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LS2-Powered 1989 Jeep Wrangler Laredo Heads to Auction
A restored 1989 Jeep Wrangler Laredo, fitted with a 6.0-litre LS2 V8 and a host of off-road upgrades, is being offered for sale with a build sheet and a clean North Carolina title.
By Eleanor Ellington · 4 min read
A 1989 Jeep Wrangler Laredo that has been comprehensively rebuilt and modified with a 6.0-litre LS2 V8 is being offered for sale, bringing a piece of American off-road engineering to the auction market. The truck, finished in Honda Graphite Metallic over grey upholstery, was refurbished under prior ownership and later appeared on the third season of the television programme FantomWorks.
The build began with the body being removed from the frame, with both refinished before reassembly. The wiring was replaced, high-back bucket seats were installed, and a custom audio system was added alongside AutoMeter instrumentation. The engine swap was completed in 2014, when the LS2 V8 was fitted with Sanderson shorty-style exhaust headers and an aluminium radiator with an electric cooling fan. The engine is linked to a 4L65E four-speed automatic transmission and an NP231 dual-range transfer case.
Off-road capability has been strengthened with a front Eaton E-locker, a nine-inch rear axle, a rear ARB air locker and Yukon 4.56:1 gears. The suspension features Rubicon Express leaf springs and SkyJacker shocks, while stopping power comes from four-wheel disc brakes with a Wilwood brake proportioning valve and a Grand Cherokee-sourced brake booster. The truck rides on 18-inch Eagle Alloy wheels mounted with 285/70 Rolling Big Power Repulsor R/T tyres installed in 2025.
Exterior equipment includes a Bestop soft top, an ARB bull bar, an X-Bull winch with a synthetic line, a Tuffy hood lock, an onboard air compressor, a receiver hitch, Bushwacker fender flares, LED auxiliary lights and an XRC rear bumper with a swing-away tyre carrier. Inside, the Smittybilt XRC front high-back bucket seats are trimmed in black vinyl and grey cloth, and the cabin features a floor-mounted Lokar shifter, a locking centre console, a toggle switch panel, a roll bar, an overhead console, a Bluetooth receiver, Pioneer speakers, Alphasonik subwoofers and USB power ports. A custom steering wheel frames AutoMeter Ultra-Lite II instrumentation, including a 160-mph speedometer and gauges for fuel level, coolant temperature, oil temperature, oil pressure and battery voltage.
Recent work in 2025 has included replacing the shocks, front and rear brake pads and rotors, the starter motor, battery, air filter and battery cables, as well as fluid services for the transmission and transfer case. The digital odometer shows 2,000 miles, although the seller states the mileage is not accurate and the total mileage is unknown. The truck is offered with a build sheet and a clean North Carolina title, and the Carfax report is free of accident or damage entries.
The Wrangler Laredo represents a high point of the YJ generation, which was produced from 1987 to 1995 and marked Jeep’s move to rectangular headlights. This example’s combination of a modern V8, uprated axles and lockers, and a detailed cosmetic restoration places it firmly in the restomod tradition, where classic silhouettes are paired with contemporary performance and reliability. For buyers seeking a turnkey off-roader with proven television build credentials, this Wrangler offers a compelling package.
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