1981 Pontiac Grand LeMans Safari Wagon

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motorheadmike

Geezer
Nov 18, 2009
8,976
27,522
113
Saskatchewan, Truckistan
2wd trailblazer driveshaft, that's one I haven't heard of. Aluminum too?

Your wagon gives me sellers remorse for selling mine lol ..

Dude, I have had one in my Monte for over a decade. Dafuq?
 
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motorheadmike

Geezer
Nov 18, 2009
8,976
27,522
113
Saskatchewan, Truckistan
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motorheadmike

Geezer
Nov 18, 2009
8,976
27,522
113
Saskatchewan, Truckistan
2wd trailblazer driveshaft, that's one I haven't heard of. Aluminum too?

Your wagon gives me sellers remorse for selling mine lol ..

I'll sell you mine.
 
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81cutlass

Comic Book Super Hero
Feb 16, 2009
4,639
13,542
113
Western MN
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5spdCab

Royal Smart Person
Dec 29, 2019
1,190
1,989
113
Tukwila, Wa.
Finally found a home for the 8.5” I picked up about 4 years ago. On and off worked on cleaning it up since getting it (including snapping the cross pin bolt, fun) and after planning on putting it in the wagon last summer I freshened it up, internals looked good to me so just axle bearings, replaced one axle with a better used original one I had, longer studs, and a good wire wheeling. The last couple weeks started the swap, picked up a driveshaft from a 2005 Trailblazer 2wd, snug fit but works. Test run this morning and no loud noises, fell off or leaked so it passes the test. Need to bleed the brakes, the speed bleeders I like to use and bought don’t fit, the new wheel cylinders apparently take a slightly different thread or pitch than stock.

New Ridetech arms in the rear too, sits slightly lower for some reason now as well. I also put on 1/2” spacers on each side after noticing the passenger side rubbed the inner wheelwell very slightly with the 5mm spacers I had been using.

Behaves well with the 3.73’s, can get out of it’s own way a bit better now, I wouldn’t want to take it on the freeway (ok, interstate) but feels good up to 50 or so.

View attachment 177749
Sometimes the bleeder screws are metric, sometimes standard.
 
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Burd

Greasemonkey
Apr 7, 2021
248
228
43
Detroit
Dang, PHS’d it too, nice. I wonder if there’s any wagons at Norwalk when the Ames natz rolls thru.
pretty cool.
 
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Burd

Greasemonkey
Apr 7, 2021
248
228
43
Detroit
Check it out, I bought 2 tubs of lit off a Pontiac guy that recently passed away, here’s your wagon in the 81 full line,
you dont get Burt sitting on it, lol. The guy who had the lit, was at this pic shoot, he kept the front plate when everyone walked away. Sold it for 2G. Lmfao.
 

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PBGBodyFan

G-Body Guru
Mar 3, 2009
792
1,220
93
Wisconsin
There is an 81’ Grand LeMans wagon on eBay in TN really similar to mine right now, same colors and was a woody with it all faded off. A little better optioned, 301 and came with the roof rack, rear speakers, rear air deflector, split bench and fancier hubcaps 😆. Looks solid, great starting point. Seller also has a 83’ Bonneville wagon with some nice options too.

 

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PBGBodyFan

G-Body Guru
Mar 3, 2009
792
1,220
93
Wisconsin
Wasn't planning on it at first, after the rear end swap the rear end dropped a good .5", maybe more, I decided to get Ridetech coilovers in the rear....I guess I'm going for Ridetech sponsorship on this car :D. Probably the stock arms binding enough to keep that stance, which was about perfect, only thing I can think of. Once the free moving Ridetech arms were in it dropped just enough. Got the coilovers cranked up, not much higher than it was but pretty happy, about even with the front. Will play with the shock valving, only one way adjustable. And due to the coilover change I had to remove the tailpipe for clearance, and found a muffler of the same specs on Walker's website only 4" shorter, got that and a new pipe, an adapter and am back in business with full exhaust, although the connection on the muffler inlet is just a clamp so condensation splatters on my new shiny coilover. First world problems. Not wanting to put any money into this exhaust, for now anyway, and like it quieter.

Plan is to bring the wagon to the Elkorn, WI swap meet/car show July 31st, BOP cars are the theme. That will probably be the last drive for the Buick 3.8/200C and then it goes under the knife.
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78GP400

Greasemonkey
Mar 2, 2017
130
289
63
Hartville, Ohio
The upgrades you’ve done so far have been awesome! Great job on the interior, really is pushing me to get buckets and console also. Gotta be a great handling machine. The wheels are perfect too, great job!
 
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