84 G-Wag LS Swap

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Topic author
miikey23
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2021 10:07 pm

84 G-Wag LS Swap

Post by miikey23 »

Background: I had an old mid 80's wagoneer back around 2007, bought for $700, drove it for a few months, ended up with rod knock and a bad trans from being towed in gear (indicator was off), and sold for $700! Always missed how unique that truck was to drive, and kept an eye out for a decent priced one.
Fast forward to 2021 and a buddy had this 1984 Grand Wagoneer that he took in for trade for work from a co-worker. No major rust aside from the tailgate, pretty straight body and it ran/drove. Ended up picking it up for $5k. Straight 6, 727 and 229 t-case.

However, it had pretty bad piston slap, or maybe loose rocker or something, so I enjoyed trying to make it to freeway speeds for a few days before thinking about a swap. Ive always dreamed about doing a 4bt swap, but prices are ridiculous now so settled up on a cheaper and easier LS swap that are now commonplace. So, I started my search, and came across an '03 Suburbabn 1500 4wd for $2500, paid $2k, parted out the interior/shell bringing the cost down to $700 for the driveline stuff I wanted. Later I sold the NP264 for another $200 bringing the total down to $500 for everything!

Once all that was pulled, along with everything else I could think of that I might be able to salvage, I had it towed away by a guy who wanted the windows and glass. This left room in the driveway to pull the Waggy up and start the exorcism. Most of the wiring was easy to get out once the motor was out, previous owners hacked up the electronics and were running a 2bbl weber instead. Pretty easy and straight forward, and GREASY.
E36D19D5-AAF8-48A5-8779-134019DBB2B9_1_105_c.jpeg
I had ordered the Jeepin Pete mount and frame horns, so I cut out the old ones and cleaned up some of the old grease, dirt and who knows what in the engine bay, tunnel and frame rails. I slapped the 241 on the back on the 4l60 and bolted everything back together, and lifted it into position. Fits like a glove, aside from breaking the rear drivers side coil on the brake booster...

Just the engine first, to get an idea about frame horn placement.
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Then the whole shebang.
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Trans mount landed almost identical location as stock. Wood block will be replaced with stock 4l60 mount.
C9BA4B08-0733-4105-967A-E230589BC1C5_1_105_c.jpeg
So far, so good. The easy part is almost over, haha. I should have a new blazer tank and pump assembly arriving shortly, pulled the stock tank and fuel lines out today as well. Saved the quick disconnect hard lines from the suburban, may repurpose those. Planning on running stock radiator and electric fan. Debating going to hydroboost, or possibly making new coil brackets. Still debating cable vs DBW, I have the components but the pedal is an adjustable one thats huge and not gonna work, so Ill have to buy one.

Next few items:
-S10/Blazer fuel tank/pump install
-Fuel lines and filler neck
-Paint motor mounts
-Drill trans crossmember/mount
-Install intake, p/s and alt bracket
-Decided on throttle pedal
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Topic author
miikey23
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2021 10:07 pm

Re: 84 G-Wag LS Swap

Post by miikey23 »

Apparently you can only add so many pics to one post, so here are a few from the first post that are missing:

The Beast! 1984 Grand Wagoneer, clapped out 4.2 straight six, leaky 727 trans and NP229 t-case.
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Dude Approved!
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03 Suburban 1500,5.3 LM7, 4l60E with NP264 auto-4wd t-case. 180k miles on it, drove it home!
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NP241C t-case pickup up on CL for $25, rebuild kit cost me $70.
123D32D2-3FA3-4FB1-9A8A-1C61175D0ADE_1_105_c.jpeg
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dodgerammit
Posts: 1434
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2017 11:20 pm
Location: Middle TN

Re: 84 G-Wag LS Swap

Post by dodgerammit »

Welcome to the FSJ group and welcome to the LS club!

I just replaced my 229 in my 84 with a 242. I also LS swapped my rig. Kept the 727 since it had just been rebuilt. Thought the 229 was okay, but discovered a failing viscous clutch a few weeks after the swap.

I can highly recommend Tom Woods driveshafts if you don't have a local place. Just installed one of theirs in the rear of the Wag after the case swap.
84 Grand Waggy-Radio Flyer (Garnet Red/3M Ebony Metallic woodgrain, with honey interior) AMC 360 :cry: 2004 4.8LS/Advance Adapter/727/242 D44/AMC20 Serehill tailgate and headlight harnesses :fsj: Ongoing thread-viewtopic.php?t=11897

92 Wrangler Islander 4.0/32RH/231 D30/D35 RHD
User avatar

devildog80
Posts: 1070
Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2022 2:41 pm
Location: Apache Junction AZ

Re: 84 G-Wag LS Swap

Post by devildog80 »

Hey Guys,
Nice work going there, and will be following, as I just brought home my own '84 Grand Wagoneer this past weekend.

I already have an '81 CJ5 Base that I enjoy working on and driving, but when the Waggy was found.....could not pass it up.

So, I am looking for any and all pdf/print TSM information I can find, as Oljeep.com does not have a TSM for this truck.

Does anybody have info you could send? IM me and I will get you my email, or address, as I need to get my library put together for reference.

Thanks
'81 CJ5 Base, 258 I6, MC2100, T176 4 spd, 300 TC, D30 Front NT, 3.31, 2-Piece AMC 20 rear NT, 3.31, 4" high arc spring lift
'84 Grand Wagoneer, 401 V8 (.030 over), MC2150 HA Comp, 727 auto, Selec-trac NP229, AMC 20 REAR - D44 FRONT - WT 3.31, 4" high arc spring lift
Rather be driving, than waiting to be modified

Topic author
miikey23
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2021 10:07 pm

Re: 84 G-Wag LS Swap

Post by miikey23 »

Only thing I have is the Haynes manual for mine, otherwise I just search this forum/google. But a TSM would be nice!
User avatar

devildog80
Posts: 1070
Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2022 2:41 pm
Location: Apache Junction AZ

Re: 84 G-Wag LS Swap

Post by devildog80 »

I went to Oljeep.com and uploaded the 1982 TSM, just something more to have as base info.
'81 CJ5 Base, 258 I6, MC2100, T176 4 spd, 300 TC, D30 Front NT, 3.31, 2-Piece AMC 20 rear NT, 3.31, 4" high arc spring lift
'84 Grand Wagoneer, 401 V8 (.030 over), MC2150 HA Comp, 727 auto, Selec-trac NP229, AMC 20 REAR - D44 FRONT - WT 3.31, 4" high arc spring lift
Rather be driving, than waiting to be modified

Topic author
miikey23
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2021 10:07 pm

Re: 84 G-Wag LS Swap

Post by miikey23 »

I thought that site was down since it was talked about, and then doesnt load on Chrome, but tried it on Safari and it works fine, weird. Downloaded as well!
User avatar

devildog80
Posts: 1070
Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2022 2:41 pm
Location: Apache Junction AZ

Re: 84 G-Wag LS Swap

Post by devildog80 »

I can get it to open on chrome, just need to slide the bar at the bottom over to right side of the screen to see the main page.

Since shooting the flare for help finding TSM, I went through all the extra stuff in the back of it, and found a TSM, Hayes manual, and a couple other reference manuals, so good to go now.

Also found a lot of other parts, from the 360 that was in the truck, and I have listed on my build "84 Grand Wagoneer Revival"

Thanks for the help, and will be following your progress, and posting more on mine :)
'81 CJ5 Base, 258 I6, MC2100, T176 4 spd, 300 TC, D30 Front NT, 3.31, 2-Piece AMC 20 rear NT, 3.31, 4" high arc spring lift
'84 Grand Wagoneer, 401 V8 (.030 over), MC2150 HA Comp, 727 auto, Selec-trac NP229, AMC 20 REAR - D44 FRONT - WT 3.31, 4" high arc spring lift
Rather be driving, than waiting to be modified

Topic author
miikey23
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2021 10:07 pm

Re: 84 G-Wag LS Swap

Post by miikey23 »

Not a whole lot has gotten done;
To-Do List:
-S10/Blazer fuel tank/pump install - Sitting in the garage
-Paint motor mounts - Painted
-Drill trans crossmember/mount - Drilled, lined up great.
-Install intake, p/s and alt bracket - Whole once again.
-Decided on throttle pedal - GM Diesel DBW, used by C10 guys, same bolt pattern as ours
-Finish up wiring harness
-Send ECU out to "unlock/tune"
-Order driveshaft/front shaft adapter
-Fab column shifter adapter
-Fab transfer case adapter


Still working the wiring harness, I have a few more wires Im trying to figure out where they need to go. I've been using LT1swap.com for the most part which has been great, but missing some details with retaining A/C, and some factory features. Also Park/Neutral Safety Switch wiring seems to be different from all the diagrams I've seen. Also pulled out the ECU and old engine wiring, cleaned out the body wiring junction block, f#$% that Cosmoline gunk!

Talked to the guys over at Tow Woods, they were super helpful and will be placing an order with them soon for the new driveshaft and adapter for the front shaft.

Put the front clip on to get some idea of mounting the ECU, TAC module, radiator stuff. The stock trans cooler and bracket from the 'burban fits perfectly in the front grill opening. Also used the stock hard trans cooler lines which end just past the front of the engine, perfect spot to transition to soft lines to bridge the gap to under the radiator.

About 80% done rewiring
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Looking Good
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Stock Suburban Trans Cooler and Bracket Fits perfect
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GM Diesel Pedal
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