I'm thinking about buying an 86 Grand Wagoneer. I just test drove it and I have a few questions/concerns:

1) I can't tell if the 4wd is engaging. It is just a slider on the dash board so I'm assuming it is a vacuum switch, as opposed to the mechanical linkage on my xj. When I'm in 4wd in my xj it is really rough making sharp turns on dry pavement. I didn't feel that in the Waggy. How can I tell if it's engaging?

2) the automatic choke doesn't work or is missing. How hard would it be to install a manual choke, or a new automatic choke? Where I live it snows in the winter and this will be my winter rig (my xj has no doors or working heater) so the choke is very important for a cold start.

3) One of the previous owners took out the smog pump. not sure what that is, or what it does, or if it is bad to operate without one.

4) lastly, the engine didn't seem to have much "get-up" in it. I don't know how much acceleration it's supposed to have but it felt like a mid sized sedan with a 4 cylinder. I guess I was just expecting more from the AMC 360 V8. Should I be?

Also, any extra info on wagoneers in general (known mechanical issues, which years are good, which are crap, etc...) would be much appreciated.
Thanks so much,
Dan

 

it's a vacuum switch. theres and actuator on the np228.

put a manual choke on it

weld the manifold smogholes closed

I had an 84 and 86 they both had tons of power. keep this in mind it is 4600 pounds

also check the frame. check it out very important

 

what should I be looking for on the frame?

 

Signs of damage, such as obvious welds, crinkling, or rust holes. Surface rust is likely to be expected, but there shouldn't be holes.

 

major parts of the frame are the rear and mid sections. i would love to have another waggy.

 

Thanks for the help guys, I need to go back and have a closer look at this thing. Is $1,000 a good deal on an 86 with 180,000? It has some rust on the front left quarter panel, and the rear electric window is broken, the blinker stick on the side of the steering column is broken, some missing peices of trim and stuff, plus the previously mentioned issues. If it's not a good deal, how much should I be willing to pay?

 

$1k is probably too much... hard to say without pics, though.

 

I'm thinking about buying an 86 Grand Wagoneer. I just test drove it and I have a few questions/concerns:

1) I can't tell if the 4wd is engaging. It is just a slider on the dash board so I'm assuming it is a vacuum switch, as opposed to the mechanical linkage on my xj. When I'm in 4wd in my xj it is really rough making sharp turns on dry pavement. I didn't feel that in the Waggy. How can I tell if it's engaging?

It is a vacuum. Easy fix.

2) the automatic choke doesn't work or is missing. How hard would it be to install a manual choke, or a new automatic choke? Where I live it snows in the winter and this will be my winter rig (my xj has no doors or working heater) so the choke is very important for a cold start.

Manual choke is the best way to go, auto ones are not fun to mess with when it is cold.

3) One of the previous owners took out the smog pump. not sure what that is, or what it does, or if it is bad to operate without one.

Seal the holes up. JB weld works. You don't need smog unless your in CA.

4) lastly, the engine didn't seem to have much "get-up" in it. I don't know how much acceleration it's supposed to have but it felt like a mid sized sedan with a 4 cylinder. I guess I was just expecting more from the AMC 360 V8. Should I be?

The carb might need cleaned out or rebuilt/replaced.


Also, any extra info on wagoneers in general (known mechanical issues, which years are good, which are crap, etc...) would be much appreciated.
Thanks so much,

 

i got my waggys for 1200 and they where solid. so offer maybe 800

 

here are some photos:

 

x2

 

Looks like its missing some hood insulation so Id offer him $800.. In all seriousness check for for on the frame near the gas tanks. I forget exactly what the problem is but I bought an 89 with a crate motor with 3,000 miles on it for a grand because it wouldnt pass inspection. I ripped the engine out for my gremlin and parted out the wagon..

 

800 sounds right

 

bummer....called the guy today to see it again and it sold...I guess $1000 was a good deal.
dang.

 

that suxs