Full Size Jeep Buyer's Guide
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About this ebook
Revised this book to update links. wagoneers dot com was sold to bjsoffroad dot com last year and a few of the links didn't work. The links work now and point to johnmeister dot com jeep sj - updated the cover to remove old domain info.
An "FSJ" is any vehicle produced in North America, carrying the "Jeep" nameplate, with 2doors, 4 doors, in 2wd or 4wd, whose wheelbase does not exceed 132", nor is less than 108", and whose tread width is no more than 63" or less than 57". This definition is known to include the following models: Wagoneer: 1963-1983, Gladiator and J-series pickup: 1963-1987, Cherokee: 1974-1983, and Grand Wagoneer: 1984-1991.
"You think you want an FSJ (Full Size Jeep)?
1) Are you a mechanic?
2) Are you married to a mechanic?
3) Are you related to a mechanic?
4) Are you independently wealthy
and know a good mechanic?
"If you can't answer yes to any of the above, this may not be the best choice in vehicles for you."
This book provides a great deal of technical information about the Jeep Wagoneer and Gladiator line from 1962 until 1991. Engine, transmission and other technical information is summarized, as well as a detailed step by step list of areas to examine before purchasing, or to determine improvements. Pictures of a variety of FSJs are included in the book.
John E. Meister, Jr
John Meister is a retired technical specialist and instructor, a Jack of all Trades, master of some.Interests include Biblical prophecy, photography, kayaking (flat water), Linux, and road trips, preferably in a Diesel Jeep.Over his career John has taught: electronics theory, design, troubleshooting and repair; microprocessors and assembly language programming; computer programming and science; systems analysis and design; operating systems (UNIX, Linux, Microsoft, etc.); shell scripting and the vi editor ; web design and HTML; technical writing and career planning; automotive maintenance and repair; and an overview of the Bible.John has held positions in a variety of corporations and industries as a System Administrator, systems analyst, circuit designer, equipment engineer, technical instructor, computer lab manager, adjunct faculty, electronics technician, mechanic, salesman, photographer and technical lead. Some of those companies were: Intel, O'Reilly Media, Boeing Electronics, Boeing Computer Services, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, ITT Tech, AT&T, Western Wireless, T-Mobile, Cingular, Merck, Intermec, City University of Seattle, Georgia Military College, Everett Community College, Prosoft, Develop Intelligence, New Horizons and other training companies nationwide. John served in the US Army Signal Corps attaining the rank of E-6, Staff Sergeant, specialized in the repair, installation and service of secure voice and data encrypted communication systems, served 5 years in Germany, an then as a TSEC/KG-13A instructor at the Signal School at Fort Gordon.As an O'Reilly Media author John created the LPIC-2 Certification exam study video series, released July 2016 - http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920050209.doEducation includes:- MSTM - Embry Riddle Aeronautical University- BSc, AA - University of Maryland- AA - Central Texas College- US Army Signal School - 32F/32G/31S/31T- Western Seminary (MDiv CEd - no degree)- Cogswell College North (BSEE - no degree)- Cleveland Institute of Electronics (Advanced Electronics & Troubleshooting)Listed in: Who's Who in Science and Engineering; Who's Who in American Education; Who's Who in America; Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America; Who's Who Among Young American Professionals; and, Who's Who in the West (since 1987).
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Full Size Jeep Buyer's Guide - John E. Meister, Jr
Full Size Jeep Buyers Guide
Copyright 2015 John Meister - Revision B - Nov 2020
ISBN: 9781311884220
Published by John Meister at Smashwords
Smashwords Edition License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Table of Contents
Introduction Do you meet the test?
Abbreviations used
Chapter One: The Years - The Options
Significant Changes by Year
General Dimensions by Year
VINs
Engines
V8 Firing Order
Transmissions
Transfer Cases
Chapter Two: What to look for, a systematic approach.
Part 1 - Power Plant
Part 2 - Chassis
Part 3 - Body
Chapter Three: It's Yours - Now What?
The checklist
The FSJ email list (is defunct... digest.net is off line... sorry)
Accessories
About John Meister
About the Pictures
Other books by John Meister
Connect with John Meister
Introduction
"You think you want an FSJ (Full Size Jeep)?
1) Are you a mechanic?
2) Are you married to a mechanic?
3) Are you related to a mechanic?
4) Are you independently wealthy
and know a good mechanic?
"If you can't answer yes to any of the above, this may not be the best choice in vehicles for you."
And then of course, there is the issue of fuel economy. The EPA rating of 11 mpg city and 13 mpg highway is fairly close to reality, but perhaps slightly optimistic. The six cylinder versions will do better, maybe. Not trying to frighten you away from one of these classics, but one might add owning an oil well to the list above. This is not likely to become a daily driver, but you'll love it.
ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS BOOK:
a/c - air conditioning; AT - Automatic Transmission; CID - cubic inch displacement; col - column; cu in - cubic inches; Drk - dark; FSJ - Full Size Jeep; FUD - fear, uncertainty and doubt; FT - Full Time 4x4; GVW - gross vehicle weight; gvwr - gross vehicle weight rating; SJ - the SJ model designator; Sta - Station; std. - standard; PO - previous owner; PT - Part Time 4x4; wb - wheelbase; w/ - with ; xfr - transfer (case); YMMV - your mileage may vary; 2v - two barrel carburetor - v=venturi
http://JohnMeister.com/jeep/sj
An FSJ
is any vehicle produced in North America, carrying the Jeep
nameplate, with 2doors, 4 doors, in 2wd or 4wd, whose wheelbase does not exceed 132, nor is less than 108
, and whose tread width is no more than 63 or less than 57
. This definition is known to include the following models: Wagoneer: 1963-1983, Gladiator and J-series pickup: 1963-1987, Cherokee: 1974-1983, and Grand Wagoneer: 1984-1991.
FSJ's are amazing, wonderful, but if you're not prepared for the upkeep and creativity of keeping one running and on the road through mechanical skill and the ability to scrounge parts and/or adapt them, you may be in for some serious heartache and expense.
There have been more than a few folks who have purchased a beautiful Grand Wagoneer with great expectations and dreams of pulling a nice shiny Airstream trailer around the country. However, they quickly learned that little things quit working. Any FSJ owner is very familiar with these little
issues and fixes them. No big deal. However, if you're not a mechanic (see #1 above), and you have to find a mechanic to fix it, it gets expensive in a hurry.
Stupid little things that would take a shade-tree mechanic maybe 30 minutes to fix, could cost someone hundreds of dollars, even with an honest and affordable mechanic, if you can find one. We're not talking about issues that stop the Jeep from getting home, no, more like, the driver's window just went down... inside the door. Or the rear window went up, but won't come down, or came down half way and is stuck. Or the glove box door will not stay closed. Or the headlights are blinking on and off. Simple things like that. That will take time to fix.
Many of the dreamers of