Mike’s 1989 Grand Wagoneer LS Swap Restomod

[dambram]

Hey everybody, new to this forum. Just came over from JeepForum. I'm building a 1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer from the frame up.
I've built one GW before but this build will be much more in depth. I have 2 and a half parts jeeps so this Jeep is made up of all the best parts.
The plan is to totally restore the GW while throwing in a GM 5.3L or 6.0L. 6" BJ's lift kit, dana 44's, on 33's.

I started with a decent GW frame from one of my parts jeeps. Sandblasted, prepped, painted with a few coats of POR15 and then a few top coats of Chassis Saver.





Then sandblasted and painted the dana 44's. They got new seals, rotors, calipers, wheel studs, and lock out hubs so far. I went with the superwinch hubs because I got them on Ebay for a good deal.
The springs and shocks are from the BJ's Offroad 6" Lift Kit that came in the GW when I bought it. I will upgrade the shocks before I get the jeep on the road.

The rubber: Goodyear Wrangler MT/Rs with Kevlar. 33x12.50R15 on 15x8 American Racing Outlaw II's.

[dambram]

On the rear axle, the drum breaks had to go. I went on Ebay and found some caliper brackets for a small GM caliper and a caliper kit with ebrake.
Then went to napa and picked up some rotors. Clearance is tight as you can see with the 15" wheels. Welded the brackets on, and got the rear axle painted and installed.

[dambram]

The frame was in good shape, but needed a little work. I ended up replacing all the body mounts and beefed up the section behind the stock gas tank.
Cut the body mounts of of this 3/16" plate with the plasma cutter.

[dambram]

Meet the parts jeep with the good body.

I got my motor mounts from Novak. They bolt/weld in so I don't have any guess work on where to put them.
So motor hunt in underway.

Got the body up on some barrels and sandblasted the whole underside nice and clean.

[dambram]

All painted. It was sandblasted, prepped, then got 2 coats of POR15 semi-gloss, and 2 top coats of Chassis Saver. I sprayed this, but brushed the frame.

Also picked up some lower rear quarter panel replacements from BJ's offroad.

Hopefully these two will be bolted together next weekend and look like a jeep again.

[Tad]

Nice project and very nice space to work in.

[TUDrewser]

I love that there was so much progress in your initial posts...didn't get bored waiting for updates! Nice work, and I am jealous of your work area...

[mineral co]

]

Reminds me of my last girlfriend. Nothing behind the smile. . .

[jaber]

Awesome progress, welcome to the Network...

[nester]

I'm interested... but also in the Monte in the background.

[dambram]

Thanks everyone! Glad I found this site, already found lots of help.

Today I spent a couple hours repairing the last 4 body mounts. I would have put the body on the frame, but needed a few more hands.
As you can see, the whole stock square nuts and cages didn't hold up so great.

So I just welded some nuts to some small pieces of steel to replace them. Came out like this.

I didn't get many good pictures of the front two mounts, but it basically went like this. Cut and bent an access hole, then cleaned out the old nut and cages, placed my new hardware in, and welded it up.

In the back, I ended up removing the tailgate because it had some rust issues. Then I cut two access holes right near the hinge access. Cleaned up the inside, and mounted my new hardware. I'll weld it back up once the body is on the frame.

Only thing I have left to do is drill holes for the body mount in the rear crossmember.

[HowardT64]

I would love to take my Jeep apart this much and fix her up
REAL nice:)

[fulsizjeep]

Very nice work and shop!

[dambram]

Body is on the frame! Well, almost. Its on 4x4's, on the frame. Tomorrow it will get bolted together.
Had to call in some help but the body is within inches of the frame. Should look good about 3" lower.

I'll get some better pics after I work on it tomorrow. Planning on getting bolted to the frame and getting the windshield out.

[ShawnQ]

Looking great!

[dambram]

Body is bolted down! Going to pick up some 7/16" fender washers for the body mounts but other than that body is on for good.
The springs are basically brand new BJ's 6" so hopefully they will settle as all the weight gets bolted on, its too high at the moment.
Windshield and rear quarter windows are out. Going to strip the dash and firewall this week.
Also got a lead on a 5.3L so it looks like I will be picking it up this week.



Lastly, picked up a reman steering box at Napa today.

[66stepside]

Having a Cat do the heavy lifting must be schweet! Nice work!

[jaber]

Crap, now I'm going to have to get a bigger crane for mine, I wanna be able to do that...

Great progress...

[bwwhaler]

Awesome build, looks great

[xGROMx]

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