My 1973 Wagoneer

[Dr. Marneaus]

Hi Everybody (Hi Dr. Marn!).

I'm sure most of you have seen me around IFSJA, and Jeepforum (I'm a mod over there for the FSJ section). Maybe you've seen me on Expedition Portal as well, and hopefully you've seen me here.

I figure I'll just post up a thread with some info on my Waggy, and links to my ongoing build threads and trail reports.

So, few years ago (3?) I was in the market for another jeep, after having sold my beloved 97 TJ a few years prior. My two stipulations were that it was a CJ, and it was stick shift.

Well, after searching and searching, somehow I came home with this.....nice stick-shift CJ huh?

The day i bought it:




she's your standard 73 wag I guess....360, TH400, D20, 30/44 (3.31 gears)

She wasnt bad....but she wasnt good. Paint was totally blown out, no bumper, hack job wiring and fuel system, but ran strong, and body is 100% solid except for a silver dollar sized hole in the rear quarter panel. Not a spec of rust elsewhere. Unknown mileage (odometer said 85k)

Whatever, its a 40 year old truck, who cares! It had the exact lift and tires I would have purchased for it, and they were less than a year old. bonus!

So, after a few years, thousands of dollars, 17 stitches, an engine replacement, rebuilt tranny, countless parts replaced/upgraded, I've finally arrived at a vehicle that can do exactly what I want it to.

Take long drives to remote locations, and get me home. I got my rock crawling desires out of the way with my TJ, and i just wanted a unique/vintage trail riding rig.



We've been through alot together....

some rough roads (some of which have gotten the best of me or the jeep)







Done some stupid stuff (d'oh)


Experienced incredible scenery:








Taken lots of camping trips:









And much much more. Every time, the jeep has gotten me there, and back every time (even though sometimes it puts up a fight!)

Me, the jeep, and my girl this summer...one happy family.


That being said, here's my main build thread on JF:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f22/marn ... d-1058173/

Here's my Camper build thread:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f104/mar ... d-1411921/

Here's my thread on Expedition Portal (kind of a highlights thread, not so much technical stuff)
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/t ... -goodness!


I'll update here from time to time, but all the gritty details are in the other threads, specifically the jeepforum thread.

[kirk]

Great pics man. Very nice.

[Stuka]

I have always liked your waggy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[REDONE]

Keep livin' the dream!

[Dr. Marneaus]

thanks guys!

[jaber]

I have to tell you, I watch for your outing threads closely. I spent a couple of years in Vegas and my step-dad would take us out hunting and fishing. Every so often I see pics of familiar territory. Thanks for sharing them.

[gas4blood]

Love this Jeep.

[Dr. Marneaus]

well, shes about to undergo a nice upgrade!

[Stuka]

Is that a QT rear axle? It should still work with your D20 (Assuming you have a D20?), but you will end up with more of an angle. 74-79's with manuals had less offset.

Should be a great upgrade though, especially for the front.

[Billyj7175]

Welcome to the darkside Doc...

X2 on the familiar territory. I was stationed at Nellis for 2 years...I wheeled/mt biked all over that area.

[Kenne]

wow, a spring over drivers side drop front D44!!

well, shes about to undergo a nice upgrade!

[RWrightPhotog]

One of my favorite Wagoneers around.

Still like the look with the black wheels, though. For the record...

[Dr. Marneaus]

wow, a spring over drivers side drop front D44!!

hahahahaha.

if only it were that simple...

[Dr. Marneaus]

Well, she's got a new rear end...



All seems mostly well.

Ooo, pretty!!

[Kenne]

Well, she's got a new rear end...


]

id really suggest you find a diff cover with a thread in fill plug instead of the pop in rubber plug.

[Dr. Marneaus]

Well, she's got a new rear end...


]

id really suggest you find a diff cover with a thread in fill plug instead of the pop in rubber plug.

Ill be replacing it but it has nothin to do with the rubber plug (I've never had an issue with one and this one is still working fine after 35 years) but because I cannot fit the factory specified amount of fluid in the dif with the new pinion angle. Ill be getting a cast cover with high fill at some point when I do the rear bearings and whatnot.