Popular Mechanics’ Jeep® Grand Wagoneer “Durangoneer” Is For Sale

When Popular Mechanics set out to build a one-of-a-kind display vehicle for the 2006 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, they didn’t just slap on wheels and graphics—they created something truly unique. Dubbed the “Durangoneer”, this rig combines the timeless body of a 1988 Jeep® Grand Wagoneer with the modern chassis and drivetrain of a 2004 Dodge Durango 4×4. The result? Classic Jeep style with modern-day Mopar muscle.

The build was fully documented in the May and June 2006 issues of Popular Mechanics, and after its time in the spotlight, it was acquired by its current owner in 2010. Now, nearly two decades later, this unique SUV is up for auction on BringATrailer.com, with bidding ending Thursday, May 15 at 2:05 p.m. EDT.

Custom Work from Frame to Roof Rack – 

The transformation began with a full rotisserie restoration of the Jeep body by Van Alphen and Sons Auto Body in Hillsdale, New York. Meanwhile, the Durango’s frame was shortened by 10 inches, plug welded, reinforced, and refinished in black by Rich’s Minisport in Connecticut. The Grand Wagoneer body was then carefully mounted on the modified Durango chassis.

Finished in a bold red with white bodyside graphics, the truck features chrome bumpers, 5.7-liter HEMI® Magnum badging, dual mirrors, a roof rack, and a tailgate with a power-operated rear window. It rolls on 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in fresh Sumitomo Encounter AT tires installed in June 2024.

Serious Performance Under the Hood – 

Powering the Durangoneer is a factory 5.7-liter (345 cubic-inch) HEMI Magnum V8, good for 335 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque. It breathes through a Mopar Performance air intake and polished aluminum valve covers, while a custom dual exhaust system and catalytic converters from the donor Durango handle the outflow.

Cooling duties are managed by a Be Cool aluminum radiator with dual electric puller fans. The engine is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission and an electronically controlled dual-range transfer case, sending power to all four wheels. The suspension setup features a coil-sprung independent front and a solid rear axle with Watt’s linkage—giving this build both trail and street credibility.

A Retro Cabin with Modern Comfort – 

Inside, you’ll find a fully reupholstered interior with custom black Naugahyde seats featuring red and white inserts and Popular Mechanics embroidery on the seatbacks. The Durango-sourced dashboard, steering wheel, and gauge cluster bring a more modern driving experience to this retro rig.

Other features include a Vintage Air climate control system, a Mopar CD stereo, JEGS 3-inch lap belts, power windows operated by a console-mounted controller, and color-matched door panels. Black carpeting lines the cabin floor. There are a few minor flaws: the power mirror control doesn’t function, and the driver-side vent window latch is broken. The digital odometer reads 19,000 miles, with 6,000 added by the current owner. It’s worth noting that Carfax indicates a mileage inconsistency and “Exceeds Mechanical Limits” branding on early 2000s Connecticut titles.

Title, VIN, and Auction Info – 

Titled in Texas as a 1988 Jeep SUV, the Durangoneer still displays its original Jeep VIN on the dash. However, the 2004 Dodge Durango donor VIN is not visible, which could be relevant for buyers in states with strict titling and emissions laws.

Despite those quirks, what you’re looking at here is a street-legal piece of SEMA history, with real magazine provenance, high-end fabrication work, and a powertrain that gives it modern daily drivability.

Whether you’re a Mopar fan, resto-mod enthusiast, or just love a great backstory, this Jeep-Dodge hybrid build is unlike anything else out there.

Don’t miss your chance to bid—auction ends Thursday, May 15 at 2:05 p.m. EDT on BringATrailer.com.

1988 Jeep® Grand Wagoneer “Durangoneer” Image Gallery: