I have a Jeep Addiction like many of us do. Not a problem in itself LOL. But the S.O. and I dont get to bond much about the builds I have going on. Well, this is the reason I got another Jeep...the Fiancé likes classic "woody" paneled vehicles, and I like Cherokees. Naturally the search for a Wagoneer ensued. And alas, we found one.
This is going to be an OEM+ Nut and Bolt restoration Sandblasting everything, priming and painting everything. Everything's original with the exception of some modern touches.
It started out as a 1987 Jeep Wagoneer Limited. It has in my opinion the perfect OEM drivetrain. Renix 4.0, AW4, NP242, D30 High Pinion Non-disco, and a factory Dana 44. It has absolutely no rot, some very light surface rust. Came factory with: Power locks, Power windows, Wing windows, Cruise control, AC/Heat, and the fog lights of course. The trim and parts are nearly entirely there, with the exception of one door trim.
It was bought in Big Bear, CA...and now is at home in Northwest AR.
The plan is to restore the drivetrain, no changes needed. The interior will be stripped, cleaned, some upholstery, headliner, modern stereo and speakers, new seals and whatnot. The exterior trim will all be restored, a color change is in order, likely dark green, with a dark wood grain to match. On the hunt for turbine wheels obviously. Suspension will be all fresh, WJ control arms, new shocks, steering, track bar etc.
This Jeep likely wont be very flashy or interesting, just a nice OEM+ Restored cruiser for the fiance to be included with my Hobby.
The restoration has already begun, but only a little. Here in AR it is too cold to do any body work, also doing the dirty work first would probably be beneficial.
I pulled the Jeep into the workshop, and pulled the rear axle. Blew the axle apart, ordered all new brake hardware, seals, etc.
Then the sandblasting begun, hours and hours of it. The painting, hours and hours of that too.
Got the front axle pulled. Glad its an NP242 Rig, means its a non disconnect HP dana 30, has the obvious 89 and down knuckles.
Pulling it had no major surprises, only one rounded off bolt on one of the caliper brackets, but I can just sandblast as an assembly. No big deal there.
The axle is going to get stripped, sandblasted. Then all new seals, brake hardware, lines, bushings, ball joints. New suspension links, shocks, sway bar links. etc...
When pulling it apart, the unit bearings and calipers looked to have been replaced not too long ago so those will likely remain for now after a good cleaning.
Little lacking on updating the forum, but making progress. Got the housing stripped, primed, painted, and assembled. Fresh ball joints, u-joints, gaskets/seals etc.
Also, ordered all new Control arms, track bar, steering, Brake lines, Pads, hardware etc...
I spent a couple hours this weekend trying to get the axle under the Jeep, problem was with the WJ control arms...After grinding and beating the mounts to get them to accept the WJ larger bushing ends, the arms were having collision issues on the underside of the spring/shock bracket, and the underside of the uniframe inside the lower control arm pocket.
Needless to say, I didnt like how they worked out, I tried installing them backwards, flipped, everything, just wasnt going to work. So, I returned them and got some standard XJ Lower control arms on the way. Axle should be installed later this week/weekend.
Got the front axle wrapped up and installed with all new steering, suspension, seals, etc.
Had to spend a day bleeding and adjusting the front and rear brakes, installing the last minute items and whatnot, and also had to test the 4WD/AWD to make sure nothing funny was going on LOL
Next steps are stripping the exterior and getting all the cosmetics wrapped up.
Currently eliminating all the leaks and funny noises it makes, mainly power steering leak, and interior noises.
Currently eliminating all the leaks and funny noises it makes, mainly power steering leak, and interior noises.
If you've got the headliner removed, I found that adding foam weatherstripping in between the roof cross bars and the roof quiets things down a fair amount.
If you've got the headliner removed, I found that adding foam weatherstripping in between the roof cross bars and the roof quiets things down a fair amount.
Good idea! I will definitely do that, along with all the other sound deadening planned.
