Everyone loves the classic Jeep Grand Wagoneer of the 1970s and 1980s. Especially those woodgrain ones. But we can’t go back, Jeep won’t make them again, but the new ones are just not the same. However, there is a company in Michigan that is converting these coveted SUVs into EVs. 

Who is making the Jeep Wagoneer EV?

Ghost Garage is going to produce electric-powered 1989-1991 Jeep Grand Wagoneers. We don’t know a lot about the Ghost Garage Jeeps as specifics aren’t available. But we do know that the company’s engineers have come from Osirius Group. This company helps startups wind through the production processes and legal hoops of manufacturing an automobile. 

Osirius says the motivation to convert Grand Wagoneers is that its larger size is so practical, and the principals in the company liked the idea of remanufacturing Grand Wagoneers. An Osirius spokesperson told the Drive another purpose of the company is most of its work is confidential. It liked this project and wanted to attach itself to help publicize its company’s functions and abilities. Ghost Garage will only produce maybe 10 to 20 Grand Wagoneers, but it wants to strut its engineering and technology cred. 

Development is continuing on the first demonstrator. Specifics for motors or batteries are unknown. Osiris says they will be supplied by either an OE or Tier 1 supplier. It is already building up a supply of Grand Wagoneers to convert. 

Will the Grand Wagoneer EV have features like the 2022 version?

The range will be 250 miles, with many safety features added. It will also come with a 50,000-mile/three-year warranty. The price includes that initial cost and restoration, as well as the conversion. You’ll need $295,000 to purchase an example.

Customers will have some opportunities for customization, but the company wants to keep the exteriors as original-looking as possible. The spokesperson told the Drive, “If you want Recaro seats in it we’ll figure that out.” So interior upgrades appear to be a lot more open to modifications. Ghost Garage says that first deliveries will begin later in 2023, with “more specs to come.” 

Is an EV conversion that difficult?

While it may seem like overkill to have to engineer dropping in motors, controllers, and batteries into an old vehicle, it’s more complicated than that. Originally, the Grand Wagoneer had a 5.9-liter V8. It wheezed out only 140 mph. Conversely, an EV conversion represents around 500 hp. 

Ghost Garage is adding an additional 350+ hp to the vehicle. That means almost everything will need to have modifications to withstand that power. Otherwise, this sucker won’t last very long.

Other Grand Wagoneer EV conversions have already been done. But at least one of them was OE-backed and not meant for buyers. So there is a lot to develop to make this an almost $300,000 viable daily driver. We look forward to seeing the results.