Agreed, the Grand Wagoneer was on my wishlist of cars to own at least since
I was 10 years old. By far one of the classiest and most iconic vehicles
ever produced. Underappreciated as a collector car, but such an awesome
vehicle. I feel privileged to have owned one, its the second favorite
vehicle I've owned (second only to a '71 Dodge Charger SE). If only I could
afford it, I'd have an aircraft hanger full of cars!
As for the exhaust, when the carbuerator shop rebuilt the carb they
recommended straight pipes and guaranteed it would pass California
emissions without a cat or muffler. I cant remember if I had my exhaust guy
put a new converter on it or not, but we took off the muffler and ran
straight pipe and the exhaust note was gorgeous and never obnoxiously loud
even under full throttle. Ran stronger, too!
I had an 86 with the 401 engine in it.... I was kind of wondering how
common that engine was, because most had the 360. I assume the engine was
the same (Buick) one Jeep used ion the J30 Pickup, but have never run
across another GW with a 401 under the hood..... I got 16-18 on the
freeway, but only 8-9 in around town, as it takes a lot of gas to push
6600# down the road !!
I think they are rated 12/16, but you are likely to get 12 to 14 as a
combined average mpg. By comparison, a 2007 Ford Expedition 4x4 is rated
14/17, which is only slightly better. Some of the older Grand Wagoneers
have straight 6 engines which would give slightly better mpg.