A few 1986 model year questions.

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Nikkormat
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A few 1986 model year questions.

Post by Nikkormat »

A guy is trying to talk me into taking a 1986 Wagoneer in trade for my 90 and Wyatt's 91. So I'd be buying Wyatt's Jeep, taking them up to Montana, and get a supposedly nice Jeep at the end of the deal. Ideally costing something like $2000 total. Which is less than I'd spend on engine and body work on mine assuming the 85 checks out ok... Anyway, I've never played with an 86 and I have a few questions the Google machine couldn't answer.

Is there anything funky about 86's I should know? I know that's the first year for the new dash. Last year for the old style trim and emblems. Last year for the AMC 20. Only year for the NP228. But I'd there anything weird about them besides those little things? I know there is quite a bit of weirdness in the XJ's around change overs like that. And my 74 has a few crossover year quirks...

What were the options for axle gear ratio in 86? I've heard conflicting reports. Some say 2.73 only. Some say 3.08 only. Some say 3.08 was the tow package. Some say the tow package came with 3.31 gears. Maybe some folks with stock rigs could chime in there?

Would an 86 use the metric or sae oil filter thread?
:geek:

Does an 86 have the oil pressure switch that controls the choke?

Had the blower motor resistor been relocated to the cowl by 86?

Thanks, and sorry if these are really dorky. I've been over analyzing this for too long.
Gabe, "reformed" Jeep hoarder.
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babywag
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Re: A few 1986 model year questions.

Post by babywag »

Only 2 gear ratios 2.73/3.31
still has heater box mounted resistor + behind ductwork ac resistor
no weatherpack on wiper motor, or ignition module
old style motorcraft starter & solenoid & flexplate
plastic flex trac windows
yes on oil pressure switch
yes on tiny metric oil filter, if stock
goofy looking woodgrain trim IMHO
door pulls on panels
if interior is dark red one year only color matching
-Tony
'88 GW (aka Babywag)

KJ Ryu
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Re: A few 1986 model year questions.

Post by KJ Ryu »

The last 86 I took apart had 2 D44 axles.
Ron

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1977 SJ J10, 4v360, T18, D20, 37x14s, SOA & SF on tons, still ugly.
1978 SJ Wagoneer, 4v360, QT, 33x12.5s, lift by Sawzall :-bd NOT Running :(
1977 SJ J10, SniperEFI 401, QT, D44s, 31X10.5s :fsj:
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babywag
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Re: A few 1986 model year questions.

Post by babywag »

KJ Ryu wrote:The last 86 I took apart had 2 D44 axles.
Yeah, my dad's '86 that he gave me had a d44 out back when I dismantled it as well.
-Tony
'88 GW (aka Babywag)
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fulsizjeep
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Re: A few 1986 model year questions.

Post by fulsizjeep »

I don't know if it was a mid year change to the D44, guessing yes. All the 86 models I have seen around Colorado and 4 Corners area have AMC 20 rear axle.
Flint Boardman
88 GW, 401/727/208, 5" lift, D44s/4.10s/locked up, 35s
https://jubileejeeps.org/quadratrac
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Stuka
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Re: A few 1986 model year questions.

Post by Stuka »

86.5 switched to the D44. I have seen them with both rear axles.

Why is this guy wanting to do this trade?
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Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

Topic author
Nikkormat
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Re: A few 1986 model year questions.

Post by Nikkormat »

Stuka wrote:86.5 switched to the D44. I have seen them with both rear axles.

Why is this guy wanting to do this trade?
I've got two jeeps he wants, he's got one I want.
Gabe, "reformed" Jeep hoarder.
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az chip
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Re: A few 1986 model year questions.

Post by az chip »

Need pics. If they switched to D44, is that still only the two choices in axle gearing?


From wiki
Starting in the 1986 model year, the Grand Wagoneer received a new four part front grille and a stand-up hood ornament. An updated audio system became a standard feature and a power sunroof installed by American Sunroof Corporation, became a factory option. However, the most significant change was the installation of a fully revamped interior including a new dashpad, new instrumentation, new door panel design, shorter nap cut-pile carpeting, new leather seat cover designs and front seats that now featured adjustable headrests. Changes were made to the instrument panel that now featured square gauges, featured woodgrain overlays and contained an improved climate control system. A new two spoke steering wheel also included new stalks for the lights and wiper and washer controls on the column. The Select-Trac driveline gained a new Trac-Lok limited slip differential to send power to the wheel with the best traction. There were 17,254 Grand Wagoneers built in 1986.
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Topic author
Nikkormat
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Re: A few 1986 model year questions.

Post by Nikkormat »

Trac-lok! Gah! So it'll need a new rear diff.
Gabe, "reformed" Jeep hoarder.

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Re: A few 1986 model year questions.

Post by SJTD »

"Improved climate control system". Hah!

Lipstick on a pig!
Sic friatur crustulum

'84 GW with Nissan SD33T, early Chev NV4500, 300, narrowed Ford reverse 44, narrowed Ford 60, SOA/reversed shackle in fornt, lowered mount/flipped shackle in rear.
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fulsizjeep
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Re: A few 1986 model year questions.

Post by fulsizjeep »

az chip wrote:Need pics. If they switched to D44, is that still only the two choices in axle gearing?
Yes.
Flint Boardman
88 GW, 401/727/208, 5" lift, D44s/4.10s/locked up, 35s
https://jubileejeeps.org/quadratrac

Topic author
Nikkormat
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Re: A few 1986 model year questions.

Post by Nikkormat »

It appears we are going to go through with the trade, thanks guys. You've been a big help.
Gabe, "reformed" Jeep hoarder.

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Re: A few 1986 model year questions.

Post by FSJ Guy »

I didn't know 86's came with a track-loc. <shrug> I wouldn't worry about it....
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Stuka
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Re: A few 1986 model year questions.

Post by Stuka »

FSJ Guy wrote:I didn't know 86's came with a track-loc. <shrug> I wouldn't worry about it....
As far as I know the trac-loc was optional on any 80's FSJ.
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candymancan
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Re: A few 1986 model year questions.

Post by candymancan »

my 90 has limited slip rear diff i have no issues with it ? whats so wrong with that ? My 98 Zj D44 alluminum is limited slip as well. If you had the tow packsge i believe your gearing would be 3.31. Thats what my 90 is i think ? sadly the hitch was missing on mine when i got and the wiring tucked in the frame.

Ive only seen one 86 and it was in a junkyard got a lot of parts on it and the diff in rear was a amc 20.

Also an 86 as someone mentioned still uses the older bigger style starter and one thing i discovered is the oil pan on the Grand wagoneers with the older starter motor is different then the oil pan on my 90. I took an 87s oil pan thinking it was the same because mine is pitted ad rusted..

when i took mine off.. side by side they looked the same but my 90 has a factor indention in a corner to allow room for the new style starter.. The old one didnt so i vouldnt fit that 87s oil pan on.

Also an 86 would be using the older style air conditioner comoressor as well and would still be using coffee cans for vacuum reservoirs. No rear wiper either.. and a 228 like you mentioned so you cabt shift on the fly. you habe to stop pull the lever down then switch to 4wd vs a 229 where you can flip it going 50mph.


Gatta tell ya the head rests on the 86+ grand wagoneers are 100% useless.. I have to look at the ceiling tilting my head that far back before my head touches em.. Im considering buying one of those spandex like pillows you can put on your head rest that way i can actually ya know, rest my head without cracking my neck back.

Another thing an 86 would have over an older 80s wagoneer would be an upgrade in the suspension from a 5 pack front leafsprings to 7 pack.. Also noticed this 86 had ugly looking wood on the sides.. Like it was too bright looking funky color.

Didnt the 86 have like a really bright ass red interior ? and after it became the darker cordove color.. Oh and the 86 in the jy i found also had those ugly door pulls that seem to be always broken
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9L Limited 219k
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 I6 laredo 430k
1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 155k
1976 Jeep J10.. 85k(repaired)
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