From owner-fsj-digest-at-digest.net Mon Nov 8 13:29:34 2004 From: fsj-digest fsj-digest Monday, November 8 2004 Volume 01 : Number 2297 Forum for Discussion of Full Sized SJ Series Jeeps Brian Colucci Digest Coordinator Contents: fsj: Re: [WJ-Grand] seeing is believing... :) fsj: updated web page fsj: Re: Hello and general question Re: fsj: Re: Hello and general question Re: fsj: Re: Hello and general question Re: fsj: Re: Hello and general question fsj: temptations and Diesel dreams... fsj: Cummins 3.9L TD FSJ Digest Home Page: http://www.digest.net/jeeps/fsj/ Send submissions to fsj-digest-at-digest.net Send administrative requests to fsj-digest-request-at-digest.net To unsubscribe, include the word unsubscribe by itself in the body of the message, unless you are sending the request from a different address than the one that appears on the list. Include the word help in a message to fsj-digest-request to get a list of other majordomo commands. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 6 Nov 2004 23:25:17 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: fsj: Re: [WJ-Grand] seeing is believing... :) On Sat, 6 Nov 2004, Aleksandr Milewski wrote: >-->> john >-->That XJ (jag) just wasn't done well. I'll snap a pic of the late 50's Benz >-->"Benzilla" that, based on the wheels, is sitting on GM 4x4 running gear. >--> >-->And this one passed me on 17 the other day: >-->http://www.nationalwoodieclub.com/images/events/wowarf00/esposito/60morzuki.jpg >-->Really gorgeous, and done very well. agreed... nice looking... >-->I saw a Honda 600, probably also on a Suzuki chassis, and it looked a >-->lot like that Jag. >-->So, it can be done right. :) >-->-Z ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://wagoneers.com ** ** http://freegift.net ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 6 Nov 2004 23:27:48 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: fsj: updated web page I updated the listing of vehicles I've owned to include some pictures... http://www.wagoneers.com/johns-vehicles.html john ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://wagoneers.com ** ** http://freegift.net ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 12:42:02 -0500 From: Chuck Balog Subject: fsj: Re: Hello and general question Of the 88-91 variety, keep in mind that they changed a lot of minor stuff on the '91 model. *Minor* things like the EGR valve, etc! If you want one of those, stick with an 88-89. Tons of them around to scavenge from. Second the opinion on the frame rot/skid plate. If you're looking for one with most of the work done already (and willing to pay for it), be sure it has at least a rebuilt tranny and engine. Make sure the AC works. The towing option is good if you can find one with it. Above all, be *very* wary of ones on eBay unless you know what you're looking at or if it's a certified inspected vehicle. The only reason I know all of this is because I bought a '91 off eBay that did not disclose frame rot, bad brakes, broken A/C, and failing transmission. I was new to Wagoneers, and didn't know the right questions to ask. Don't get me wrong, I love it, but I can't sell it now because I've had to put too much into it to get it into basic driving shape. Getting the frame rot fixed and a new skid plate this week. Fixing an exhaust bolt sheard off in the head and a leaky transfer case before Christmas. Some days, I just wish I had my old '73 Volvo 144. Speaking of exhaust manifolds, anyone have a recommendation on keeping stock or replacing with aftermarket, since I'm going to have them off anyway? - --Chuck ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 16:35:23 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: Re: fsj: Re: Hello and general question On Sun, 7 Nov 2004, Chuck Balog wrote: >-->Of the 88-91 variety, keep in mind that they changed a lot of minor >-->stuff on the '91 model. *Minor* things like the EGR valve, etc! If you >-->want one of those, stick with an 88-89. Tons of them around to they had EGR valves on them since at least '80... probably earlier than that. they did improve the wiring after '88 if I recall correctly. :) >-->scavenge from. Second the opinion on the frame rot/skid plate. If >-->you're looking for one with most of the work done already (and willing >-->to pay for it), be sure it has at least a rebuilt tranny and engine. >-->Make sure the AC works. The towing option is good if you can find one >-->with it. Above all, be *very* wary of ones on eBay unless you know >-->what you're looking at or if it's a certified inspected vehicle. best bet is to buy from from the west coast... rust isn't a big issue out here. >-->The only reason I know all of this is because I bought a '91 off eBay >-->that did not disclose frame rot, bad brakes, broken A/C, and failing >-->transmission. I was new to Wagoneers, and didn't know the right failing 727's are par for the course though... :) >-->questions to ask. Don't get me wrong, I love it, but I can't sell it >-->now because I've had to put too much into it to get it into basic >-->driving shape. Getting the frame rot fixed and a new skid plate this >-->week. Fixing an exhaust bolt sheard off in the head and a leaky >-->transfer case before Christmas. Some days, I just wish I had my old >-->'73 Volvo 144. >--> >-->Speaking of exhaust manifolds, anyone have a recommendation on keeping >-->stock or replacing with aftermarket, since I'm going to have them off >-->anyway? >--> >-->--Chuck >--> john ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://wagoneers.com ** ** http://freegift.net ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 18:27:49 -0800 From: "Jim Blair" Subject: Re: fsj: Re: Hello and general question A:My '73 J4000 had an EGR. On Sun, 7 Nov 2004, Chuck Balog wrote: >-->Of the 88-91 variety, keep in mind that they changed a lot of minor >-->stuff on the '91 model. *Minor* things like the EGR valve, etc! If you >-->want one of those, stick with an 88-89. Tons of them around to they had EGR valves on them since at least '80... probably earlier than that. they did improve the wiring after '88 if I recall correctly. :) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 21:53:51 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: Re: fsj: Re: Hello and general question On Sun, 7 Nov 2004, Chuck Balog wrote: >-->Speaking of exhaust manifolds, anyone have a recommendation on keeping >-->stock or replacing with aftermarket, since I'm going to have them off >-->anyway? >-->--Chuck stay with the stock... designed for lower rpm torque... aftermarket stuff is a header... unless you're building a 6,000rpm racer stick with the stock... every year make sure you tighten intake & exhaust manifold bolts, replace vacuum lines and tighten the carb base... plugs & wires ain't a bad idea either... I loathe the AMC 360. :) john ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://wagoneers.com ** ** http://freegift.net ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 23:13:17 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: fsj: temptations and Diesel dreams... popcorn ready? ;) ...a friend is serious about buying my '91 300d. Even offered his '79 300cd and full price on my Benz (he hates car shopping...) Anyway... sitting here with a car payment on the '99 WJ and a few "extra" sets of wheels... (can you hear the gears turning in my head... sorry, need to lube them... ;) So, I talked to my wife about some of my ideas... ...vetoed the Benz on the Jimmy idea (no surprise)... but she liked the idea of me getting another Jeep Cherokee (XJ) and even converting it to Diesel... So, the current (but oh so random, and incomplete) thought is to sell off everything except the WJ and Superdawg, drive the '79 300cd until I can build a Diesel XJ (Cherokee), and then sell the '79 300CD. ...If I were a rich man I'd buy a new Diesel Toureg or the Diesel KJ... ...but I'm simply not willing to spend more on a vehicle that will depreciate faster than the US dollar under Jimmy Carter than I have for more than one house I've owned... :) Call me cheap, it's ok, I'm Bohemian... grandparents came over from Prague... :) Paying $60k for a vehicle and selling it for $16k four or five years later is best left to folks with doctorates. ;) Anyway... I've got until Monday night to decide if I want to part with Shadowfox... A Diesel Cherokee would be nice and feasible... I like sitting up in traffic... the XJ is nimble, practical... I like the feel... I know them well... best all around Jeep ever made. This is a tough decision... Limited time offer even. :) Big question is going to be how am I going to mate a Mercedes 3.0L Turbo Diesel to an Aisin Warner 30-80LE (4speed automatic)? I think I want to retain the Jeep driveline... cost is an issue of course or we wouldn't be reading this email right now. ;) The conversion could easily cost $3k to do correctly. Anyway, some math to consider: at 300 miles per week:(4.3 wk/mo) - -------------------------------------------- '91 300d 30mpg 2.39/gal - $23.90/wk - $1,233.24/yr - baseline - -------------------------------------------- '79 300CD 25mpg 2.39/gal- $28.68/wk - $1,479.88/yr - delta: $246.64/yr XJ Diesel 25mpg 2.39/gal- $28.68/wk - $1,479.88/yr - delta: $246.64/yr '83 Jimmy 20mpg 2.39/gal - $35.85/wk - $1,849.86/yr - delta: $616.62/yr XJ gas 17 mpg 2.15/gal - $37.94/wk - $1,957.70/yr - delta: $724.46/yr '99 WJ 15 mpg 2.15/gal - $43.00/wk - $2,218.80/yr - delta: $985.56/yr SJ 12 mpg 2.15/gal - $53.75/wk - $2,773.50/yr - delta: $1,540.26/yr - -------------------------------------------- The problem is, WHAT is it going to cost to get a good 3.0L TD and a nice well equipped Jeep Cherokee? If it costs $1,500 then it would take two years to recover the investment... not counting time and bartering or labor costs... Of course playing musical motors comes to mind... let's see, take the 3.0L TD out of the '83 300d, rebuild it... at least a grand... :( Then pull the 3.0L naturally aspirated out of the '79 and put it in the '83 and send it down the road... get the XJ, pull the 4.0L and drop it into the '79 300CD and make a nice clean sleeper... then put the rebuilt 3.0L into the Xj. Ok, all that would probably cost about $2k give or take a K and would take oh... about six years... :) Dreams, dreams... reality can really take a bite out of dreams... Do I pay now, or pay later? But hey, y'all had that popcorn just sitting there going stale... what a travesty for that to go to waist, er, waste... ;) I figure the Lord will return before I get my vehicle situation figured out where it meets my objectives. :) If I sell my benz and just buy a "normal" cherokee... I'll spend about $700 a year more in fuel... but I will have eliminated a major part of the balance on the WJ in the process... oh wait, I have to BUY the XJ first... Of course if I get another XJ it has to have a 3" lift($300 or so), 31's ($450), a nice stereo, Aussie Bull Bar... :) kaching... I think I just spent enough to buy my '91 300D again... Of course if I just drove the '79 300CD and didn't buy an XJ, waited for SuperDawg to be completed to have a nice Jeep... then I'd only be spending about $600 a year, maybe, in extra fuel, but would have pretty much eliminated the car payment. hmmm... Of course a '79 300CD is really, really, really slow... Thanx for letting me "think" out loud... (I am glad that I'm able to make some of you feel sane... glad to help ;) I need to pencil out some more numbers... no, no, I need to get some sleep, that day job thing comes around again in the morning... and THAT, is a GOOD thing... :) john current situation: '91 300D 2.5L TD '83 Jimmy 6.2L Diesel - for sale '83 300D - for sale '75 J10 Hydraulic dump bed trailer - for sale? '83 J10 stepside (under renovation) '78 J10 & '67 J100 paying for Superdawg restoration... http://wagoneers.com/johns-vehicles.html so would a '99 WJ & '79 300CD with a way overdue '83 J10 work as a paid for fleet??? this question and many others may never be answered... ;) ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://wagoneers.com ** ** http://freegift.net ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2004 13:18:59 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: fsj: Cummins 3.9L TD in talking with one of my "verizon" friends from the Diesel Benz list this morning the topic of the Cummins BT4 3.9L Diesel came up... I'm thinking this may be a good candidate for SuperDawg... (so I'd keep the '99WJ, drive the '91 300d until SuperDawg is done (with a 3.9L TD) and then sell the '91 300d... net total, two vehicles. :) Of course the other Diesel option is to get a 3.0L Benz Diesel and drop it in an XJ... but this Cummins out of a delivery truck idea has a lot of merit... :) so, any info on where to find the 3.9L Cummins TD or related info would be appreciated... thanx john misc links and info: http://www.usdieselparts.com/pages.cfm?id=100&application=Cummins&product=Remanufactured%20Engines%20and%20Accessories&code=380 http://www.powerpro2000.com/diesel_lb_cummins.htm http://www.usdieselparts.com/reman_engs.cfm http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/Facts/diesel_sales.htm Brief history of the Dodge Ram / Cummins Diesel combination (From TDR #1) The Cummins B series (3.9L 4 cylinder and 5.9L six cylinder) diesel was developed in the early 1980's as a joint venture between Cummins and Case tractor. Cummins was to provide the engine expertise, Case the production volume. In 1984, an active step van/ bread truck repower program for the Ford E350 and GM P30 chassis was successfully promoted by Cummins. As B production capacity expanded, Cummins began actively seeking a major OEM entry for the 6B 5.9L engine in a pickup truck chassis. The 6B was seen by Dodge as a possibility for the aging Ram 250 and 350 which had no diesel option. In late 1986, Dodge and Cummins reached an agreement to target the 1998 model year for the ram diesel. Cumins accepted the engineering challenge of mating the engine to the existing Dodge Ram chassis. As unseen technical problems surfaced, the introduction was rescheduled for the 1989 model. The first year forecast was for less than 8,000 Dodge diesel pickups, with sales expected to grow by 3,000 trucks each following year. Ram diesel sales for 1989 surpassed 16,000 trucks and the numbers have continued to grow. Cummins data indicates that the life of the B engine in a medium duty truck is slightly over 300,000 miles. Estimated engine life in the pickup is unknown because few engines have failed or worn out, and there are numerous reports of over 800,000 miles. On Mon, 8 Nov 2004, john wrote: http://www.thedieselpage.com/readers/vet.htm - corvette Diesel http://photos.thedieselstop.com/showphoto.php?photo=17723&papass=&sort=1&size=medium&thecat= http://photos.thedieselstop.com/showphoto.php?photo=18129&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500 >-->misc: >-->http://www.spaceweather.com/ - northern lights and meteor showers ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://wagoneers.com ** ** http://freegift.net ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ End of fsj-digest V1 #2297 **************************