Hi, I have been given a really nice Wagoneer, power everything, only it has been sitting for a year because the former owner said that the tranny shop told him that the transfer case was shot. He decided to leave it for a new car. So the question that I have is this: Is this a common problem and how easy it to fix? The motor has 150K or so on it and it has never been wheeled. I work at Honda as a tech and have the tools and a hoist to work on it. What kind of project is this to get it back on the road? Any advice or pointers would be appreciated. I have wheeled troopers for a long time but the thought of a solid axle already in a rig excites me. Oh the possibilities! Thanks in advance. Ryan <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Since it's a late '70s one has to assume that it has the Borg Warner 13-36 Quadratrac tcase. Most likely the "failure" is just a bad chain. They do wear out and replacements are readily available. Any of the Jeep mail order catalogs or websites will have them along with just about any 4WD shop. This really is a good transfer case, although a full time case, and do well with the proper maintenance. There are kits available from Mile Marker to convert them to part time also (found at the same places as replacement chains).

Comes under the heading of LUCKY DOG!! Well get her running and see for yourself what the deal is? Does she move out of her tracks? Make loud grinding noises? Nothing? Until you give us a rundown of her present condition very little can be said without the facts.
First guess is she makes a little noise and GO FOR IT!!
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

if you have replaced a clutch on a honda you can put a new chain in your t-case. T-cases are SO dang simple, especially the old ones.

Well, I must say that I am quite impressed with the input and information. Thank you for your time. I don't know enough to give you more details than I did. I am going to go and put a battery in it this weekend and see if she cranks over so I can tell you if it grinds or moves or what. THank you to those who have given me what information you have. It is a huge help considering I know little of the Jeep world except what I have seen on the trails. I will get back to you on the exact year and engine and mileage. Thanks, Ryan <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Cool! Late 70's power everything? I bet it's a 360. I had one of those. It was a sweet ride. Very solid. Even with street tires it was impressive off road. Burned a lot of gas tho... Had to replace the water pump once (quite a job) and the magnetic pickup died on me on an interstate trip but other than that, no problems. Have fun! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

You guys are really getting me excited to check this thing out. I hope it is not too much trouble to start up. I am assuming I ought to remove all the spark plugs and squirt a little oil down there, then crank it over with breaker bar just to make sure it isnt frozen from sitting too long. Thanks for the well wishes. Suppose I find out it is an early 80's wagoneer. Are we still talking about the same tranny and engine? Ryan

I never saw one froze up that was not open the the elements. If she has been closed up with a hood and all tight then I betcha she starts right up. I might find a way to prime her with a small amount of NEW gasoline and I might pout 10 gallons of NEW gasoline in her tank dirst to make sure she has something in her that WILL burn.
Big Jim

Postscrip: I am jealous. They are like wimmen you will enjoy wakeing them up!

also id change the oil if i were you, you don't know the state the previous owner left it in. you don't want to start it with sludge oil mixed with who knows what..

Nope. The engines in both decades were the same, but not the transmissions or transfer cases. The switch was made in 1980 to Torqueflite transmissions and New Process transfer cases. Late 70s transmissions (auto anyhow) were the GM Turbo 400.