Fixing up my grandfather's '85

[eribbs]

I ended up with my grandfather's 1985 Grand Wagoneer after he passed away (it went through a couple other people but ended up in the right hands ). I remember riding in this car up to the cabin with them as a kid and have always loved everything about it.

It's been through about 130k miles of love and the exterior was starting to show it, so I took it upon myself to bringing it back to as close to the original look as I can. While I identify as a car freak, I don't have a lot of experience doing this type of work, so I'm learning a lot as I go!

This summer and fall I'm been slowly removing exterior bits and pieces as I find the time. Two weeks ago I was finally able to take the car in for paint, and should have it back in the next week or so! In preparation, I've gathered a bunch of replacement trim where necessary (including new wood siding) and just got some tires put on my refurbished rims this morning.

I'm looking forward to putting her back together! Here are a few pictures of the car pre-work..

[eribbs]

Here's a few pics of the car just before sending it off for paint. I managed to talk them into getting the rest of the wood siding off for me

[eribbs]

And here are a few of the goodies waiting to be put on!

[8man]

Enjoy the fun! Keep the pics coming.

[deckside]

Looks like a great base to work from. Bumpers and grille looks immaculate. Watson and Sons has some nice center caps that match your years if you get in the market.

[eribbs]

Good to know, thanks! I think I am going to try my hand at cleaning up the original center caps (find some gold paint to match, as mine are of the gold and black variety). The grille was replaced after someone opened their door while my brother was pulling into a parking spot several years ago. We found a pretty good replacement with just a minor blemish that is hard to see most of the time, so I'll stick with it for a while

[deckroid]

As good as Grand Wagoneers look in pics standing alone in nature, the look so much better with kids in, on or around them. Just like your grandpa, pass on those memories.

Looking good.

[SOLSAKS]

wag resto

wow
nice photos.

all those detail items will make
a world of difference
and will compliment that new paint.

those rims are some of the most beautiful ever produced
and with the refinishing they are stunning.

one fine wagoneer.

[eribbs]

deckroid - I completely agree! Those are my nephews and niece helping me get it ready when I was bringing it to my house

solsaks - I had intended to keep many of the trim pieces because the were mostly in good shape, but a few of them had cracked at the screw holes.. so it was sort of a snowball effect: as you need to replace one, gotta match with the rest! And I am really happy with the refinished rims from Wheel Collision Center, they did a great job.

Erick

[eribbs]

While I wait for the car to come home.. I came across this picture from 1989 of the old girl at my grandparents' cabin, covered in snow. It looks right at home

[JeepJeepster]

^Thats awesome! Does it have chains on the tires?

Where did you find the new mopar tail light covers?

[eribbs]

Yeah, it's got chains on in that pic, I believe they are required still in that area during heavy snow. What you can't see much of is the original ski racks that I have tucked away in my garage now

I got the tail light covers from Team Grand Wagoneer..

[eribbs]

Back home!

I got the car back a bit before Christmas and this weekend I finally had some decent weather/spare time to put a few things back on. I got the roof rack back in place as well as the rails with new gaskets. I wasn't sure about water getting in the holes for the rails, so I put a blob of clear silicon over each before screwing them in. Then I took a deep breath and started putting the new siding on today, it went on pretty easy and I'm generally happy with the results so far. I just did the driver's side for today. Now I'm wishing I'd have put the new wheels on for the pictures!

[GWNashville]

Grandfather would be Proud!

That is going to be beautiful when your done. Please keep sending pics. Austin is one of my favorite towns. Ill be there for SXSW.

Richard

[eribbs]

New legs

I spent time the last two weekends replacing the springs and shocks on the waggy.. it was a bit of a challenge on my own, but I got it figured out and am glad I gave it a go!

I paired up a new set of springs from Alcan (with just a slight 1" lift) with the Bilstein 4600 series shocks. It also gave me the chance to finally put on the new rims and tires too! I finished up right as it was getting dark, so I didn't get the chance to get some good pictures, but here's what I have so far..





After installing the front last weekend, I took it out to "settle" things.

First (and easiet)