So I've done it...

As some of you may know, this project idea began about a year ago when I began talking with my wife about the possibility of building some kind of off-road rig. I've been watching the car build-up shows for years (Trucks!, Xtreme 4x4, Overhaulin', Rides, and so on), and I wanted something to work on that wasn't going to be a daily driver or something I had to keep running at all times. I jumped around, thinking about a pickup, a mid-sized Cherokee from the 80's like my dad once owned, or perhaps a Baja Bug (also something my dad once owned, though his was decidedly more for street use). I'd settled on a late sixties Baja Bug, having owned a '73 Bug and a '79 Vanagon, and currently commuting regularly in a deisel New Beetle.

But then I had to weigh in the possibility of fitting three kids (albeit little ones) in the back seat, plus adding a tow hitch to my wife's Odyssey in order to get this thing to the OHV/trail areas. After much deliberation, I turned my attention to a full-size Jeep (FSJ). A college kid who lived three blocks from RCC was selling his '88 Grand Wagoneer, a bugly beast in need of some upgrades but otherwise straight and solid with good mechanics. Since I'm going to be improving this thing with suspension, brakes, some engine mods, and bigger tires, I just wanted a solid shell and nothing in great shape that I would remove/upgrade later. If I was removing it, I wanted it to need removal. Saves me money. So for $1400 (perhaps a few hundred over what I should have paid), I took it off his hands, and now I'm off and running.
It has a few dents (front right fender and back left), but it rides straight and true. The roof rack has been removed, which is fine (I want a black safari rack). The leather inside is in great shape except for the driver's seat, which is a bit shredded. The engine leaks (shocker), as does the rear differential. There's also some oil around the NP 229 transfer case. Also, it sags big time in the back (in the pic above, the right rear tire sits two inches lower than the left rear tire--can you say "collapsed springs"?). I'll repair the leaks eventually, after the lift kit is installed. I will be giving it all new fluids once it's up in the air and safer to drive.