like if I go w 35's? It has the Edlebrock intake n carb swapped.

[AwesomeJ10]

It's gonna get 10-12mpg TOPS!

[Saul32]

This is it... he is asking 6..
I feel like its too much.. what would you offer?

[Tad]

$6K is not out of line, looks like a fair amount of work has been done but most of us would not pay that.
Having said that I would need to see more/clear pic's of the suspension and steering before evaluating for a price.

Even though I will lift, cut and modify, my general rule is to not buy rigs that are already lifted.
You usually end up with someone else's mistakes.

[Stuka]

Looks nice, anyway you can get other photos? Especially of the front suspension/steering setup.

[Tad]

Looks nice, anyway you can get other photos? Especially of the front suspension/steering setup.

I was able to enhance it a little but I didn't have a lot of resolution to work with:
Looks like standard x-over in the front, front springs still have decent arch so they may be aftermarket, also extended shackles up front.
Rear looks to be my kit but I can only see the front most bracket.
I don't see any e-brake cables but the pic gets pretty grainy zoomed in that close.
Tires look to be the Gen1 Hummer take-offs, 36x12.5x16.5 bias ply.
Nice job on the 3-piece bumper conversion.

[Brizio]

Looks nice!

[Saul32]

just got a bit more info on her
Steering rod lengthened and angle modified and she has a dual stabilizer set-up. Rebuilt engine and trans with about 10k miles on em.... BJ's 6" with shackles also...

[Tad]

It doesn't add up correctly.
If that's a Ford front axle it is spring over already (about 6" right there).
You do 6" springs on top of that and you are creepy high up there and those springs do not have that much arch.
My guess:
High pinion Ford front, TT's kit in the rear, 2" lift springs or AAL's.
Take some good pic's, I guarantee we can nail it down correctly.

[Saul32]

He said the axles are off a 99 Ford truck. I didn't ask if it was SOA tho.
forgive me but what is tt's?

[jaber]

Looking at the pic, the front springs are on top of the axle. Back in the day, Tad and another member, Tod, designed a kit to level the rear axle when you do a spring over up front. It was first offered by them as TT's Fabworks. The kits still hold the name.

Sweet ride. After hearing about the engine, 6K is not out of line. The discrepancy about the parts would make me leery...

[Saul32]

im thinking im going to offer him $5000 in crisp 100's but only if i like the way she runs after a 20min test drive...
If he doesn't go for it i'll prob just thank him and head home to order the Edlebrock EFI kit for my 88 and wait for spring time to get a Seafoam green paint job on her....

[pcoplin]

It is one big bastard. Must be 8-10 inches of lift?

[lindel]

I'd take a good look at the rear suspension. It looks to me to have some fairly large lift blocks. Might be the angle and poor lighting, but I'd peek under the Jeep before handing over any cash.

[Tad]

It is one big bastard. Must be 8-10 inches of lift?

I'd say 8". SOA is about 6" plus the springs or AAL and the longer shackle up front.
It's really not that tall and those Gen1 Wrangler RT II's never measure a full 36".
I think out of the 10 or so I had none measured over 34.5"
Although I did run those same tires for a season I would never do it again.
Not that they were that bad, for a bias ply they were even ok on the highway.
The last of those that were made was around 2001 which puts even the best looking ones at 12 years +

It looks to me to have some fairly large lift blocks.

I think we are seeing the shock on the back side of the axle Lindel.
As I mentioned above I can see the front rear hanger from my kit.
What I do find interesting is it's still the original gray color I paint them, most get repainted after welding them in place.
I would look to make sure the welding took place. While it's fine to bolt them up until final ride height is adjusted I do recommend welding them.

forgive me but what is tt's?

Link is in my signature below.

[fulsizjeep]

Cosmetically appealing with curiosity for more pictures.

[lindel]

It looks to me to have some fairly large lift blocks.

I think we are seeing the shock on the back side of the axle Lindel.
As I mentioned above I can see the front rear hanger from my kit.
What I do find interesting is it's still the original gray color I paint them, most get repainted after welding them in place.
I would look to make sure the welding took place. While it's fine to bolt them up until final ride height is adjusted I do recommend welding them.

It could very well be. Pic isn't very high on detail in that area. I'd still poke my head under it, a quick glance would answer any question. In any case, he'll want to check the gas tank/frame area anyway, just to be safe.

[Saul32]

So it is indeed a TT's SOA kit and the brackets are welded. The steering was modified but is not a TT's kit. i will be looking at it tomorrow since my ride failed today. As far as frame and body I know what to look at but is there anything else, mechanical-wise I should check while there?
thanks in advance