What to look for in a 99-04 Grand Cherokee

[Doc Mayhem]

I am looking for some help/opinions of 1999-04 Jeep Grand Cherokee's. My wife's Honda just got hit and is not worth fixing, so now I need to buy somethng soone that I had originally wanted. I have been looking a the GC's and was initially looking for a 4.0L 4wd. I am looking for a relatively simple and inexpensive ($10,000 ish) vehicle of the 4wd SUV type, ie it has relatively simple suspension, a manual transfer case, and would like to avoid tire pressure sensors. Should I avoid the 4.7 V8 or even look at the previous body style GC, any input would be great? I used to own a 1994 Cherokee and had good luck with it.

 

[Martyn]

The 99 -04 GC with the V8 have far less reported problems than the 4.0L (been following this vehicle on Consumer Report s for 10 years).

I have owned one with a V8 since 2001 and it now has 187K on it. It likes to warp rotors, had a water pump fail, cracked in the plastic housing for the radiator, and a seal a the front of the rear drive shaft needed replacing. Replaced the shocks a few years ago as a couple had started to leak.

Going to keep the vehicle in the family rather than sell it as it's been so reliable so far, touch wood.

 

[Doc Mayhem]

Does the 4.7 use chains or a timing belt?

 

[Martyn]

Does the 4.7 use chains or a timing belt?

A chain as far as I know.

 

[Diesel YJ]

OK not sure why anyone reported problems with the 4.0 as it is the most revered engine for longevity and minimal issues. the 99-04 4.0 engine is the most powerful and the last of the series except the remain two years in the TJ. To the contrary of engine comparisons the 4.7 has had a bad history of tossing rods out of the block, just look online for jeeps that need new motors (4.7). Sorry if this sounds like a P(*&^ contest but the 4.0 is a fantastic motor and if I bought another WJ I would get another 4.0 in a heart beat but I have as of right now 226K miles with no leaks, no burning of any fluids and still get 19mpg with my 4'' rough country lift and stock 2009 jk wheels which work out to be 32's.

Ok sorry about that and on now to the recommendations. Stick with the 2001 and later as the front brakes were redesigned and are awesome!!! I converted my 2000 series over and have since not warped any front rotors even with towing. I cannot tell you how many times I replaced them before hand. Also with the 4.0 you get the select track transfer case with gives you much more freedom in your drive line selection and saves you with not having to be in 4x4 all the time. I think the freedom edition at the end of the production line gave the option of v8 and select track but cant be sure. One thing this series will always have to deal with is the door lock actuators go out or make this loud sounds before they go, but I have only replaced one and just the other day I had a new one start (not bad for the year and mileage and use). The tail lights have a socket style that cause either over heating or just a bad connection but I have seem many on the highway and mine I am told is almost always out. The blend doors in the hvac system are prone to going out and are a absolute pain to replace (total removal of dash to the firewall).

All in all its a great vehicle and would gladly replace mine with another or pick up a 2nd for the right price. Oh and I have been running Valvoline full synthetic 10-30 right at around 130K I bought her at 70K, and change every 7500 mile intervals but as my towing has increased I am going to 5k so keep up the maintenance and enjoy it.

 

[Martyn]

OK not sure why anyone reported problems with the 4.0 as it is the most revered engine for longevity and minimal issues. the 99-04 4.0 engine is the most powerful and the last of the series except the remain two years in the TJ. To the contrary of engine comparisons the 4.7 has had a bad history of tossing rods out of the block, just look online for jeeps that need new motors (4.7). Sorry if this sounds like a P(*&^ contest but the 4.0 is a fantastic motor and if I bought another WJ I would get another 4.0 in a heart beat but I have as of right now 226K miles with no leaks, no burning of any fluids and still get 19mpg with my 4'' rough country lift and stock 2009 jk wheels which work out to be 32's.

Well our information does seem contradictory. I followed the GC through Consumer Reports for years, they do annual surveys of their subscribers asking for details on their vehicles it's quite comprehensive. Every year the V8 had far less problems than the straight 6.

But it seems you are very happy with your straight 6 and I'm very happy with my V8. So I guess that's two votes for the vehicle.

 

[srmitchell]

In addition to my 2001, 4.0L powered xj, we own a 2004 wj.

It has the 4.7L v8, and it is a "Special Edition". It is basically a laredo, with painted side trim like the limited model, but no fake wood, and no chrome.

The 4.7 motor is MUCH better as far as drive-ability than the 4.0.

It also has a 5 speed auto. I've heard that the transmission they put the 4.0 wj is crap, not nearly as good as my xj's aw4 tranny.

Our wj with a v8, 32's, and stock gears is faster, more powerful, and more efficient than my armored xj on 32's and 4.56's. They are the same height and near the same weight. (About 4100lbs)

Go 4.7 man! 2004 special edition is where it's at.

 

[CMARJEEP]

Some common problems with WJ's (99-04)

1. First few years had problems with the front brake calipers that warped rotors like no other. There was a recall though that replaced the Teves calipers with Akebono brand. This fixed the warping.

2. If you get the dual climate system you can almost guarantee that the blend doors will/have/are going to break. You can tell because you will have uneven air temperatures depending on where the door breaks. For example you might get hot air only through the passenger vents, etc.

This can be fixed with an OEM part but is extremely labor intensive and will cost close to $1000 to get fixed if you take it in because the entire dash must be replaced. There are other fixes on ebay that you can get that work around the dash but will make some features of the dual climate not work.

3. On models that have the Quadra-Trac or Quadra-Drive four wheel drive systems the viscous coupler inside the transfer case goes bad. This is essentially a clutch that transfers power between front and rear axles when slippage is detected. You can test it by doing tight circles in a parking lot. If the tires chirp and/or "skip" it is most likely bad.

4.The tweeters on the dash are complete crap and blow out. Not a big deal and can be replaced with aftermarket ones easily.

Other than those things (which can be avoided by choosing different options such as one with Selec-Trac 4wd system) they are very capable and reliable. I have an 01 with the 4.0L and Selec Trac and it has been a great vehicle. The only thing is I wish I got the 4.7L as the 4.0 is a dog. I know a lot of people with WJ's and I don't think there is a difference in reliability between the two enignes.

 

[srmitchell]

I've heard of the blend door issue, I didn't realize it was only on the dual zone setup.

Ours has the single zone system, so that's good.

 

[pajeepman]

I know of a 2004 v-8 SE for sale with 14,000 miles for $13,500. REALLY wish I had some cash to buy it, even though it is white. I would prefer a SE over a limited/overland becasue of the dual zone blend door issue, knobs are easier anyway. I have been in the market for "The right one" for 2 years now. The oprices haven't seem to have come down lately, if anything, they seem to have gone up ******?!!

 

[wjeeper]

I know the 4.0 vs 4.7 debate often times becomes heated but I will throw in my two cents.........

After having a 4.0 I don't think they are as gutless as everyone makes them out to be. They do get winded a bit quicker on long hills but its still manageable. The 4.0 is generally known for being reliable and the versions put in the WJ have all the good updates with one glaring exception. The fuel rail in my WJ was black painted steel (not stainless like other 4.0's i have seen) and rust flakes would often plug the #6 fuel injector and throw lots of codes. It took me almost 2 years, countless hours of frustration and several trips to shops before I figured that out. Happened on my friends WJ too, but I have never heard of anyone else having the issue. Perhaps its a fluke isolated problem? I rockcrawled mine with the automatic (stupid way to distroy a good jeep) and I never had any issues, even though I didn't have an additional cooler.

I don't think the 4.7 is a bad motor at all but it seems that in the junk yards around here there are 9 4.7's to every 4.0L......dont know if its due to a difference in production numbers or a design flaw. It is more powerful for sure and It doesn't use really anymore fuel than the smaller motor. I think its because the smaller motor has to work just a bit harder and has to burn more fuel to compensate.

 

[JTY]

Whatever you decide check out WJJeeps for lots of info on parts, maintenance, etc.

 

[srmitchell]

In the wj, I wouldn't bother with the 4.0.

My 4.0 is great for my xj, but the wj is best suited to the larger motor.

We have the superchips programmer running 91 octane on our 4.7, and it's a beast. MPG is good too.

 

[Jakes01234]

i dont own one
but i have driven an overland 4.7 and i do like it.. drives good but not as refined as some other similar suvs just not similar price.. for the money my opinion is they are a good deal for what you get.. if you tend to put alot of weight in your wj or tow anything the 4.7 is perfect and more economical than the 4.0, it doesnt try as hard at all... the 4.0 is a little bit of a dog when you load them down..
ive been in the market for an suv for a while now and these are still close to the top but im just trying to find the right one.. and not 500+ miles away..

 

[reece146]

I was going to buy a WJ, did the due diligence, analyzed the hell out of it.

I settled on 2003-2004, 4.7 with select-trac. 4.0 is not enough engine for a WJ's weight. If you want an excuse to build a stroker that is something else.

Don't get the 4.7 HO. Premium fuel in a truck is retarded.

I ended up buying a XJ. Oh well.