1989 Jeep Wrangler

[DirtyDamage]

Well, it's time pals. Time to delve into my first actual vehicle. Trading a gaming PC i built last year, I'll be trading for a 1989 Jeep Wrangler. Does it run? Yes. Does it drive? No. I'll need to install a new u-joint on the rear axle and install a new clutch master cylinder. Not to mention, it looks like a piece, has two spooled welded diffs and to top it off no paint and chopped fenders. The plan for this jeep, is to;
A; Fix it, get it running
B; Make semi appeasing to the eye (I cant make it too beautiful though
C; Since I live in Colorado, and love to 4X4, a 4" lift and new tires and rims. Since the axles are already locked, because of the welds, it'll handle even worse than it will look, on-road at least.

Hoping this will be a learning experience, and I won't get stuck in the snow...maybe I can make some $$ pulling people out come winter. Guy is coming tomorrow for the trade (Hopefully).

Here I would like to document my work, ask silly questions, as I'm hoping to finally get a welder, to fab some custom body parts, and overall document the transformation. Hopefully in a few weeks, I'll at least have it running and driving so I can get to school and back without the assistance of my parents any longer. Should be pretty interesting, $150 in parts and probably 10 hours and maybe that'll work out.

 

[Bwdeaton]

Post some pics! I have always liked wranglers but never had one. I've helped a friend with a lot of stuff on his (until he totaled it). He installed a lift kit, aftermarket muffler, bumpers, tires and rims. It was a nice jeep. Maybe I'll have some useful input in this thread.

 

[Hellion]

Very interesting project and good choice for the model year--Cosmetically speaking only, I prefer the square headlights and the interior of these particular Wranglers. This should be fun; having a similar interest in Jeeps and not having to go elsewhere to spy on your progress.

I've never owned one but now these specific models should be quite affordable. Hmm...

 

[DirtyDamage]

Oh it's a piece! But the glory is, its sitting on I think 33's rn...with no lift. There are no fenders, but it's destiny is going to be some pretty rough, rocky terrain. Starts great I guess ( will really see tomorrow ) but I get to make it how i want, and all I have saved can go into it....

The lift I have priced is $400, but thats going on last. Probably a grand will go into her before I reach that point.

I'm 100% going to post pics if it happens! I have a 4WheelParts store right down the road here too, so I may not even have to order the parts, and might be able to get everything I need Monday to get her driving...if everything goes according to the plan, then paint when I get paid!

Nothings 100% quite yet, but it's sounding promising for sure!

 

[Hellion]

Well, you have certainly put the cart before the horse, man. You don't even have it yet and cannot guarantee you ever will.

You're setting yourself up for failure. Does the word premature ever figure into your thinking?

Patience grasshopper, patience.

 

[B.M.800]

Id like a wrangler. Cram jam a v8 under the hood.
Ive settled for a 97 Cherokee. 2 door 5 speed. Imma cram jam a v8 under the hood...

 

[OzFab]

I can appreciate your enthusiasm but, as Hellion pointed out, you seem to be jumping the gun a bit; we always say "pics or it didn't happen"; well, you can't post pics because it hasn't happened yet; apply the brakes for a bit, we'll all be happy to help when it happens...

 

[chancer]

Hope it all works out.
Didn't you guys see his sig line... This is plan A, there are 25 more to go! lol
I look forward seeing a Jeep built here. There are some good car guys here too.
anyway a jeep is just 1 step above a buggy which is 1 step above a Kart!

 

[DirtyDamage]

So, the guy came, and there is more wrong than stated.
The engine has an awful knock, and smokes like my grandmother.
So, I have a choice to make here. Since it's a trade, computer for jeep, I can always move on and find another, Colorado has a plethora of them for sale...or I can swap it. Now I don't know if I want to do a swap, on this particular one, due to the look of the thing as it sits, I can get a prettier one, with a blown motor and do a swap on there....

Told the guy I'll think about it....I'm thinking plan B here now...I have a few other jeeps lined up, a Cherokee XJ, and another wrangler, but now is the time to begin making some choices...

 

[chancer]

Plan B that leaves 24 more....

 

[Hellion]

Might be time to change the thread title to "Searching for a Jeep"...

 

[DeathMachine]

As a former owner of an 89 Wrangler, unless the computer you are trading is still running Win95, pass. There are tons of those out there, start with something that is better than a parts vehicle.

 

[Hellion]

Aren't Wranglers some of the least reliable vehicles out there?

 

[DeathMachine]

Aren't Wranglers some of the least reliable vehicles out there?

If all you do is drive around town like a normal vehicle, they are fairly durable.

In the snow belt, they tend to corrode faster than Nazis opening the Ark of the Covenant.

The frames are a tube design, mud, snow,salt get trapped inside and rot them from the inside out.

now offroading, the reputation of being a hardy off roader is what does them in. You tend to beat on them hard, and in reality the components are not very strong.

My own wrangler, in one summer, I broke both gearsets in the axles, exploded the yoke on the rear axle, fractured the transfer case, bent the front springs, cracked 2 windshields, blew out the transmission, broke the actuator to engage the front axle, tore the driver seat mount right out of the floor, broke the mounting bolts on the skid plate, blew out the clutch slave cylinder and cracked the frame.

And I wasn't wheeling hard, it was only a 4 cyl 5 speed Jeep.

 

[Poboy kartman]

If you run them into the back of a van...they crumple up.

 

[DeathMachine]

Jeeps are the only vehicles that everyone knows are junk, get beat on, and still retain a high resale value. Go figure.

 

[griff7373]

Jeeps are the only vehicles that everyone knows are junk, get beat on, and still retain a high resale value. Go figure.

Easy now I own a 97 Wrangler, that I bought in 2000. I have had it buried in the mud and water to where the water was coming into the tub. I have hunted out of it every season since I have owned it and am now crossing into the 200,000 mile mark. I have replaced the normal stuff 1 clutch, 1 radiator, 1 alternator, and am now on my second water pump. the jeep has only left me on the side of the road once and that was last month when the water pump failed. The Jeep is pretty much stock I replaced the pump and the fan clutch in a few hours and she is back to normal. I would by another one except for my need of a truck.