Daily Driver/backup tow vehicle search: Grand Cherokee WJ?

[Martinjmpr]

Still searching for a reasonably reliable and inexpensive DD to replace my 2wd Mazda B2300. Essentially what I'm looking for is something with 4wd that can drive me around town and get me to and from work in comfort, not suck my wallet dry with nickel-and-dime repairs, and in a pinch, serve as a backup tow vehicle for a 2000lb travel trailer (T@B.) Occasional forays into the mountains would also be likely although nothing more than 3-rated trails (on the 1-10 scale used by TrailDamage) would be attempted (think Saints John, Deer Creek, or the Alpine Loop level of difficulty.)

Trying to stay under $4k preferably though I'm flexible. Just as a point of reference other candidates are the R50 (2000-2004) Pathfinder with the 3.5 engine (currently my #1 choice just by virtue of the fact that I can get it with a manual transmission). 1st gen Xterra (ditto), Ford Explorer, Chevy Trailblazer/GMC Envoy and S10 Blazer.
I hadn't really considered the Grand Cherokee until someone suggested it and honestly I don't know much about them. I really don't want/need another V8 and while MPG is not my main concern, it's not irrelevant either.

From what I've read the V8's had a more complicated 4/5 speed transmission (according to Wikipedia it's actually 6 speeds) and a more complicated AWD/4wd system. Not looking for something that's going to cost me a lot of $$ to fix so I'm thinking the I-6 and whatever the basic 4wd system is.

So what should I be looking for? Any particular packages to seek out or avoid?

Any known issues or problems to look for?

What kind of MPG can I expect in mixed driving (my commute is about half urban freeway and half suburban surface streets?)

Thanks in advance. :ylsmoke:

 

[jpat30]

Hard to beat a WJ; might be a little biased tho I own an 03 Laredo....
The 4.0 is dang near bulletproof and with even just marginal maintenance will take you well into the 200K mile range. All 4.0 liter WJs came with the Selec Trac 4wd system; 2WD, 4WD Fulltime, N, 4WD H, and 4WD L. Its a great system. As for packages stick to the Laredo if you are looking for a more base model (less electric gizmos to break) jeep. WJs either came stock with 3.55 or 3.73 gears, depending on if they had the factory tow package or not. Real world MPG; 16-17 in town and 20-21ish on the hwy in stock form. The I6 is no rocket by any stretch of the imagination, but will definitely get you where you want to go. Some early model WJs with the I6 had issues with the well documented casting flaws of the cyl head and poorly designed Teves brake calibers. Both of these were remedied by the end of the run. I would look for an 03 or 04 if possible. Stockers with relatively low mileage can be had for under 5K all day everyday. For more info, check out the WJ Forum; lots of good info there. Good luck in your search....

 

[Martinjmpr]

Hard to beat a WJ; might be a little biased tho I own an 03 Laredo....

Thanks for the input. I hadn't really thought much about them but now that I look around I see you are right - they are everywhere.

Since I am still recovering from the trauma of having the 4L60E on my Suburban rebuilt, I have to ask: How reliable are the 4 speed auto trannys in the WJ? And worst-case scenario, if one had to be rebuilt, what would the approximate cost be?

I'm still liking the MT Pathfinder but when I see the enormous aftermarket support for the WJ as well as the significantly lower cost of entry (I've found local examples with 120k or less on them in the sub-$4000 range) I have to admit that it's looking better.

How do I know if it has the factory tow package? Is the presence of a receiver hitch the best indicator? Are they set up for a trailer brake controller?

 

[jpat30]

In my experience the 4 speed auto is very reliable. Never had to rebuild one, knock on wood, so cant speak to cost of one. As for the tow package; the factory hitch hides behind the rear plastic fascia and there will be a plastic bezel that covers things up. Also there will be a factory 7 pin wiring harness and most importantly there will be an aux trans cooler mounted up front on the radiator. The hitch by itself is not a good indicator as Chrysler recently installed factory hitches on non tow package equipped WJs as part of a recall because they provide much needed protection for the rear mounted gas tank. As for aftermarket support, yeah its getting better all the time. Folks seem to finally be catching on to the fact that you can buy and actually wheel a coil sprung solid axle 4x4 SUV that's not a land rover or early cruiser-haha. Sliders, bumpers, roof racks, etc are avail. Still with that said, expect to pay a little more for your parts as they still don't get the love of say a JK.

 

[Comanche Scott]

WJ would get my vote too, but then I'm very biased (had an awesome '04 Overland, that I still miss to this day).

That said, pick the wrong one, and it can nickle and dime you. There are many known issues that some never experience, some experience one or just a couple, and some poor guys go through it all.
These are at a minimum 12 year old vehicles, so take your time and pick a winner. :beer:

Before going out and looking for a WJ, check out the WJ forum on Jeep forum, lots of great info here.
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f310/

Also there is a website devoted to the WJ, and I found some great info here as well.
http://www.wjjeeps.com/jmenu.htm

FWIW: I'm running a 4L60E behind a 4BT and it's doing great. There are some excellent upgrades for that transmission, which make it pretty bullet proof, up to about 350HP.
So if you are re-doing your 4L60E, and plan to keep the vehicle, research on that is definitely your friend.

 

[Martinjmpr]

FWIW: I'm running a 4L60E behind a 4BT and it's doing great. There are some excellent upgrades for that transmission, which make it pretty bullet proof, up to about 350HP.
So if you are re-doing your 4L60E, and plan to keep the vehicle, research on that is definitely your friend.

Trans is already done at a local shop here in Denver that got several recommendations from folks on this board. When I talked to the tech he said they routinely rebuild with stronger and better parts so knock wood, I should be good to go for the next few years at least.

 

[Comanche Scott]

awesome news! :victory:
I was going to build my own, but got such a smoking good deal through Bow Tie Transmissions, with all the stuff I would have used any way, that it didn't pay to build one.

Good luck on your WJ search. :beer:

 

[4x4x4doors]

No, I'm really not stalking you.
Test fit a WJ before you go down that path. People geometry is different but when I tried one, once I got the seat semi-comfortable for me, the backseat was unusable for my likely passengers.