1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer from North America - Comments

There are only two items I have encountered that I consider manufacturing defects with this vehicle:

1) Clear coat finish has begun to deteriorate (common).

2) Brake gravel/dust shield welds crack over time.

I believe the maintenance required by the following items is expected with a vehicle of this age:

3) Replaced the Alternator as it began to fail.

4) Replaced the water pump.

5) Aging vacuum lines requires regular attention / replacement.

6) Replaced drive shaft U-joints.

7) Carburetor requires tuning with the seasons.

8) Individual terminations of grounding wires require some attention to insure proper grounding.

I purchased my Grand Wagoneer to use solely as a fishing and hunting vehicle. It performs that task quite well. A typical fishing trip for me involves a 600 mile round trip to the cost and back. When at the coast, the Grand Wagoneer negotiates deep very soft sand quite well. I have never been fishing there and not seen a vehicle stuck in the sand. The Jeep is very capable off road.

The Jeep has also been very reliable and has not left me stranded. With a loving eye and attention to maintenance, aging parts can be easily and cheaply replaced before breaking.

We own two 1988 Grand Wagoneers. The first one we bought (blue one, mine), has always been mechanically sound, as long as we perform regular maintenance; frequent oil changes, carburator adjustments, regular fluid and line checks. The second one we bought, (white one, my man's) has always had special needs. Most recently we discovered the vacuum line and grounding issues you refer to. I wish I read this two years ago! Thanks for the confirmation! The Wagoneer wins!

My 1984 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was the most beautiful vehicle I had ever driven... or ridden in! I'd been driving it for six weeks and loved it completely when I discovered that the frame was almost rusted in half. I couldn't drive it any more. I went back to my little Ford car and continued searching for Jeeps. Many of the wagons have rusted floorboards. In my area, where there is a lot of salt on the roads in winter, this is a problem for some vehicles, but it seems, with wagons, more frequent than usual. THEY ARE STILL GRAND. They are absolutely the best and most beautiful vehicle I have ever known. I will own another one.

I agree with the rusting frame comment. The frame on my 89 Wagoneer had some rust problems where condensation was sealed between the frame and undercoating. I had the piece sister welded up - an area only about a foot long. No problems since.

I drive an 89 white Grand Wagoneer and it's nothing but the king of the road.

However, engine control systems require extra attention (vacuum hoses, valves, filters, etc...) The Motorcraft 2150 carburetor is a smooth one, but only if it's tuned every few months and that the exhaust heat riser valve and hot air choke tubes are working and in good shape.

There's no doubt about it, you feel great driving it on the highway, there's plenty of power when you have a 360 V8 under the hood. It has the most stylish interior and exterior with power eveything (all my power windows, locks, mirrors and seats work fine!)

The best thing to preserve this vehicle is to have it oil sprayed inside the body panels and underside. Especially the tailgate, as this prevents the window linkages from binding and rusting away.