Anyone got one? They are pretty cheap these days and are only getting cheaper with rising gas costs, they look pretty decent off road from what I've seen on youtube (anyone seen the WJ and ZJ Grand Cherokee compilation at Woodhill? Old video but good) and the 4.7s sound pretty good opened up.
Would be interested to hear any honest thoughts/opinions from owners or those with experience on these things, re: easy to (lightly) modify etc, weaknesses, parts look cheap out of ebay.com. I'm pretty keen to get one after the good service my two XJs have given me. Cheers.
WJ Grand Cherokees.
WJ Grand Cherokees.
JK Wrangler 35s.
Re: WJ Grand Cherokees.
Coop,
I have had two WJ Grands a 99 Limited and a 03 Laredo both 4.7L
I had many electronic issues with the 99 Nothing I or the dealer could do could get it to idle properly when hot also the speed sensors in the gearbox played up but when replaced for only about $17 each it was fine. apart from that there are a few other issues with the 99 and 00 Grands . When they first came out in 99 the auto fitted is a 5 speed however the IT guys could not get the computer to work the 5 speed so they sent them out as only a 4 speed even though the gearbox had 5 gears in them. By 01 the IT guys had it fixed. IN the US you can take your 99 or 00 Grand in to the dealer and get the power train control module "flashed" and then you have a five speed. I have asked NZ dealers about doing this and they go silent and vague. There is also an issue with all WJ Limited grands with the Heating and air con in that they have blend doors that stuff up and the heating and cooling stuffs up.
The 03 Laredo grand had no issues at all a great car
As far as there suitability as a serious 4wd they are pretty good. The 4.7v8 is a very good engine, light weight and untold power. They like most chrysler engines seam to last with no significant issues. The Autos are Chrysler boxes and seam OK The transfer cases are full time 4wd and lock up in low range. The rear diff is an odd ball Alluminium centre Dana 44, They nearly all whine from new and you have to be carefull not to jack them up under the pumpkin as the alluminium centre section can bend. Some models have quadradrive where the diff automaticly locks if you get wheelspin, sems to work resonably well. The front diff is a Dana 30 low pinnion they are OK.
As far as lifting them you can get them up about 3 inches with longer springs and shocks however the front driveshaft which is a piss week CV shaft needs to be replaced with a XJ style U Joint Shaft. Compared to an XJ the steering and suspension rods,arms and joints are all much more beefy
Apart from the above they are very good and I will one day work one over into a serious off roader.
Good luck
I have had two WJ Grands a 99 Limited and a 03 Laredo both 4.7L
I had many electronic issues with the 99 Nothing I or the dealer could do could get it to idle properly when hot also the speed sensors in the gearbox played up but when replaced for only about $17 each it was fine. apart from that there are a few other issues with the 99 and 00 Grands . When they first came out in 99 the auto fitted is a 5 speed however the IT guys could not get the computer to work the 5 speed so they sent them out as only a 4 speed even though the gearbox had 5 gears in them. By 01 the IT guys had it fixed. IN the US you can take your 99 or 00 Grand in to the dealer and get the power train control module "flashed" and then you have a five speed. I have asked NZ dealers about doing this and they go silent and vague. There is also an issue with all WJ Limited grands with the Heating and air con in that they have blend doors that stuff up and the heating and cooling stuffs up.
The 03 Laredo grand had no issues at all a great car
As far as there suitability as a serious 4wd they are pretty good. The 4.7v8 is a very good engine, light weight and untold power. They like most chrysler engines seam to last with no significant issues. The Autos are Chrysler boxes and seam OK The transfer cases are full time 4wd and lock up in low range. The rear diff is an odd ball Alluminium centre Dana 44, They nearly all whine from new and you have to be carefull not to jack them up under the pumpkin as the alluminium centre section can bend. Some models have quadradrive where the diff automaticly locks if you get wheelspin, sems to work resonably well. The front diff is a Dana 30 low pinnion they are OK.
As far as lifting them you can get them up about 3 inches with longer springs and shocks however the front driveshaft which is a piss week CV shaft needs to be replaced with a XJ style U Joint Shaft. Compared to an XJ the steering and suspension rods,arms and joints are all much more beefy
Apart from the above they are very good and I will one day work one over into a serious off roader.
Good luck
Re: WJ Grand Cherokees.
Hey shoe thanks for your reply. Where did you source your driveshaft from? Did not find any on ebay.com, do the existing XJ UJ yokes bolt up to the diff and transfer case on the WJ as it maybe cheaper to get a driveshaft made here.
Looks as though NZ and Oz models have quadra drive with viscous LSD type set up in front and rear, how do you find these in the ruff stuff? The rear LSDs in my XJ were pretty tight and got me through a lot of stuff which left my mates open diff Patrol stuck lol. Cheers.
Looks as though NZ and Oz models have quadra drive with viscous LSD type set up in front and rear, how do you find these in the ruff stuff? The rear LSDs in my XJ were pretty tight and got me through a lot of stuff which left my mates open diff Patrol stuck lol. Cheers.
JK Wrangler 35s.
Re: WJ Grand Cherokees.
Coop,
I have not actually lifted a WJ however I understand that there will be front driveshaft issues to be worked thru IE you will need U Joint yokes for both the transfer case and the diff and a new shaft.
I have not actually lifted a WJ however I understand that there will be front driveshaft issues to be worked thru IE you will need U Joint yokes for both the transfer case and the diff and a new shaft.