Wrangler Advice

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Topic author
ArchitectJS
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Wrangler Advice

Post by ArchitectJS »

I have a bead on a 88 Wrangler. Owner is asking $2500.
I figure either my son/daughter drives it or i flip it.

This is the same engine as my Cherokee. I guess i kinda know what to look for here.
There is some rust. Owner says its surface rust :D on the floor pans etc, with a small hole in one. Says frame is good, but we are close to the shore.
I'll look at it tomorrow.

anybody have any tips on what to consider? Or what they think of the price?
1982 Cherokee, base (Bumppo)
AMC 258 / A727 - AMC 20 / NP208
Holley Sniper with Hyperspark
3" Rough County Lift
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Stuka
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Re: Wrangler Advice

Post by Stuka »

Moving this to general other Jeep area.

$2500 sounds like a good price, but obviously have not seen it. But be very leery of any frame rot. Floor pans aren’t hard to fix.

For the engine, if it’s a 258, it is very similar to your 82. The question is what trans does it have. Hopefully not the BA10.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
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tgreese
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Re: Wrangler Advice

Post by tgreese »

Used to be the YJs were a bargain if you got a good one. This price is so low it would make me suspicious.

Here's some background.
https://www.fourwheeler.com/features/14 ... angler-yj/

I thought the BA10 came earlier, but apparently not. Ugh. Boxed frames are subject to rust. Get under there and probe with a sharp instrument.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.
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Stuka
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Re: Wrangler Advice

Post by Stuka »

tgreese wrote: Sun Jul 19, 2020 9:25 am Used to be the YJs were a bargain if you got a good one. This price is so low it would make me suspicious.
Out west $2500 would be for a non-runner with issues. But no clue how much they go for in other areas.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

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ArchitectJS
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Re: Wrangler Advice

Post by ArchitectJS »

So- i bought it. Paid $2k.

Sound running. I drove it 1-hr to get home.

It needs a new exhaust manifold. can see some missing gasket and exhaust puffing thru. it ooes have the 258. I havent figured out the trans yet.

New brake system, except for master cylinder
New exhaust (see above)
New battery
New tires
Everything is working.
Included hard top, softop, and bimini top

Some rust - doesnt appear to horrible. didnt beat on the frame with a hammer but tried to scrub it with a gloved hand to see how flaky it was. Seems solid. Will inspect it more soon.

All Fenders and tailgate were replaced, but the tub looks original. For that price seems like a no brainer, even if it turns out there is some metal/frame repair needed.
1982 Cherokee, base (Bumppo)
AMC 258 / A727 - AMC 20 / NP208
Holley Sniper with Hyperspark
3" Rough County Lift

Topic author
ArchitectJS
Posts: 293
Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2015 5:01 pm

Re: Wrangler Advice

Post by ArchitectJS »

Frame is fine. Not great like a high desert Jeep, but nothing close to holes or full scale rot.

Yes - BA10 transmission, given that it’s an ‘88, 5-speed Manila with the 258
1982 Cherokee, base (Bumppo)
AMC 258 / A727 - AMC 20 / NP208
Holley Sniper with Hyperspark
3" Rough County Lift
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Stuka
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Re: Wrangler Advice

Post by Stuka »

Sounds like a pretty decent deal then. Just be nice to the transmission.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

Topic author
ArchitectJS
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Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2015 5:01 pm

Re: Wrangler Advice

Post by ArchitectJS »

Will do- :-bd

Plus, when your wife says you should buy- you should buy
1982 Cherokee, base (Bumppo)
AMC 258 / A727 - AMC 20 / NP208
Holley Sniper with Hyperspark
3" Rough County Lift
User avatar

Stuka
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Re: Wrangler Advice

Post by Stuka »

ArchitectJS wrote: Mon Jul 20, 2020 6:21 pm Will do- :-bd

Plus, when your wife says you should buy- you should buy
Hah, too true!
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Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
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tgreese
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Re: Wrangler Advice

Post by tgreese »

Sounds like a good deal. The exhaust manifold had no gaskets from the factory. Bare iron on bare iron. Add a typical composition exhaust manifold gasket and they tend to blow out. The escaping exhaust gas will eventually erode the manifold and head surface. Used to be that O2 on the back side of the exhaust valves lead to burnt exhaust valves, though in modern times with air injection, I wonder if that's much of a concern.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.

Topic author
ArchitectJS
Posts: 293
Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2015 5:01 pm

Re: Wrangler Advice

Post by ArchitectJS »

Oof- I hope the head is ok / not corroded.
1982 Cherokee, base (Bumppo)
AMC 258 / A727 - AMC 20 / NP208
Holley Sniper with Hyperspark
3" Rough County Lift
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