It was fairly straightforward . After so many weeks of waiting, it was more than a little irritating to discover that the front driveshaft had mistakenly been built for the wrong transfer case, requiring a completely different attachment point. These are our Primary Market, which what we call a Daily Driver Restoration. At half a tank, my Jeep would start to sputter, hesitate, or die while taking turns and accelerating out of a stop. It came out to $360 for the set, combined with a Clevite main and rod bearing kit ($92), a timing chain kit that came with a new oil pump ($84), and a set of main bolts from Summit ($190), all of which were necessary to do the job. When viewed from an economic perspective alone, it becomes almost impossible to defend dropping dollars on rebuilding an engine that was never intended to offer big horsepower, instead of moving over to a simple, modern and easy-to-maintain drivetrain. Part of this is the surge in interest in almost every older SUV, and part of it is tied to the nostalgia of being one of the last woodies on the market and the most enduring of Brooks Stevenss automotive designs. Given all the obstacles to that goal, you probably wont be surprised to learn that I have yet to taste such victory. This post is meant to document the process I went through. In retrospect, the grace and professionalism with which AGM Performance (the shop performing the swap) handled the problems that arose was incredible, and Im deeply grateful that they never once gave up on the project. I have an '89 Grand Wagoneer that is my daily driver and tow rig. The Jeep's 5.9-liter V8 isn't a particularly troublesome motor, but the Grand Wagoneer, like many AMC-built models of that vintage, had a reputation for nickel-and-diming owners to death with small issues that eventually mounted into larger hassles and potential catastrophes. Lowest Price Guarantee. Jeep also put Wagoneer fenders and no rear flare, with the narrower Wagoneer axles, on a 2-door Cherokee. As with its domestic rivals, the Grand Wagoneer utilizes body-on-frame underpinnings, . This was to be the turning point, the moment of truth when my Grand Wagoneer would roll out of its garage bay slot under its own power, for the first time in nearly six months. The Motor Masters can give your Wagoneeer this upgrade. Nice job! While my Jeep Grand Wagoneer LS swap project had had its share of ups and downs, the experience of a modern drivetrain in an old school platform is something unique on the automotive landscape. The fuel tank capacity is a joke for the size of the vehicle. Here is the size difference between the Ram tank and the GW tank. Also, I have good clearance of the stainless steel shorty headers over the mounts and inside the frame rails. New body mounts and shock absorbers eliminated almost every shake and rattle that had been lurking in its 33-year-old chassis, while a Hydroboost braking system has dramatically transformed the vehicles stopping power for the better. You must log in or register to reply here. Bleed brakes. I spent a summer tooling around the city with the occasional longer highway trip thrown in, and all was well until the end of the fall driving season when I began to notice steam escaping a leak in the Jeeps radiator. Thats a nice build and yes I've seen many Blazer frames and wagoner frames used from the 70's to early 80's. back on the chassis and locating the body mounts. 1984 grand wagoneer hemi swap. Despite the muffled sound of gears churning internally, no motion whatsoever was being transferred to either the shaft or the differential. Body79, the OEM method was done with huge rivets. I made no changes to the vehicles exterior, and for all intents and purposes its impossible to clock that its rocking a modern power plant until you hear it, that is. Heavy-duty plate steel boxes were fabricated to move the front springs forward about 2 inches and move the rear. Not the seller, auction house or potential Craigslist scammer. Yep. I already have some shiny cars, as you do, I don't need the wagon shiny also. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. A couple weeks after that and you can see where this is going. The A/C even blew ice-cold, right on my knees where the vehicles only cooling vents are located. Rather than roll the dice on a rebuild, I'm going to follow the hundreds of other Grand Wagoneer owners who modernized their rides and never looked back. What is the best way to post pictures? With the recently revealed Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, Jeep has revived the iconic nameplate as a standalone sub-brand. Can someone tell me if I'm understanding this correctly, I have Dana 60 axles that are 4.10 and down, but if I purchase the Eaton e Locker I can get that 4.56 and up version and put 4.56 gears in it? Wheels were 15 x 5.5 with five studs. Do your own labor and the end cost is likely half that, which is certainly a big difference but nowhere near what I would consider cheap, especially since youll want to start with the cleanest, best example of whatever swap recipient on which youve set your heart. Ive spent so much of this series talking about what went wrong along the way to swapping my perfectly functional AMC 360 for a 5.3-liter LS V-8 that I thought Id open this project wrap-up by highlighting the positives. $6000 for the frame off paint job and $2000 to swap the drive train. Ive been planning (read wishing and hoping) to do this at some point with my 04 ram and 90 waggy. Let's get started on your Jeep Wagoneer restoration. It's also helpful to understand that logic behind the LS suggestion, as these motors are among the most popular swap choices across a startling number of projects for very good reasons. Sounds like a solid plan. includes everything you mentioned above. 1974 Cherokee S. It's driving but needs more work. I didnt need much more convincing. Just my .02 but if you want less fab that is probably the best avenue to pursue. Install Ram door chime buttons in door sill. The big deal is shortening the Wagoneer frame to a 104" Willys wagon wheel base, moving the drivetrain ( motor,trans, and T.C.) Spring mountings are identical, front springs are the same. Hope you can help. Love your plan and enthusiasm! For my 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer (which is currently entering its eighth month of what was envisioned as a winter-long LS swap), Project Hell status activated in the midst of a global pandemic that almost entirely shut down the resources needed to get the SUV back on the road. The front driveshaft has yet to be installed, as the shop that goofed on the original order is still working on a replacement yoke to connect it to my transfer case. Why did I do this? I sent the owner a text out of the blue and he confirmed that it was still available, only now at a slight discount as he was on the verge of leaving the city. The Jeeps 5.9-liter V8 isnt a particularly troublesome motor, but the Grand Wagoneer, like many AMC-built models of that vintage, had a reputation for nickel-and-diming owners to death with small issues that eventually mounted into larger hassles and potential catastrophes. I've read about the swaps with wagoneers, 2004-2006 jeep JK's, s-10, etc. $615.99. It fits the frame. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. However the Cj10 frame is much thicker material. Yes? 2 min read. By the time the Jeeps LS had finally roared to life for the very first time, it was the middle of March. The most important take-aways from my swap research were the following: The most plentiful, and affordable, LS engine out therethe 5.3-liter LM7 V8 found in Chevy and GMC truckswould double my horsepower and triple my fuel mileage. The LQ4 6.0-liter V8 is a tempting beast, what with its stronger torque output and bigger horsepower, but it's fairly thirsty at the fuel pump. Welcome to BJ's Off-Road - Full-Size Jeep Specialist and Enthusiast Store Featured Products Headliner Samples (0) $12.00 Free Shipping. Whatever AMC could afford to stuff inside its full-size hauler was what you got, which meant Ford, GM, Chrysler and even Renault had a hand in contributing parts to the vehicle. Gear Shift Indicator 1986-1991 Grand Wagoneer J10 J20 (0) $23.00 $19.00 Sale Free Shipping. Eventually, by rotating the original battery pan to clear the newer and much thicker radiator, Andrew Grubb and his team were able to sit it below the hood. Why Go To The Junkyard & Purchase A Used Frame That Can Not Only Be Very Expensive, But Much More Labor Intense. In researching the best five speed automatic transmission I could mate up to my AMC 360 in my 88 Grand Wagoneer I came to the conclusion, after much research, that the total cost was more than I wanted to spend just for a trans swap. With its generously-proportioned engine bay and complete lack of electronic drivetrain controls, the Grand Wagoneer is a perfect candidate for almost any swap you might want to attempt. Would I do it all over again? Without a Wagoneer Series I at launch, the base price rises to $69,690, far more. Combining his previous experience in writing and car dealership years, his articles focus in depth on special cars of past and present times. It also boasts comfort thanks to a Quadra-Lift air suspension that gives it a smooth ride. The next time around, too, I plan on doing a much better job vetting used parts before making a purchase. it burns a little oil but I plan to overhaul it before it goes into the jeep. Known for its rugged chassis, comfortable ride and respectable off-road chops, the stylish Grand Wagoneer represents a bygone era in truck design where wood veneer and Brooks Stevens-penned greenhouses dominated showrooms. L4 150ci/2.5L. Let me put it to you this way, Kolimatsis said to me over the phone. Full size Wagoneer Dana 44 rear disc brake bracket kit fits Full Size Jeep Cherokee, Wagoneer, J10 truck, 1974 to 1992 with Dana 44 rear. So plan B is to swap my Wagoneer body onto a chassis that already has everything I want. Now you can. 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Big SUV, big price Jeep charges a lot for all this luxury, space, and capability. The Grand Wagoneer includes numerous standard and. Big, boxy with a rumbling V8 and faux wood paneling, it defined a generation. The seller had stowed his 1987 Grand Wagoneer in the parking garage of a seniors residence, and while it wasnt listed for sale he was willing to let it go to a good home. Just let us know what you have in mind! When people are dying and economies are crumbling, a stalled build sits well down on the list of essential priorities. Overview Grand Wagoneer offers the stability of Jeep's Quadra-Drive II 4WD system. So why not transform your true classic SUV into a modern day performance ride? The frame doesn't hang sown in unusual places, it doesn't stick out and the wheel base is already correct. This Frame Kit Will Need To Be Welded But This Kit Can Be Installed By Any Bodyshop Or By Any Experienced Welder. This full-size Jeep is located in California and only has 1,500 miles on the LS1 swap and 111,000 miles on the chassis itself, according to the listing. Click here to find out what makes the Jeep Grand Wagoneer the ultimate restomod. TrueCar has 868 new Jeep Grand Wagoneer models for sale nationwide, including a Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series III Obsidian and a Jeep Grand Wagoneer L Series III. So began what turned out to be a year-long, nightmarish odyssey that, after numerous trials and pandemic-related tribulations (parts sourcing, shops closing, travel restrictions), ended with the Grand Wagoneer sporting the engine and transmission from a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe, rebuilt and tuned to provide in the neighborhood of 400 horsepower while delivering roughly 20 mpg on the highway. The Wagoneer front axle should be a direct bolt in, or so I've heard. Install tow hitch. Unfortunately, in addition to being slow as molasses, my Jeep also happens to deliver an astounding 6 miles per gallon regardless of how I happen to drive the vehicle. Loxahatchee Groves, FL 33470. The decision to go with an LS swap in my Grand Wagon was not a quick, nor an easy one. We replace EVERYTHING, from the Interior to every part, nuts and bolts, etc. That means even more room for your cargo. ATK Engines Replacement 4.0L I-6 Engine for 96-98 Jeep Wrangler TJ, Cherokee XJ & Grand Cherokee ZJ. Basically everything. Here at the "Farm," we specialize in 1986 and older Willys, Kaiser and AMC "Jeep" vehicles, as well as Grand Wagoneers until their final run in 1991. All You Need To Do Is Once You Have Removed The Fuel Tank & Skid Plate Assembly, Take Our Frame Piece & Mark Where You Want To Put It On The Frame Area That Is Affected, Slide It Over & Move As Needed For A Dry Fit, Then Mark With A Yellow Crayon Or Grease Pencil & Cut Away All The Rust Before Installing. It's the reason I'm not painting my wagon. WE ALSO RECOMMEND WHEN PURCHASING THIS KIT: FUEL TANK SKID PLATE RUBBER INSULATOR MAT # 5362004, TO SAVE ADDITIONAL MONEY--WE OFFER ALL THESE PIECES AS A COMPLETE SET: Skid Plate. You see, to fix what the factory has wrought under my hood, there are only two real options: update AMC's original iron, or swap in something much more modern. The 1974-1983 2-Door Cherokee could either be a Wide track or a Narrow track. So far I've spent $3,000 and have recouped some cost from selling the Dodge parts I don't need, recycling all the steel I don't need, and expect I will recover some money from the Wagoneer stuff I don't need from future sales. Fit nicely on my frame and the included pieces covered all the weak spots that had rusted on my Cherokee WT. Adapters can run from $150 to $1000. What Happens to the Vintage Bronco Market Now? full refurbishment from a reputable dealer. Are you thinking that bolts will not be sufficient? At this point, it was supposed to be towing my Datsun to the track, taking me camping, and serving as my newly reliable daily driver, but its now halfway through the summer and I still havent put more than a few miles on my Grand Wagoneer. I may bug you as the transplant progresses. By checking this box, you agree to Nitto Tires. ATK Engines Replacement 2.5L I-4 Engine for 1986 Jeep CJ-7, Cherokee XJ, Comanche MJ & Wagoneer. I picked up a 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer as a project earlier this year. The current task is chasing down an intermittent stalling issue and a crankshaft position code thats keeping the motor in safe mode, restricting its output and making further tuning difficult. Would it surprise you to learn that the cash required to replace my AMC 360 with a Chevrolet-sourced LS were nearly identical to that needed to build the original motor? Your email address will not be published. Although I had researched my swap before taking the plunge, I obviously hadnt accounted for any of the problems mentioned above. Do You Have Any? If you have no mechanical ability, its going to drain your resources fairly quickly, unless you choose to just light all of your money on fire at once like I did with my swap project, or you pick up a high-end example thats had a full refurbishment from a reputable dealer. With slab-wood sides and acres of glass, the upright truck looks like it just rolled off the set of a period piece, and its got a friendly, classy persona thats inviting to both gearheads and people who remember seeing these things on the beach or at the ski hill back in the day. I have been wondering if it's supposed to be attached somewhere. I repowered it with a 3.9L Cummins. $2,122.00. Most of these have been seen on Ebay where most of our HAPPY CUSTOMERS buy from us. All the specs. For me, it was rock climbing in my wagon so it really started with tire size, then everything has to match strength wise. Yes. Posted by Mitchell Barlow on 2nd Dec 2019. Sticking with a carburetor wouldn't provide me with the reliability I was looking for, either, especially not towing through the mountains on a hot summer day, so that meant fuel injection would be necessary. The new 2022 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are full-size, 3-row SUVs built to compete with everything ranging from loaded examples of the Chevrolet Tahoe to the Cadillac Escalade and from the priciest versions of the Ford Expedition to the Lincoln Navigator.Similar to those rivals, the SUVs come with a long list of high-quality materials and high-technology amenities. I cannot do it continuously. Still, it wasnt the end of the world, and it seemed like a good idea to install just the rear driveshaft so I could put some miles on the Jeep and start to work out any bugs that appeared along the way. The interior had worn well too, with torn seats up front and a sagging headliner the only real issues to be dealt with. See prices, photos, and find dealers near you. Welcome To the Jeep Farm. News, advice and insights for the most interesting man in the room. That means I just got my entire conversion done for about 2K not counting the stuff I purchased that I really didn't "need". Five days later, the shafts had been delivered, which meant the project could once again pick up after a delay of nearly a month and a half. Its a rolling smile generator, and people passing me by on the sidewalk arent wringing their hands over the some perceived lack of brand purity under the hood. 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