Jeep Grand Wagoneer?

**k6uk** · 05-02-2006, 02:16 AM

A good friend of mine is thinking of following me up to Alaska in a minty Jeep Grand Wagoneer he spotted the other day being sold by "a little old lady" who has apparently babied it for the last decade and a half.

My question is mostly about reliability - but also any other info you guys might have on it's performance. I know it will guzzle gas like crazy, but other than that would a Wagoneer make a decent expedition vehicle? It sure is retro-huge, and will look pretty cool lifted a bit.

Here's a photo of a similar truck just to make this thread bearable:

-Mike

**BKCowGod** · 05-02-2006, 04:20 AM

Other than electrical crap up the yin-yang, they are supposed to be dirt reliable, from back in the days BC (before chrysler). There's a huge aftermarket following as well - google up FSJ (for full size jeeps) and you'll find a lot of really hot waggoneers...

**Nullifier** · 05-02-2006, 02:51 PM

I owned one for 2 years. It was the best and worst vehicle I ever owned. It was the best because I had gobs of power for towing and tons of space for gear. It was the worst because it flat out killed me in repair work. If it could have gone wrong it did. I had problems across the boards with power windows, carbs, starters, alternators, windshiled wipers, radiators, and to many other issues.

The sad part is after I decided to just build a whole new drive train for it I had installed a new 360 I built all new bolt on's, new radiator exhaust wiring harnesses. I got tired of dealing with it I sold it as is unfinished for 1800.00 I saw the damn thing 6 months ago and the couple that bought it are now G.W. freaks. They have 3. Said the truck I sold them has been the most reliable vehicle they have ever owned LOL! They got it repainted and the interior redone. THey told me in 140K the only thign they had to fix was the alternator. Guess in hind sight I should have finished the build. I lost so much money on the damn rig. Oh well. Glad some one got good use out of it.

I want to get another one but I will seriously consider buying one and convert it to cummings deisel. since the gas only gets about 14 MPG.

I would say reliability is low especially if it's one used by a little old lady that hasn't been pushed hard. Generally speaking it is my experience that an older "babied" vehicle tends to fall apart when pushed hard.

How much do they want for it? I know they are pricey since they are now some what collectable. Oh and by the way the ones that are 87 and later you'll have a hard time getting lifts etc for it. It seemed to me that the 86 and older ones have much better after market support.

**60seriesguy** · 05-02-2006, 05:10 PM

We had one of these when I was growing up, we used to call it "The Pumpkin" because you couldn't drive it after midnight, inevitably something (usually electric) would go wrong and we'd get stranded. Very powerful V8 that drank fuel like it was going out of fashion, roomy, comfortable interior, odd visibility over the vast hood, easy driver on the highway although ours wallowed like a happy hippo.

Their electrical issues were legendary, my dad's friend had one of these burn completely (and quite suddenly) while on a fishing expedition in the Venezuelan llanos. I don't think they stack up to the newer Cherokees (the boxy ones).

I too have seen their "collectibility" rise in the last few years, there's a couple of vendors out there getting BIG bucks for gently-used and semi-restored ones.

I also agree that "gently used" vehicles can be deceiving, I would much rather take a well-used, well-maintained vehicle, even if it's a little rough around the edges.

**k6uk** · 05-03-2006, 08:08 AM

Well the electrical problems do sound daunting.
The good part is that the lady only wants $2100 for it.
All the maintenance has been done at the local jeep dealer, and she claims there are no issues with it. But who knows what is lurking?
But cosmetically it looks really good, even the simulated wood panels look like new.

It's a 1991 I believe - the last production year - too bad there are not as many lift/mod options on the later models.

Well - maybe I'll go test drive it and bring it to my mechanic. At least I know to look for electrical problems!

-Mike

**Nullifier** · 05-03-2006, 09:56 PM

**** for 2100 I'd jump on it. I mean lets say that realistically you buy a reliable vehicle and do basic mods you will have 10k in it real quick. I'm sure for 8500 you could turn it into something reliable and cool!

**Doin_It** · 05-03-2006, 10:40 PM

we used to call it "The Pumpkin" because you couldn't drive it after midnight, inevitably something (usually electric) would go wrong and we'd get stranded

So tell me, in a big 'ol possible love boat like "The Pumkin" how many girls did the "we're stranded line" work for ya would you say?

**turboale** · 06-22-2006, 04:59 AM

Originally Posted by Doin_It

So tell me, in a big 'ol possible love boat like "The Pumkin" how many girls did the "we're stranded line" work for ya would you say?

This coming from "doin_it"? Priceless...

To keep this OT, what happened with the ol' lady's Waggy?

**oldcj5guy** · 10-16-2006, 09:27 PM

I actually use a grand wag as my tow rig. I also owna j-truck and have owned mostly fsj's over the last 10yrs. There is a bit of aftermarket support for them. For a trip like that I would definitely crawl under and check out he gas tank skid and plan on replacing it. If it gives the tank drops, and that is definitely a possibility. You might also look up the TFI upgrade on the ifsja site. It gives a bit more power and reliability. By far one of my more favorite rigs. When we get ready to head out, the expedition is left at home and the gw gets loaded.

www.bjsoffroad.com - lift kits and replacement stuff for fsj
www.ifsja.org - forum like this, except for full size jeeps. lots of good tech
www.zmjeeps.com - more parts and such.

If you guys have more questions on fsj stuff, feel free to email me.

Thread: Jeep Grand Wagoneer?

Thread Tools

Display