Hi, for sale is a 1989 Grand Wagoneer. Enjoy the retro styling and head-turn factor that only a woody can provide.
This waggy has an Australian VIN, and was assembled at the Salisbury plant in Brisbane in the late 80’s. It had 3 owners prior to me. I bought her in 2010, just in time to prevent a mid-life crisis. The exterior and interior looked great (and still do), but beneath the stylish retro aesthetics was a little bit of wag-sag and a few maintenance issues common to the SJ.
Over the past 7 years, I have progressively worked through the mechanicals, focussing on replacing the wear items with quality parts and upgrading to modern tech where warranted. Here’s a summary, in approximate chronological order. All parts are new unless noted as rebuild. All works carried out by professional shops:
- Re-sprung rear leaf springs.
- Replaced countless miles of perished vacuum and air hoses.
- Ignition upgrade (MSI ignition module, TFI coil, distributor cap, spark plug leads, spacers).
- 3” stainless exhaust (from y-pipes back), cat converter and muffler.
- Carburettor rebuild (2100d).
- Steering box rebuild.
- Aluminium radiator and hoses.
- Bulltear V8 oil pump kit (timing cover, HRC oil pump gears, gaskets).
- Melling MTA-1 camshaft and lifters, pushrods.
- Cloyes double-roller timing chain and sprockets.
- Inner and outer window wipes, including tailgate.
- Bilstein 5125 shocks front and rear.
- Water pump.
- “War on Emissions” – complete replacement of everything emissions-related, including vapor canister, thermal switches, PCV valve, thermostat.
- Steering damper, sway bar bushings, sway bar end link bushings.
- A/C compressor, receiver drier, expansion valve.
- Bosch starter motor and ignition relay.
- Spring and shackle bushings.
- Rear windscreen sprayer hoses and pump.
- Windscreen wiper switch.
- Body mounts.
Full size photos available via file transfer upon request.
As a result, the car drives well and sounds great. Horsepower and mileage are as advertised from the factory. The original emissions system is intact, although fresh air injection to the cat is no longer necessary, so this is piped in downstream. Four-wheel drive works, as do the internal electricals (power seats, mirrors, windows, tailgate). The body is free from rust, and the paintwork is in good condition. The wood panelling is in nice shape too, and all the original wood trim pieces are still on the car.
For sale with a box of spare parts that includes a tail lamp lens, camshaft and matching lifters, 2 sets of key blanks, headlight switch, interior lamps, fuses, window flex tracks, OEM ignition module, and all kinds of gaskets. Full list of spares available on request.
What could be improved? Well, a few things; mostly small, all cosmetic, and none of which I have the space or time to do with a young family:
- There are a couple of scrapes in the paintwork, low on the passenger's side
- Door handle gaskets and door lock gaskets could be replaced (I have these spares)
- Minor panel damage above the spare tyre holder.
- A bit of leather cracking on the driver’s seat.
- Two of my wheel center caps have gone missing since I’ve had the car.
I have a roadworthy certificate, and registration is paid up until October.
In short, she’s a sweet ride with plenty of miles left in her, looking for a good home with a collector or enthusiast.
Regards
Evan
0413 191 241
1989 Grand Wagoneer
