XJLI
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Long Island, NY
Cool, thanks for the info dude. Anything I pick up will have over 100k but it's an expensive truck to begin with so hopefully the PO kept it maintained
How do we like the wj?
- Thread starter yossarian19
- Start date
Talyn
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Radford, Communistwealth of Virginia
T-case yes, power steering fluid, no.
Tcase doesn't have a VC.
srmitchell
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Mckinleyville (Humboldt) CA
They are both WJ specific. I have bottles of both. The power steering fluid is clear, and the tcase fluid is light amber.
Wjjeeps.com. -
Power steering-
Mopar®P/N 04883077 Hydraulic fluid / Power steering fluid (MS5931)
MS5931 IS THE ONLY FLUID THAT CAN BE USED FOR THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Important note:
The factory fill power steering fluid for all 1999-2004 Grand Cherokees is a unique fluid, MS5931. ATF+4 (MS9602) should not be mixed or used as a “topping off” fluid on the Grand Cherokee WJ. All WJ models should be serviced using ONLY the special MS5931 fluid. ATF+4 is NOT an approved Power Steering Fluid and should never be used under any circumstances. Note that all fluids will darken in color with usage and fluid color is no longer an indication of fluid condition.
Tcase-
Mopar® Transfer Case Lubricant
THIS IS THE ONLY LUBRICANT RECOMMENDED
Mopar® P/N 05016796AB (4 pints)
And about the tcase, fair enough, it is listed as a "gerotor coupling"-
"Type: Progressive On Demand
Full time 4WD operation sends power to both the front and rear axles under normal driving conditions and automatically transfers torque to the front as needed
Gerotor pump in the transfer case transfers power immediately to the front axle when wheel slip is detected. provides four-wheel drive power automatically, with no driver input
Includes a low-range mode for severe road conditions and low-speed pulling power
Includes a neutral mode that allows the vehicle to be towed
The NV247 is an on-demand 4-wheel drive transfer case with two operating ranges and a neutral position. Under normal driving conditions, the system operates conventionally, and the majority of available torque is applied to the rear wheels. However, when front-to-rear wheel speed variations exist, the progressive differential transfers torque to the axle with the better traction, thus minimizing wheel spin and maximizing control."
Wjjeeps.com. -
Power steering-
Mopar®P/N 04883077 Hydraulic fluid / Power steering fluid (MS5931)
MS5931 IS THE ONLY FLUID THAT CAN BE USED FOR THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Important note:
The factory fill power steering fluid for all 1999-2004 Grand Cherokees is a unique fluid, MS5931. ATF+4 (MS9602) should not be mixed or used as a “topping off” fluid on the Grand Cherokee WJ. All WJ models should be serviced using ONLY the special MS5931 fluid. ATF+4 is NOT an approved Power Steering Fluid and should never be used under any circumstances. Note that all fluids will darken in color with usage and fluid color is no longer an indication of fluid condition.
Tcase-
Mopar® Transfer Case Lubricant
THIS IS THE ONLY LUBRICANT RECOMMENDED
Mopar® P/N 05016796AB (4 pints)
And about the tcase, fair enough, it is listed as a "gerotor coupling"-
"Type: Progressive On Demand
Full time 4WD operation sends power to both the front and rear axles under normal driving conditions and automatically transfers torque to the front as needed
Gerotor pump in the transfer case transfers power immediately to the front axle when wheel slip is detected. provides four-wheel drive power automatically, with no driver input
Includes a low-range mode for severe road conditions and low-speed pulling power
Includes a neutral mode that allows the vehicle to be towed
The NV247 is an on-demand 4-wheel drive transfer case with two operating ranges and a neutral position. Under normal driving conditions, the system operates conventionally, and the majority of available torque is applied to the rear wheels. However, when front-to-rear wheel speed variations exist, the progressive differential transfers torque to the axle with the better traction, thus minimizing wheel spin and maximizing control."
xj-grin
NAXJA Member #1096
- Location
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
Definitely check the tcase on whatever you look at. My PO had run gear oil in the 247 and it was , well, toast.
- Location
- Lafayette, CA
Only the NP247 has Mopar specific fluid. The 242 is normal, right?
As srmitchell said:
-Brakes on the early (99 to 02ish) have brake rotor warpage issues. Its a bolt on swap to go from the problematic to good.
-HVAC blend doors and heater core leaking are big problems. Both are about $100 in parts, but require removing the entire dash. I want to say it took me about 10 hours to do taking my time. Expect to pay ~$1k to have a shop do it.
-Exhaust studs on the 4.7s will break. Seems like once you get past ~40k miles, you are good to go. If they havent been replaced at this point, I doubt it will have issues.
- Front tweeters blow if you turn the music up to 11. Very few factory replacements, but are only ~$30 for a pair and easy to replace.
-Headlights oxidize. Quick job with an off the shelf polish kit, or under $100 for new replacements.
-IMO the I6 is gutless for such a heavy vehicle, but they are seemingly as reliable as the 4.0s in the XJ.
-Aftermarket bumper and armor support sucks. You are looking at around a grand per end on bumpers, and skids are not common.
-DW is common, but easy to fix if you dont hobble your 8'' short arm lift kit together.
etc?
I own a 99 4.7 that I got from my girlfriends parents. They babied it, and its in very good condition for how old and how many miles it has. At ~147k its got problems, but I am slowly fixing things. Heater core and blend doors failed, that was a fun weekend. I have the NP247 and the coupler thing has gone out. It only has 2wd while in full time, but 4 low does work.
Im at a fairly high altitude so the power does leave something to be desired, but its a lot more then my I6 Cherokee had. It feels much bigger than the Cherokee, but power everything, V8 and heated seats are awesome.
IMO, they are a good step up, if you can find one that is in good condition, or find one cheap enough you can afford the repairs.
As srmitchell said:
-Brakes on the early (99 to 02ish) have brake rotor warpage issues. Its a bolt on swap to go from the problematic to good.
-HVAC blend doors and heater core leaking are big problems. Both are about $100 in parts, but require removing the entire dash. I want to say it took me about 10 hours to do taking my time. Expect to pay ~$1k to have a shop do it.
-Exhaust studs on the 4.7s will break. Seems like once you get past ~40k miles, you are good to go. If they havent been replaced at this point, I doubt it will have issues.
- Front tweeters blow if you turn the music up to 11. Very few factory replacements, but are only ~$30 for a pair and easy to replace.
-Headlights oxidize. Quick job with an off the shelf polish kit, or under $100 for new replacements.
-IMO the I6 is gutless for such a heavy vehicle, but they are seemingly as reliable as the 4.0s in the XJ.
-Aftermarket bumper and armor support sucks. You are looking at around a grand per end on bumpers, and skids are not common.
-DW is common, but easy to fix if you dont hobble your 8'' short arm lift kit together.
etc?
I own a 99 4.7 that I got from my girlfriends parents. They babied it, and its in very good condition for how old and how many miles it has. At ~147k its got problems, but I am slowly fixing things. Heater core and blend doors failed, that was a fun weekend. I have the NP247 and the coupler thing has gone out. It only has 2wd while in full time, but 4 low does work.
Im at a fairly high altitude so the power does leave something to be desired, but its a lot more then my I6 Cherokee had. It feels much bigger than the Cherokee, but power everything, V8 and heated seats are awesome.
IMO, they are a good step up, if you can find one that is in good condition, or find one cheap enough you can afford the repairs.
Talyn
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Radford, Communistwealth of Virginia
Several aftermarket power steering fluids meet MS5931 specs. Its not special.
Which is significantly different from a viscous coupling.
Correct. The NP247 is the only Jeep transfer case that I know of that needs a special fluid.
Not dificult but time consuming and you need the AC drained and refilled.
There are a few decent projector lights available for the WJ. I do recommend protecting them with some form of thick vinyl like Lamin-X to name one. Protects from rocks as well as oxidization.
My mother's hit 198k last week.
xj-grin
NAXJA Member #1096
- Location
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
definitely look for one with the blend doors fixed, it is indeed a time consuming PITA, and make sure it was fixed with an aluminum aftermarket door, not the POS stocker. First thing I did to my WJ was replace the crappy blend door and crappy stock not-copper heater core.
yossarian19
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Grass Valley, CA
In a conversation with Blaine, he'd said the WJs & JKs are prone to DW due to the full crossover steering design. Given what I know about DW (vibrations build on each other until amplitude makes you crap yourself) I'll say this sounds feasible... anyone smarter and or more educated than me want to chime in?
xj-grin
NAXJA Member #1096
- Location
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
I've always thought the inverted y steering on most jeeps is more prone to DW... I can think of countless friends with nonjeeps and full crossover with no DW issues, plus both my last XJ and my WJ are full crossover with the least amount of steering issues I've had in any jeep. YMMV.
- Location
- Lafayette, CA
From the reading I have done, most seem to attribute the DW to having the control arms closer to the center of the axle than other axles.
This puts additional strain on the panhard, and with the strain of soccer moms using a full time tcase, V8 and being heavier than say a XJ, makes the bushings in the panhard and control arms wear out.
Makes sense in my head. How accurate it is, not sure. Seems more logical than the type of steering a good majority of the newer solid axle vehicles run with no issues.
Hillbilly XJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Missouri Ozarks
I bought my 2004 Overland 2 years ago from the original owner who special ordered it. It was on craigslist for a month and half before I called about it was looking for a 4wd truck really. When I called the owner said I was the third who had called in 2 months (reason mileage) 201,000 I decided to have a look.
He lived the next town over from me 12 mi. and offered to bring it over then, fine. When he pulled in I was amazed beautiful Black Pearl Metal Flake, flawless not a scratch on it. The interior Black/Gray leather was the same perfect and had every option offered by Jeep at the time. The Jeep had service records starting from the 1st oil change to everything ever done to it at the dealership where he bought it. This included the complete new OEM 4.7 HO engine that went in at 184,000 mi. Best part I was able to transfer what was left on the warranty 30,000, but I don't put that many miles on a year.
He was asking $5900 but I offered $5000 cash on the spot and he accepted. Not only was this my first Jeep but shortly after bought my XJ. I must say as far a comfort it equals my Town Car except for on the freeway but have made it my daily driver. It is here to stay and I have a hard time keeping my wife out of it.
When I did buy it I spent about $1000 at Jeep for servicing all fluids from radiator to rear end. Also installed new brakes and rotors where needed.
The best 6 grand I ever spent and it is really quick, tires squeal when it hits 2nd and if its hot 3rd a few times. I guess the 3.73 gears help with that.
He lived the next town over from me 12 mi. and offered to bring it over then, fine. When he pulled in I was amazed beautiful Black Pearl Metal Flake, flawless not a scratch on it. The interior Black/Gray leather was the same perfect and had every option offered by Jeep at the time. The Jeep had service records starting from the 1st oil change to everything ever done to it at the dealership where he bought it. This included the complete new OEM 4.7 HO engine that went in at 184,000 mi. Best part I was able to transfer what was left on the warranty 30,000, but I don't put that many miles on a year.
He was asking $5900 but I offered $5000 cash on the spot and he accepted. Not only was this my first Jeep but shortly after bought my XJ. I must say as far a comfort it equals my Town Car except for on the freeway but have made it my daily driver. It is here to stay and I have a hard time keeping my wife out of it.
When I did buy it I spent about $1000 at Jeep for servicing all fluids from radiator to rear end. Also installed new brakes and rotors where needed.
The best 6 grand I ever spent and it is really quick, tires squeal when it hits 2nd and if its hot 3rd a few times. I guess the 3.73 gears help with that.
I read the whole thread. I might be picking up a 00 limited today with 96k extremely clean inside n out with the 4.7. How can I tell if it will have blend doors? Anything else I should look for while I go check it out? The price is $4750 is that a good price for the grand?
shelbyluvv
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- 29 Palms, CA
look for dual climate control. Those are the doors that fail. Heated seats can also be an issue. 96K is low mileage and it should last you another few years.
The price seems high to me. $4K flat is about where it should be.
The price seems high to me. $4K flat is about where it should be.
its hard to find grands out here with under 100k for under 5k. looking at the pics he sent me of the inside. theres two knobs and a led screen in between the knobs.
shelbyluvv
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- 29 Palms, CA
It has the dual climate control. Is it at a dealer or private party?
Any 10+ year old vehicle is hare to find with under 100K on them. They are out there.
Any 10+ year old vehicle is hare to find with under 100K on them. They are out there.
private party. he wanted 5300 for it. talked him down to 4750$ so thats good to know the difference for the ac/heater setup.
shelbyluvv
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- 29 Palms, CA
All in all it is a decent price.
looks like he sold it as i was about to head over. so i found a 04 special edition with 147k super clean inside and out. and the ac/ heather has 3 knobs and no led display. price is around 4700 as well.
shelbyluvv
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- 29 Palms, CA
I have an 04 SE and love it. It doesn't have the blend door issues or seat heater problems as well.
My only issues since it bought it in 04 have been,
water pump replaced at 26K under warranty
rattling cat that I caused by hitting a rock in JV, replaced under warranty as well.
cracked t case, again caused at JV. I replaced that as it was totally my fault.
TRS went bad in the trans at 95K. $300 fix in the driveway to replace it.
The biggest thing was almost all the wires in the doors broke and the main power wire shorted out against the body at freaked out the BCM. Once I repaired all the wires everything went right back to normal. I gave it to my son last year for his 16th birthday and he daily drives it with 150K on it.
My only issues since it bought it in 04 have been,
water pump replaced at 26K under warranty
rattling cat that I caused by hitting a rock in JV, replaced under warranty as well.
cracked t case, again caused at JV. I replaced that as it was totally my fault.
TRS went bad in the trans at 95K. $300 fix in the driveway to replace it.
The biggest thing was almost all the wires in the doors broke and the main power wire shorted out against the body at freaked out the BCM. Once I repaired all the wires everything went right back to normal. I gave it to my son last year for his 16th birthday and he daily drives it with 150K on it.
