New member - Indiana ‘86 4dr Eagle wagon

[LukeMacPU]

Just joined the forum assuming information will be key as I try to help my son get his 1986 Eagle wagon roadworthy.  Vacuum system is a mess (mostly removed by PO), runs well, body in decent shape, lots of little stuff to fix.

[rmick]

Welcome to the nest you have come to the right place.

[LukeMacPU]

Installing new coil springs / shocks up front, and coil over shocks on rear this week.  Also did some digging and found our transfer case vacuum motor is locked up (does have switched vacuum getting to it) which is why 4wd doesn't function.  Can manually switch to 4wd at the transfer case.  Any promising leads on new/used/rebuilt vacuum motors?  Any other parts work?  Finding some Jeep actuators, but would need to slot/drill the shaft to make it work maybe.  Any rebuild kits available for the vacuum motors?  Will be pulling ours to investigate next.

[AMC of Houston]

The Jeep / MOPAR part number is 53004596.  They occasionally show up on Ebay.  Good luck with the hunt.

[EagleSX4_5Speed]

Any other parts work?  Finding some Jeep actuators, but would need to slot/drill the shaft to make it work maybe.  Any rebuild kits available for the vacuum motors?  Will be pulling ours to investigate next.

The Full size jeeps that used the NP229 transfer case used the same vacuum motor. They is a new after market version available. They are expensive but cheaper than NOS.

https://bjsoffroad.com/np228-np229-control-diaphragm/

[Taylor]

Welcome to the forum.

[LukeMacPU]

So I ended up buying what is supposed to be a front axle actuator for an early 90's Wrangler. Actuator was same diameter, but different rod length and fixture on end.  I cut/slotted/drilled that actuator and we installed it in factory bracket.  Seems to be working fine, but just day 1 so we'll see how it holds up.

https://ebay.us/m/OqZ0QC

That's the part I used, figured for $30 it was worth a shot.  About 20 minutes with a cut-off wheel and a drill and we were in business.  Have a side-by-side photo of new/old parts, but not sure how to post photos on here.

[Taylor]

To post photos, when you click on the reply it gives you the option of clicking or dragging photos to the window.
Hope this helps.
Good luck with the project.

[LukeMacPU]

So far so good.  All the springs/shocks swapped out, rides a bit higher.  Ended up replacing one of the front CV axles found bad during process.  4wd switching correctly via the dash vacuum switch.

The kid now needs to get his headlights re-installed (damaged / missing adjuster screws and one side mounting bracket) and side mirrors and he's in business.  Still more stuff to fix, but he should be able to start driving it then.