Want to Buy a Grand Cerokee. Help!

[Darton]

Lookin at getting a used Grand for the wife to drive so I can get my TJ back. What are good years, engines, mileage and options when looking at a used sub 10k Grand Cherokee. Also what is quadra-drive??? Here's one I saw just down the road http://www.autosolutionstn.com/inventory.htm . We haven't ruled out a 4 Runner either.

 

[purdueXJ]

Quadra-Drive employed the New Venture Gear NV247 transfer case. This two-speed chain-driven transfer case uses a gerotor, a clutch pack coupled to a hydraulic pump, to transfer torque between the front and rear axles. The transfer case contains three modes, 4-All Time, Neutral, and 4-Lo. In 4-All Time, 100% of torque is sent to the rear axle in normal conditions. If the rear axle starts spinning at a higher rate than the front axle, hydraulic pressure builds up in the gerotor and causes the clutch pack to progressively transfer torque to the front axle until both axles return to the same speed. Neutral mode is intended for towing the vehicle. In 4-Lo, the front and rear axles are locked together through a 2.72 reduction gear ratio.

In Quadra-Drive, the NV247 transfer case is mated to front and rear axles containing Jeep's Vari-Lok differentials. Vari-Lok differentials also use a gerotor to transfer torque.

Quoted from wiki. I've been seeing a lot of good wj's for under 10k. My mom had an 04 limited with the V8, and it was great to drive and had plenty of power. I have a friend that has a WJ with the 4.0 and its reliable but slow.

 

[Root Moose]

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

http://www.wjjeeps.com

Do you have small children? 2003 was the first year for LATCH IIRC.

 

[Lewybrewing]

99-04 had the same body style with the solid front axle. The V8's all (mostly) had the full time 4 wheel drive with 4-low and 4-part time. Once you hit the 05 and newer you get some reliabilty issues.

I would look at a 04 Overland model, Fully loaded

 

[kenallwine]

IIRC from when I had an 02 grand, I Think it was on WJJeeps.com or mallcrawlin, they were trying to put together a class action wall suite on the A/C blend door problem. So I would check out any WJ that you get to make sure if it has the dual zone A/C to make sure all the positions for the vents work correctly.

Also, the SE with the V8 had the least problems from my understanding the last few years it was made. I loved my Laredo and it ran great. the 4.0L straight six is bullet proof and pretty easy to work on.

Hope this helps ya out.

 

[Darton]

Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[Ford Prefect]

Actually all of the WJ jeeps had the latch system in the roof, but it was not until 03 that they put them in the seat. In other words you still have half the latch anchor system in the older ones and it is nice to have.

By the way, Quadra drive is the system that is very much like having a three locker system (both axles and t-case) the Quadra Track just has the T-case locker and the Selec-trac has bubcus (nothing). Now it is not really a locker, but it is computer controlled and basically functions like a locker. Works pretty well actually.

 

[Root Moose]

For the record, the blend door thing can be fixed with aftermarket parts. IIRC the parts cost around $200. The dealer will bend you over to fix it.

 

[Root Moose]

Be aware the that 4.7 liter High Output V8 in the Overland requires premium fuel and some of the parts do not interchange with the standard 4.7. It makes a bit more power.

This may or may not be a draw depending on what you are looking for in a vehicle.

 

[winkosmosis]

Factor in $1000 to fix the blend door WHEN it breaks. Then factor in another $1000 to fix it again if you plan to keep it a long time.

Then buy a 4Runner instead.

 

[Amauri]

Factor in $1000 to fix the blend door WHEN it breaks. Then factor in another $1000 to fix it again if you plan to keep it a long time.

Then buy a 4Runner instead.

There is a much cheaper aftermarket fix. Get a 4.7HO if you can, it uses premium but it's worth it.

 

[cocco78]

I would go for any 99-04 with the standard 4.7L, they make plenty of power, run on standard gas, and get great mpg's. I think I would also shy away from the limited for the standard Laredo model... I had a 99 limited and loved it, nicest vehicle I have ever had. The V8 with the tow package can even tow 7500lbs with a weight distributing hitch if I remember correctly, it might have been 7000lbs...

 

[Darton]

This will be the lady's primary vehicle and the family weekender (Me, her, and baby). It will however see some light trails and logging roads on said weekend trips. I'm leaning toward around an 02 Limited 4.7 or 4.0. What would one consider acceptable mileage limits on one of these puppies (obviously the fewer the better). Ohh and do all the 4x4's made after it's introduction have quadra drive?

A 4-Runner isn't out of the picture yet.

 

[The Swiss]

Had a 01 WJ with the I-6 and the NV 242 transfer case, which offers 2wd, full time four wheel drive, part time 4x4 and 4x4 low. GREAT transfer case for all occasions. I-6 was IMHO plenty powerful and returned our 17 mpg.

 

[Amauri]

The v8's only get an mpg or 2 less than the I6's.


I have a 4.0 in my zj, it's a great motor but sometimes I wish it had more power. If I could do it again I'd get a v8.