[65GPnoob]

A local guy wants to trade this 81TA http://spokane.craigslist.org/boa/2989132851.html for my 97 Jeep grand cherokee. I'm trying to get 2400 for my jeep. He wants to do a straight trade. So is it worth it? I'm not having much luck getting rid of the jeep. I did own a 78 TA same color a few years ago. Thanks for any input.

[mechanic17]

I had a '99 GC and liked it, but it will obviously only devalue to nothing, while the TA is a pseudo-classic. Too bad 305, but looks like a non-A/c car? Which makes a swap easy.

Just take a hard look at it before committing (subframe and floors).

[65GPnoob]

Thanks for the quick response. Where are the trouble spots on the subframe? He claims it has 67000 miles I'm sure that's not right. Yes non a/c car. With a 305 it should get better mpg then the jeep just won't be very quick.

[mechanic17]

I'm not an F-body guy--someone else can give you the exact trouble spots. When I have seen rotted subframes, they've been on the very ends, under the floors.

The problem with checking out T/As and Firebirds is they sit so low to the ground, so it's hard to get a good idea of the undercarriage. Meanwhile, he can slide his whole body under your Jeep like nothing and see everything.

If that's a Chevy 305, and not a Pontiac 301 in there, it should run flawlessly, so don't be overimpressed by that. The good news is, later on you can put a badass and relatively cheap SBC in there to replace the Three-Oh-Slow.

If no one else has better advice, I'd say bring a floor jack and stands, and a very good flashlight, jack the rear end up and get under there, then jack the front end up and get under there.

Motors and trannies come and go, but frames are very hard to fix.

If all is well and you like the car, I'd say it's a good deal if you're sick of the Jeep.

[2manyT/A'S]

Have a look behind the rear bumper @ the bottom of the tail panel,very common area for problems...

Under rear seats (t-top leaks will take the floors out in a hurry)

In the trunk where floor meets the wheelhouse: remove the doorjamb vents & look down in there.

Does it have rear disc brakes? That means WS6.

I think it's a good trade if you can't unload your GC. (that will be in the junkyard in a few years)

The T/A will hold it own or APPRECIATE & WAY more FUN to drive.....just remember,NO back seat or trunk to speak of.

[65GPnoob]

how do you tell if a trans am is a Speciel edition.

[79TA455]

Originally Posted by 2manyT/A'S

Have a look behind the rear bumper @ the bottom of the tail panel,very common area for problems...

Under rear seats (t-top leaks will take the floors out in a hurry)

In the trunk where floor meets the wheelhouse: remove the doorjamb vents & look down in there.

Does it have rear disc brakes? That means WS6.

I think it's a good trade if you can't unload your GC. (that will be in the junkyard in a few years)

The T/A will hold it own or APPRECIATE & WAY more FUN to drive.....just remember,NO back seat or trunk to speak of.

If you can, pull out the rear seats cushions and check for rust in there. The rear window may leak and this would pinpoint that as well as a possible T-top leak. They are easy enough to pull out: Push back hard on the cushion and pull up.

Looks like a fair trade as long as the problem areas are not a problem.

One correction to the decode.....29 is Nightwatch Blue Ird., same as my 1981 Trans Am.

[2manyT/A'S]

Look for original black paint...

Y84 option code (with Fisher T-roof) on build sheet OR PHS invoice.

[Greg Reid]

Well, if it's not overly rusty, it certainly looks to be well worth the $2400 you're trying to get for the Jeep.
On the 305 Chevy vs. the 301 Pontiac, the 301 might be pretty weak but the one I had couldn't be killed. It was driven for 2 years as a daily driver even though the crankcase started ingesting coolant at about 180,000. The oil felt like it had sand in it and the dipstick broke off from rust. Also, a good part of said oil was being re-cycled into the carb/breather. It was a mess but it never smoked and never fouled a plug. I couldn't believe the thing was still running and running quite well. Smooth as a sewing machine.

[65GPnoob]

What Do these numbers mean off plate under the hood. B. 03C. 2FS8L095593. 64b. 29l. 29u w A51. CC1. T34173462. It's a 81 trans am

[2manyT/A'S]

Just off the top of my head...

0C3 (build date) 3rd week of March

64B Interior trim code

29 U & 29 L (exterior paint code) Nocturne Blue

A51 Bucket seats

CC1 Hatch Roof

[65GPnoob]

Thanks for the info. I'm still waiting for the guy to look at my jeep.

[Don 79 TA]

looks like its a non ac car, which means more room in the engine compartment

car doesn't seem to bad in the photos

[65GPnoob]

Yes it's not bad. It does have some rust out behind the drivers door and cracking bondo in the drivers door, plus a dent in rear quarter. The guy does have extra doors. I only briefly looked at the car. I'm still waiting for the owner to look at my jeep.

[bigborehunter]

That looks to be an interesting trade. One I would make esp with Dark Metallic Blue paint and hatch roofs. I own a 1981 hardtop so maybe I'm biased. second gen TAs have gone way up the last three years so unless it's a bondo bucket it may be a good deal.
Here's what an early 1981 dark metallic blue TA looks like. After Pontiac ran out of blue interiors, they changed the paint mix to smaller metalflakes and more black so it was a Navy Blue color. This way it matched the chocolate and black dashpads better. Mine is an early build double blue car.