reece146
Automotive Artist
Here is a WJ specific thread you may want to read: http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1106328
1996-2001 XJ or 2001-???? WJ - Need Knowledgable Advice
- Thread starter quietfighting
- Start date
reece146
Automotive Artist
I would take a fzj80/lx450 over a WJ any day. I'm actually after an 80 series myself.
Better yet, a UZJ100/LX470.
toylandcruiser
Expedition Leader
X2. Nothing jeep makes Is Camry reliable.
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin
wADVr
Adventurer
I wouldn't say a 4.0 WJ is that bad considering the 3.8JKU combo.. But as others have confirmed there are a lot more possible issues with the WJ. My best advice would be to go out drive one or two of each and maybe a 4runner or 80 series LC…
I mentioned the Tcase swap as an option, I would hate to rule out a good deal for a tcase that can be swapped even by a shop for a few hundred bucks(less if you consider the sale of the NP231)
Im an XJ fan, I even tried converting to the JK platform and sell my XJ to fund its build but can't bring myself to sell it off. I have owned several XJs and also agree that the sweet spot is the 99 model but other than the intake I would certainly consider a 96(if you can handle the even more primitive interior) or 97,98. The 00-01 get the crappy head and heat soaking pre-cat equiped exhaust manifold and low pinion axle.
I mentioned the Tcase swap as an option, I would hate to rule out a good deal for a tcase that can be swapped even by a shop for a few hundred bucks(less if you consider the sale of the NP231)
Im an XJ fan, I even tried converting to the JK platform and sell my XJ to fund its build but can't bring myself to sell it off. I have owned several XJs and also agree that the sweet spot is the 99 model but other than the intake I would certainly consider a 96(if you can handle the even more primitive interior) or 97,98. The 00-01 get the crappy head and heat soaking pre-cat equiped exhaust manifold and low pinion axle.
quietfighting
New member
Thanks for Helping me Narrow Models and Years Down
I want to thank everyone for their help in gaining a greater knowledge of these two vehicle models. Its great to get such good information on the quirks and issues relating to each year model. Hopefully your info will help me avoid much headache in the future by being able to make a more informed decision on my car purchase.
It appears that I want either:
'1. 99 XJ 4.0L with Selec-Trac (Country? Sport? SE?) or Count on replacing head gaskets on a 00-01 Model that I find. (price on replacement?)
or
2. 02-04 Grand Cherokee Overland/Limited/Special Edition equipped with 4.7 HO w/ QT2 AWD - Anyway to avoid door blending issues on any of these models? How has there not been a recall?
Finding these specific models may prove difficult judging by my search results so far. I live in Texas.
Are these models still good for the long haul around 160,000 miles? That is where most of the models I am finding are mileage wise.
Thanks again for all of your help.
I want to thank everyone for their help in gaining a greater knowledge of these two vehicle models. Its great to get such good information on the quirks and issues relating to each year model. Hopefully your info will help me avoid much headache in the future by being able to make a more informed decision on my car purchase.
It appears that I want either:
'1. 99 XJ 4.0L with Selec-Trac (Country? Sport? SE?) or Count on replacing head gaskets on a 00-01 Model that I find. (price on replacement?)
or
2. 02-04 Grand Cherokee Overland/Limited/Special Edition equipped with 4.7 HO w/ QT2 AWD - Anyway to avoid door blending issues on any of these models? How has there not been a recall?
Finding these specific models may prove difficult judging by my search results so far. I live in Texas.
Are these models still good for the long haul around 160,000 miles? That is where most of the models I am finding are mileage wise.
Thanks again for all of your help.
wADVr
Adventurer
RE #1 XJ: pick your trim level but probably not going to find a select trace in the base model SE. Note that its not just a failing gasket but the head actually cracks on the 00-01 models. Oh and because I don't recall reading it, pre 00 4.0 will more than likely have or will have a cracked exhaust manifold at some point.
EmersonHart13
Observer
My 00 wj 4.7 limited with 165k has bad timing chain tensioners, a leaky front trans seal, a 247 tc that doesn't work and is sagging so bad it looks lowered. I still love it though! All fixable issues and I got it for a steal. If you are handy you cam fix them for cheap. I am working through my issues.
Wjjeeps.com is amazing for info.
I looked at XJs and they were tok much money, they seem to rust too much, the creature comforts are much lower and they are smaller. I would have bought an XJ in a heartbeat but the deal just wasn't there.
Good luck!!
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f310/ultimate-wj-grand-cherokee-buyers-guide-1271979/
Wjjeeps.com is amazing for info.
I looked at XJs and they were tok much money, they seem to rust too much, the creature comforts are much lower and they are smaller. I would have bought an XJ in a heartbeat but the deal just wasn't there.
Good luck!!
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f310/ultimate-wj-grand-cherokee-buyers-guide-1271979/
Chi-Town
The guy under the car
The 00-01' eat heads along with head gaskets. Supposedly because of the increased heat from the 2 pre cats.
98-99 are are the same truck, except 99' got a shorter roof rack and the horseshoe intake manifold (dyno shows +2-5hp vs older style)
As for selec-trac, there were no specific models equipped with it as a customer could add it to any trim level truck except 2.5L trucks.
Another thing to watch for is to make sure you get the Chrysler 8.25 rear axle, not the Dana 35. Some owners will have swapped the Dana 44 from the older XJ which also usually have the Trac-loc limited slip differential in them.
98-99 are are the same truck, except 99' got a shorter roof rack and the horseshoe intake manifold (dyno shows +2-5hp vs older style)
As for selec-trac, there were no specific models equipped with it as a customer could add it to any trim level truck except 2.5L trucks.
Another thing to watch for is to make sure you get the Chrysler 8.25 rear axle, not the Dana 35. Some owners will have swapped the Dana 44 from the older XJ which also usually have the Trac-loc limited slip differential in them.
91AzXJ
Adventurer
I have a 00 with 175K miles and the original head and exhaust manifold neither of which has had issues. I have a 91XJ that has had exhaust manifold cracks on several occasions so lets just say that all 98 and older XJs will have cracked exhaust manifolds multiple times. I also have a D35 on my 91 with 225K which has been wheeled hard with 31's and is still running strong so let's quit generalizing and saying crap like all D35s will break, all 4.7s are crap and all 00-01 heads will crack because they aren't or won't and it depends on how they are treated and maintained! Yes if you put 35's on a locked D35 and beat the crap out of it, it will fail. If you run a 4.0L red hot, the head will most likely crack. Were there some quality issues with the 331 heads? Yes but there were also some casting #s which were just as reliable as the earlier heads. I will now get off my soap box.
Chi-Town
The guy under the car
The exception is not the norm.
Having been a Jeep technician for many years I've seen the head failures first hand on bone stock trucks that never saw anything but normal use.
As for exhaust manifolds cracking, that can happen on any 4.0L ever made. There doesn't seem to be a specific cause but fortunately it's inexpensive (91-99) to fix if it happens.
The 4.7 in the WJ has head issues also (look at how many are for sale cheap that need heads and or a motor) not to mention there was a whole production run of them that made it out of the factory with out head gaskets.
As for the comment about the dana 35 being a bad axle I was telling him to look for the 8.25 or Dana 44 because he plans on towing with it and the Dana 35 doesn't handle the stress as well as the other two options.
Having been a Jeep technician for many years I've seen the head failures first hand on bone stock trucks that never saw anything but normal use.
As for exhaust manifolds cracking, that can happen on any 4.0L ever made. There doesn't seem to be a specific cause but fortunately it's inexpensive (91-99) to fix if it happens.
The 4.7 in the WJ has head issues also (look at how many are for sale cheap that need heads and or a motor) not to mention there was a whole production run of them that made it out of the factory with out head gaskets.
As for the comment about the dana 35 being a bad axle I was telling him to look for the 8.25 or Dana 44 because he plans on towing with it and the Dana 35 doesn't handle the stress as well as the other two options.
Xjaddiction
Observer
My quick reply...
The XJ for reliability, and I've had 4 XJ's, three ZJ's and one MJ.
My best cherokee with loads of money spent, really before they were popular to lift. 7"es of lift on 35's
and a whole lot of other parts. Great on the road and off.
The XJ auto is an Aisin 4 speed auto from Japan. Similar unit used in the toyota pickups. Bulletproof tranny. The I-6 is incredible, lots of power and good to
5000lbs of hauling with weight distribution hitch. You can get a ZJ GC with the I-6 and the Aisin Tranny too, but too many other problems with the GC.
1999 IMOP is the best year for the XJ. last year before distributor less , 8.25 29 spline rear end, less restricted I-6.
Watch for rust, as the XJ, ZJ, WJ are unibody construction.
242 is a great transfer case, stronger than the 231, and not too hard to find. Look at the limiteds for best chance of having one.
The only problem with the XJ? The rear seat is awful!!!!! I changed out the rear seat in my last XJ with a rear seat out of a ZJ. Can be done with minor trimming.
The WJ and ZJ have more problems with the basic mechanicals, and if you get the V-8 in the ZJ it's a three speed auto and full-time all-wheel-drive. the viscous
coupler is notorius failure. A 242 or 231 are easy swaps though. Power windows often fail in the ZJ, and WJ as well as the HVAC blend doors. The V-8 ZJ's do have a rear
dana 44 but it's aluminum and limited with options for gearing.
A big problem with all these year cherokees are the fuel tanks hang low and behind the rear axle. Not good for rear end collisions. Steel plate gas tank skid plates are
readily available though.
The only Grand Cherokee I really love is the illusive 5.9L That thing is absolutely incredible. I dropped a 231 in it, 33's on 4 inch lift, adj' arms, SYE, and body protection.
Not my 5.9L but very similar to what mine looked like before the wreck
This was 3" OME with 38" SS, just a test fit from my MJ
Wheeling with all the cherokees, the XJ is more nimble, and makes a great offroader with their coil sprung front end and the leaf sprung rear.
If you lift over 3"es plan on long arms or drop brackets with adjustable control arms. For the GC you will need adjustable control arms for the rear as well as they are coil sprung.
The absolute best family expedition vehicle is the... I know this is sacrilegious on this Jeep part of the forum, the FJ80 hands down. (and believe me, I love Jeeps) The 80's are getting cheaper
to purchase now, three rows of seating, all wheel drive. throw a 3" OME suspension on there, and drop the 4:10 gearing to 5:13 with 33's and your good.
The least amount I spent on any off road vehicle thanks to a good friend of mine in the know. ($3500 bucks with purchase price)
all leaf sprung MJ on grand wag 44's 5:13's and 38" SS shortened LB with spool in the rear and lock-rite in front.
The XJ for reliability, and I've had 4 XJ's, three ZJ's and one MJ.
My best cherokee with loads of money spent, really before they were popular to lift. 7"es of lift on 35's
and a whole lot of other parts. Great on the road and off.
The XJ auto is an Aisin 4 speed auto from Japan. Similar unit used in the toyota pickups. Bulletproof tranny. The I-6 is incredible, lots of power and good to
5000lbs of hauling with weight distribution hitch. You can get a ZJ GC with the I-6 and the Aisin Tranny too, but too many other problems with the GC.
1999 IMOP is the best year for the XJ. last year before distributor less , 8.25 29 spline rear end, less restricted I-6.
Watch for rust, as the XJ, ZJ, WJ are unibody construction.
242 is a great transfer case, stronger than the 231, and not too hard to find. Look at the limiteds for best chance of having one.
The only problem with the XJ? The rear seat is awful!!!!! I changed out the rear seat in my last XJ with a rear seat out of a ZJ. Can be done with minor trimming.
The WJ and ZJ have more problems with the basic mechanicals, and if you get the V-8 in the ZJ it's a three speed auto and full-time all-wheel-drive. the viscous
coupler is notorius failure. A 242 or 231 are easy swaps though. Power windows often fail in the ZJ, and WJ as well as the HVAC blend doors. The V-8 ZJ's do have a rear
dana 44 but it's aluminum and limited with options for gearing.
A big problem with all these year cherokees are the fuel tanks hang low and behind the rear axle. Not good for rear end collisions. Steel plate gas tank skid plates are
readily available though.
The only Grand Cherokee I really love is the illusive 5.9L That thing is absolutely incredible. I dropped a 231 in it, 33's on 4 inch lift, adj' arms, SYE, and body protection.
Not my 5.9L but very similar to what mine looked like before the wreck
This was 3" OME with 38" SS, just a test fit from my MJ
Wheeling with all the cherokees, the XJ is more nimble, and makes a great offroader with their coil sprung front end and the leaf sprung rear.
If you lift over 3"es plan on long arms or drop brackets with adjustable control arms. For the GC you will need adjustable control arms for the rear as well as they are coil sprung.
The absolute best family expedition vehicle is the... I know this is sacrilegious on this Jeep part of the forum, the FJ80 hands down. (and believe me, I love Jeeps) The 80's are getting cheaper
to purchase now, three rows of seating, all wheel drive. throw a 3" OME suspension on there, and drop the 4:10 gearing to 5:13 with 33's and your good.
The least amount I spent on any off road vehicle thanks to a good friend of mine in the know. ($3500 bucks with purchase price)
all leaf sprung MJ on grand wag 44's 5:13's and 38" SS shortened LB with spool in the rear and lock-rite in front.
stomperxj
Explorer
I don't think I saw anyone mention anything about the stock XJ brakes. From a 2 time XJ owner the stock brakes are horrible. It boils down to a bad design and material choices. Make sure you get good pads and rotors on it or save up for a big brake kit and do a rear disc swap if you can afford it. Some added weight via a roof rack and bumper and mildly oversized tires and you need to be careful in panic stop situations. Trailer brakes are a MUST when towing with these things and even with trailer brakes panic situations are sketchy...
Other than that I will echo everything that has been said positively about the XJ. Great rigs...
Other than that I will echo everything that has been said positively about the XJ. Great rigs...