Lets talk WJ

[87Warrior]

I have always been a fan of the WJ body style, but have never really had an excuse to look at them. Times have changed and I am now searching for a DD that can handle mountain trails for my fiance. This will replace her 02 Camery.

 

We will be looking for the 4.7 for better driveabiliy with heavy loads and conquering mountain passes. Not particularly looking for an HO, but would not complain. However I am very comfortable around the 4.0 and could be steered that direction if the 4.7 has a common trouble component.

 

Since I am helping a female find a rig, appearance will be important. I know she does not want one with the black plastic cladding. Does this limit my search to Limited models only with the body matched cladding? At least all of the one color rigs I have seen are Limiteds.

 

Neither of us is crazy about leather seating. What models came with cloth seats? Do any of the cloth seats have heated bum warmers? How easy would it be to swap the leather seats for cloth?

 

I am going to try and find a WJ without the dual climate control, but will 'fix' the dual if needed.

 

Is there any specific transmission or transfercase I really should avoid? I know I would prefer a select-trac system.

Nav is not important, RB1s can be found pretty cheap nowadays. I have a suspicion that she will want a small lift and bumpers in the future.

 

Then beside the typical Jeep stuff to watch out for (rust, bushings, body panel gaps, fluid colors) what else should a prospective WJ owner look out for?

 

Looking to spend $5-6k.

[Geonovast]

I don't know if the WJs got the, but the NP 249 in the ZJs is notorious for failure.

[Yesterday's Danish]

Laredos came with the cloth seats and I don't believe they came with seat warmers. Also, my brother's special edition WJ came with cloth seats. Swapping for leather seats would most likely be a bolt on affair.

 

Not sure about the transfer cases or transmissions. I will say that my families experience with the 4 WJs we've owned have been overall very positive. No major problems. Really wish I had that 4.7 in my XJ.

[Sir Sam]

I have always been a fan of the WJ body style, but have never really had an excuse to look at them. Times have changed and I am now searching for a DD that can handle mountain trails for my fiance. This will replace her 02 Camery.

 

We will be looking for the 4.7 for better driveabiliy with heavy loads and conquering mountain passes. Not particularly looking for an HO, but would not complain. However I am very comfortable around the 4.0 and could be steered that direction if the 4.7 has a common trouble component.

 

Since I am helping a female find a rig, appearance will be important. I know she does not want one with the black plastic cladding. Does this limit my search to Limited models only with the body matched cladding? At least all of the one color rigs I have seen are Limiteds.

 

Neither of us is crazy about leather seating. What models came with cloth seats? Do any of the cloth seats have heated bum warmers? How easy would it be to swap the leather seats for cloth?

 

I am going to try and find a WJ without the dual climate control, but will 'fix' the dual if needed.

 

Is there any specific transmission or transfercase I really should avoid? I know I would prefer a select-trac system.

Nav is not important, RB1s can be found pretty cheap nowadays. I have a suspicion that she will want a small lift and bumpers in the future.

 

Then beside the typical Jeep stuff to watch out for (rust, bushings, body panel gaps, fluid colors) what else should a prospective WJ owner look out for?

 

Looking to spend $5-6k.

 

 

you willing to travel to CO? My buddy has one for sale, though it sounds like its a little upscale for you, limited, leather. But it has a front ARB bumper, lift, and some larger tires.

[Burls]

I think you may be stuck with limiteds if you don't want the plastic cladding. Limited's also came standard with dual climate controls, leather, and I wanna say nv147 or nv247 as the standard transfer case. I had a 03 base Laredo with 4.0l with a nv242, put well over 50k on with no problems. The 4.0 had plenty of power for me, but I'm in the plains and never drove over a real mountain. Make sure you look over the drivers side seat brackets/frame for cracks or breaks, its a common problem with power seats.

[Eagle]

We will be looking for the 4.7 for better driveabiliy with heavy loads and conquering mountain passes. Not particularly looking for an HO, but would not complain. However I am very comfortable around the 4.0 and could be steered that direction if the 4.7 has a common trouble component.

They say ask the man who owns owned one. As a former owner of a 1999 Grand Cherokee Laredo, I can knowledgeably state that the only problem with the 4.7L engine is that it isn't the 4.0L engine. My 4.7L was horribly unreliable. It also isn't a "Jeep" engine. It has lousy low-end torque, and doesn't start to make power until around 3500 RPM and up. It would be fine for a passenger car engine (if it were reliable), but for a Jeep? NAH!

 

Since I am helping a female find a rig, appearance will be important. I know she does not want one with the black plastic cladding. Does this limit my search to Limited models only with the body matched cladding? At least all of the one color rigs I have seen are Limiteds.

Mine was a Laredo and I don't recall lots of black cladding ... but I've been doing my best to forget the entire sorrowful experience for 11 years now, so my recollection is imperfect.

 

Neither of us is crazy about leather seating. What models came with cloth seats? Do any of the cloth seats have heated bum warmers? How easy would it be to swap the leather seats for cloth?

The Laredo had cloth. I don't remember if a seat warmer was an option. If so, I didn't order it.

 

I am going to try and find a WJ without the dual climate control, but will 'fix' the dual if needed.

The Limited had the dual controls. The Laredo had single controls.

 

Is there any specific transmission or transfercase I really should avoid? I know I would prefer a select-trac system.

The Selec-Trac was available only with the 4.0L engine. The base drive system behind the 4.7L was Quadra-Trac, and the optional system was Quadra-Drive.

[aemsee]

With all due respect Eagle, you really need to let your bad WJ experience go. :D .

 

Seriously though, the 99-early 00 WJ's did have some issues. Typical first year production stuff.

 

I think that the 4.7 is an excellent engine. Is it a 4.0, no. But with the 4.7 you will also get a 545RFE trans that IS waaaay better than the 42RE that is behind the 4.0.

 

If I was looking for the rig you describe, I would find a Laredo with the 4.7 and selectrac (yes, it was available, and actually pretty common in 03/04) and just get the cladding painted to match the truck. The money you will save by getting the Laredo over the Limited will pay for the paint job. Especially if you will replace the bumpers. Wise to stay away from the dual zone ATC. Problems with broken blend doors and burned out blower power modules. No heated cloth in the WJ. Make sure you drive it to listen for axle bearing noise. And check the tie rod ends. At least around here with all the pot holes they were a common repair.

[dasbulliwagen]

Only leather got the heated seats.... and the heated seats have been subject to 2 recalls, the second one is a recall of a recall! I can have both front seats out, apart, and the elements replaced and back into the Jeep in 45 Minutes! The elements break in spots and start burning into the seat foam.... if some customers saw exactly what was happening with these elements they would freak out, but Ive never seen one catch fire from it, so thats good I guess. They are pretty decent trucks except for the fact that they are not XJ's. They just seem heavy by comparison. The 4.7 is a decent motor and I wouldnt turn down getting one because it has it. Good luck with your search!

[Eagle]

With all due respect Eagle, you really need to let your bad WJ experience go. :D .

I try ... but people keep reminding me.

 

Mine lasted 8 months and 14,000 miles before the engine crapped out and it had to be flat-bedded to the dealership, where they determined that it could not be repaired. By that time it had spent more than a month out of the 8 months I owned it in the shop, and Chrysler had agreed to buy it back (to prevenbt me from going lemon law with it). As luck would have it, the day the WJ died was the same day the 2000 XJ Classic to replace it arrived at the dealership. The Classic has been as good as the WJ was bad.

 

It isn't just me. About a year ago a good friend paid far too much money (IMHO) for a used 2001 (I think) WJ with the 4.7L HO. I advised him not to buy it, but he liked it. He e-mailed me a couple of weeks ago that the engine blew -- he's facing either a complete long block replacement, or a VERY expensive rebuild with a new crank and rods.

 

Tell me again how great the WJ is ... I need to hear it, 'cause there isn't enough humor in the news these days.

[aemsee]

Don't get me wrong. It definitly has problems, like ALL vehicles. But I have seem enough 4.7 WJ's with well over 100K on them that have had zero problems. My co-worker has a Durango with the 4.7 with 250,000 on it and has never even had a valve cover off of it. But he has also had it since new and kept it maintained. Who knows the life your friends 4.7 had prior to his purchase?

I have a large framed poster at home from the WJ release in 99. I'll send it to ya. :D

[Eagle]

I have a large framed poster at home from the WJ release in 99. I'll send it to ya. :D

COOL!

 

I was running short of targets! :banana:

[87Warrior]

Wow. You guys are a whole lot more helpful than anybody else has been. Thanks for all the insight.

 

Sam- we would certainly head to CO for the right Jeep. Have any more specs or a link?

 

My search is now being refined to look at the laredo, most specifically for the cloth seats. There is no way we would be happy with leather. I suspect aftermarket heaters could be installed, better than the smoldering stockers! If she gets one before the summer is over I could have the guy painting the MJ take care of the cladding, or do it myself with those factory color spray cans.

 

Now I plan to go drive a few that are on the local CL with my new WJ knowledge base.

 

It is not hard to say the 4.0 is a more proven engine over the 4.7. Just watch some of the CFC videos. The 4.0 held in much better than the 4.7.

[Eagle]

Don't misunderstand -- when my WJ ran, it was very enjoyable to drive on the street. Over 50 MPH it had lots of power and it rode and handled very well (mine had the optional Up Country suspension).

 

The problem was ... I thought I was buying a Jeep, not a sports car.

 

Aside from the engine, I also had innumerable electrical gremlins, the transmission had problems, the transfer case had problems, and the factory rebuilt both front and rear axles (miraculously making both of them worse instead of better). And it ate brake rotors. If you must have a WJ, DO NOT buy a 1999, and if possible don't buy a 2000. By 2001 they might have had most of the problems corrected. Maybe...

[Sir Sam]

Wow. You guys are a whole lot more helpful than anybody else has been. Thanks for all the insight.

 

Sam- we would certainly head to CO for the right Jeep. Have any more specs or a link?

 

135k, '99, limited/leather, arb front bumper, lift, bigger tires. I'll get some pics from him and tire size.

[akamcbird]

i baught the wife a '00 larado, 4.0 selectrac and we are both very happy with it. the 4.0 0f 2000 is way more fun to drive than the one in my '90 even after the 2"bb and 31"s.

 

lots o info here http://www.wjjeeps.com/jmenu.htm

[FXWorks]

4.0 is not enough engine for the WJ IMO. The 4.7 will get better MPGs if you are a calm driver. You don't have to drive the snot out of it all the time like when equipped with a 4.0.

 

NV242 was available with the 4.7 in later years (wanna say 2002 on) but is a rare combination.

 

Lots of information at www.wjjeeps.com

 

I've simplified the year by year changes into a single table for easy digestion:

 

http://moose.ca/1999-2004-jeep-grand-cherokee-wj-notes/

[Automan2164]

ZJ FTW!

 

 

 

Rob L. 8)

[Sir Sam]

That ZJ would look good if it didn't have wheels that looked like they were on a kia missing it's hubcaps.

[Automan2164]

That ZJ would look good if it didn't have wheels that looked like they were on a kia missing it's hubcaps.

 

I am a fan of black steelies. Simplicity is king.

 

Sam, by the way, Who pissed in your wheaties lately? You seem combative towards everyone.

Rob L. :dunno:

[Sir Sam]

That ZJ would look good if it didn't have wheels that looked like they were on a kia missing it's hubcaps.

 

I am a fan of black steelies. Simplicity is king.

 

Sam, by the way, Who pissed in your wheaties lately? You seem combative towards everyone.

Rob L. :dunno:

 

BLACK STEELIES PISSED IN MY WHEATIES!

 

Do I need to an an emoticon to go with all my posts? :banana:

[Automan2164]

That ZJ would look good if it didn't have wheels that looked like they were on a kia missing it's hubcaps.

 

I am a fan of black steelies. Simplicity is king.

 

Sam, by the way, Who pissed in your wheaties lately? You seem combative towards everyone.

Rob L. :dunno:

 

BLACK STEELIES PISSED IN MY WHEATIES!

 

Do I need to an an emoticon to go with all my posts? :banana:

 

Yes, yes you do.

 

Rob L. :D

[87Warrior]

Ha! Not a huge fan of the ZJ.

 

There is lots of good information coming here. I really do appreciate it. This background knowledge will certainly lead us to make a more informed decision.

[HOrnbrod]

Sam, by the way, Who pissed in your wheaties lately? You seem combative towards everyone.

Rob L. :dunno:

 

Hey Rob - it's cool. Let's not forget we're talking to SIR Sam. :rotfl2:

[Sir Sam]

Sam, by the way, Who pissed in your wheaties lately? You seem combative towards everyone.

Rob L. :dunno:

 

Hey Rob - it's cool. Let's not forget we're talking to SIR Sam. :rotfl2:

 

Damm right, you best not forget it. :banana:

[mythreesons]

Earlier this year, I was looking for an XJ for my wife to replace her Suburban. Long story short, ended up with a 2002 GC Laredo. Burgandy with the grey wrap panels. Cloth seats and the single manual temp control. It has the 4.0 and the Selec-Trac (I guess the NV242) and I haven't even guessed which auto tranny. The 4.0 does fine with us on the highway. At 70 mph, three or four adults, the rpm gauge shows almost 2K. I could get better gas mileage with it if I ran a little slower, but I don't like getting run over by OP people going to/coming from the lakes. :D (inside joke for those reading)

 

In all seriousness, I really only have two complaints so far and it's early to call them complaints:

 

1) The rear wiper/glass angle SUCKS! Any amount of road mist and the window is covered. The rear washer works and the wiper wipes, but it's not the whole window. When I turned 16, I had a job as a delivery boy and learned to use the mirrors and not turn my head so I'm used to being able to keep track of others vehicles, thus my frustration.

 

2) I forget......must not have been very big.

 

I can give complements on several features:

1) The steering wheel is pointed in line with my body when I sit in the seat. To me, it's a big deal when the angle of the steering column is off perpendicular to the body it wears me out faster on long drives.

2) While the 4.0 engine might be a little under powered, when our road to civilization was thick with snow, mud, muck, potholes, ruts, etc. It had no problem putting enough power to the wheels to get through. The last snow we had drifted on the road about two feet deep. When that melted onto already saturated mud, it got a little messy.

3) The longest time I spent behind the wheel was just the other day looking for an XJ for son #3. After about 2 hours, my back did not hurt. That is a very good thing to me.

 

Here is a picture of it when it was "clean". Keep in mind that it's a minimum of 2 miles to pavement. The dealer I bought it from had put these tires on it. They are about 4 sizes up from normal (according to door sticker), but they don't rub the fenders and they do clean out the mud that gets caked up in the wheel well. :D :D