Jeep WJ questions

[mustangwarrior]

hey guys, i asked awhile back about cherokees and grand cherokees, well at the time i was only working seasonally and decided to keep the two vehicles i already had

well i just got a new job in the career field that i'm going to school for, finally getting my career in the professional workplace off the ground and over the course of the next few months i'm going to be buying a new vehicle, while they have both served me well, i'm selling both my escort and my completely non-practical f150, and i'm serious this time

so i tend to change my mind about things every other day but i think i've finally landed on either a WJ or xterra but leaning more towards the WJ,

i like that its mid sized, gets better mileage than my truck and comes with a solid front axle, i'm looking at '03-'04s with 80-100k miles and the $7-8k range as there seems to be plenty available

so my question is, what should i look for/at when buying one? is they any common issues with them or problems that arise? i know the 4.0 I-6 is nearly bulletproof but what about the tranny? any help you guys can give me i appreciate

 

[jeep-N-montero]

There has been a higher percentage of v8 WJ's with blown engines, so stick with the 4.0 for sure. The WJ's have better transmissions than the ZJ's came with so you should be fine as long as you get it serviced, as well as going through the entire vehicle to change all fluids and do a tune-up.

 

[K2ZJ]

01+ for sure. I would go V8, I had a 4 slow and wasn't happy. Check out MallCrawlin.com or Jeepforum.com. This is a vary common topic.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

01+ for sure. I would go V8, I had a 4 slow and wasn't happy. Check out MallCrawlin.com or Jeepforum.com. This is a vary common topic.

How many v8 WJ's have you owned or worked on? Great power but very unreliable. Have you owned or even driven a WJ with the 4.0, much improved over the 4.0 in the ZJ, has better flowing intake manifold and exhaust header from the factory.

 

[olsen_karl]

Tons of info here:
http://wjjeeps.com/

I had a 2002 Laredo, 4.0, selec-trac. I've owned 4 other Jeeps with the 4.0L engine. IMHO, the WJ is too heavy for that motor -- it's slow. Also, with the 4.0L, you get a 4-speed 42RE transmission, which isn't particularly strong. The 4.7L V8 comes with a 545RFE transmission (5-speed), which is more durable.

IMHO, if buying a WJ, search for a 2001-2002 model (they began de-contenting in 2002; 2003-04 are worse) Laredo with V8 and selec-trac 4WD. The Quadra-drive system (automatic locking axles, different transfer case) provides great traction offroad, but seems prone to expensive failures. The Selec-trac transfer case is an older 2WD/AWD/4HI/4LO case, nothing fancy, but reliable. I like the Laredo trim because it has the simple climate controls; the higher trim line (Limited, etc.) with automatic climate control have frequent failures with the blend doors, which involves disassembling your dashboard to repair.

 

[mustangwarrior]

thanks guys, i'll have to look into the 01-02's, as far as them being slow, i'm not worried, i'm buying a jeep not a sports cars and thought i'd mention as far as going off road, it won't see anything hardcore, some dirt roads, camping, fishing, mud here and there, basic expedition stuff, i live in ohio so there will be no rock crawling here

been looking around, there is alot available in this area within the range i mentioned and a couple 1 owner vehicles i wanna check out

 

[mustangwarrior]

here's a few possibilities

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=44418&endYear=2013&modelCode1=JEEPGRAND&showcaseOwnerId=75125&startYear=1981&makeCode1=JEEP&searchRadius=50&maxPrice=9000&showcaseListingId=319797622&minPrice=6000&listingId=319300781&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=44418&endYear=2013&modelCode1=JEEPGRAND&showcaseOwnerId=75125&startYear=1981&makeCode1=JEEP&searchRadius=50&maxPrice=9000&showcaseListingId=319797622&minPrice=6000&listingId=319158084&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=44418&endYear=2013&modelCode1=JEEPGRAND&showcaseOwnerId=75125&startYear=1981&makeCode1=JEEP&firstRecord=26&searchRadius=50&maxPrice=9000&showcaseListingId=319797622&minPrice=6000&listingId=320047301&Log=0

CarFax says this one is a one owner and is PA inspected which is a little more strict than ohio

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=44418&endYear=2013&modelCode1=JEEPGRAND&showcaseOwnerId=75125&startYear=1981&makeCode1=JEEP&firstRecord=26&searchRadius=50&maxPrice=9000&showcaseListingId=319797622&minPrice=6000&listingId=317499673&Log=0

 

[K2ZJ]

How many v8 WJ's have you owned or worked on? Great power but very unreliable. Have you owned or even driven a WJ with the 4.0, much improved over the 4.0 in the ZJ, has better flowing intake manifold and exhaust header from the factory.

Owned none, worked on several. Drove dozens of 4.0 WJs, I sold Jeeps for a while starting in 01, so I have driven quite a few. The improved intake and exhaust were to make up for necking down the head to meet emissions and had only 10lb/ft more torque. Very unreliable is quite an overstatement.

 

[reece146]

It's too bad the 5sp auto wasn't available with the 4.0. With revised gearing it would probably work nice with the 4.0.

 

[motodude248]

I have an 02 WJ with the 4.0 and selec-trac. It is definitely slower than the v8 and even other 4.0s I have driven. It does not matter to me though. I moved up from a 94 Wrangler with the 4 cylinder. There were many times big rigs were passing me going up a hill on the freeway. So I think the 4.0 is just fine. However my girlfriend has an 05 xterra with a 4.0 v6 and that thing is fun to drive. One of the fastest 4.0s I have ever driven. Either choice will be a good one though.

 

[ReconH3]

I still have my limited 99 WJ with the 4.7. Love it to death. Got it second hand in 2001. Getting close to 300,000 and only have to change the front drive shaft, radiator, and fan clutch. 180,000 where done towing a 3 ton trailer. I've beat the living daylights out of mine offroad. As far as I'm concerned, it's by far the best "luxury" 4x4 that really is offroadable. I'm running an OME lift with ARB bumper. I'll be keeping mine till it dies.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

Sent from my iPhone

 

[carpetbagger]

are you looking for something pristine or something that has already been beat on a bit and has some dings/scratches/etc.?

 

[mustangwarrior]

not looking for pristine, what i'm hoping to get is one that some soccer mom drove and it never left the street, it doesn't have to be perfect but i don't want it beat, planning on spending under $9,000

my plan is to drive it for two years pretty much stock, after that i will have finished school and if my current job works out, i will be set for a few years after school, so then i'll go buy a really nice vehicle and the jeep will become a toy

also since this area isn't really known for off roading, dings and scrathes aren't going to be too bad, what i'll have to worry about is rust

 

[rubiconscott]

I have a 2004 V8 with 189,000 miles and zero major problems. There were alternator and trany issues with the 99-01's but the 02-04's are usually free of those problems. The 4.0 only gets 1 MPH better economy than the 4.7 and the power to weight ratio made me go with the 4.7. I have a 4 inch lift and 31 inch MTZ's and even with the whole family and camping gear I still have plenty of power. This is my second 04 WJ with the 4.7. I bought one brand new in 04. I test drove one with the 4.0 and hated it. I had a 95 ZJ with the 4.0 and it was barely enough engine...

I would get one from a western state like Utah or Colorado so you get the inherent rust that comes from the Ohio, Michigan area. THere are plenty of clean 02-04 WJ's out here in Utah for under $7,000
I would stay away from the 4.0 in a WJ. I have a 05 LJ Rubi with the 4.0 and it has enough power only because I re geard the axles, added a cold air intake, throttle body spacer and Magnaflow cat back exhaust...

 

[jhc5]

This awesome thread on JF will really help.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f310/ultimate-wj-grand-cherokee-buyers-guide-1271979/