Mike’s 1989 Grand Wagoneer LS Swap Restomod

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Topic author
dambram
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Location: Warwick, RI

Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by dambram »

Thanks guys!

I just purchased a good 5.3L LM7 from a yard in NH. I will be picking it up in the next few days hopefully with a 4l60e. Any reccomendations on transfer case? I am researching now.
Been busy and haven't gotten much work done in a few months.
Last edited by dambram on Tue Aug 31, 2021 1:25 pm, edited 2 times in total.
'89 Grand Wagoneer - 6" lift, 33's, 5.3L swap in progress
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lobie
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Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by lobie »

dambram wrote:Any reccomendations on transfer case? I am researching now.
241
77 Wagoneer | 6.0 | TH400 | NP205 | Sterling 10.5 | Dana 60
07 6.7 Cummins 2500 4wd

http://www.lobie4x4.com
http://www.cfsjc.com
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XJChad
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Location: Dewey, Ok

Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by XJChad »

241 is what I am installing also.
1989 Grand Wagoneer, 4" Rusty's Lift, LS 5.3L swap (in progress), 4L60e, NP241c.
1991 Grand Wagoneer, all stock, a work in progress, for sale soon.
1982 Cherokee Laredo, 360ci, aluminum intake, Edelbrock carb, HEI, w/32x11.50x15, warn 8000, Dana 44/AMC 20
2001 Cherokee Sport, Old Man Emu lift (worn out), front/rear C4x4 bumpers, Smittybuilt 10,000 winch, 31x10.50x15, Edge Tuner kit w/throttle body & AFE cold air, Gibson exhaust-my daily driver until the '89 is finished.

Topic author
dambram
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Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 1:18 pm
Location: Warwick, RI

Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by dambram »

Just picked it up! 5.3L LM7 from a 2004 Sierra 1500. 110k. Got everything included, all accessories, wiring harness, airbox, manifolds, and pedal.

Image
Last edited by dambram on Tue Aug 31, 2021 1:25 pm, edited 2 times in total.
'89 Grand Wagoneer - 6" lift, 33's, 5.3L swap in progress

Topic author
dambram
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Location: Warwick, RI

Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by dambram »

Okay I have been trying to research but maybe you guys can answer some questions to get me rolling. What should I look for in a 4l60e for my swap? I am trying to figure out what years/models and if I should buy a 4x4 or 4x2. Also will a 241 bolt up or will I need to buy an adapter? Any other tips before I head to the junkyard this weekend would be greatly appreciated.
'89 Grand Wagoneer - 6" lift, 33's, 5.3L swap in progress
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lobie
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Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by lobie »

dambram wrote:Okay I have been trying to research but maybe you guys can answer some questions to get me rolling. What should I look for in a 4l60e for my swap? I am trying to figure out what years/models and if I should buy a 4x4 or 4x2. Also will a 241 bolt up or will I need to buy an adapter? Any other tips before I head to the junkyard this weekend would be greatly appreciated.
+1998 4l60e. Look for one with a removable bell housing. Those are the newer ones.

All 4l60e, th350, 700r4 have 27 spline outputs. Any 241 with a 27 spline input will work. Non stock adapters are expensive. Try and find a tranny/TC combo together. Less headache.
77 Wagoneer | 6.0 | TH400 | NP205 | Sterling 10.5 | Dana 60
07 6.7 Cummins 2500 4wd

http://www.lobie4x4.com
http://www.cfsjc.com
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XJChad
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Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by XJChad »

X2 on finding a tranny and tcase combo. If you get an np241 that was behind a 5 speed manual or the 4l80 trans it will have the wrong input (32 spline) vs the 27 spline the 4l60 uses.
1989 Grand Wagoneer, 4" Rusty's Lift, LS 5.3L swap (in progress), 4L60e, NP241c.
1991 Grand Wagoneer, all stock, a work in progress, for sale soon.
1982 Cherokee Laredo, 360ci, aluminum intake, Edelbrock carb, HEI, w/32x11.50x15, warn 8000, Dana 44/AMC 20
2001 Cherokee Sport, Old Man Emu lift (worn out), front/rear C4x4 bumpers, Smittybuilt 10,000 winch, 31x10.50x15, Edge Tuner kit w/throttle body & AFE cold air, Gibson exhaust-my daily driver until the '89 is finished.

Topic author
dambram
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Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 1:18 pm
Location: Warwick, RI

Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by dambram »

Got a few hours of work in this weekend. Welder was out of gas :banghead: so instead of welding up holes in the firewall, I got my motor, trans, and tcase in and mocked up. There just wasn't a whole lot to mock up. It fit perfect. I set my novak mounts to the middle adjustment, and I think I am in pretty good shape. The carriage bolts were kind of a pain to get set but they lined up before I got too frustrated. The transmission mount I used was from an '04 1500

I went out and picked up a 4l60e from an 04 with a 6 month warranty, and then I picked up a 241C from craigslist.

I should have listened to you guys about buying a trans/tcase combo. I had to go out and find the right adapter, but once I got the right one, it was pretty smooth. I do need a few more studs for the tcase but I figure I can rob them from my old tcase.


I put the nose in place just to see how it lines up. Happy with the results.



Plenty of room for exhaust with the stock manifolds. It gets a little tight at the brake booster and the heater core box, but I think I can wrestle the box in there. Hood clearance looks great.

Goals for this week are to weld the top of the motor mounts, plate off and redrill the 2 holes in my crossmember, then probably pull it all out so I can clean up and paint the firewall.'

Can't wait to get some more time to work on it.
Last edited by dambram on Mon Aug 30, 2021 1:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
'89 Grand Wagoneer - 6" lift, 33's, 5.3L swap in progress
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XJChad
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Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by XJChad »

You and I are in just about the same spot as far as progress. I made my motor mounts, which took quite a bit of time due to several attempts. Finially got them how I wanted them and finished mocking up the tranny mount and radiator. Now to pull it all out and start painting.
What are you going to use for a trans shifter? I was able to use the stock GM "L" bracket on the tranny, flipped it upside down, and then used the shifter rod components from the 360 and made linkage to the length I needed. It will go into every gear, including 1st.
1989 Grand Wagoneer, 4" Rusty's Lift, LS 5.3L swap (in progress), 4L60e, NP241c.
1991 Grand Wagoneer, all stock, a work in progress, for sale soon.
1982 Cherokee Laredo, 360ci, aluminum intake, Edelbrock carb, HEI, w/32x11.50x15, warn 8000, Dana 44/AMC 20
2001 Cherokee Sport, Old Man Emu lift (worn out), front/rear C4x4 bumpers, Smittybuilt 10,000 winch, 31x10.50x15, Edge Tuner kit w/throttle body & AFE cold air, Gibson exhaust-my daily driver until the '89 is finished.

Topic author
dambram
Posts: 83
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 1:18 pm
Location: Warwick, RI

Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by dambram »

XJChad wrote:You and I are in just about the same spot as far as progress. I made my motor mounts, which took quite a bit of time due to several attempts. Finially got them how I wanted them and finished mocking up the tranny mount and radiator. Now to pull it all out and start painting.
What are you going to use for a trans shifter? I was able to use the stock GM "L" bracket on the tranny, flipped it upside down, and then used the shifter rod components from the 360 and made linkage to the length I needed. It will go into every gear, including 1st.
I am going to get it up on the lift this weekend and check my transmission and transfer-case linkage situation. What radiator did you end up going with?
'89 Grand Wagoneer - 6" lift, 33's, 5.3L swap in progress
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XJChad
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Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by XJChad »

I used the griffin ls aluminum radiator that Captn Smith and some others have used. Im not sure on a tranny cooler yet. Im thinking about using the Jeeps orig cooler and just cleaning it out good.

On the linkage I did have to bend the long rod coming down from the steering column just a bit because it would rub the lower firewall/ floor.
1989 Grand Wagoneer, 4" Rusty's Lift, LS 5.3L swap (in progress), 4L60e, NP241c.
1991 Grand Wagoneer, all stock, a work in progress, for sale soon.
1982 Cherokee Laredo, 360ci, aluminum intake, Edelbrock carb, HEI, w/32x11.50x15, warn 8000, Dana 44/AMC 20
2001 Cherokee Sport, Old Man Emu lift (worn out), front/rear C4x4 bumpers, Smittybuilt 10,000 winch, 31x10.50x15, Edge Tuner kit w/throttle body & AFE cold air, Gibson exhaust-my daily driver until the '89 is finished.

Topic author
dambram
Posts: 83
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 1:18 pm
Location: Warwick, RI

Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by dambram »

Its been a long time since I have posted but you haven't missed much. I sourced a transfer case shifter from a 2000 gmc 1500 that looks like it will fit nicely. I am sending my LM7 harness and computer to Novak for work next week I hope. I also plan on sourcing my radiator and fan setup from Novak this month. The tops of the motor mounts got welded in and I pulled the whole drive-train. Now it is off to the body shop to get some rot repair done on the rear lower quarters and floor pans.



While the jeep is at the body shop, I plan on notching the crossmember for front driveshaft clearance.

I have a few questions that I am currently trying to figure out.
Should I do an SYE kit on my 241? The jeep is lifted 6". Also trying to source driveshafts for the tcase.
Lastly I am trying to figure out the best fuel tank/pump/regulator to use.
Last edited by dambram on Mon Aug 30, 2021 1:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
'89 Grand Wagoneer - 6" lift, 33's, 5.3L swap in progress

Topic author
dambram
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Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 1:18 pm
Location: Warwick, RI

Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by dambram »

Back from the body shop. Lower rear quarters installed and floors repaired at brake pedal and in the corners near the rear seat.

Image

Image
Last edited by dambram on Tue Aug 31, 2021 1:27 pm, edited 2 times in total.
'89 Grand Wagoneer - 6" lift, 33's, 5.3L swap in progress
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Tatsadasayago
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Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by Tatsadasayago »

Those quarters look great! :-bd
If you don't mind me asking, what did they charge you for that work?
1977 Cherokee Chief - The Blair Jeep Project III
A collection of parts flying in close formation

Topic author
dambram
Posts: 83
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 1:18 pm
Location: Warwick, RI

Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by dambram »

I got a BJ's Offroad 3" stainless exhaust kit for Christmas today. Anyone else running this with their LS swap? Trying to figure out what to do about a y-pipe.

Tatsadasayago wrote:Those quarters look great! :-bd
If you don't mind me asking, what did they charge you for that work?
Thanks! He did both quarter panels, and three small floor patches for $400.
Last edited by dambram on Mon Aug 30, 2021 1:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
'89 Grand Wagoneer - 6" lift, 33's, 5.3L swap in progress

GO OVRIT
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Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by GO OVRIT »

Thats going to be one nice GW. Are you keeping the blue color?
87 GW
2 75 J-10s waiting for tlc
79 Chief on life support
80 Chief soon to have a 401

Topic author
dambram
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Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by dambram »

GO OVRIT wrote:Thats going to be one nice GW. Are you keeping the blue color?
Thank you! Yes I like the blue, if all goes well it will be painted this summer the original blue color. I have a pretty decent Sand color interior for it as well.
'89 Grand Wagoneer - 6" lift, 33's, 5.3L swap in progress

Topic author
dambram
Posts: 83
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 1:18 pm
Location: Warwick, RI

Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by dambram »

Started some final work to the inside of the body. Won't need this old transfer case shifter hole.

Also installed new studs in the 241 transfer case.


Starting to think about driveshafts. Should I do an SYE kit? I have 6" of lift. The output on the 241 is 32 spline. What vehicles should I look for front/rear driveshafts? Any help would be appreciated!
Last edited by dambram on Mon Aug 30, 2021 1:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
'89 Grand Wagoneer - 6" lift, 33's, 5.3L swap in progress

Topic author
dambram
Posts: 83
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 1:18 pm
Location: Warwick, RI

Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by dambram »

Just purchased this '97 2 door blazer fuel tank and fuel pump assembly E3954M like many others have done. Only cost $98 for both with free shipping on eBay. Can anyone recommend a good fuel pressure regulator/filter combo?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/19-Gallon-Fuel- ... l%3ABlazer

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-PREMIUM-HIG ... 20&vxp=mtr
'89 Grand Wagoneer - 6" lift, 33's, 5.3L swap in progress
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Atla
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Re: Mike's 1988 Grand Wagoneer Build

Post by Atla »

Good looking bodywork!
~Atla. (I'm just here for the pictures)
1983 J-10
2001 TJ

My Build Thread - http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2722
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