2005-10 Jeep Grand Cherokee Opinions/Experience

jeepinmatt

jeepinmatt

#1 WEBWHEELER
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Joined
Mar 24, 2005
Location
Stanley, NC
My wife's 95 ZJ is getting closer and closer to a quarter million miles, and we're starting to think about a newer vehicle for her. As much as I'd love to get her a 2014 SRT8 Grand, I've got to keep the numbers realistic. We will probably be looking in the $15k or less range, and it appears that you can find a low mileage (70k or less) WK in that price range.

Opinions on 3.7 vs 4.7 vs 5.7? I believe the diesel is going to be out of our price range.

What about different 4wd systems?

Any common problems or things to look out for?

Anybody own one, love them, hate them, etc?
 
Tell me what you are wanting to use the WK for and I can answer all your questions. OR guide you to another forum I'm on specfically for WKs and XKs.
 
criket said:
Tell me what you are wanting to use the WK for and I can answer all your questions. OR guide you to another forum I'm on specfically for WKs and XKs.
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Just daily driver/grocery getter. No wheeling, no towing.
 
My wife has a 09 Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 with the 3.7. It has been a good truck for us so far. We have right at 37,000 miles on it so far. Nothing more than oil changes and spark plugs once. It will pull our 3500 pound boat but it does not like it. It will get groceries with the best of them. She has a very short ride to work only about 2.5 to 3 miles. She will get around 13mpg if that is all she does. But only gets gas once a month. If we take it on the road it will get around 20.5 to 22 mpg. When we pull the boat it gets about 12 mpg. The Laredo/3.7 package only came in quadra-drive of whatever they call that full time 4x4 thing they have going on. (please don't take that too seriously, that what they told us when we were at the dealership. I would have like a part time t-case, but they told us that it wasn't even offered. she wanted the 'white' one, so that what i'm writing about) We have taken it to the outer banks and have had no troubles on the sand. We drove up to Beech Mountain while it was snowing and didn't slip any at all. Over all it is a good truck.

It did have to go back to the dealer twice.
One time the key wouldn't come out, something in the shift linkage I think
And the radio will do some funny thing where you turn the volume but it just alternates between the current volume and the one above or below depending on what your tying to do. IE 8,7,8,7,8......

Would I buy another one? Yes (but with a V8) only lose 1 or 2 mpg
 
i had an 05 wk and i wish i didnt get rid of it.. it was the 4x4 4.7 average stock 14-17 town 17-20 hwy. only issues i had was sunroof leaking.. drains stopped up and the rear pinion seal was slinging oil at 3500 miles. got those fixed drove the wheels off it. If i was to get another id go for the limited with leather and the hemi- the 4.7 was strong but lacked a little. Im thinking the limited offered the part time case but not positive. all in all good ride plenty of room and sharp looks. I installed a small 3.5 lift and 265 ssr's.. always got compliments on it, any questions feel free to ask.

sent from deep space via galaxy S 2
 
If the plan is to keep it stock and get groceries, I would get at least a V8 and the Hemi if I could. The mpg are not that much different between the 3 (as stated above) and that extra power is great for getting out in traffic. Plus the Hemi sounds better with a good exhuast.

Like said above, watch out for the models with the sunroof. THey tend to leak. Also, if dirt/trash builds up in the windshield channel and the door weather stripping, it can also cause it to leak. Just clen it out and your good.

All WK's are full time 4 wheel drive. the 4.7 and 5.7 have Hi and Lo selectable t cases. Also the WK's with QD2 have electric lockers front and rear.

The main issues I see with the WK's is the trans on the V6 models, the PCV valve on the V8 models, some 4.7's have had to change front/rear main seals, and since these Jeeps are heavy, they seem to go through brakes faster than a normal vehicle.

I love my WK, 3.7 V6, and since it's lifted, it's a bit weak and I hate the 3.07 gears. The other models have 3.73 and I plan a 3.73 gear swap here soon.

Hope this helps.
 
How can I identify which ones have electric lockers? Was it only with certain trim levels? I know even then its probably a crapshoot, but thats a definite selling point for me...
 
jeepinmatt said:
How can I identify which ones have electric lockers? Was it only with certain trim levels? I know even then its probably a crapshoot, but thats a definite selling point for me...
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Rear axle is 12 bolt. Plus you can see the electrical connection on the axle to show that it has the factory locker. Same thing on the front with the electrical connector.

Edit: Mostly it's just the Hemi's that have these. Forogt to add that part.
 
Don't these have a tendency to explode when rear ended? Some 30+ people killed that way already?
 
cgm147 said:
dont the ones with lockers have a badge at the tcase selector? or some where on the car

sent from deep space via galaxy S 2
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I think so. It says Quadra Drive on the console and the rear is a 12 bolt 8.25 axle. The 4.7 V8 have a 10 bolt 8.25 axle is Quadra Trac 2 and the 3.7 V6 with a 10 bolt 8.25 axle is a Quadra Trac 1.

Quadra Trac 1 is full time 4x4 with NO low on the t case.
Quadra Trac 2 is full time 4x4 with Low and Hi (normal) on the t case
Quadra Drive is full time 4x4 with Low and HI on the t case and they have front and rear electric lockers form factory.


Sort of confusing but that's the way it is.
 
RatLabGuy said:
Don't these have a tendency to explode when rear ended? Some 30+ people killed that way already?
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No sure about that, maybe. The gas tank is underneath the driver rear seat and is in front of the rear axle so a rear end shouldn't result in instant explosion. Seems like the WJ's did though, their gas tank is behind the rear axle.
 
guess that was it. Was an article on the radio about it this AM.
Of course according to Chrysler it's just bad luck and nothing to do with their engineering
 
RatLabGuy said:
guess that was it. Was an article on the radio about it this AM.
Of course according to Chrysler it's just bad luck and nothing to do with their engineering
Click to expand...

Now they can blame it on Fiat.......
 
RatLabGuy said:
Don't these have a tendency to explode when rear ended? Some 30+ people killed that way already?
Click to expand...

criket said:
No sure about that, maybe. The gas tank is underneath the driver rear seat and is in front of the rear axle so a rear end shouldn't result in instant explosion. Seems like the WJ's did though, their gas tank is behind the rear axle.
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These are ZJ's and WJ's, since their gas tanks are behind the rear axle.
 
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