a new project with a few more wheels than normal, ’86 Jeep Grand Wagoneer…

Long time no see right? Sorry about that, it’s been crazy with work, life, and this jeep project I should have posted up months ago….

Anyhow, here it is in all of it’s moldy glory! The “Waggy” had been sitting for a number of years, it has a little rust here and there, but overall is pretty solid. Definitely going to have to see a guy about some body work eventually. Anyone know anybody good that hates bondo as much as I do?!

So the basic’s, it’s a 1986 Jeep Grand Wagoneer with the AMC 360 V8, Torqueflite 727 Transmission, NP228 Transfer Case, making a CRAZY 144 hp / 280 lb-ft, and weighing in a hefty 4510 lbs. The big 360 V8’s apparently weight somewhere between 600 something pounds to 800 pounds, I’ve never found a finite answer for that one.

But what’s this? A gorgeous new looking all aluminum engine? What could that be for? Well a swap, duh! 😉 I’ll be replacing the all iron AMC block with a 2014 Chevrolet L83 V8 from a Silverado pickup truck that I picked up down outside of Portland, OR. This new engine will make just a bit more power stock over the original one in the Jeep as well, a not small sum of 355 hp (@ 5600 RPM) and 383 lb-ft tq (@ 4100 RPM). But of course I can’t leave well enough alone and I’ve already swapped intake manifolds for one from a 2014 LT1 C7 Corvette Stingray. Also the stock 80mm throttle body has been replaced with one from the same ‘vette that’s 7mm larger (87mm) and has had Bo White give it a nice port and polish.

The engine will also be possible getting some head work done, possibly larger valves. The DOD/AFM will be deleted with a kit from Vengeance Racing using the Katech DOD Delete plate, the kit also includes a new cam (which is required when removing the AFM on these engines). The accessories will be taking care of by way of the upcoming Gen V Brackets from Dirty Dingo, I’ll use the stock alternator but a Sanden 508 Compressor. These brackets will swap the vacuum compressor on the motor for a Power Steering pump which will be helpful for a future upgrade to a Hydroboost brake master cylinder.

Behind the motor the TF727 will be replaced by a 6L80e GM 6 speed automatic (the 5CKA variant) and the NP228 transfer case will be replaced by a newer, early 90’s, NP241c Chevy transfer case. The transfer case will get a JB Conversions slip yoke eliminator kit, a clocking ring and a 32 spline input shaft to mate up the the 6l80.

So that’s really it for now, I have TONS of plans, just too little money to do all of it at once, haha, so this will be a trickle build 😉 I’m also fighting off the urge to find an early Datsun 510 2dr (I have a swap planned for that one as well, someday…).

Here are some cruddy camera phone pics of what it looks like haha

Till next time,
-peter