Tuneup Pics

Here are some pics from my tuneup including the items I removed and replaced:

 One of the old plugs I changed out

(Autolite 985)

 The new plugs I purchased

(Autolite 985)

Old oil filter

(NAPA 21626)

New oil filter
(FRAM PH3985)

Old air filter
(STP SA3373)

New air filter
(FRAM CA3373)

Old plug wires (probably better quality!)
(ACDelco Premium 7mm)

New 7mm plug wires

(Duralast/Wireset 4312)

New oil

(Quaker State 10W-30)

Oil Stabilizer

(Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer)

My Very Own Ratchet/Socket Set!

I have been needing to pick up a ratchet/socket set for some time.  Today I went to Lowe's and purchased a 63-piece Mechanic's Tool Set for $29.97.  Lowe's has a no-hassle lifetime warranty on this set, and I was able to open the kit and actually handle the ratchet and sockets prior to purchase.  I picked up a 6" extension as well.

The First Tune Up

Last Saturday, March 29th, I did my first tuneup on MISS KATE.  I did an oil change, plugs and wires, and the air filter.  I purchased a fuel filter, but have not installed it yet.  After learning that the fuel gauge wasn't quite accurate, (thanks for the lift Scott!), and a tank of fresh gas, she is running better all the time.  I still have some oil weeping from the oil cap, PCV valve grommet, and the ventilation valve filter (breather) grommet as well.  The valve cover gasket is probably my main source of oil seeping.  I will be changing the valve cover gasket in the near future and looking for the appropriate grommets.

The Jeep Quest Story

Larry at 4-The-Love-of-Jeeps posted my Jeep Quest Story on his site.  If you want to read the story on how all this came about, stop by the following web page:

1990 Wrangler Quest, Search, and Find

Thanks Larry!

Doors from an '89

The doors on MISS KATE are actually from another Jeep.  According to the sticker on the driver's door, the door "donor" was built on 4/10/89 at 5pm.  It appears to have the AMC 258 4.2L I6 and sported the Laredo trim package.  (If I remember how to decode the VIN's correctly).

I wonder if KJ148347 is still around and if she'd like her doors back!

First "Photo Shoot" of MISS KATE

Blog Name

I am considering changing the name of the blog, now that my quest is over.  The adventure is really just beginning...  I haven't decided whether to change or not, but it may be a good idea.

MISS KATE

MISS KATE
1990 Jeep Wrangler "S"
140,000 miles
Bright White
AMC 150 2.5L I4 TBI
5-Speed
Built: 10/25/89 at 10pm
Purchased: 3/21/14

The story of how I found this Jeep and the process leading up to it may be of some interest.  I will be working on a good write up of the adventure leading to the discovery and purchase of Miss Kate.

I GOT IT!!!

1990 Jeep Wrangler

Built 10/25/1989

Updates

Not much new to report.  I am thinking about ways to get my "quest" more publicity and am keeping an eye on the used Jeep market.

Another 1990

I was talking with a guy at work, and he mentioned that his father-in-law has a 1990 Wrangler.  When he has a chance, he'll take a look at the build info.

Production Number 518756

Production number 518756 was built on 11/14/1989 at 0900 hours.  Thanks to wingmaster for the information.

Production Numbers 504270 and 516832

Thanks to fabrokoner on wranglerforum.com, the production list now has two early 1990 YJ's.  504270 was built on 8/10/89 at 0600 hours, and 516832 was built on 9/29/89 at 2000 hours.

"S" 519875

Production Number: 519875
MFD: 11/89

Thanks to Billy at Town and Country Motors for the information.

Base 518809

Laredo 518756

Sahara 517484

Another VIN Number

I came across another 1990 Wrangler for sale that appears to be a possibility.  It is production number 518756 and is for sale by a private seller in Chamberlain, SD.  I have e-mailed the seller to check on the build date and MDH.

On another note, I was on a chat with Nemer Chrysler Dodge, and they no longer have 518567 for sale.  I'm assuming it was sold, so I'll have to wait to see if I another contact becomes available for it to check on its build info.

Update

Nothing much to report...the search goes on!

My Previous Wrangler - 1989 Islander

Wanted Poster

Thanks to lego.com for the background

Getting the Word Out

I've been doing some thinking on how to garner more publicity for my search.  There are quite a few 1990 Wranglers on Craigslist, but since the VIN is not required to post an ad, I don't know if the ones that are listed are even in the ballpark for my Wrangler.  I have posted on a few forums and have started this blog, so hopefully the word is starting to spread.  If anyone has any other ideas, I am definitely open to suggestion.  Thanks!

Jeep Certification Label

The certification label that contains the date of manufacture and the MDH code looks like this:

It shows a vehicle built on October 8, 2004 at 1900 hours.  Thanks to vipertruckregistry.com for the picture.

Production List Update

I contacted the owner of a 1990 Wrangler who currently has it listed for sale on ksl.com.  It is production number 528280 and was built on 2/90.  I have updated the production list with this information.  Thanks to Kalab for the info.

Nemer Chrysler Dodge

Just sent another e-mail out to Nemer Chrysler Dodge of Queensbury, NY.  They currently have 518567 listed for sale.

Another E-mail

I have just contacted a dealership in Ridgeway, VA that has 519203 for sale.  Hope to hear something back this next week.

A Couple of E-mails

I e-mailed a couple of dealerships about the 1990 YJ's that they currently have for sale.  One is production number 518809 from Ultimate Auto Wholesalers in Arizona, and the other is production number 519875 from Town & Country Motors in Tennessee.

From what I have compiled so far, production number 517340 was built on October 16, 1989.  This means that I am most likely looking for a production number in the late 517's through the early 519's.  Hopefully these folks will e-mail me back with the build dates and MDH codes and I can narrow the scope of my search!.

MDH

I got a tip from a forum today about the MDH code on the door sticker.  The MDH code indicates the month, day and hour of final assembly.  From some other information on the forum (thanks again Raoul!), I am probably looking for a VIN number with the last six roughly in the range of 514000 through 519000 and an MDH of 102500 through 102524.

VIN Work

I have verified the models/trim levels as indicated by the VIN.  I believe that it is the 5th and maybe the 6th digits of the VIN that indicate this:

• 19 = "S"
• 29 = Base
• 39 = Islander
• 49 = Sahara
• 59 = Laredo

1990 Jeep YJ Models/Trim Packages

From the research that I have done, the 1990 model year Wranglers came in the following trim packages:

• Base
• Laredo
• Sahara
• Islander
• S

I have previously owned an '89 Islander, but am not stuck on one particular trim level.

Current Status - January 12th

While the Wrangler I am looking for will have been built on October 25, 1989, it will have been sold as a 1990 model year vehicle.  Since this is the case, I have been compiling a list of 1990 Wrangler VIN's/production numbers and if possible, tracking down the build date for them.  This list is being compiled and kept up to date on the PRODUCTION LIST page of this blog.  If you have a 1990 Wrangler and could supply me with the last 5 of the VIN and the manufacture or build date, it would really assist in my search.

Welcome

Welcome to JEEP QUEST, a blog about my search for a Jeep Wrangler that was built on October 25, 1989.  Why would I embark on such a venture?  The answer is fairly simple.  I have a friend that was born on that date, and would like to get a Jeep Wrangler that has the same "birthday" as she does. As I gather information and follow up on different leads, I will post the information here.