What’s interchangeable???

[bbuenger71]

So I’ve been out of the FSJ world for about 3 years now. Had to sell my 76 Wagoneer to help pay for our wedding. Well the wife and I are looking hard for a replacement. We have a budget of about $4k and surprisingly haven’t found many decent wagoneers in that range. We did however find a pair of wagoneers for a decent price which is the reason of this post. They are a 1980 and a 1988. The 1980 is complete and the 88 is being sold for parts. I know there are some minor differences on the interior like the dash but what else is different? Can I swap doors and windows? Seats? Drivetrain? I’d really love to get back into an FSJ!

[will e]

Drive train, yes. Both are drivers drop front axle, centered rear axle. Transmission and engines will swap too. Doors, windows, tailgate, seats, etc should all be transferrable with little to no issues.

[KJ Ryu]

How far do you want to travel? I know where a 79 sits. Very solid body but the paint is gone in some places and minor surface rust is starting. I want to buy it but, really can't justify a 5th FSJ. The owner is asking $1500.

[bbuenger71]

Drive train, yes. Both are drivers drop front axle, centered rear axle. Transmission and engines will swap too. Doors, windows, tailgate, seats, etc should all be transferrable with little to no issues.

So they have a centered rear diff? That’s good to know. I’m used to my 76 with it on the drivers side. Is there a difference in the axles from the 80-88? I heard the 88 had better axles?

[bbuenger71]

How far do you want to travel? I know where a 79 sits. Very solid body but the paint is gone in some places and minor surface rust is starting. I want to buy it but, really can't justify a 5th FSJ. The owner is asking $1500.

Where is it located? I’m in Southern California. Willing to go a few hundred miles or more for the right one.

[dodgerammit]

Drive train, yes. Both are drivers drop front axle, centered rear axle. Transmission and engines will swap too. Doors, windows, tailgate, seats, etc should all be transferrable with little to no issues.

So they have a centered rear diff? That’s good to know. I’m used to my 76 with it on the drivers side. Is there a difference in the axles from the 80-88? I heard the 88 had better axles?

The rear axles will either be a Dana 44 of AMC 20. Both equally durable in my opinion. I have a 20 in mine. No issues.
Front will be a Dana 44 on either.

[tgreese]

The main watershed for these Jeeps is 1980. 1979 and earlier vs. 1980 and later. AMC kept the engines for 1980, but all the rest of the drivetrain changes.

The '80 and later front axle is still an open-knuckle Dana 44, but the prop shaft drop changes from passenger side to driver's side.

[KJ Ryu]

How far do you want to travel? I know where a 79 sits. Very solid body but the paint is gone in some places and minor surface rust is starting. I want to buy it but, really can't justify a 5th FSJ. The owner is asking $1500.

Where is it located? I’m in Southern California. Willing to go a few hundred miles or more for the right one.

It'd be more than a few hundred miles. Casper, WY

[derf]

Drive train, yes. Both are drivers drop front axle, centered rear axle. Transmission and engines will swap too. Doors, windows, tailgate, seats, etc should all be transferrable with little to no issues.

So they have a centered rear diff? That’s good to know. I’m used to my 76 with it on the drivers side. Is there a difference in the axles from the 80-88? I heard the 88 had better axles?

The 80 should have an AMC 20 rear axle. The 88 should have a Dana 44. Both good axles, comparable in strength. Or at least close. The 44 has more upgrade parts available and is more sought after.

If I was going to keep the wagoneer mostly stock I'd keep the 20 and sell the 44. If I was going to lift the wagoneer and regear with a locker I'd use the 44.

[bbuenger71]

Well I’m back in the game! Picked up an 86 today. I’ll post up some pictures when I figure out how that works