Jeep Wagoneer - More Features in it Than a Cadillac

The Jeep Wagoneer had a nearly 30-year run from the 1960s to the 1990s, It was considered the first luxury SUV, and it has held a special place in the hearts of Jeep lovers for some time.
THIS IS THE STORY OF THE JEEP WAGONEER!
The Wagoneer was introduced in November 1962 for the 1963 model year as a successor to the Willys Jeep Station Wagon that had been built since 1946.
When the Wagoneer was released in 1963, it was the first vehicle to be marketed as an “SUV.” This term would not become popular until much later, but the Wagoneer helped to define what it means. The new Wagoneer had a comfortable interior with a car-like dashboard, good power from its inline-6 engine, and, of course, styling that bridged a gap between passenger cars and utility trucks.
The original Wagoneer was a full-size body-on-frame vehicle that shared its architecture with the Gladiator pickup truck. It was the high-class Jeep, featuring many amenities unlike anything at the time. Power brakes, an automatic transmission, and power steering were unthinkable for a rugged Jeep in the 1960s. The Wagoneer was designed to be a family vehicle.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

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[@CJColvin]

The old Jeep Waggoners look a million times better than any Modern Waggoner you see on the road today.

[@KenanTurkiye]

CJ Colvin, you are a gentelman of fine taste!

[@CJColvin]

@@KenanTurkiye Thanks brother

[@KenanTurkiye]

@@CJColvin 👍 No, no thank you for knocking some sense into some. lol

[@CJColvin]

@@KenanTurkiye Thanks brother

[@CJColvin]

@@KenanTurkiye You're welcome brother

[@dscottnyc]

Excellent review! I grew up with 3 of these, at 1979 limited, a 1986 Grand Wagoneer and a 1991 Grand Wagoneer. I loved them all and I took my drivers license in the ‘86. These were all my mothers drive and they all pulled horse trailers in Canada an the US. My mother was ahead of the SUV craze. The only downsize was we never got a “Snow Day” from if the school buses couldn’t come as she would pile us and the neighbours in and then take us to school. I loved these vehicles and regret not taking on the ‘91. Thanks you!

[@Terminxman]

your "mothers" ?

[@MisterMikeTexas]

I never experienced a Grand Wagoneer myself. But I admire its uniqueness at a time when such vehicles were unheard of.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Sam here Michael!

[@timothykeith1367]

The Wagoneer was popular with rural real estate agents

[@earlsinks]

@@ThisOldCarChannel I'd love to see a video on the Ford f150...the 1985 Ford f150 explorer was a beautiful truck.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

@@earlsinks We have a VID of the F150 in our channel! Thanks Earl

[@christopherkraft1327]

Ahh, the Jeep Wagoneer!!! The pioneering SUV that started it all!!! 👍👍🙂

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Classic

[@corywilhelm9768]

Looooooved that rig. One of the best trucks.......EVER. Definitely set the standard.

[@yy5cav]

We are a family from Venezuela, South America, with Jeep tradition, my grandfather sold his 1935 Chevrolet Phaeton to buy a Willys Jeep surplus from WW II, the family grew and sold the Willys Jeep to buy a brand new Willys Satation Wagon 4x4 engine 226 from 1957 which he removed from the dealer with all the luxury accessories, but without the AM radio, he did not want it "That radio thing distracts the driver" according to my grandfather. My grandfather's brother drove one of the first Wagoneers to arrive in the country, because he worked in the Forestry Ministry, from there our fondness for the Wagoneers began, personally I think it was the best family and work van manufactured by the Corporation Jeep, were highly appreciated in our country for their design, robustness and reliability, a truck for the housewife and for work, with luxury lines and finishes from the beginning with a very good 4x4 system, except for "Quadra Trac" which did not give good highlights, but once they installed the "Selec Trac" the truck had no more problems, as for the engines, the 258 6L was very fair for it, it lacked power on the climbs with the air conditioning on , but the V8 was phenomenal, there was a model that brought a CB radio in the glove compartment which was quite a novelty for the time, taking into account that cell phones did not exist, there were many advances in the Jeep Wagoneer and its car line oceria today is still beautiful, very different from the new models all round and shapeless, I think that if they re-manufacture the last model of 1991 with cheaper engines the sales would be staggering. Carlos Valero. Somos una familia de Venezuela, América del Sur, con tradición Jeep, mi abuelo vendió su Chevrolet Faetón de 1935 para comprar un Jeep Willys excedentes de la WW II, creció la familia y vendió el Jeep Willys para comprar una flamante Willys Satation Wagon 4x4 motor 226 de 1957 la cual retiró del concesionario con todos los accesorios de lujo, pero sin el radio AM, no lo quiso "Eso del radio distrae al conductor" según mi abuelo. El hermano de mi abuelo condujo una de las primeras Wagoneer llegadas al país, por que trabajaba en el Ministerio Forestal a partir de allí comenzó nuestra afición por las Wagoneer, en lo personal creo que fue la mejor camioneta familiar y de trabajo fabricada por la Corporación Jeep, fueron muy apreciadas en nuestro país por su diseño, ribustez y confiabilidad, una camioneta para el ama de casa y para el trabajo, con líneas y acabados de lujo desde el principio con un sistema 4x4 muy bueno, excepto por "Quadra Trac" el cual no dió buenos resaltados, pero una vez que instalaron el "Selec Trac" la camioneta no tuvo más problemas, en cuanto a los motores, el 258 6L era muy justo para ella, carecía de potencia en las subidas con el aire acondicionado encendido, pero el V8 era fenomenal, hubo un modelo que trajo en la guantera un radio CB lo cual era toda una novedad para la época, tomando en cuenta que no existían los celulares, hubo muchos adelantos en el Jeep Wagoneer y su línea de carrocería hoy en día sigue siendo hermosa, muy distinta a los nuevos modelos todos redondos y sin forma, pienso que si vuelven a fabricar el último modelo de 1991 con motores mas económicos las ventas serían estrnómicas. Carlos Valero.

[@markmacdonald6452]

Who doesn’t like a classic Jeep? I grew up in a family with a 1978 Jeep Cherokee. There weren’t many around back then and even fewer now. I have a 1983 SJ Cherokee 4 door.

[@conorgraafpietermaritzburg3720]

I grew up with a Wagoneer in South Africa and it was great

[@matthewluebeck4112]

I had an '84 for my first vehicle in high school. I loved it. So many wonderful memories in that thing.

[@joeboatwrench9315]

Most loved and most missed. Now these are so rare to find.

[@joeyrodriguez1290]

The Wagoneer was like the VW Beetle, it refused to have a new generation, it just evolved

[@fenwayfan1]

i always loved the wagoneer!

[@selimpullu420]

Thanks for the detailed review 👍

[@tracy3812]

Loved my Mom’s ‘77 Cherokee. The Quadratrac really slurped down the gas & it never passed emissions. But everyone remembers Big Red.

[@rodneyrabel7527]

When I was growing up my dad and mom had one we love the Wagoneer it was fantastic❤❤❤❤❤

[@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGerman]

From 1983 to 1998 I had a 1973 Cherokee Chief with the 360 4bbl, 1976 CJ 304 4bbl 3sp & 1986 Cherokee 4.0 V6, some of the best vehicles I ever owned & now they are worth a chunk of change especially the '73 Chief & CJ with the V8s ✌💖☮

[@bhzaddybhzolby1705]

I've always been a Chevy Suburban man but those first gen Wagoneers and Cherokee Chiefs are some of the best looking trucks out there.

[@demetriuscooksey7147]

My best buddy in hs had a white one with wood grain trim with the 401 in it. Great rig and I miss riding around in it with him.

[@michaelcoffey7362]

I like it better than the new one , cool😀

[@johnking6252]

Moved into snow country in 99 picked up a 86 wagoneer and I've swore by them since, never got caught in the snow 👍

[@Al-thecarhistorian]

Great video. Accurate. My dad purchased a new Cherokee in the fall of 1974 (a 1975 model). I personally loved that vehicle. It was very capable with the 360 -bbl and Quadra Trac.

[@wheelermaximus6736]

I've had my 1984 SJ since 1997. Love this beast despite the headaches. Buying it for $750 and with a grand total in i right now of about $3,200, I'm money ahead and lots of fun as well.

[@JohnB-le2pi]

I had a 1978 Jeep Wagoneer in the early 1990's. I bought it originally to swap the 401 engine it came with into my 1972 AMC Javelin AMX that I owned at the time, but it ended up as my daily driver for a couple of years. It was factory Ziebarted and had the stickers in the door jams, but it was the rustiest vehicle that I ever owned! Literally rusted up to the windows! The tailgate was so rusted that I could not open it up. Plus it was pumpkin orange with the fake woodgrain on the sides. I do remember it had a Turbo 400 transmission and electronic ignition too.

[@reallyrandomrides1296]

A vehicle truly ahead of its time. Along with the AMC Eagle, if these two vehicles had been released in the 1990s, they'd have captured the market.

[@jeffking4176]

I’ve detailed several of these. They really were “luxury “ for its time. [ the Alternative was the International Harvester’s “Travelall “ - definitely not luxury, strictly truck, and quite industrial]. 🚗📻🙂

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Thanks for sharing!

[@JohnB-le2pi]

Side note: Some International Travelall's can be found powered by the AMC/Jeep 401 cu-in engine. Apparently International had an engine availability problem at some point in the early 1970's and sourced 401's from AMC/jeep to keep production rolling.

[@olliehopnoodle4628]

Luxury AND expensive. Over $28K list in last couple of years.

[@nicholasmagcamit8233]

Yes this is my favorite suv . It has wood grain , and luxury features . I love this suv so much Jeep has the best suv ever ! It has the best styling ever ! A 4 wheel drive interior and I really love the SUVs so much !

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Right on!

[@nightwolf883]

Just came back after a 20+ year hiatus and they’re still kicking ever other luxury SUV’s ass

[@stevestubner535]

First off. Great video!! Now... The meat and potatoes. Currently owning a 1965 Kaiser jeep wagoneer "custom" (Yes that's what the Vin states... "custom" ) That engine was not an AMC v8 motor. The wagoneer at that time; owned by kaiser; used a rambler 327ci and a Chevrolet turbo 400. Which the motor was based on an old Hudson v8 design. Regardless the engine was a cast iron block with all forged internals! Heavy nickle engines! Matched tuned exhaust headers and synced spark plugs. Making 250hp and 350 torque. The Motor was factory blueprinted and funny enough waw painted on the inside to fight rust! Biggest downside was the simease exhaust ports. Like old Cadillac engines and Studebakers 289ci. Regardless many today unfortunately toss this motor aside for the larger displacement engines of the AMC Era or even chevy powerplants. Even though the stock 401ci AMC made less horsepower and torque than the old rambler 327ci stock "vigilante" that was used only for a few years. Including the first "super" models in 1966. Just wanted to mention that these old engines are sometimes better then they are made to believe. Yes parts are hard to come by but who needs them when your engine runs like a dream. I also own a 50 year old f250 Ranger Camper Special with an all original drive train. Been driving her daily for 7 years. FORD! No complaints but the mileage. Haha I still get 10mpg whether I'm fully loaded or empty! Cheers to Jeep lovers! Keep it rock'n! Thank you!!!!

[@rcaive0875]

I had one of these (an '81) when I lived in Denver back in the '80s. They used to nickname them "Colorado Cadillacs".

[@jons.6216]

I have to say that these days there are so many of them still on the road in use that they had to have had something to last and still be so popular!

[@juancarlosfrancocruz2052]

My father cars , start with 1974 and then 1984 Limited edition and finish within 1990 Grand Wagoneer . Good experience one of the best car ever, full luxury.😊

[@michaelnewjerseydiecast5535]

I have always like the Wagoneer! The fire father of all SUVs that followed after

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

For sure Michael!

[@fordmuscleluis9710]

Gotta love these grand wagoneers awesome

[@contactJDMathews]

These things are so cool!!

[@hoss0821]

Love these Jeeps!!

[@williambone7724]

Love the old Wagoneers. Can't wait to see the new Wagoneers &Grand Wagoneer.

[@anthonyjvarrellajr.5942]

I had one of the last grand wagoneer's it was red with woody sides. A great vehicle.

[@nicholasmagcamit8233]

Love those SUVs so much !

[@Furwheeilngwp5mp]

We are retro- storing a 1988 Grand Wagoneer and truly the process. Thank you for making this video

[@misterpinsky9535]

My dream car ❤

[@dennisloisellejr6950]

I love jeep Wagoneers wish you could get one now

[@MacDaddyDean]

I took my driver’s test in 1986 in my parents ‘84 Waggoner Ltd. I always loved that thing because there was not a lot of them where I lived in northern British Columbia. Sure wish I had that today, as the video said, they are ridiculously expensive and sought after now! Great video👌

[@tomholschbach5966]

Absolutely Loved them

[@Charles06051969]

I had a 1986 one, I really enjoyed it, strong, huge, comfortable, and safe. All little cars on the streets had to respect me, no games. I still whisper when I see one. I just hated the air conditioner which was located in a bad place, it used to refresh our legs only, we used to call it the balls refreshener. The only bad part designed by Jeep.

[@garyslentzii2796]

Best looking wood trim on any vehicle, gotta love em.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

No doubt!

[@m.b8257]

I’d love one now.

[@charlesdiecastgarage]

Best video ever!!! I have loved thes since I was a kid! We would vacation in New Braunfels every summer and those Wagoneers were everywhere, I assumed it was a law to own one of you lived there, loved the vinyl fake wood, 😂! Awesome videos, Brothers!!!

[@GeemailMailboxx]

Boy, I'd give my neighbors right arm to be able to own a wagoner. 🤗

[@adolfosotelo7198]

La madre de los verdaderos SUV 4x4 de verdad

[@PacemakerandButtons]

Loved it

[@baetis1539]

Loved ‘em. They were the coolest

[@dariojimenez708]

I Love that Jeep Wagoneers..!!!

[@fivegiga5523]

All this beauty need is 4 wheel independent suspension.

[@BillLaBrie]

I had a ‘75 (minus the leather and other niceties). It still counted as “luxury” because at 8mpg, one had to be upper-income to drive it very much. Still, I remember it crawling over everything in its path, and how it forcibly accelerated from 70 MPH when those secondaries opened up. Made me feel like a beast master. I don’t think I’ve ever owned a more troublesome car. I want it back.

[@AirborneDoc-nb1pe]

I had a Navy blue 1985. Most comfortable car I've ever driven. But it never passed a gas station it didn't like.

[@larryccloughjr5729]

I loved mine ♥️

[@troyearls949]

We Be Loving It ❤️

[@markwilliams5606]

Much Better Then A Cadillac escalade!

[@trevorn9381]

I had two Wagoneers a 79 Wagoneer and a 89 Grand Wagoneer and drove them for over 25 years. Sold the 89 in 2014 with 200k miles on it, and in need of a new engine, for way more than I paid for it. I loved those Jeeps and enjoyed driving them but I don't miss the horrible gas mileage or the constant need for repairs. They had great styling and were fun to drive but modern vehicles are much better built. I wouldn't trade my 2020 Ram 2500 diesel crew cab 4x4 for one that is for sure!

[@falcon664]

The Custom Wagoneer was dropped in 1983, however it was brought back for a final appearance in 1984. It did not have Select-trac, the floor mounted transfer case shift had 2-wheel, neutral and 4-low and 4 high. The front hubs were manually locked.

[@danielciaponi4355]

Always wanted one of these. Especially after driving several of them after they passed through our "Service Station" (gas station today) for oil changes. Unfortunately, they were always out of reach financially for me at the time. The folks who bought these new moved on to the Range Rover Classic after production ended. This was truly a wealthy person's car. I still want one, but Wagonmasters reflects the tru values of these. Lots of $$$$!

[@rogermetzger7335]

No other "luxury" feature is equal to the ability to get where you want to go.

[@gorillaplays8926]

I like it and now I want one

[@gangsterpelon13]

I have the 1982 limited and really like it

[@jamesziegler4383]

Wow. What a ride. 😃

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Yes it was!

[@vassa1972]

Very cool video

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Thanks Peter!

[@vassa1972]

@@ThisOldCarChannel your welcome Sirs

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

had the mini tonka jeep wagoneer, I cut out magazine adds, was my fav off roader ,my friend from schools mom had a 1965 that was a fun car pool day .trips to the beach , owned 1988 grand wagoneer for a short time sold it to buy my first house , still want one ,as for the new Jeep wagoneer /grand wagoneer s just a name thats it

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Thanks for sharing

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

70s models were popular among wayward youth my part of Canadian bush back in the late 80s through early 90s as there were plenty still around and they were relatively cheap. We roadtripped across Canada In a buddy's 1978 In 92 and last I heard she's still running somewhere around Nelson BC. I love the old ones.

[@eyrefernandez5878]

JUST BEAUTIFUL.❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

That they are! I did not really appreaciate them as a teen but as I grew older and now looking back, they were todays Cadillac Escalade. lol

[@mattmaster2582]

I got a 1978 wagoner with the 401 amc, !

[@toonman361]

Love the undulating hood, especially the later models.

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

@4:55 that is the 2 door panel side with windows I so wanted the 74 Cherokee S . also it was 4.5"narrow than the K 5 blazer

[@enriqueguerrero2636]

The best, jeep Wagoneer.

[@johnnymula2305]

I remember during the 80’s the upper class families generally had one in their fleet. They were the standard by what everyone else strived for. Ive never seen one with a center console. Didn’t even know it was available. Thats gotta be a hard to find, and expensive piece to get

[@Gudi102]

Love them!!! But remember that the car that replaced the Wagoner in 1992 was the Grand Cherokee ZJ. And in 92 as a 93 model the top of the line ZJ was indeed call the ZJ Grand Wagoner with the wood panel and everything. As of 1993 the Grand Cherokee dropped the Grand Wagoner version for good.

[@fredbartling7812]

I have 2 Big Dogs ! I need to find One with A Whooof Rack ! Good Video ! Thanks

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

hahaha!!!

[@williamselig4504]

I had the jeep g p .l wash I had it back best car ever had

[@cdodom1414]

I had a1990 Grand Wagoneer. I loved everything about it except, having to stop at every gas station we passed... Maybe got 8 miles to the gallon average.

[@ukjeeper]

82 WT Cherokee Laredo, sitting on my driveway, in the UK. One of the VERY few Jeeps remaining from AMC's short attempt to sell Jeeps in the UK (and Europe) between 79-83. 360 with Edelbrock, NP219, AMC 20, Dana 44 front, RHD converted. Needs serious work (roof is fubar, for instance) but just can't junk it. As far as i can tell it's the only 82 Cherk still registered with the UK DMV. 'Rare', redefined.

[@GeeEm1313]

This makes me want to watch "The Great Outdoor." John Candy's character drove one in the movie.

[@enolastraight577]

Turns out, there were a grand total of FOUR units constructed in 1992. Something tells me somebody had a warehouse full of spare parts...and was under-quota for production that month.

[@kevinwong6588]

Another version of the story is 12 in 1992.

[@japanjack62]

Nice review and handsome SUVs, but Dad had an old willys from the early 60's it was basic and a lot of fun. He had a 74 Wagoneer, it was not too bad, but the 84 and 90 had electrical issues and problems with the 4wheel drive system.

[@hervekotzbach8242]

Unique american style, like my Mark V I have in France. This Jeep is magic. Except for sport cars and pickups when America will build big and desirable cars again? But maybe I'm nostalgic about all those fantastic cars I discover in 1971, the first time I came in Us?

[@johnvanlindingham9490]

I had a Cherokee cheaf sport with the 401 automatic 1978 AMC and a 1981 with the Dodge 360 4 spd first was a granny gear about 10 mph

[@genekelley7579]

🛑🛑 I had a 72 Scout II. You could go anywhere in that thing😀👍💯

[@jimmybiter2936]

Drove a 1977 Cherokee Super Chief for years, loved that thing, too bad it rusted into oblivion

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

hahaha!

[@superstephen58]

This Guy is The Best Whit Jeep Car

[@OLDS98]

Thank you for sharing and the effort put in the video. I was wondering if you were going to mention the 2022 model. You did. It was the things that took place between 1964-1991 that was informative. I was they used a Buick V8 too. They are quite luxurious in 2022. They are compete against Lincoln and Cadillac and GMC. Great video. I am sure it takes effort to put the video again.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Thanks OLDS98! I've seen the 2022 in person. NICE but will they sell? We'll see.

[@joefisk4448]

Surprised you didn't mention the Tornado engines advanced for its time overhead camshaft and unique 6 lobe cam.

[@Foxrock321]

Luv em,. My brother had one till he traded it in for a Toyota Tacoma

[@joserafaelgrangefuenmayor7744]

Me gusta la camioneta

[@courtneypuzzo2502]

yeah this was the first SUV shortly after followed by the Ford Bronco in 1965 etc. 232 cubic in is 3.8 l V6 back then turbos were mainly used in muscle cars to give smaller usually v6 engines more power though there have been turbo V8s as well and still are today such as Cadillacs twin turbo 6.2 l V8 in the CT4 V Blackwing and CT5 V Blackwing sedans my first experience with a turbo was a 1986 Subaru XT turbo hatchback my mom drove when I was growing up my personal first experience with an SUV was Chevrolet Blazer my late maternal grandfather drove when I was growing up

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Yup...Thanks for the info!!

[@reallyrandomrides1296]

I was sold when I heard it comes with a "woof wack!" I'm going over to my local AMC Jeep Eagle dealer right away to buy a Jeep Wagoneer. I hope they still have some left. If not, then I'd settle for an AMC Eagle wagon with woodgrain sides. None of those aerodynamic, electric AWD, CVT crossovers for me!

[@chrisb2844]

Love the older models but not so into this new one too much!

[@Gr8Passion4Music]

There's a scene in "Howard The Duck" where the duck, the girl and a lab scientist are going in a Jeep Wagoneer and the lab scientist, who has an alien inside, starts transforming. Very interesting sequence indeed.

[@davidcomtedeherstal]

My Dad owns the only 1976 Wagoneer in his West-German city

[@darwinjesusnavafinol6641]

i love the wogoneer 1979 360 cui

[@slaautomotiveart]

Love it!!! I have a 1986 Jeep Grand Wagoneer project on my channel!

[@derrickjackson6737]

1st Luxury SUV Grand Wagoner