Elite Dealer

1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

San Diego, California

$40,900

Vehicle Details

Make

Jeep

Model

Grand Wagoneer

Year

1988

VIN

1JCNJ1SUXJTO4485

Body Type

Other

Description

1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Iconic Jeep Wagoneer
Custom Touches
Runs Great

Luxury SUVs are nothing new, but when the Jeep Wagoneer came out in 1963, it was something genuinely different. Combining the rugged attributes of a truck with the luxury of a sedan made for a unique, segment breaking vehicle. So successful was the model that it survived until 1991.
In nearly three decades of production, the Jeep's architecture changed little. Sporting a body-on-frame design with solid axles and leaf springs all around, Power was delivered to all four wheels via a viscous coupling center differentials allowing rear-wheel drive only operation for a bit of added fuel economy. Off road the Jeep was capable of going toe-to-toe with a new Range Rover and on road its handling proved more adequate.
Powering this Grand Wagoneer is a muscular 5.9L V8 engine mated to a smooth-shifting 3-speed A727 Torqueflite automatic transmission. The 4x4 drivetrain stands ready for off-road excursions. Under the hood, you'll find a stock setup with power steering and brakes. The single exhaust with a factory-style replacement muffler provides a subtle rumble. Leaf spring suspension with shocks on all corners delivers a comfortable ride whether you're cruising highways or tackling rough terrain.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• 5.9L V8 Engine
• 3-Speed Automatic Transmission (A727 Torqueflite)
• 4x4 Drivetrain
• Power Brakes
• Leaf Spring Suspension with Shocks
• Burgundy Paint with Brushed Touched Wood
• Woodgrain Paneling
• 15' Wheels
• 235/75R15 All-Terrain Tires
• Honey Leather Interior
• Bucket Seats with Folding Armrest
• Power Windows and Locks
• AM/FM Cassette Player
• Air Conditioning (inop)
• Power Steering
• Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel

This 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer combines V8 power, 4x4 capability, and classic styling. With its well-preserved interior, strong drivetrain, and iconic design, it's a versatile SUV that's equally at home on city streets or mountain trails. This particular example has some unique custom touches to set itself apart which include is top tier high level interior fitted in a beautiful diamond stitch pattern, and a hand brushed woodgrain exterior to replace the original paneling that often chips and flakes away.

Vehicle is in very Solid condition has some patina, chips, nicks, etc all light and average, as one would expect from an 1988 example. Surprisingly virtually everything works with the exception of its AC, Rear window from its key switch but does work from its interior master switch, passenger driver door lock and we recommend a vehicle tune up as it has been sitting but runs great on the highway we drove it over 40 miles the day we picked it up.

Jeep Grand Wagoneer Buyer's Guide

Full guide

Robert Halloran

Classic Trucks

1963–1991

~3 min read

Updated Apr 2026

The Jeep Grand Wagoneer invented the luxury SUV category 30 years before anyone thought to call it that, a full-size 4WD station wagon with wood paneling and a leather interior that set the template every luxury SUV has followed ever since.

This guide covers

✓ 8-point inspection checklist

✓ Common issues & what to avoid

✓ In-person inspection guide

✓ Market pricing by year & condition

✓ 4 FAQs answered

✓ History & fun facts

Read the Full Grand Wagoneer Buyer's Guide

Jeep Grand Wagoneer Market Overview

Based on 21 Jeep Grand Wagoneer listings currently on ClassicCarsArena.com

Listed Now

$27,039

Avg. Asking Price

1964–1993

Year Range

Price Position on Our Site - Above Average

This car: $40,900

Low: $5,295 High: $75,995

Transmission Distribution

Automatic 81%

Manual 10%

Condition Distribution

Excellent 14%

Good 19%

Fair 5%

Data from ClassicCarsArena.com listings Browse all 21 listings →

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Jeep Grand Wagoneer Buyer's Guide

Robert Halloran here. I want to be direct: the Jeep Grand Wagoneer is the most important SUV in history. Not the Range Rover (which came later), not the Ford Bronco (which was smaller), and certainly not the Toyota Land Cruiser (which was stripped by comparison). The Wagoneer proved in 1963 that a 4WD vehicle could have air conditioning, power windows, leather seats, and wood paneling, and buyers would pay for the combination. Every Range Rover, every Cadillac Escalade, and every Lincoln Navigator owes its existence to the Wagoneer concept.

The Grand Wagoneer name was applied in 1984 to distinguish the original full-size wagon from the smaller Cherokee-based Wagoneer. But collectors use "Grand Wagoneer" to cover the entire 1963–1991 production run of the original full-size body. This guide covers that complete run.

What to Check Before Buying

✓

Wood Panel Condition , Inspect wood panels for vinyl delamination and probe the steel substrate edges for rust.

✓

Frame Rust , Inspect the full frame length for rust and cracks at body mount points.

✓

4WD System , Test Quadra-Trac or Selec-Trac engagement, both high and low ranges should function smoothly.

✓

AMC 360 Oil Leaks , Check for rear main seal and head gasket leaks, inspect the bellhousing area and under the exhaust manifolds.

✓

Power Accessories , Test all power windows and door locks, actuator failures are common on older examples.

✓

Carburetor Condition , Cold start and warm idle should be smooth: Carter or Motorcraft carbs need rebuilding on unrestored trucks.

✓

AC System , Note whether AC uses original R-12 (requires conversion) or has been converted to R-134a.

✓

Body-on-Frame Mounts , Check body mount rubber bushings, deteriorated mounts cause body flex and squeaks.

Common Issues

Wood panel vinyl delamination and underlying steel rust, the most common visible deterioration. Frame rust from road salt exposure on northern trucks. Quadra-Trac 4WD system seal leaks and engagement issues. AMC 360 rear main seal leaks. Power window and door lock actuator failures. Carburetor deterioration on high-mileage unrestored examples. Air conditioning system R-12 freon conversion requirement.

What to Look For

The wood panel condition is the most visible indicator of care, delaminating vinyl is a warning sign about overall maintenance quality. Inspect the steel substrate under the wood panels for rust, particularly at the lower edges. Check the frame rails for rust and any cracking at the body mount points. Verify the Quadra-Trac or Selec-Trac 4WD system engages smoothly. On the AMC 360 V8, check for oil leaks from the rear main seal and head gaskets. Test all power accessories, window regulators and locks on these trucks are failure-prone with age.

Price Guide

1963–1978 Wagoneer: $8,000–$25,000 for drivers, $30,000–$55,000 for restored examples. 1979–1983 Wagoneer: $12,000–$30,000 for good drivers. 1984–1991 Grand Wagoneer: $18,000–$45,000 for well-maintained drivers, $50,000–$90,000 for show-quality restorations. The market has appreciated 40–60% over the past five years and continues to rise.

Did You Know?

The Jeep Wagoneer was the first 4WD production vehicle with an independent front suspension (1963), a feature that competing 4WD trucks didn't offer for years. The 1973 Quadra-Trac full-time 4WD was derived from the Oldsmobile Toronado's front-wheel-drive transfer case technology, an unusual piece of cross-platform engineering. The Grand Wagoneer was in continuous production for 29 years (1963–1991) with essentially the same body, the longest production run of any American SUV body style.

Elite Dealer

$40,900