Rockman

Well, thats an option I was considering as well but there's not many left in these parts and the ones that are still on the road are rust buckets. Any of them in decent condition-the body that is?

I just stumbled onto this great site. I found a 78 2wd wagon that is nearly rust free. My 79 4wd wagon is dying a slow insiduous death and I'm thinking of cannibalizing it and converting the 78 to 4wd. So a couple of questions: 1. Would there be any major modifications necessary? It appears that all the proper bolt holes, etc are there to attach the rear differential. I know front axels are not the same so its pretty much a drive train swap. 2. The 78 has a points distributor. Is there any advantage to trying to use the more maintenance free electronic distributor that is in the 79? Will the 78 wiring harness handle this or would I need to change the wiring harness? Or for that matter should you trust a 36 year old wiring harness? 3. I plan to rebuild the motor. Any way to get more horsepower of it aside from bigger pistons? Might the later model 1800 cc engine fit (1980) without major modifications? Any advice appreciated. I hate to put my 79 wagon out to pasture but the body work alone would cost me a fortune. It was even used in a photo shoot in Sedona for a back to school L.L. Bean catalog 3 years ago. They gave me $500 bucks to use it for a day!