View Full Version : '88 - '91 Grand Waqoneer - decent tow vehicle?
I like the looks of these older heavy metal war wagons. Has anyone owned one as a tow vehicle? How are they as far as reliability and maintenance? Any other feedback? Do they have sufficient braking? I'd be towing a 18'er w/ 150hp - no trailer brakes.
Good luck at the emission test lane!!!
Marbli
11-14-2002, 03:10 PM
You are looking at one of the most expensive maintanance vehicles you could fine. I would avoid this at all costs!
HARSH
11-14-2002, 04:40 PM
Contact Steve Fellegy. Steve has run Wagoneers as long as I can remember. He is the one to talk to about Jeep Wagoneers. Sorry,I do not have his E-mail address. How about it Steve, you out there?
steve(IL)
11-14-2002, 05:41 PM
Couldn't a decent mechanic keep it in tune? What sort of thing makes it fail?
Hogslammer
11-14-2002, 05:47 PM
I agree with Marbli, I bought a brand new 1988 Grand Wagoneer. Worst vehicle I have ever owned, by far. This is one high maintenance vehicle that is poorly engineered. I would also recommend that you avoid this particular vehicle at all cost.
Wow!! Am I glad I asked! Thanks for the feedback.
Dutchman
11-14-2002, 07:30 PM
I pull a 20' tin boat with mine. It does tow well, but you sure do pay to feed those pony's. 6-8 mpg tops. 11 mpg without anything in tow. Mines been paid for for years, so paying for gas verses a new truck payment keeps me running this one. Only maintinance has been brakes and u-joints. It's got 145000 on it now. Sure would like to get a crew cab Ford F250 with a Duramax though. I think I almost got the wife talked into it :)
" Fishing is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope "
NO! A decent mechanic won't do.You need an experienced pro.who is also a miracle worker at locating parts.Most of those familiar with that vehicle are retired or too old to bend over those high fenders.Plus they don't work cheap and most guys I know named Sven are tight fisted.Call a local parts store and check price and availability of a radiator,air pump or cat.converter for a Grand Wagoneer and compare to the same parts for a Bronco or Suburban.I think you'll see a problem.Sven won't be towing his boat ecery weekend.I could be wrong but I don't believe an EFI system was ever developed for this model which means it used the same emissions technology it developed in the early'80's;primative and inaffective and impossible to find replacement parts. They are nice riding,strong running trucks.Once again,good luck to Sven.I hear his mechanic will use the money he makes on repairs to buy a new F-150.(black/tan w/tan interior)
T-Mac
11-15-2002, 03:19 PM
Now here's a question right up your alley...you old Jeep man!
:-)
Let me ad my 2 cents. The older Jeeps with the big towing motor really got poor milage and I can tell you from experence the new ones are no better. My 02 Grand is the worst move I ever made, I leave a spare key in it at all times just hoping somebody else wants it more than I do(just kidding) but I really wish I had my 01 F-150 sitting in the garage.
Big Al
Hangman
11-19-2002, 07:56 PM
Hey Dutchman: Not meaning to be a smart aleck, but you might have a hard time putting a GM Duramax in a Ford. The first thing you would have to do is take the Powerstroke out. LOL
All these horror stories are true. Mine was the worst vehicle ever. Big gas eating, super doggy prehistoric lumps. Did not tow well. Don't do it!
stevefellegy
11-20-2002, 05:59 AM
Sven,
Now I might know a whole lot about fishin', but the big Jeeps....well.... that where I got just a little experience.
I am driving my nineth Grand Wagoneer since 1973, when I got my first one. I put them through ##### for about 160-180,000 miles and throw'em away. I tow my boat with them everywhere and hunt with them where hipboots gets stuck. And one time a drunk hit me head-on goin' 80 miles per hour and me goin' 55, neither one of used the breaks, and my dashboard never moved. The big Jeep is why am here today.
Tough to keep running? High cost to keep running? I hear this often but I really don't find them any different than the rest. They need sparkplugs once and awhile and new oil. I run mine about 55-60 pullin' my boat. They are not new enough to have the heavy duty trannys for high speed towing of a 18-19' foot boats. So I get there a few minutes later than the rest of the boys (and girls). 10 miles per gallon towing, 12 miles per gallon without the boat. The turning radius is the best on the road. I like that at the ramp and in the woods. Jeeps? I will be driving them old boys til there ain't one on the continent to own. Get in touch if you have any more questions on the big bad boys they call Jeeps.