Grand Cherokee

All the XJ talk has me searching: you can get a GC for almost less than an xj, and the interior is invariably nicer. What's wrong with them? Common Problems? What's the best generation? Is the new diesel going to be that great?

ZJs (93-98) had weak transmissions and rear ends

Actually they had the Chrysler 8.25" rear end i believe, which is about as strong as anything an XJ had.

But yes to the transmission.

I'd still rock one for a daily, though. The interior is substantially nicer.

They're also way slower because they're way heavier, and the transmission isn't as aggressive. Way more body roll, and no more ground clearance.

I'd get one for half the price of an XJ, but not the same price.

Grand's are the "poser" 4x4 while the regular Cherokee is more hardcore. Both can be offroaded the same after mods.

Depends on the generation for problems.

The 8.25 Chrysler rear was used in both. They do just fine. They aren't as strong as a Dana 60, but they aren't intended to be either.

What transmission was in them? The A500 & A518 get a lot of trash talk, but they are fine transmissions. They are OD versions of the 904 & 727 Torqueflites. As long as the fluid and filters are changed from time to time they do just fine. Its not like they have the early 604 FWD trans with the spun glass internals.

Transmission were the weak point. Other than, that, they are just XJ's with coils all around. The t-case and axles are the same. They had more electronics in them, but don't let that scare you.
And, in this case, the owner makes the poser, not the vehicle. Have you ever 'wheeled with a ZJ or WJ? They are seriously good. And they look GREAT lifted

what are WJ's going for now a days?

DrBoost wrote:

My son saw this photo and immediately said it looks like what a dog does when he... . . Well you know.

My wife had a grand cherokee and it was a complete turd, just a complete pain in the ass. I don't know why everyone thinks they're so rugged. If I could have driven it off a cliff and lived I would have done so. At about that time I was looking to get rid of it, a friend had a 02 Sport Track Explorer for sale. I got in and was amazed with the difference. A real truck. With an actual frame. Of course I still have the sport track and hardly ever had a problem with it. Just a much better vehicle in every way.

My WJ ate power window motors and door lock actuators like candy. The sunroof leaked. It guzzled. But damn if I didn't love that rig.

I had a comanche picukp for a short time.

All my friends had good luck with these trucks but mine was a royal sack of crap.

When it wasn't broken, it was a decent vehicle but it had some truly E36 M3ty design features.

The best was when the clutch master cylinder E36 M3 the bed and filled the fuse panel full of brake fluid.

No matter how much I cleaned that fuse box out, I still had electrical gremlins that would make Lucas engineers wet their pants.

The Renix fuel injection system sucks huge donkey balls too.

Transmissions were different, transfer cases were different

Rears varied, but either the same or very similar.

Rear suspension is coils on the zj, rear discs on the zj. Leafs and drums on the xj

Both are unibody.

Early v8 grands had viscous coupler problems in the awd system.

V8 in general was full time awd

On a cherokee (xj) you want the 91+ ho motor.

98 only grand cherokee 5.9 limited had a totally different trans (and motor of course) and IIRC was the fastest production SUV at the time.

I had a 2000 Grand Cherokee from new. It was my DD and was never used off road. As a commuter and family car it was very nice. I had the 6 cylinder and it ran well, with adequate power. We took it on extended trips with two kids and all our stuff. I'd pick up another one if I found one at the right price. I never checked the gas mileage, so I have no idea on what the fuel bill was. Kept it about 4 years so I didn't run into maintenance issues. I'm sure there are other vehicles that would have satisfied our needs just as well, but we enjoyed the Jeep.

Mine was great until 70k miles...after that...not so much. It had a bunch of issues, but the fuel pump was the most irritating. It took 7 pumps in 6 months to get one that worked....about half oem...the rest various aftermarket units. It was sold asap after the last worked. Not sure how long it lasted.

It also had a transmission failure at 70k miles....several engine related issues...plus numerous electrical component failures. It was like it was designed to self destruct. Crazy. I wouldn't have another. Bought a crv for the wife after that and there is not one way in which the jeep was better. Very sad.

A friend of mine and my younger brother each had 98 V8 ZJ's.

My younger brother turned his in on the cash for clunkers program at 18X,XXX. Drove it in HS and college about 60,000 miles. It over heated once when the thermostat stuck and the guage lights were hit or miss. No other issues.

The friends parents bought a 98 V8 with about 100k miles in 2001. It was a daily driver and routinely towed a loaded 18 ft steel trailer back and forth from IL and VA with everything from an RX-7 to a 60's Continental. At 21X,XXX it took ate a trans. Replaced and ate another trans shortly after. Replaced again and is still running. Passenger side window regulator failed, radio stopped working and I'm sure there were a few other thinks. I think it is getting close to 300,000 miles now as a backup vehicle.

My impression is that they suck gas. 18mpg highway, lower city. They are silly quick off the line up to about 60mph if you stage them with the gas and brake. They are pretty capable as stock off road vehicles and can fit 31's with some minor trimming. Pretty comfortable and decent truck. I would have one as a tow/toy/second vehicle but gas would likely rule it out as a daily.