1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 360c.i.d V8

Summary:

A real full sized SUV built by the company that invented the class

Faults:

We bought the Jeep in need of some care. We have made the following repairs:

The carburetor was replaced.

The electronic ignition system was replaced.

The radiator was replaced.

General Comments:

The original and best SUV ever built. Solid as a rock with an unmatched 4wd system. Styling that remains attractive 40 years after it was originally introduced.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th August, 2002

1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 360

Summary:

A great four wheell drive truck

Faults:

I had to put a starter on it.

It leaks some oil.

The tailgate will not come down and the back window will not stay up.

The only bad part is the gas usage I can get about four days on a full tank.

General Comments:

The four wheel drive is the best I have ever seen, it can get me out of almost any mud snow.

It has all the power you could want all you have to to is touch the gas and you are gone.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th August, 2002

1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 360 ci

Summary:

A unique vehicle ahead of it's time

Faults:

The previous owner was very old and did not take care of the Jeep as well as he used to. I had to install a new engine in it after I bought it.

Fuel gauge broken.

Headliner sagging.

Starting to show rust.

General Comments:

I bought the Jeep for $4000 even though I knew that I would need to replace the engine. I love the Grand Wagoneers that much. It cannot be beat off-road or in the snow with it's switchable full-time 4 wheel drive.

I use it for everything from hauling the family and the dog to the parents house or pulling an 18 foot ski boat to pulling fellow motorists out of snowbanks.

I will own it until I have to take it to the junkyard in pieces.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th May, 2002

1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 5.9 L V8

Summary:

A thrill to drive, off road and on, a pain every once and a while, especially on my wallet

Faults:

Oil pressure gauge, starter, small oil and transmission leaks that I can't seem to get rid of, bad grinding when switching into 4 low.

General Comments:

I LOVE this car. Taken, it does act like an old car, which I guess it is, but it often does surprise me offroad, pleasantly. It outperforms any newer Jeep (Wrangler, Cherokee) that I challenge on the trails. One complaint of mine is that the 4 wheel drive selector on the floor is mighty hard to get into low gear, and makes a really bad grinding sound, which makes me second guess my decision when I'm getting ready to climb a muddy hill. The interior is extremely comfortable, and it feels like I'm offroad in a Cadillac. Not a great highway car (8 mpg), but somehow Jeep maintained a very rugged car in this very attractive package. I wish Jeep would come up with another 4500 pound muscle four-wheeler like this.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th June, 2000

19th Apr 2001, 15:11

I agree, to put it in the low gear is quite difficult.

I have owned this car for 2 weeks and I haven't been able yet to try the low gear off road.

Do you have any suggestions?

Regards

cverrocchi@yahoo.it

8th Jun 2001, 09:39

I remember that grinding sound from my 78' Cherokee Quadra-trac. What octane gas do you normally use? My Cherokee's 360 V8 only drank 89.

Jpeter007@hotmail.com

27th Jun 2001, 18:33

Try putting the transmission in neutral prior to shifting. If that does not work then try shifting while the truck is just barely moving, (less than 1 MPH). The grinding noise is a result of the gears in the transfer case trying to mesh. Yes it is a chain driven transfer case, but gears are attached to the chain sprockets. As long as you don't force it into low range you should be O.K. No damage will be done. Model 208, and Quadra-Track Transfer cases are very strong and durable.

28th Jun 2001, 19:43

I agree with the last entry, as I have driven many, many jeeps, scouts, and other off-road vehicles. If you would care to, you may also stop your jeep on a slight downgrade prior to engaging low range and shut it off in neutral. Holding the brakes on. Then simply pull up on the lever and slowly release the brakes till' it goes into low range. Restart, and enjoy.

17th Oct 2005, 11:12

Yep, gotta keep those old 8 mpg monsters on the road. One consolation, those old Wagoneers rust so readily, their weight drops as more metal oxidizes, so mpg should improve as the curb weight goes down.

Although probably not enough to crack into the mid-teens.