How do you guys feel about Grand Cherokees?

[RShotl]

I have a '96 XJ 4.0 that had tons of rust, has a ripped out interior, and roll up windows, etc. It only has 135,000 miles

I have an opportunity to get a better condition '94 Grand Cherokee Limited with a hitch, power windows, etc. etc. that has 140,000 miles.

Is the Grand Cherokee a problem waiting to happen when compared to the XJ? Is there anything I should note when I go look at it?

 

[lawsoncl]

A 94 Grand will have a Chrysler tranny, which have a reputation of poor reliability. I have a 93 4.0 (with the AW4) and as a whole it's been very reliable. I bought it used with 78k miles and it has 186k now. ONly issues were the typical XJ issues like the radiator, water pump, and rear main seal. I did also just swap out the rear axle as I managed to bend the D35 and it munched the spider gears somehow.

 

[friscokidd]

My vote is to take it if you like it. I have a 90 xj, 98 xj and 98 zj. The zj is nice and runs great. Its always nice to move from an empty no power car to something with power options As far as the body, mechanics, and the zj in general... i just think that they are a little nicer.

check out www.mallcrawlin.com

but be warned, they reallly blunt about things....LOL

 

[neonrog]

I have a 95 ZJ and really like it. Its the Laredo package, so power everything. And when I bought this, I was specifically looking for the Upcountry package which this had. Its nice to have the skidplates (use them often), tow hooks and an inch of lift... Mine wasn't well cared for when I got it 2years ago, but haven't had any real serious problems. Well, I did replace the headgasket a year ago, but that was a precaution on my part. The automatic slips a bit when cold but otherwise works great. And 2 weeks ago I had to press the beast into service towing my daughter's dead 90 XJ home 140 miles on a tow dolly. Didn't do too bad, more power would have been nice, but the big issue was stopping. ZJs could really use more braking power.

I have everything needed for a 2" budget boost lift right now, including new front control arms. And 31s. I wheel it, and it does quite well. Should do better with the lift though.

Mallcrawlin site is very good, but they are indeed quite blunt. Nagca.com is better for basic info.

 

[NWPhotog]

I have a '96 XJ 4.0 that had tons of rust, has a ripped out interior, and roll up windows, etc. It only has 135,000 miles

I have an opportunity to get a better condition '94 Grand Cherokee Limited with a hitch, power windows, etc. etc. that has 140,000 miles.

Is the Grand Cherokee a problem waiting to happen when compared to the XJ? Is there anything I should note when I go look at it?

I think the Grands are more problematic than the XJs. Remember by the time your XJ was built it had been in production 10+ years. The Grand only a few.

 

[wim hoppenbrouwers]

Hallo. They look like elephants on too small legs.:laugh3:

 

[KsMJ]

I have a ZJ, owned it for 9 years. Just about the same common Jeep problems, water pump(twice), water on the floor, door hinge broke, junk like that. As far as the tranny-It MUST have the fluid changed every 30k. I really like ZJ's. Pretty simple to work on. I personally would never get one with the Quadratrac, I was always afraid of it going out. I added all the UpCountry stuff. They're pretty capable offroad, but it's sickening to get trail damage, which mine has. Had a WJ, didn't like it at all, got rid of it.

 

[winkosmosis]

My first Jeep was a WJ. I had it for 2 years and then bought an XJ. The main reason was that I didn't feel right in the WJ. It was big, and too bulbuous looking... A ZJ on the other hand is sleek and much better looking IMO.

 

[jneary]

good jeeps in general. motormounts break and cause a rough idle. otherwise its a big xj

 

[neonrog]

I'll repeat, I'm very happy with my 95 ZJ. I find it a very good fit, and I use it as my winter commuter/carpool runner. As well as my wheeler. I find the XJ just a little smaller for me.

I like the NP242, makes it easy to run in AWD until I need to lock into parttime. And in 2WD , I even manage about 21 MPG...

Sadly, my ZJ is with my daughter at college until I fix her XJ...

 

[Mudderoy]

I've always consider them a "yuppy" vehicle. I think they are nice vehicles, just not what I would want to own.

The Wrangler was my first choice, but I bought the XJ because it was like $20 more a month and my wife and I had two small girls at the time. The XJ was more of a family vehicle, but still had that Jeep "edge" to it.

Getting the XJ was as much "yupping it up" that I could tolerate. As it turns out I make a great decision getting the XJ, oh and my wife too. :eyes:

 

[Talyn]

While I don't care for the feel of the vehicle its pretty decent. I had a 93 with the AW4 and while the engine and tranny were good, it was plagued with electrical problems and an unsolvable death wobble. I hated it. I now have a 95 ZJ, which I had to do the following to: New tranny (guaranteed to fail again. chrysler pos), new Ac evap, new compressor, new hubs, new cv joints... some other minor stuff. Over all once all those problems were taken care of it is a fine vehicle.

Aside from the problems you will see in an XJ (engine and axles wise) the ZJ's fail points are: 94+ crappy transmission, the full time transfer case will need the viscous coupling replaced at some point, the front CV joint at the axles are prone to cracking boots when they get up in age.

Its a bigger vehicle than an XJ, but you can do some minor upgrades to bring the feel in control. Shocks and sway bars.

I would recommend you get it if you can handle those problem areas and can get over the feel or it.

 

[jneary]

the full time transfer case will need the viscous coupling replaced at some point,

why dont you drain the ATF out of the transfer cse and fill it with 249/247 transfer case fluid and see if that helps any

 

[Talyn]

why dont you drain the ATF out of the transfer cse and fill it with 249/247 transfer case fluid and see if that helps any

Because the 249 Transfer case's viscous coupling is a sealed unit and no matter what fluid you put in it will not help the matter. BTW, the factory fill is Dexron.

The 247 is different and requires the special fluid. There is no 247/249 fluid, only 247 fluid. The 247 was never used in a ZJ, but the WJ.

 

[jneary]

well if you resaerch properly you will see that it is the same fluid.go to the dealer and pick up a couple of quarts. the viscous is sealed, but it can leak the fluid. if you put the 247/249 fluid, i believe it can seep in and help with that problem. i have been working on jeeps for 21 years, thats what we use.