1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer review from North America

Drivers side window raise/lower track (fixed once by dealer under warranty and once repaired it myself.

Intake manifold gasket leaking coolant, replaced intake manifold gasket. It was leaking because one of the bolts holding it on had snapped off due to over-tightening at factory.

Rubber body mount bushing missing in back, easy repair.

Automatic choke wire shorted out to engine block, melting engine wiring harness.. (nightmare!!!) This was the lowest point of my Jeep experience, happened out in the Mojave desert near Baker, California in July, hot as blazes. Had to have dealer replace engine wiring harness $600 parts and labor.

Alternator replaced.

Water pump replaced.

Clear coat on paint went bad, had vehicle repainted same Burgundy color, at a cost of $1600.

Headliner started sagging, replaced by headliner shop for $175.

The rear tailgate switch had a factory safety recall that I never got around to having done.

Engine makes pinging noise during warm weather and after driving at highway speeds, has done it for some time, but is getting worse.

The heater fan seems to drag down the alternator voltage a lot, especially when engine is at idle.

Indicator for 4 wheel drive failed, but was a very easy fix, just unscrews from bottom of transfer case.

The engine runs very rich, and emits very foul-smelling exhaust due to unburned hydrocarbons, she passed a recent smog test by the skin of her teeth, showing 150 ppm unburned hydrocarbons which is the exact limit set by the Great State of California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Rear tailgate has always been problematic, the rubber moulding seems to catch on the window then"snaps" back with a startling sound.

The rear window defroster shorted out long ago, and is one thing I've never gotten around to fixing since I live in coastal California I don't have much need for it.

The plunger-switches that turn on the dome light when doors are opened always get rusty and get poor connections. have to clean them frequently with emery cloth.

At one point engine got so it had no power. I finally found out that catalytic converter was plugged up (probably caused by unburned gas in exhaust). Replaced cat converter and the engine was like new.

A plate that goes between carburetor and intake manifold got a crack in it and was leaking air, sapping engine performance. Replaced that and that helped engine performance also.

The power doors locks always have been a little stiff and not worked smoothly.

Also, the power window lifts get so they don't work well on windows that are not opened and closed often.

I have always loved Grand Wagoneers and still do. I bought my 1988 new in December 1988, I've never driven it a lot, it has just turned over 50,000 miles on the odometer.

Both interior and exterior are in excellent condition.

Always has gotten about 10 miles per gallon in city, and about 15 on highway, regardless of speed.

The transmission has always shifted perfectly, and the 4 wheel drive has always performed perfectly also. The drive-train has really been the most reliable part of this vehicle.

I live in the city, but once in a while I do take it out in to the desert and mountains for fishing trips or exploring old mining camps, it's very capable off road, I've never had to use the low range of transfer case. The one thing I wish it had was a skid plate under front of engine and transfer case, it has absolutely not protection in that area from rocks, etc.

The vinyl wood decal looks great on these trucks in my opinion. They also serve a very useful function as anyone who has driven through heavy brush knows, they protect the paint from being scratched by passing brush.

I have driven on snow and ice, it takes off great, but you have to be careful when stopping or making turns. It's best to use chains all around if you are on compacted snow or ice and driving at any speed.

These cars do deteriorate as they age, and it seems like many people just accept that and use them for a rough and tumble utility type vehicle, which I think contributes to their steep depreciation in value.

I think one of the worst parts of this vehicle is the emission control system,

it's just a maze of vacuum lines and relays.

Some of the best features are comfortable seats, lots of headroom, good visibility, lots of lo-end power,

classic lines, inexpensive parts, and ease of repairs (usually).

I have no intention of selling this car,

but would like sometime to change it to fuel injection and also add anti-lock brakes, and maybe rear disk brakes.