My wrecked 87 wagon

[Thomass095]

Hey guys, I'm new here. Other than the on and off stalking for the last couple years.. I have a 1987 Grand wagoneer that I hit a pole in two years ago. I just recently got the itch to fix it up and started pulling it apart. Take into mind this was a 30 mph crash uphill into a telephone pull, cracked windshield courtesy of my head.




I got the whole front end off and quickly realized the frame was bent way more than I thought. body mounts on drivers side were 6 inches off and frame looked like a lightning bolt. So I ended up with this parts jeep for pretty cheap that actually has a pretty great frame, fenders, etc. just rotted body. The plan is to take the new frame and put my body from the crashed jeep on it with a 1" body lift




Realizing how expensive parts are for these things again.. But now I'm in the middle of cleaning up the new frame. Also doing a SOA and shackle reversal while I have the body off. Already have my crossover steering set up on the way. Also I'm thinking off peeling all my vinyl and "wood" trim. Do you think thats a good idea? I dont think you can get individual panels of the stuff that will match with the old so I think it may be my only choice. thanks for all the search help guys

[Thomass095]

Also the parts jeep I got has a transmission cooler and my other one doesn't. Anyone know what the story with that is?

[DarkMonohue]

Yikes. Glad you are here to tell the tale. These things are not built with safety in mind.

Why the 1" body lift? If you're already going SOA, you should have plenty of height and clearance.

As far as the wallpaper on the sides goes, it's a matter of personal preference. Some people consider it a necessary and integral component of the Grand Wagoneer, and part of its charm. Personally, I don't care for it. It seemed dated and kind of campy to me when new and it still does.

[Thomass095]

Ya me too. That was a sore week after. Guess the padded dashboard didn't help much like I saw an old ad say ha

I was thinking the 1" body lift because it comes with the bolts on bj's (lazy moment) and they said it will still work good with stock bumpers. But do You know about the trans cooler? Did some come without them, or did the P/O rip it out? Just wondering because Its kind of in rough shape and didn't know if I needed it.

[DarkMonohue]

But do You know about the trans cooler? Did some come without them, or did the P/O rip it out?

Hmm. I can't answer that. My '85 J20 has one, but it's a J20, not a G-wag.

[Wagonforever]

The Grand Wagoneers with the factory tow package came with trans coolers and 3.31 gears. The standard did not have an trans cooler and 2.73 gears.

I also just got the itch to put my 86 GW back together afte I got T-boned 6 years ago in the drivers door. Didn't look nearly as bad as yours though, lucky you made it out ok.

[Thomass095]

Ok thank you. Thats awesome didn't know about the different gearing. Gonna have at least 35's so that might help a little.

And good luck with your GW. I live in Maine and the wagons don't pop up very often. I lucked out and found a guy nearby that buys them up and sells the little parts on ebay. He doesn't want to ship big stuff like body panels, etc. Almost unheard of to see this many GW's in one place in Maine to me. There's a couple more out of frame. I bought the white one in the pic. Best frame with the least rot and decent fenders. Gutted interior though :/

[Wagonforever]

Yeah, these old Jeeps are very rare here in Michigan too, and even rarer to find one not all rotted out.

I found a door in Mississippi a few years ago when I was down there for work. Looking for a fender now, I have new rockers they can use, wish they still made fenders.

[Thomass095]

Well there goes my sunday. Made the spring perches and got them on there all square and such. Now just waiting on BJ's for my Crossover steering and some other goodies. SOA here I come. Kind of dreading the shackle flip in the rear.

Time to get the sand blaster out and clean up, also have a gallon of POR 15 on it's way.

[Thomass095]

Made some good progress lately. I got the axle in and the crossover steering in.
Now there are a few little things left to do, then onto the rear. I know I have to notch the crossmember where the front driveshaft hits

What have you guys done with your steering stabilizers? Mines just hanging there right now.

And also can I get away with a little extension on my track bar or something like that? if you can see it in the picture. It doesn't quite make it.





Got that ghost trailer stance

[Thomass095]

Well after consulting the search feature, like I should have done. I'm going to just leave the track bar out. Seems to not be very important. And get a universal kit for the steering stabilizer. thanks!

[Wagoneer-ing]

Any new updates?

[Thomass095]

A little bit of progress. Brought out the cutting torch to get those pesky front of rear leaf spring bushing and bolts out. Now to just order the new bushings and weld in my new leaf brackets to flip the rear. Also need to order my body bushings. Also dropped the fuel tank and pulling the body off of my wrecked jeep. Excuse the shat body mount in rear from the P/O I have yet to replace. Money has been tight lately, getting back to normal though.

[Thomass095]

Well got the body pulled off my wrecked wagon to put on the new frame. Tractor works good for this!



Also check out the carnage on the bent frame. Bent way more than I thought and busted the transfer case right in half. ouch



Transfer case

[jeepman1]

Far out!