1989 CJ8 Overlander rebody by Ssangyong (Korando)

by GNR
(Heidelberg, Germany)

I am 100% positive I own the black Korando K9 you have pictured above (about mid way down).

I found it last summer and put a ton of work into it, including a makeover. Here are some new images now that I have scrapped the chrome wheels and added new seats and a few other toys.

I just put it up for sale on Ebay Germany, this 1989 Jeep CJ8 Overlander 4x4 8-seater rebody by Ssangyong (You already know it was a 9-seater from the factory, but I converted mine to an 8-seater).

This Jeep was made under license of Jeep in Korea, and called the Korando K9-D. It was patterned after the rare long wheelbase Jeep CJ8 hardtop postal Jeep that only got imported to Alaska in small numbers.

I don't think it ever got imported to Germany but I found one last summer up near Holland. It has a Daewoo stamped motor, but every local mechanic swears that it is a Renault 2.3 liter diesel that gets over 30+mpg, and a wheel base of 115 inches, compared to the Land Rover Defender 110.

I put 8-9 months of hard work and scheming into it, including new leather seats from a late model Audi and new bench seats in the rear from a Land Rover Defender 110.

I got Toyota wheels in black steel, new lights, steel roof rack, endless other gadgets and mechanical work like straight through side exhaust and more than I have time to share here.

I bet you have never seen one before. It is not yet 25 years old, so this one can't be imported to the USA anytime soon, and I can't bring it with me when I move back to the states for the same reasons.

I have owned Land-Cruisers, Defenders, Patrols, you name it- but nothing has generated more looks and more conversation.


Larry's Comment: Your Korando K9-D definitely looks like the black '89 shown in the photo on this page.

It is a shame that you can't bring it back with you to the USA. It looks great!