84 Grand Wagoneer Revival

[devildog80]

Brakes feel good, but need bleeding still and a couple lines to front tires

Steering good so far, smooth, quiet, and easy turning

Trans did not shift yet, but is a pint low, and stayed in low...and still original fluid but again smooth with no bad sounds

Only went 1/2 way down the block and back so far

Axles were quiet

Ballsy?? Kept my foot out of it until rear tires replaced, trans shifts normal, and axles have a chance to wake up.

Engine drove smooth and steady so there is hope all will fall back into place with some exercise....(miles)

[rang-a-stang]

WOOOOO HHOOOOO!! Your tire stickers were winking at me as you drove down the road!

how did it drive? How were the brakes? was it ballsy? it sounds good!

[devildog80]

Went with Discount Tire and the Pathfinder 235x75Rx15 XT Owl, and they are only about 1/2 inch shorter than the 31's, but higher load capacity, which is what my use will be, and not needing the off road tread.

All in @ $376 for 2 tires @ $125 ea with all the bells & whistles.

[devildog80]

Update

Been a bit as the site was not loading, but here goes.

Right after we found the problem of parasitic draw....Covid for the 3rd time.

Three of us in the house and it just kept hopping from one to the other for weeks, so no waggy work.

Finally back at it yesterday and tires was priority......now that the boss said I could buy them

Dropped off the rims at Discount Tire and came home to putz a bit trying to find the parasite.

Reading of .50 ohms somewhere, but will kill a full battery in a week down to .6 volts.

Pulled every fuse and relay on the panel, with no change, so still searching.

Two other relays hanging under dash pulled but no change.

Another day for that as still need 2 more tires for the rear, before I can actually get any real speed over 15 mph.

Those back 31x10.5x15's with 19 years sitting, have some bad flat spots on them, and do not trust going much faster as they would probably blow up badly.

But thats ok as it keeps me from taking off just driving around without the dash cluster in it, seats disintegrating as I drive, brakes not bled out yet (there's enough to test drive slowly), inside of glass so foggy I can barely see through it, the list goes on.

So thats progress from here.

[devildog80]

ITS FINALLY ROLLING.....WOOHOO

https://youtu.be/-dh0mhokGPA

[devildog80]

So, last weekend worked on the waggy, and normally I disconnect the battery neg cable when done, but this time left it connected to see if electrical was good.

Found out this past weekend, the battery was stone dead.

Seems there is a parasitic draw somewhere.....UGH!

Now to find it.

[rang-a-stang]

Awesome! Its nice hearing about progress. These are the really fun fixes IMHO. The no start was so frustrating to follow along but to look back from no-start to

Truck starts every time, and first time now...

is super encouraging!

[devildog80]

Update

Seems the new set of plug wires did the trick.

Truck starts every time, and first time now, so finally can get to looking at finer details under the hood.

Need to figure out the high idle solenoid, to see why it will not come off, after truck is up to temp.

Suspect that switch is bad, so needs opened up and cleaned, or replaced.

Also time to start getting wiring cleaned up and re-loomed, now that engine is running.

Brakes - reservoirs - rear (front brakes) empty and front (rear brakes) low, so filled up master to see if there are any immediate leaks anywhere. No leaks!

All lines need flushed - each wheel function needs checked - frame to wheel lines need replaced - pads & shoes need checked/replaced.

Initial function - booster works, all wheels come up even on pedal pressure, but there is air in the front lines as bubbles are found in master when pumping the pedal.

Radiator hoses and belts all here now, so can replace and get those out of the way.

Just a bit of hard start when at operating temp. "Timing by ear" was off by just 2*, so Mongo228 brought his timing light over and we set it right.

Ripped out old OEM headliner, and found the cargo light & switch works. Old was so dry it mostly fell apart just trying to handle it to the trash can.

Want to replace full headliner & cargo area with T&G pine. Shag carpet will be replaced in passenger floor area. Some time before getting to those details.

Gauge cluster still on the bench, pending salvage operation to save it.

So in a nutshell making progress, and encouraged to keep moving forward

[devildog80]

Well....think I found my issue with random no-start of engine!

Putzing with it earlier this week, and no start....UGH!

Last night, turned key and popped right off. What the heck.........

So, letting it idle a bit and had the air cleaner off as we (Mongo228 & I) were trouble shooting the wiring.....again (#364).

Thought.....I want to put the air cleaner on as always had it off when running since bringing it home and getting it running again.

Reached in with air cleaner base in hand, and just brushed across the coil wire.......baby sparks along the wire and engine died.

HEY.....did I just find the issue with random start issue?

Started up again, and same process, and BAM!!!

Felt it that time!!

Wow!!

So, full set of new wires going in today, as old ones were still being used up to now!

Will know tomorrow, and next day, etc, to be sure it will start on demand now.

Also installed keyed power port under the hood, connected new leads for wire harness to coil, ECM, and electric choke resistor wire.

Will wire into new Volt gauge too, when I get ready to re-install the gauge cluster, after it has been reworked.

I literally took a level, and made sure this was level, but looks a bit wonky. Probably camera angle?

20230107_152249 by Scott Weckerly, on Flickr

[devildog80]

A little tip for use of old heater hose.

Wires from old AMPS gauge, when I replaced it with new VOLTS gauge.

20221218_120238 by Scott Weckerly, on Flickr

20221218_120306 by Scott Weckerly, on Flickr

[devildog80]

Well folks......I went to take my gauge cluster out again, to see about rebuilding a bit more, after getting a box of extra parts from another gracious FSJ owner.

While removing my cluster, the main body of the cluster that mounts the gauge cluster to the truck separated from the gauges, dropping what screws I could get to hold last time down in the dash.

Plastic is so dry and rotted it finally gave up completely.....UGH!

So.....I dive into the box of parts, to glean through and find the one part I hope is useable, the cluster base.

After inspecting the gifted part, sadly it is on its way to similar condition mine is currently in, and unable to use it.

I was able to use other pieces/parts in the gifted box, but now down to needing a good base again, if anyone else has one they do not need.

If I had the funds, I would go with a new Dakota brand replacement, but such is not the case.

Still relying on "the kindness of strangers", as it has been said, and really appreciate any help!

20221218_115156 by Scott Weckerly, on Flickr

20221218_115139 by Scott Weckerly, on Flickr

[rang-a-stang]

It sounds really healthy and smooth! I would think 80 is fine at cold idle. Mine was 60 at cold idle with 10/40 and dropped to about 10-12 at hot idle. So if yours also drops 45-50 psi as it warms up that still puts you in a super healthy 20+ psi. AMAZING for an AMC V8. Oil pressure measure is after the oil filter so a plugged filter does not raise pressure; it drops it.

[devildog80]

Update

Put the gauge cluster back in, and now have temp working, but fuel still not working.

Will trouble shoot that again, and see where the problem is, as we bench tested the gauges and all worked.

Wiring to tank reads 28 ohms, and thought we had checked it all the way to plug in on back of cluster, but something still not working on fuel gauge.

Oil pressure right up there cold near 80 psi, and seems a bit high.
Not sure what oil/weight/filter as still has oil that we brought it home with, sitting 18 years and still looked clean on dip stick. Bottle in back of truck says 10-40.
Just getting it running, so running as is before making too many changes, but for sure will change before driving on the road.

Installed grounding strips, one at carpet line under dash next to park brake, and one in engine compartment on PS fender well.

Wired direct to battery ground.

Main reason was to ground new Volt meter direct to battery, but useful for stereo, lights, CB, and other switches which require ground.

Short video after cluster install-

YouTube

1984 Jeep Grand Wagoneer dash worked and reinstalled

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULM7ULvPSXA

11-27-2 by Scott Weckerly, on Flickr

20221127_142915 by Scott Weckerly, on Flickr

20221127_151219 by Scott Weckerly, on Flickr

20221127_151228 by Scott Weckerly, on Flickr

20221127_151328 by Scott Weckerly, on Flickr

[devildog80]

PM sent

Want more? I think I have a cluster and a bunch of misc pieces for the cluster. I don't need any of it since I went all custom gauges.

[devildog80]

I would gladly accept any/all parts, to get the OEM gauge cluster rebuilt, and pass on what I do not need.

Thank you so much