Through its 29-year production under a single generation (the third longest in U.S. automotive history[9]), the Wagoneer underwent only nominal changes to its body structure and appearance.

[10] Compared with offerings from GM, Ford, International Harvester, Toyota, Nissan and Land Rover — which were producing utilitarian work-oriented vehicles with spartan truck-like interiors — the Wagoneer's luxury set it apart.

Together with the Gladiator, the revolutionary Wagoneer SJ platform included an advanced overhead cam straight-six engine, and offered features unheard of at the time in any other mainstream 4WD vehicle, such as independent front suspension,[11] power steering, automatic transmission,[12][13] a factory radio, and optional air conditioning.

[2] Like its long-lived predecessor, the new 1963 Wagoneer took shape under an industrial designer Brooks Stevens, while Willys' engineering staff handled the technical development.

The 1964 models introduced factory-optional air conditioning, as well as a lower-compression 133 hp (99 kW; 135 PS) Tornado engine, to remedy cooling problems and "pinging" at altitude the original had sometimes suffered.

[16] Starting with 1965, all models came with a new standard safety package that included front and rear seat belts, a padded dashboard, a high-impact windshield, and a dual braking system.

With comfort and convenience features not standard or even available on other vehicles of its type at the time—such as push-button radio, seven-position tilt steering wheel, ceiling courtesy lights, air conditioning, power-retracting rear window into the tailgate, power brakes, power steering, and console-shifted TH400 automatic transmission—the Super Wagoneer is now widely regarded as the precursor of today's luxury SUVs.

[25] Between 1967 and 1969, all rear-wheel-drive-only models, which the four-wheel-drives had outsold from the beginning, were discontinued, and from then on, all Wagoneers (and Cherokees) had solid axles and leaf springs, both front and rear.

In 1974, AMC redesigned the greenhouse of the defunct two-door Wagoneer, with much wider D-pillars and single, long rear side windows, and reintroduced it as the Cherokee.

[16] From 1976, all Wagoneer and Cherokee models received strengthened frames with stronger cross-members and boxed side rail construction.

[16] After the introduction of the Cherokee, AMC began to move the Wagoneer upmarket, and that brought high demand from a new market segment.

Even though the US$10,500 ($49,050 in 2023 dollars[14]) suggested retail price was in luxury Cadillac and Lincoln territory,[27] the Limited's high-level specification attracted buyers and sales were strong with a total of 28,871 Wagoneers produced in 1978, and 27,437 in 1979.

On other SJ models, there were few styling changes until 1979, when all Wagoneer, Cherokee, and J-Series pickup models received a substantial styling update with one-piece aluminum bumpers and a new one-piece chrome plastic grille with a protruding middle section shaped somewhat like a pig's nose, horizontal slats, and square headlights.

With the V8s the primary choice among Wagoneer buyers, the 258 cu in (4.2 L) six-cylinder engine was dropped in the 1970s, only to return as an option when Jeep sales – particularly of the high-volume Cherokee – were hit by the 1979 energy crisis.

A new Brougham model added an upgraded interior trim that included woodgrain for the instrument cluster and horn cover, floor mats, power tailgate window, as well as the "convenience" and "light" packages.

The Wagoneer Limited was the top-of-the-line with standard Quadra-Trac, automatic transmission, air conditioning, tinted glass, power windows, and door locks, cruise control, AM/FM stereo radio, extra-quiet insulation, power six-way driver and passenger bucket seats with center armrest, upgraded door panels, leather-wrapped steering wheel, extra thick carpeting, and a retractable cargo cover.

[29] For the Mexican market, the Grand Wagoneer was built and distributed by Vehiculos Automotores Mexicanos, and was offered with the 282 CI engine.

An improved handling package was introduced in 1985 that incorporated a revised front sway bar, gas-filled shock absorbers, and lower friction rear springs.

Starting in the 1986 model year, the Grand Wagoneer received a new four-part front grille and a stand-up hood ornament.

On the inside were new tan or cordovan trims that replaced the honey and garnet colors, while the interior assist pulls on the door panels were removed.

At the time of Chrysler's purchase, customer demand for the Grand Wagoneer continued to be steady, and it was a very profitable model generating approximately five to six thousand dollars on each unit.

These include upgraded wood siding and modernized aluminum alloy wheels that lost their gold-colored inlays in favor of gunmetal grey metallic.

This functional console featured much brighter map lights, an outside temperature sensor and compass, a storage compartment for sunglasses as well as an infrared remote-controlled keyless entry system.

[31] Despite its combined fuel economy of only 11 miles per gallon,[32] its powerful 5.9 liter V8 engine and high towing capacity, and the fact that unlike most competitive full-size SUVs of the era it had four doors, made the Grand Wagoneer popular among its many repeat buyers through the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.

As a result, on February 27, 1991, Chrysler announced that it was ending production of the Grand Wagoneer, leaving the Jeep line without a full-size SUV.

"[36] Later model, low mileage, rust-free Grand Wagoneers have become highly collectible with some pristine examples selling for more than their original sticker price over three decades after they rolled off the assembly line.

[42] By 2019, the appraisal values of Grand Wagoneers had been increasing an average of 2–6 percent with each bi-monthly update for most of past ten years according to Hagerty.

[45] It featured a long list of standard equipment including the Magnum 5.2 L V8 engine and unique leather interior as well as the Grand Wagoneer's traditional exterior woodgrain applique.

[49] Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne announced at the January 2011 North American International Auto Show held in Detroit, that the Grand Wagoneer name was to be revived for an "upper-scale" seven-seat SUV, which he said would be introduced in 2013.

On June 9, 2015, Fiat Chrysler announced that it would unveil a new version of the full-sized Grand Wagoneer at its dealers' convention on August 25, 2015.