Questions about my new purchase..

[Jesta]

I have been in the market for an older jeep and finally picked one up this weekend. It's an 87 Wrangler I6. I plan on doing all the normal stuff to a used vehicle (plugs, fluids, filters, etc) but was wondering if there is anything else I should do. It took probably 5 minutes or so for me to get it started this morning but after that it was fine all day. fuel or I Seems like it's not getting enough have just become spoiled by fuel injection.

Second is going to seem like a dumb question but how to I tell if it's been lifted? I am used to dropping trucks so I know there to look for blocks and such. I read that stock ground clearance is 18" but this one is at 22" and I don't know if it's just because of the tires (32x11.5/15).

Speedo currently does not work, acts like it's unplugged. I checked the cable to the back of the speedo and it looks fine. What's my next step?

It came with only a half top and I really need something I can put on during rain and such. I was hoping for a hardtop but they seem to be rather pricy. Any suggestions on softtops? I would like something that I can open up or remove fairly easily.

Lots of question but I am just stoked I finally picked one up. Thanks for your help.

[Josh]

Congrats on new purchase. :beerchug:

My *guesses/opinions* as follows: (read: not worth the paper you could print them on) ;)

Lift: Probably has some sort of lift. Stock springs (esp. on an 87) might've sagged, and even new 32's would be a really tight fit, although possibly do-able. Do the shackles look stock? Is there a small body lift on it?

Maint: Everything you mention are great ideas. Do them all.

Speedo: Plugged where? you checked both ends?

Top: *any* of the catalogs have a ton of top options. for the $$$$ I'd get a replace-a-top if you're not into bikini's/windjammers, etc. No YJ top is as easy as a TJ, but with a little practice, they go fast too.


Good luck!
-josh :beerchug:


Edit
PS, if you're too new to jeeps and don't know or have any of the "catalogs" let us know.

[heavyarms642]

im not even new to jeeps, what catalogs? talking about quadratec?

[Jesta]

-=- originally posted by jnschwie -=-
Lift: Probably has some sort of lift. Stock springs (esp. on an 87) might've sagged, and even new 32's would be a really tight fit, although possibly do-able. Do the shackles look stock? Is there a small body lift on it?

If I knew what I was looking for that would probably help. I assume with a bodylift kit that there would be some distance between the body mount and the frame mount. There is none except what appears to be a very minimal stock rubber bushing. Everything else (ubolts, leafs, etc) all appear stock. Here's a pic, dunno if it will help.

http://www.tjcomputers.us/uploads/jeep002.jpg


Maint: Everything you mention are great ideas. Do them all.

Got plugs, oil and filter, air cleaner, and fuel filter done today.

Speedo: Plugged where? you checked both ends?

I only checked that the end to the speedo was in fact plugged in and there was a cable present. Next step is to run it and see if it actuall turns it looks like.

PS, if you're too new to jeeps and don't know or have any of the "catalogs" let us know.

Very interested in any material at all I can get. Thanks.


Last point of interest is the hard starting. Took nearly 20 minutes to get it to fire this morning and that was only after dropping some fuel in the carb. It was suggested I replace the stock fuel pump with an electric. It this a worthwile upgrade and does it stand a good chance of fixing my problem?

Thanks again for all your help.

[bgredjeep]

I would guess you have some sort of 2-2.5" suspension lift. Doesn't look like any body lift.

[MattPascoe]

Congrats! Looks like a clean Jeep with lots of potential.

It has a suspension lift. Stock leafs are pretty much flat (no arc).

It looks like it has been set up as a mild street Jeep with minimal articulation. Depending on what you use it for, might need to get some narower rims/tires with less backspacing. From the pic it looks like the tires will start tearing up the fenders if it flexed much.

How stock is the motor? Does it still have all of the original smog components? The stock carbed 4.2 is not a bad running motor, but it just has so many smog components that fail over time... end result is a royal PITA to figures out the problems.

If you dont have smog laws to deal with I'd:

1 - Yank all of the probably non-funtional smog parts = free
2 - Upgrade to a TFI ignition (search)+~$100
3 - Either swap in a MC2100 carb or nutter bypass (search) your carter carb =free to $100

I doubt the fuel pump is your prob with hard starts. The stock mech pump is pretty reliable. They do fail, but I'd just replace with same. Your choke mechanism is probably screwed up and I'll bet you have a zillion small vac leaks (probably idles rough, huh?).

This is the best site for Carter 4.2 - http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/258bbd/Major.htm

When I started re-doing my 4.2 I went through (in detail) every smog component using the above reference. After getting everything working like it should (I live in smog nazi CA) I pulled all of the crap back out and fuel injected it:rotflmao: Expensive, but WOW what a difference.

Good luck and have fun!

MP

[Jesta]

-=- originally posted by MattPascoe -=-

How stock is the motor? Does it still have all of the original smog components? The stock carbed 4.2 is not a bad running motor, but it just has so many smog components that fail over time... end result is a royal PITA to figures out the problems.

If you dont have smog laws to deal with I'd:

1 - Yank all of the probably non-funtional smog parts = free
2 - Upgrade to a TFI ignition (search)+~$100
3 - Either swap in a MC2100 carb or nutter bypass (search) your carter carb =free to $100

Probably fully stock from what I can tell. No smog out here in TX so I'll look into what you have mentioned.

I doubt the fuel pump is your prob with hard starts. The stock mech pump is pretty reliable. They do fail, but I'd just replace with same. Your choke mechanism is probably screwed up and I'll bet you have a zillion small vac leaks (probably idles rough, huh?).

Acutually, once it's started it runs just fine, not a rough idle at all. We did find one small leak today when putting in parts but I guess I'll find out in the morning if it starts any easier or not. Only seems to do it when it's been sitting overnight.

[butch6924]

unless you really know what you're doing I'd stick with the mechanical fuel pump.

Short story:

A buddy had spent a lot of time and a little money putting an electric fuel pump on his CJ-7. Got out in the middle of the woods and the thing just died. After realizing that no fuel was coming through and that we couldn't hear the fuel pump clicking on we by-passed it and went to the mechanical one. Viola! That was about 2-months ago and he's still running the mechanical pump. It's been way more dependable than the electric one was.

[Dan90YJ]

try steppin on the gas peddle once, then not touching it, prior to turing the key.

On YJ's this is how you set the choke, one pedle depression all the way to the floor, then start.

The choke will step down/ kick off the next time you hit the pedal.


The carter carb is a PITA, I would do some research on a MC2100 or a 4.0 HEad/FI swap and not bother with the carter.

Yes i realize that is a bold statement, but after doing a FI swap after 5 years of dealing with the carb all I can say is ANYone who has the means to do this (not hard) and doesnt is just missin out

[Wrangled]

West Texas? ......Where? I might know someone close to you that can give you a hand.
Btw: Congrats on your new Jeep and welcome to our world of insanity.:beerchug: :agree:

[Jesta]

-=- originally posted by Wrangled -=-
West Texas? ......Where? I might know someone close to you that can give you a hand.
Btw: Congrats on your new Jeep and welcome to our world of insanity.:beerchug: :agree:


As far west as you can get and still be in Texas :) El Paso.

[Wrangled]

too bad, I have friends in Lubbock and Amarillo. I was hoping you were close to some of them.

[KDGNCOP]

when you go out to start it next. take the back end of a screwdriver and tap on the front and driver side of the carb. when i go tmy 88, the float was sticking., it would need this "tapping" to allow the carb to fill up with the gas pedal, otherwise with no tap, it just stayed down and wouldn't get goin. your pouring in gas might free it up. after this was done, it would start up and run fine all day, until it sat over night and sunk down to stick again. try this and you might find a cheap fix. also make sure that your fuel filter is horizontal and not tilted too far one way or another