Project Trail Wagon

[Gas4Blood]

Well I think I have finally done enough to this project to start a build thread. This project is my 1979 Jeep Wagoneer. I picked it up last summer with 78,000 original miles on the odometer. Sold the Scout and took that money to buy the parts I needed to start the build. Here is what I started with:

1979 Jeep Wagoneer
360 V-8
Turbo 400
Quadra-Trac T-case
Dana 44's front and rear

 

[Gas4Blood]

A couple days after bringing it home I placed an order with BJ's off road for one of thier 6 inch lift kits. I also called up Summit and ordered some 35x12.50x15" KM2's. Threw the tires on some chrome wagon spokes.

 

[Gas4Blood]

Took the Jeep over to my buddys house to install the lift. Got it all put together and did some fender trimming to fit the 35's. They reccomend not going any bigger than 33's with the 6 inch lift but I think waggys need to have at least a 35" to look right.

 

[Gas4Blood]

Took it out to test out the suspension and see if enough trimming had been done. It also makes a great camping rig! Air matress fits right in the back.

 

[Gas4Blood]

Some interior shots.

 

[Gas4Blood]

One thing that I really wanted to do cosmetically on the waggy was swap out the plastic grill and square headlights for an older "RAZOR" grill. Picked a clean one up at the junkyard for $40.

 

[Gas4Blood]

Next on the list was to fix what little rust there was in the body and finish my fender trimming. Once that was done I coated the bottom portion of the Wagoneer in bed liner and painted it brown.

 

[Gas4Blood]

Then I moved on to building a rear bumper/swing out tire carrier. Also got the exhaust re-done. Threw a 2.5" exhaust on it with a SUPER TURBO muffler. It was nice to finally be able to hear my motor!! haha.

 

[Gas4Blood]

I had been planning on swapping out the Q-Trac for a dana 20 and some dodge 3/4 ton axles. Then a buddy of mine found a wagoneer on Craigslist being parted out here in town. We went to look at it and found that it had a Q-trac that had a Mile Marker part time conversion kit in it. That kit alone is around $500. I picked up the whole T-case for $50. So then the plans changed and I decided to throw it in and keep my dana 44's and just re-gear them. Picked up these WARN Premiums as well.

 

[Gas4Blood]

Picked up these wheels from a buddy. Thought they gave it a real old school look. Flipped the white letters out on my KM2's.

 

[Gas4Blood]

Got the T-case all installed threw the hubs on. I then picked up a set of TJ Rubicon 4.10 gears. The thicker ring gear of the Rubicon gears allowed me to keep my stock carriers. I went from the stock 3.54 gears to 4.10s. Also ordered a YUKON SPARTAN locker for the rear axle.

 

[Gas4Blood]

Got the gears and locker installed this last weekend!! Cant wait to get it out on the trail and test it all out. Here are some more random pics of the jeep. I will post more as the build goes on.

 

[Gas4Blood]

Oh and the sweet AM/FM/CB radio I scored at the junkyard for $20!! It works great!

 

[Rock Hound!]

Sweet ride, looks like it is in very nice shape.

 

[notajeep]

I dig the radio/CB setup!

 

[Herzog]

I've always had a soft spot for Waggys. Nice build!

 

[SAMI]

Oh my good hell.. I love your rig!

That grill is badass for sure, nice taste. The paint scheme is also BA...

Well done!

You oughta try to get in the Relic Run 2010 with that beast!

 

[Gas4Blood]

Thanks for the comments guys!! I am loving this rig more and more each day!! I will look into that RELIC RUN. Sounds like a blast!!!

 

[Gravy]

cool old ride man

 

[jdub]

Great pimped wag. How is articulation wheeling and ride comfort for DD stuff?