@@MrXerxes Afraid not. Mine has the 5 speed. The 5.7 V8 HEMI was dropped in the UK after the WK. However it was available to special order in the WK2. Two were ordered and mine is the only one still registered with the DVLA, AFAIK.
I’ve had 2 XJ 4.0 Cherokees a WJ 4.7 Limited like similar to this one but without the H.O. engine and currently have a WK 5.7 HEMI Overland. I liked all of them. Generally the WK is the best but the WJ was more comfortable and I preferred the auto box that wasn’t fly by wire and was directly connected without computer interference!
So instead of waiting for 4 hours plus for the AA to turn up, she drove home along the back roads using only the handbrake. Good girl. That's exactly what I would have done.
I once had my main brake line out of the master blow while I was at a drive up ATM and I was already waiting to fix my handbrake. Thankfully my mechanic's shop was only about a mile away but boy was that long mile!
That V8 roar!!! One of the cars I've wanted to have, which I missed out when they were dirt cheap. Actually back then the size of it and the engine size/fuel consumption put me off. But these days I understand how fleeting life is and that there are better things to worry about that fuel consumption if the car puts a smile on your face every time you drive it. That is something money can't buy, or at least worth the fuel money. Thank you for the lovely video, James.
Hi Michael! That's exactly why I bought it. It's a lovely car, actually very reliable (certainly compared to the equivalent Range Rover), easy to fix and so comfy. They can still be had very cheaply. Everyone who rides in it loves it. These days it's actually not that big at all.
They were a good looking old beast. I had a silver '03 Overland, (WG, not WJ - built in Austria. Yes Austria, not Australia). It was a nice old car, with a genuine Redwood steering wheel, leather seats, sunroof, electric everything, and generally just a bit of a beast. Not a skerrick of corrosion on the body. Apparently the unibody was designed with input from Porsche - not sure if that's a good thing, but shows that a bit of effort was put into the last JGC with live axles and coil springs.. Mine was getting up there in the mileage, but I also had a blue '02 Overland with 417000 on the clock. It went fine. Stupidly, I sold the engine out of it. GRRRRR! I sold my silver one, as fuel prices in NZ are utterly bonkers, and I was getting pissed-off with the handling. The Overland was meant to be slightly lower than standard, but a previous owner had done a 2" lift on it. It was not pleasant in corners at speed. I was getting weekly compo for a brain injury for 3 years, and money was TIGHT, so I lacked the pingers to put it back to standard Overland spec.. Yep, and while only 265bhp, it would still hit the quoted 128mph. And that exhaust note, with the pop-pop-pop on the overrun.Have never owned a car with such a great soundtrack until this. I would love to find a low-mileage one, and then spend the $4K plus having the valve seats replaced, as this is generally the reason these engines snuff it. Although, there is a Dodge Dakota version of this engine that has 4 valves per cylinder, and develops a significant increase in power, and the valve seat issue has supposedly been cured. One day, maybe.
I love my 98 Jeep GC 5.9 limited. It's been in the family since 2000, 278k miles and still running strong and 100% stock but a muffler. My dad drove it for about 20 years, now it's mine.
I owned a 2001 Grand Cherokee Limited V8 Great car everything went bad from all windows to transmission, axels, you name it But that engine never skipped a beat, so smooth !
I still daily drive my 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8. Fantastic car. Everything still works and I've owned it for 7 years now. Just do regular fluid changes and it will last forever.
Which fluids in particular are most important? Ive been diligent about oil and coolant but id love to get this mythical 400k miles I've been hearing about out of her
Had the exact same car- model, colour and all. Mysterious electrical dramas, sticky steering wheel from the leather glue melting, whining front diff, blown dash speakers yet a great sound system when fixed, cracking noise from the steering column on bumps, broken flaps on the dual zone aircon made it blow warm air on one side year round, half working heated seats- not much an issue in Australia and still.… I loved it to bits. Went like the clappers too.
My parents had a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 4.0L for 20 years. Absolutely loved it. They replaced it with a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a good vehicle but it's not as good as the 97. I also now have a 1990 Jeep Comanche Eliminator with the 4.0L and a 5 speed manual. Absolutely brilliant vehicles.
My parents had one when they lived in Dubai for a few years in the late 90s - it was an all white first gen 4.0 Laredo on TSW 5-spokes. So flawed compared to new cars, but then I particularly dislike new cars as they are soulless, over techy and precious, polar opposite to the Jeep which was actually far more appealing than you would think. I drove it to the Omani mountains on a day trip and I remember cruising along in the morning sunshine through the desert listening to Champagne Supernova on the rather excellent stereo. Memories like this you don’t ever forget… it sounded lovely and was so damn comfy. For that reason I’d buy another GC like a shot.
After a second hand 4.0 Cherokee Limited and a new 4.0 Grand, I found one of the rare 5.9 Grand Cherokee LX models second hand. It was before the likes of the Porsche Cayenne appeared on the scene and overtaking GTI’s in it was a great way to put a smile on your face …
Love these things. An ex-girlfriend's mum had one back in 1999. It was an S reg, dark green 4 litre limited. Made a great noise, while moving fairly slowly. Then a few years later I started going to the US and have been in or driven a tonne of friends and family examples. The thing with them is, you don't really need to maintain them. Obviously, stuff breaks but they still run for the most part. Without a stringent yearly vehicle check the majority of Americans only care about passing emissions and drive stuff until a wheel falls off. The worst I ever saw was a 250,000 mile laredo that wouldn't go higher than 2nd gear. Mileage doesn't really seem to affect the interiors (at least the cloth ones, I've not been in a high mile leather equipped one).
Hello James and all. As the recipient of you Nan's Jeep (P908PNO) I thoroughly enjoyed this video. The car we both enjoyed was indeed a Laredo. It won the 2014 "Chuddy Ball Run" with both me and my son Andy at the wheel, top memories. Raising some ££££for two charities. The paint as applied by quite a famous motoring artist. This would not remove and the Jeep was sold for £10 to a Scottish farmer. He may still be using it untaxed and uninsured feeding sheep in Lanarkshire Scotland. I do have images and can supply a few if you wish. It was a most special Jeep and thanks for selling for £499.99 with the sellers sign off off of "God save their souls! Great memories, thanks. My memories post chuddy ball was using the Jeep to ferry furniture from Cumbria to Edinburgh and my wife saying "why are people looking at us" If I can upload or supply images I will and then you/all might see why!!
I love Jeep WJs so much that I own two of them. One is the base model 2004 Laredo with the 4.7 liter V8 and Quadra-Drive2 all-wheel drive system, while the other is a 2004 Overland model with the 4.7 liter V8 High Output engine and the same Quarda Drive, which is an absolute beast when the going gets rough offroad. I don't plan on buying any other vehicle for the rest of my life, since I live out in the countryside and have no use for anything less or anything newer.
This has been one of my favourite videos of yours even though I have no experience of nor love for the car featured. I loved the personal stories and memories, the relaxed style and humour and your ability to see beyond numbers and specs, to a true appreciation of what cars are all about for most people. Thank you!
My family had 2 first gen Grand Cherokees with inline 6s. I got to drive a 2nd gen with the 4.7l. That thing felt quick. Super soft slippery leather seats with over assisted controls and that much power made me feel like I would fall out of it.😅
It was impossible for me to hate mine despite it being the single most troublesome, high maintenance car I’ve owned. It made me feel good in a way few others have. Then it was time to fix the main seal or do the suspension arms again or find another abs computer somewhere. Wish I’d never sold it.
I LOVE my 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee! I tell you what! I got lost going to a graduation party and ended up off roading in some scary heiness dirt roads! I found myself screaming "Thank God I got a Jeep!" "Thank God I got a Jeep!" "Thank God I got a Jeep!" Yeah... that road was that bad! Next one I'm getting another Jeep Grand Cherokee. Sending Love from Detoit Michigan USA!
You wouldn’t think twice, because, at the time, it was the largest selling SUV in the US, competing directly with the Ford Explorer. While Ford sold a comparable number of Explorers during these years, you see far more Jeep WJs on the road today. It seems the Jeeps outlasted their Ford counterparts. If you owned a WJ, you would suddenly notice them everywhere. I always take notice of WJs and ZJs on the road (my brother-in-law had a ZJ, while I have a WJ). Of course, every ZJ and WJ owner has respect for the XJ owner as well. That “Cherokee” blood line runs thick, if it’s a “Grand” or not. 4 doors + uni-body + 4x4 + 4.0L = Respect.
It's amazing when this came out how people thought it was a Mercedes. The tail-lamps certainly had a Benz look as did some the lower half of the body molding which MB had on their own cars. When Daimler-Benz bought Chrysler they of course did not change a look that was their own. So when the real MB SUV came out, they had to go with a different look and one that was not (for many people) as pleasant.
We've had our 2001 WJ/WG (3.1 diesel variant) since 2013. It's needed tlc and plenty of parts needed swapping out due to age/wear and tear/usual Jeep gremlins, but we love it. It's easy to work on for a 2 tonner, and no matter what's broken on it, it's always been fixable. Love the 2nd gen- if you want one with a bit more 'cost' saving on fuel, then go for a diesel. If money no option- then go for any of them and enjoy their capabilities.
My first drive of a Jeep was a 1st Gen Cherokee Sport 4.0L straight six petrol, manual "high output, (around 170 hp)" in 1996 in the Middle East as an occasional company car where petrol cost less than bottled water. Very car like drive on the road, much better than the bosses Gen 1 Land Rover Disco V8, and it used to pull like a train in 2nd despite the disappointing "high output" bhp figures :) Engine mounts failed a couple of times out in the desert until the dealer swapped them for heavy duty items once we said we actually took it off road, but apart from that, it was great - fond memories :)
I had a WJ V8 Overland, and yes, they're great things, also the Quadra Drive has gerotor diffs front and back, which are like an active locking system - if a wheel is spinning, the speed difference between the halfshafts pumps oil to close up a clutch pack similar to one you'd find in an LSD, they work brilliantly in situations like snowy roads.
I searched high and low for a clean Overland for that reason. Had to settle on a 2004 Special Edition, but it had 92k miles when I bought it. Already swapped in some leather seats, and this weekend I'm swapping in some Overland axles. If I can't have one, I'll just build one!
Little correction: the all wheel quadra drive is not at all electronically controlled. It has a gerotor pump driven clutch pack in the transfer case and the front and rear differential which lock up when a wheel/axle slips. Bought a 2004 Overland two years ago as a winter ride and enjoy it a lot (all around the year). Also I enjoy woking on it a lot (also all around the year), am just trying to rebuild said transfer case. Btw. I always enjoy your videos, especially the ones like this about older and/or cheaper cars. Cheers!
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee here. 4.0 straight six with LPG conversion. Surprisingly comfortable and fun to drive and pretty reliable as second vehicle. Fairly stock inside, but I have given it a Post Apocalyptic/Rat Rod type paint job over lock-down! Cambs based.
Great video, I have nostalgia too. My dad had Jeeps when I was growing up and he even built me my own little electric jeep using some car batteries. It had 5 forward gears and reverse, I used to whip all the kids at drag races on their bikes at the park More recently, a few years ago I was between cars and acquired one of these but with the 3.1 engine. Less desirable to most but the big bosch pump and manual injectors meant I never had to put any fuel in it. Simply got a good thing going with my local garages to syphon off their motor oil they collected from services, took it all back to my garage where I had stockpiled gallons and gallons of the stuff, filtered it through a 3 micron filter and then pumped it into my Jeep, honestly what a money saver! Absolutely astounding off road too, driving up in Northumberland in a few feet of snow it just went about its business like nothing had happened, whereas neighbours' cars couldn't make it anywhere, was mega impressed. The gearbox packed up in the end ☹️ still, we had some good times
Had 2 Jeeps over a period of 8 years with hardly an issues. A Cherokee 4 litre straight straight six high output and finally a Grand Cherokee 4.7 v8 high output Overland......never missed a beat or let me down. They were bullet proof.
I had a 2004 Grand overland crd for about 5 years from nearly new…I still miss it! What a vehicle, it could tow 3.5ton boat with ease and went up to the ski slopes regularly in the Pyrenees and on the beach on the Med without any problems…never failed me and wish I still had it…..I’ve had Range Rovers and GLE’s but nothing can compare…great to see again, thanks! Ps also the most comfortable seats ever even compared to a number of MB S class’s I’ve owned
Have a 1999 WJ that I'm going through slowly. Engine rebuilt, front axle rebuilt as well. New tires, new sound system, etc. Next will be the rear differential, but no hurry on that. Runs well and climbs well. Love it. 😀
Awesome. Had a uni summer valeting/delivery job at the Jeep garage in the Lake District yonks back. Loved these things. Seemed flipping quick at the time too! That said I still preferred the XJ standard Cherokee - even more personality.
The 4.7L V-8 engine was not one for longevity, wasn't surprise to hear the GC had its rebuilt. I bought a 2002 Dodge 1500 new with this same engine. It did make a nice noise but was very thirsty. It made it to 90K miles before the issues started and I promptly sold it off. I will say it was bulletproof for 89K miles though. Side note, the truck was the best riding vehicle of its type I have had..
My wife had a 1st gen we bought new, and she loved it. We had very little trouble with it however, when I drove it (rarely) it felt like the drivers door (left hand Dr) was up against my side and left leg. I actually felt unsafe and cramped. Finally, I talked her into a Chevy Tahoe and we have never looked back.
My dad used to have a 2002 Grand Cherokee Limited V8 when I was a kid, and it was a brilliant car. Yes, the V8 meant it was a TREMENDOUS gas hog, but it had some of the most comfortable seats of ANY car I had ever sat in. I remember when we went to pick it up back in July 2010, and from the moment 10-year-old me sat down on them for the first time, I was in heaven as they were just oh-so-comfy... the Americans really knew how to make proper car seats! We even went on a caravan holiday in it to Great Yarmouth in August 2010, and I remember watching one of my Top Gear DVDs on the way there on the aftermarket DVD headrests we had installed in it. The V8 also had plenty of power for towing our caravan on the 127-mile journey to the campsite.
Great video! Truly one of the last real 4x4 SUVs. Mine has taken me on amazing trips all over Europe and never let me down during the 10 years of ownership. Solid axles, great v8 engine, mechanical 4x4 and fairly small (smaller than a new RAV4).
My uncle had one of these on a W-reg with the 2.5 diesel. It was slow and wallowy but it was comfy and capable and I respected it for that. He must've liked it because he's gone on to have another 3 Grand Cherokees of successive generations.
I have an 23 year old Grand Cherokee WJ V8 since 2002. I absolutely love this car. I keep it in a like new condition. I drive in every time when I'm back home in Austria. Greetings from Hong Kong.
Got my 99 Limited with the 4.7 V8 few years ago for $1500- put some good tires on it and have driven it ever since. Got down to -40F here and it still started right up
i love these things, jeeps i guess because in order to be nimble and good off road are the only american vehicles that are kind of compact, that makes them useable in europe, so you get american charms without them being over the top. Also the quadra drive system is not computer control but fully mechanical and rather neat, it has 3 pumps (gerotor pumps) 1 on each diff and the transfer case that sends fluid towards a clutch pack when there is a more than usual speed differential between the wheels or the driveshafts. That way the clutch packs lock up and the diffs act like they are lsds while on regular use act like normal open diffs without binding. Only problem with this system is that it takes a specific jeep only diff additive and you have to be very strict with the service intervals otherwise they will need a rebuilt like you said, also they don't like bigger wheels because that messes with the speed differentials and they overwork, but otherwise it's a great system that has no buttons and levers and it's very capable and clever.
QuadraDrive is NOT computer controlled. It's fully mechanical/hydraulic. QuadraDrive II, in the next generation, is computer controlled. And, yeah, the engine feels more powerful than the HP rating. The torque curve is impressive.
Great video! Loved the stories about your grandparents. I must say, your grandmother driving home using only the handbrake is fantastic. Loved the nostalgic look back. I drive a JGC and I never thought I would love it as much as I do. This was a fun look at what has become a bit of an iconic name in SUV (even American ‘compact’ SUV’s 😜)
My dad had an XJ Cherokee with the 2.5 diesel. He bought it because it would fit in his garage and a Disco wouldn't. I remember the back seats being quite uncomfortable. I enjoyed the video.
I love these, my aunt had one exactly like this. The 4.7 plus the always 4x4 gets HORRENDOUS millage, you'll be lucky to get about 12mpg in the city. You could get it in 2 wheel drive and selectable 4x4. My first car was the little brother to this, a 1999 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 sport with the torquey, silky smooth and legendary AMC 4.0L straight six and i was able to go anywhere in it. No amount of dirt, rocks, mud, rain, or snow could stop be. I once had to rescue my father during a blizzard with a foot and a half (46cm) of snow on the roads because he thought it'd be a good idea to go out in his Toyota Prius.
I’ve wanted one of these for many years, but my love/hate relationship with 4x4’s has always stopped me. This shape I really like and the V8’s sound great
I own the same 2002 grand Cherokee Overland. Still drives great! What people don't understand is that they need regular maintenance like all other vehicles. If you don't do this, they are going claim that Jeeps are JUNK. That is false. Gas mileage is not great but if you don't have to drive 40+ kms every day, this will suit your needs just fine.
Similar childhood memory for me James. My dad borrowed a first gen model from his boss when I was a kid. The heated rear seats were mind blowing to me as a child in the late 90s!
I purchased a WJ 2000 Jeep GC LTD 4.7L V8 in 2014, it was advertised for $4500 with an engine tick. When I first saw the car the paint work, panels and interior was near perfect but the engine tick was an engine knock. I purchased it for $1500. I fitted a fully recondition 4.7L HO engine as this was the only one I could get. There were other thing wrong like the HVAC blend doors not working so out came the dash. New blend doors, AC evap and heater core and also fixed the dash pad separation from the dash frame. Reco steering box, it cost me $7000 on road. I still have it today in 2022 and love it. No rattles or squeaks and everything works.
I drove a WJ few years ago. It was the most confortable car I ever sat in. Very smooth and effortless to ride. Sadly it was doomed by it's MB 2.7 CRD, which suffered from EGR and injectors sickness. With a relibale and efficient engine, I would still daily drive one of these beauty... Maybe one day with some retro fit stuff ?
Nice review! Being that I had an '01 for eight years (aside from all my other Jeeps), you really did a fine job at highlighting what makes these such solid vehicles. I do have to correct you on one thing, though; the AWD systems are not computer controlled, but instead used a transfer case with viscous couplers and open-ended differentials fore and aft. That system behind the stout 4.7 probably made up about 50% of all units built, while the other half was the monolithic 4.0 backed by the equally fantastic part-time transfer case that could help you reach 24 mpg! It's also really hard to beat how comfortable these are, I do miss that about mine.
Loved the video! However, the 1999-2004 Grand Cherokee doesn't use an electric 4WD system, it is purely mechanical. Transfer case uses a viscous type center differential, and I believe both the front and rear diffs are the same, as it's an Overland trim. That's why I love it so much, it's a simple vehicle.
Back in the days we used to own a first generation 5.9I ZJ for seven years.After that an early 2005 WK2 5.7 Hemi, which after 5 years of great ownership turned to had so many problems (canbus failures) and then moved to one of the latest WK 4.7 Overland 2004 with only 36k miles and no issues at all. This specific car was not in use for the last 15 years. So I can understand your feelings for those cars.
I had a chance to drive an old 5.7 Jeep Commander not so long back.Huge vehicle,wallowing and not hugely fast....but oh so great to drive...sounded immense and one of the best things I have driven ever in 40 yrs....
Have one as a daily and will never get rid of it. 5.7 quadradrive 4x4. Will go anywhere, fun and comfortable to drive. 246k as of now and nothing major has needed to replaced that wasn't anticipated.
I have 1999 WJ 4.0 inline 6 cylinders with just 60.000 miles on it. Yes, I had several problems with windows, overheating, sensors but other than that, I feel safe in this care, seats are very comfortable, smooth ride and I will still keep this WJ, besides 2 other cars in my garage 😊
I've had my 2001 4-litre since new and I still look forward to driving it every day, with full confidence in its reliability. That really says something about a vehicle when the ownership experience still feels that way after that much time.
I have had my Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 1999 WJ Aust delivered for around five years and I still love it, easy to work on can get parts easy, the best.
Bought 1st gen Grand Cherokee Orvis edition 4.0l two years ago for 1.5K and she's just over 104 000mls . Lovely , lush and being Orvis it is a league above the stangart ones .... allheated leather and woor trim and packed with tech !!! Love it !
The WJ is the perfect size and unpretentious while being a bit luxurious at the same time. It was the cheaper American Range Rover. With true off-road credentials.
Had a Laredo version, same color, with the six cylinder and selectrac gearbox here in Texas. Got it at around a hundred thousand miles and put that on it again. As a land surveyor I will say off-roading needs a bit more ground clearance but that’s not a hard upgrade. It was a relief after coming from a Land Rover when parts cost $10 instead of $200. Labor was pricey, and working I couldn’t do it myself without a second car…. Pulled a boat, went just about anywhere and very reliable until the end when everything but the drivetrain started breaking in sequential order.
Unexpected video 😃 my wj jeep was an absolute pain in the a** , but also one of the most enjoyable vehicles I've owned and I miss it!! 2.7 crd, injectors kept junking themselves, heater matrix broke multiple times so no heating, heated seats were on the blink and had wood holding up the rear window, but what an absolute riot 😄😄🙌
I ordered a Grande Cherokee 1st gen and the 2nd gen was announced and the dealer was happy to amend my order and I was one of the first in the UK with a 4.7L gen 2.
In the last 25 years, I've had 8 or 10 GCs, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generations. Just picked up an '04 Special Edition for $1,500 and it impresses me every time I drive it -- which is often. Getting ready for an evaporator and heater core replacement, so it's obvious that I want to keep it. In some ways, it reminds me of a thoroughbred race horse that hates to sit idle.
Had the identical one back in 2008, used. Loved it. Didn't think it was particularly thirsty either, but my previous car was a land rover discovery V8. Relative to that it was like a Prius. Expensive bits though. Window winders on both sides failed. Can't remember the price but drove around for ages with the passenger side wedged up with a screw driver.
I have a 2002 JGC 4.7 ...i love it....bought it off a used car lot and had it for 10 years...had to put about 17,000 dollars into it to get it to run the way i wanted.....still have 2day and wouldnt trade it in for the world.....the JGC is very temperamental, so you have to have patience .....
Had to comment on this because I was so excited to see this review pop up! My best friend had one in high school and it was probably the second or third fastest car at our school. I had a disco 1 and the GC was actually a better off-roader as well.
I had one of these until a few years back. My 3rd jeep - first was the original 'Goonies' black but in diesel, then a 4.0 Mk1 Grand- then one of these 4.7s'. Beautiful car. Big, powerful, well equipped and SO comfy. I still miss it now as it was a forced-sale.... hidden gems. That last proper Jeep until Chrysler got their hands on it to 'value engineer' is for the Mk 3.
Used to love ferrying these between airport terminals back when I worked in vehicle rental. For most of the reasons you described this was one of the sets of keys I always used to love grabbing.
i've had one of these for about 15 years .. it's sole task has been to tow my single seater & spares to tracks around the country & it's done it effortlessly & been very comfy ( had to sleep in the back of it a few times .. no problem )
I love these cars. My 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland is the 2.7 CRD version with the Mercedes engine and gearbox. I bought it when it was eight years old with 50K miles on it, twelve years later it now has 122K and is still my daily driver. I do keep on top of the maintenance and it is regularly serviced and maintained by Greg McAllen at 4playjeep in Rutland. You do need to use someone who knows these cars, and Greg knows these cars! Yes, you can now buy one of these quite cheaply, but if you do, be prepared to spend some money on it - perhaps quite a bit of money. But get it all done right, and it will repay you. We’ve just got back from a 2,400 mile round trip to Italy and it never missed a beat. And it returned 37 mpg! Mine may well be one of the only ones left in the UK, it’s certainly one of the best, if not the best, and it’s a definite keeper!
I love my 93 Laredo with a 5.2l lifted 8½" riding on 35" tires. I feel like a celebrity when driving her, people constantly wave, or thumbs up, and stop me at random places to talk about her. Send it brother! 👍
The WJ with QuadraDrive is actually a wholly mechanical All Wheel Drive system that uses geo-rotor pumps to actuate clutch packs in the limited slip diffs at an axle wheel RPM difference of 140, and viscus coupler in the transfer-case. Basically a fluid driven system, not a computer controlled 4wd system at all. The engine and transmission each do have a computer. The transmission is interesting, it got an "extra" ("4"-"5"rfe) gear with a firmware update; a different second gear is used when decelerating, hence a "five speed", although really just a four speed with overdrive.
We,ve had a 4.0 limited in the family for nearly 18 years. We've loved our ownership despite its flaws. Drove to Switzerland and back 4 times without any issues!. When I finally had enough driving experience to drive it... It felt like i was driving an obese person. I would feel a bump on one wheel and it would circulate around the rest of the car. I still loved it though!
I’ve always had a soft spot for these. Perhaps this goes back to my father owning an early 80’s Jeep ‘Cherokee’ which was a version of the Wagoneer as it was known in Australia. They have character and build character in the owner as things slowly break. 😄
I hate that I had a terrible experience with my 04 GC w/ the 4.0L… I loved the car for the first couple months, then it started falling apart. It ended up blowing up around 210k miles. Loved everything about it besides the fact it was a money pit
I convinced my dad to get one of these back in 2009, a 2.7 CRD Limited. Great car, big nostalgia although it was a bit slow and agricultural sounding and I imagine the steering was a bit suggestive. I'd love a 4.7 now tbh.
I have an 04 Limited 4x4 with the bulletproof 4.0 i6. Just hit 125k miles. It is in amazing shape, zero rust, zero leaks, zero dents, scratches, or paint issues, and zero mechanical issues. I bought it in 2021 for $5,500 from a guy who's wife drove it for 11 years. It is so much car for that price. No car payment. And with how expensive cars are getting, I refuse to buy a new one and will make this one last as long as possible. I would trust it to drive me across the states without an issue.
Been looking at these as a tow vehicle. I can't find anything else at their price that comes close. Been chatting with an American mechanic mate, he says they are bulletproof.
They are, it can prone to issues (if its been ragged especially) though so make sure to check its history. Don't listen to what Scotty Kilmer said, he is a complete fraud.
Having worked in a Chrysler Jeep Dealership, they really are not. The V8 petrol are slightly more reliable, but none are bulletproof. You will spend on average a thousand a year keeping it on the road no matter which one you get.
I've owned one and I would agree they are bullet proof. If you keep up with maintenance especially oil changes and other general fluid changes they will go forever. If can find a 4.7HO you've found a jewel.
I have the same color scheme on my 01. Sadly I've had to add the HO bit. Never the less. It's been fully restored. You enthusiasm is infectious. I am sorry about grand-mama. You've well come to terms.
You should try a newer Trackhawk, most likely not available in Europe. Hellcat Hemi crazy. These are usually quite reliable, the 4.7 is actually the worst engine, the 4.0 and the hemi are better choices.
There aren't all that many USA cars I actually like and would want to own but a Grand Cherokee is one of them. Also one of the only SUV's I actually like.
Had a 4.0 WJ for 6 years and loved it. Now I own the only UK-supplied WK2 generation 5.7 HEMI Overland. These cars have character.
@@MrXerxes Afraid not. Mine has the 5 speed. The 5.7 V8 HEMI was dropped in the UK after the WK. However it was available to special order in the WK2. Two were ordered and mine is the only one still registered with the DVLA, AFAIK.
I’ve had 2 XJ 4.0 Cherokees a WJ 4.7 Limited like similar to this one but without the H.O. engine and currently have a WK 5.7 HEMI Overland. I liked all of them. Generally the WK is the best but the WJ was more comfortable and I preferred the auto box that wasn’t fly by wire and was directly connected without computer interference!
I still got a wg 2.7 turbo diesel 2inch lift 31 inch wheels goes anywhere made in Austria
My dad has one of those and I have the wj.
@@LectricLetus awesome their a good old rigs
So instead of waiting for 4 hours plus for the AA to turn up, she drove home along the back roads using only the handbrake. Good girl. That's exactly what I would have done.
Me too.
I once had my main brake line out of the master blow while I was at a drive up ATM and I was already waiting to fix my handbrake. Thankfully my mechanic's shop was only about a mile away but boy was that long mile!
That V8 roar!!! One of the cars I've wanted to have, which I missed out when they were dirt cheap. Actually back then the size of it and the engine size/fuel consumption put me off. But these days I understand how fleeting life is and that there are better things to worry about that fuel consumption if the car puts a smile on your face every time you drive it. That is something money can't buy, or at least worth the fuel money. Thank you for the lovely video, James.
Hi Michael! That's exactly why I bought it. It's a lovely car, actually very reliable (certainly compared to the equivalent Range Rover), easy to fix and so comfy. They can still be had very cheaply. Everyone who rides in it loves it. These days it's actually not that big at all.
I think this design has aged quite well (certainly better than the boxy 3rd gen)
I feel the complete opposite.
@@fortheloveofnoise I agree. 3rd gen looks great
Agreed, the WK looks dated, even when new. WK2 looks closest imo
WJ aged very nicely
They were a good looking old beast.
I had a silver '03 Overland, (WG, not WJ - built in Austria. Yes Austria, not Australia).
It was a nice old car, with a genuine Redwood steering wheel, leather seats, sunroof, electric everything, and generally just a bit of a beast. Not a skerrick of corrosion on the body.
Apparently the unibody was designed with input from Porsche - not sure if that's a good thing, but shows that a bit of effort was put into the last JGC with live axles and coil springs..
Mine was getting up there in the mileage, but I also had a blue '02 Overland with 417000 on the clock.
It went fine. Stupidly, I sold the engine out of it. GRRRRR!
I sold my silver one, as fuel prices in NZ are utterly bonkers, and I was getting pissed-off with the handling. The Overland was meant to be slightly lower than standard, but a previous owner had done a 2" lift on it. It was not pleasant in corners at speed. I was getting weekly compo for a brain injury for 3 years, and money was TIGHT, so I lacked the pingers to put it back to standard Overland spec..
Yep, and while only 265bhp, it would still hit the quoted 128mph. And that exhaust note, with the pop-pop-pop on the overrun.Have never owned a car with such a great soundtrack until this.
I would love to find a low-mileage one, and then spend the $4K plus having the valve seats replaced, as this is generally the reason these engines snuff it.
Although, there is a Dodge Dakota version of this engine that has 4 valves per cylinder, and develops a significant increase in power, and the valve seat issue has supposedly been cured.
One day, maybe.
They where everywhere in North America. Every family had one
I love my 98 Jeep GC 5.9 limited. It's been in the family since 2000, 278k miles and still running strong and 100% stock but a muffler. My dad drove it for about 20 years, now it's mine.
I owned a 2001 Grand Cherokee Limited V8
Great car everything went bad from all windows to transmission, axels, you name it
But that engine never skipped a beat, so smooth !
Typical yank the great story I'm back in the day they was great cars and I think they still look nice today?
@@jameslatimer1432 pardon friend I don't speak stupid, but regardless have a good one k ;)
Sounds like a terrible car then !
Should have changed your fluids more often.
Window regulators and cooling system are common problems but other than that they’re great
I still daily drive my 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8. Fantastic car. Everything still works and I've owned it for 7 years now. Just do regular fluid changes and it will last forever.
Which fluids in particular are most important? Ive been diligent about oil and coolant but id love to get this mythical 400k miles I've been hearing about out of her
@@Jasonmakesvideo oil. Trans, diff.
Had the exact same car- model, colour and all. Mysterious electrical dramas, sticky steering wheel from the leather glue melting, whining front diff, blown dash speakers yet a great sound system when fixed, cracking noise from the steering column on bumps, broken flaps on the dual zone aircon made it blow warm air on one side year round, half working heated seats- not much an issue in Australia and still.… I loved it to bits. Went like the clappers too.
The Quadra-drive all wheel drive system isn't computer controlled at all. And I am happy for that 🙂
My parents had a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 4.0L for 20 years. Absolutely loved it. They replaced it with a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a good vehicle but it's not as good as the 97.
I also now have a 1990 Jeep Comanche Eliminator with the 4.0L and a 5 speed manual. Absolutely brilliant vehicles.
My parents had one when they lived in Dubai for a few years in the late 90s - it was an all white first gen 4.0 Laredo on TSW 5-spokes. So flawed compared to new cars, but then I particularly dislike new cars as they are soulless, over techy and precious, polar opposite to the Jeep which was actually far more appealing than you would think. I drove it to the Omani mountains on a day trip and I remember cruising along in the morning sunshine through the desert listening to Champagne Supernova on the rather excellent stereo. Memories like this you don’t ever forget… it sounded lovely and was so damn comfy. For that reason I’d buy another GC like a shot.
After a second hand 4.0 Cherokee Limited and a new 4.0 Grand, I found one of the rare 5.9 Grand Cherokee LX models second hand. It was before the likes of the Porsche Cayenne appeared on the scene and overtaking GTI’s in it was a great way to put a smile on your face …
I daily drive a 1998 Jeep XJ Cherokee. Excellent car. I've gotten out of many a tight spot with that rig
Love these things. An ex-girlfriend's mum had one back in 1999. It was an S reg, dark green 4 litre limited. Made a great noise, while moving fairly slowly. Then a few years later I started going to the US and have been in or driven a tonne of friends and family examples. The thing with them is, you don't really need to maintain them. Obviously, stuff breaks but they still run for the most part. Without a stringent yearly vehicle check the majority of Americans only care about passing emissions and drive stuff until a wheel falls off. The worst I ever saw was a 250,000 mile laredo that wouldn't go higher than 2nd gear. Mileage doesn't really seem to affect the interiors (at least the cloth ones, I've not been in a high mile leather equipped one).
Hello James and all. As the recipient of you Nan's Jeep (P908PNO) I thoroughly enjoyed this video. The car we both enjoyed was indeed a Laredo. It won the 2014 "Chuddy Ball Run" with both me and my son Andy at the wheel, top memories. Raising some ££££for two charities. The paint as applied by quite a famous motoring artist. This would not remove and the Jeep was sold for £10 to a Scottish farmer. He may still be using it untaxed and uninsured feeding sheep in Lanarkshire Scotland. I do have images and can supply a few if you wish. It was a most special Jeep and thanks for selling for £499.99 with the sellers sign off off of "God save their souls! Great memories, thanks. My memories post chuddy ball was using the Jeep to ferry furniture from Cumbria to Edinburgh and my wife saying "why are people looking at us" If I can upload or supply images I will and then you/all might see why!!
I love Jeep WJs so much that I own two of them. One is the base model 2004 Laredo with the 4.7 liter V8 and Quadra-Drive2 all-wheel drive system, while the other is a 2004 Overland model with the 4.7 liter V8 High Output engine and the same Quarda Drive, which is an absolute beast when the going gets rough offroad. I don't plan on buying any other vehicle for the rest of my life, since I live out in the countryside and have no use for anything less or anything newer.
This has been one of my favourite videos of yours even though I have no experience of nor love for the car featured. I loved the personal stories and memories, the relaxed style and humour and your ability to see beyond numbers and specs, to a true appreciation of what cars are all about for most people. Thank you!
My family had 2 first gen Grand Cherokees with inline 6s. I got to drive a 2nd gen with the 4.7l. That thing felt quick. Super soft slippery leather seats with over assisted controls and that much power made me feel like I would fall out of it.😅
It was impossible for me to hate mine despite it being the single most troublesome, high maintenance car I’ve owned. It made me feel good in a way few others have. Then it was time to fix the main seal or do the suspension arms again or find another abs computer somewhere. Wish I’d never sold it.
I LOVE my 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee! I tell you what! I got lost going to a graduation party and ended up off roading in some scary heiness dirt roads! I found myself screaming "Thank God I got a Jeep!" "Thank God I got a Jeep!" "Thank God I got a Jeep!" Yeah... that road was that bad! Next one I'm getting another Jeep Grand Cherokee. Sending Love from Detoit Michigan USA!
Love seeing you review cars we wouldn't even think twice about in the US
You wouldn’t think twice, because, at the time, it was the largest selling SUV in the US, competing directly with the Ford Explorer. While Ford sold a comparable number of Explorers during these years, you see far more Jeep WJs on the road today. It seems the Jeeps outlasted their Ford counterparts. If you owned a WJ, you would suddenly notice them everywhere. I always take notice of WJs and ZJs on the road (my brother-in-law had a ZJ, while I have a WJ). Of course, every ZJ and WJ owner has respect for the XJ owner as well. That “Cherokee” blood line runs thick, if it’s a “Grand” or not. 4 doors + uni-body + 4x4 + 4.0L = Respect.
Maybe you were not well aware of the Grand Cherokee, but hundreds of thousands of Americans were.
Such a no nonsense name: 'Overland', because it's made to go over land. Great video!
It's amazing when this came out how people thought it was a Mercedes. The tail-lamps certainly had a Benz look as did some the lower half of the body molding which MB had on their own cars. When Daimler-Benz bought Chrysler they of course did not change a look that was their own. So when the real MB SUV came out, they had to go with a different look and one that was not (for many people) as pleasant.
We've had our 2001 WJ/WG (3.1 diesel variant) since 2013. It's needed tlc and plenty of parts needed swapping out due to age/wear and tear/usual Jeep gremlins, but we love it. It's easy to work on for a 2 tonner, and no matter what's broken on it, it's always been fixable. Love the 2nd gen- if you want one with a bit more 'cost' saving on fuel, then go for a diesel. If money no option- then go for any of them and enjoy their capabilities.
My first drive of a Jeep was a 1st Gen Cherokee Sport 4.0L straight six petrol, manual "high output, (around 170 hp)" in 1996 in the Middle East as an occasional company car where petrol cost less than bottled water. Very car like drive on the road, much better than the bosses Gen 1 Land Rover Disco V8, and it used to pull like a train in 2nd despite the disappointing "high output" bhp figures :)
Engine mounts failed a couple of times out in the desert until the dealer swapped them for heavy duty items once we said we actually took it off road, but apart from that, it was great - fond memories :)
I had a WJ V8 Overland, and yes, they're great things, also the Quadra Drive has gerotor diffs front and back, which are like an active locking system - if a wheel is spinning, the speed difference between the halfshafts pumps oil to close up a clutch pack similar to one you'd find in an LSD, they work brilliantly in situations like snowy roads.
I searched high and low for a clean Overland for that reason. Had to settle on a 2004 Special Edition, but it had 92k miles when I bought it. Already swapped in some leather seats, and this weekend I'm swapping in some Overland axles. If I can't have one, I'll just build one!
Little correction: the all wheel quadra drive is not at all electronically controlled. It has a gerotor pump driven clutch pack in the transfer case and the front and rear differential which lock up when a wheel/axle slips.
Bought a 2004 Overland two years ago as a winter ride and enjoy it a lot (all around the year). Also I enjoy woking on it a lot (also all around the year), am just trying to rebuild said transfer case.
Btw. I always enjoy your videos, especially the ones like this about older and/or cheaper cars. Cheers!
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee here. 4.0 straight six with LPG conversion.
Surprisingly comfortable and fun to drive and pretty reliable as second vehicle.
Fairly stock inside, but I have given it a Post Apocalyptic/Rat Rod type paint job over lock-down!
Cambs based.
Great video, I have nostalgia too. My dad had Jeeps when I was growing up and he even built me my own little electric jeep using some car batteries. It had 5 forward gears and reverse, I used to whip all the kids at drag races on their bikes at the park
More recently, a few years ago I was between cars and acquired one of these but with the 3.1 engine. Less desirable to most but the big bosch pump and manual injectors meant I never had to put any fuel in it. Simply got a good thing going with my local garages to syphon off their motor oil they collected from services, took it all back to my garage where I had stockpiled gallons and gallons of the stuff, filtered it through a 3 micron filter and then pumped it into my Jeep, honestly what a money saver!
Absolutely astounding off road too, driving up in Northumberland in a few feet of snow it just went about its business like nothing had happened, whereas neighbours' cars couldn't make it anywhere, was mega impressed. The gearbox packed up in the end ☹️ still, we had some good times
Had 2 Jeeps over a period of 8 years with hardly an issues. A Cherokee 4 litre straight straight six high output and finally a Grand Cherokee 4.7 v8 high output Overland......never missed a beat or let me down. They were bullet proof.
I had a 2004 Grand overland crd for about 5 years from nearly new…I still miss it! What a vehicle, it could tow 3.5ton boat with ease and went up to the ski slopes regularly in the Pyrenees and on the beach on the Med without any problems…never failed me and wish I still had it…..I’ve had Range Rovers and GLE’s but nothing can compare…great to see again, thanks! Ps also the most comfortable seats ever even compared to a number of MB S class’s I’ve owned
Have a 1999 WJ that I'm going through slowly. Engine rebuilt, front axle rebuilt as well. New tires, new sound system, etc. Next will be the rear differential, but no hurry on that. Runs well and climbs well. Love it. 😀
Awesome. Had a uni summer valeting/delivery job at the Jeep garage in the Lake District yonks back. Loved these things. Seemed flipping quick at the time too! That said I still preferred the XJ standard Cherokee - even more personality.
The 4.7L V-8 engine was not one for longevity, wasn't surprise to hear the GC had its rebuilt. I bought a 2002 Dodge 1500 new with this same engine. It did make a nice noise but was very thirsty. It made it to 90K miles before the issues started and I promptly sold it off. I will say it was bulletproof for 89K miles though. Side note, the truck was the best riding vehicle of its type I have had..
My wife had a 1st gen we bought new, and she loved it. We had very little trouble with it however, when I drove it (rarely) it felt like the drivers door (left hand Dr) was up against my side and left leg. I actually felt unsafe and cramped. Finally, I talked her into a Chevy Tahoe and we have never looked back.
My dad used to have a 2002 Grand Cherokee Limited V8 when I was a kid, and it was a brilliant car. Yes, the V8 meant it was a TREMENDOUS gas hog, but it had some of the most comfortable seats of ANY car I had ever sat in.
I remember when we went to pick it up back in July 2010, and from the moment 10-year-old me sat down on them for the first time, I was in heaven as they were just oh-so-comfy... the Americans really knew how to make proper car seats!
We even went on a caravan holiday in it to Great Yarmouth in August 2010, and I remember watching one of my Top Gear DVDs on the way there on the aftermarket DVD headrests we had installed in it. The V8 also had plenty of power for towing our caravan on the 127-mile journey to the campsite.
Great video! Truly one of the last real 4x4 SUVs. Mine has taken me on amazing trips all over Europe and never let me down during the 10 years of ownership. Solid axles, great v8 engine, mechanical 4x4 and fairly small (smaller than a new RAV4).
Loved this film - great how cheerful you seemed. Hope you get to do more of your favourite vehicles
My uncle had one of these on a W-reg with the 2.5 diesel. It was slow and wallowy but it was comfy and capable and I respected it for that. He must've liked it because he's gone on to have another 3 Grand Cherokees of successive generations.
I have an 23 year old Grand Cherokee WJ V8 since 2002. I absolutely love this car. I keep it in a like new condition.
I drive in every time when I'm back home in Austria.
Greetings from Hong Kong.
Got my 99 Limited with the 4.7 V8 few years ago for $1500- put some good tires on it and have driven it ever since. Got down to -40F here and it still started right up
i love these things, jeeps i guess because in order to be nimble and good off road are the only american vehicles that are kind of compact, that makes them useable in europe, so you get american charms without them being over the top.
Also the quadra drive system is not computer control but fully mechanical and rather neat, it has 3 pumps (gerotor pumps) 1 on each diff and the transfer case that sends fluid towards a clutch pack when there is a more than usual speed differential between the wheels or the driveshafts. That way the clutch packs lock up and the diffs act like they are lsds while on regular use act like normal open diffs without binding. Only problem with this system is that it takes a specific jeep only diff additive and you have to be very strict with the service intervals otherwise they will need a rebuilt like you said, also they don't like bigger wheels because that messes with the speed differentials and they overwork, but otherwise it's a great system that has no buttons and levers and it's very capable and clever.
QuadraDrive is NOT computer controlled. It's fully mechanical/hydraulic. QuadraDrive II, in the next generation, is computer controlled.
And, yeah, the engine feels more powerful than the HP rating. The torque curve is impressive.
Great video! Loved the stories about your grandparents. I must say, your grandmother driving home using only the handbrake is fantastic. Loved the nostalgic look back. I drive a JGC and I never thought I would love it as much as I do. This was a fun look at what has become a bit of an iconic name in SUV (even American ‘compact’ SUV’s 😜)
My dad had an XJ Cherokee with the 2.5 diesel. He bought it because it would fit in his garage and a Disco wouldn't. I remember the back seats being quite uncomfortable. I enjoyed the video.
I love these, my aunt had one exactly like this. The 4.7 plus the always 4x4 gets HORRENDOUS millage, you'll be lucky to get about 12mpg in the city. You could get it in 2 wheel drive and selectable 4x4. My first car was the little brother to this, a 1999 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 sport with the torquey, silky smooth and legendary AMC 4.0L straight six and i was able to go anywhere in it. No amount of dirt, rocks, mud, rain, or snow could stop be. I once had to rescue my father during a blizzard with a foot and a half (46cm) of snow on the roads because he thought it'd be a good idea to go out in his Toyota Prius.
I’ve wanted one of these for many years, but my love/hate relationship with 4x4’s has always stopped me. This shape I really like and the V8’s sound great
I own the same 2002 grand Cherokee Overland. Still drives great! What people don't understand is that they need regular maintenance like all other vehicles. If you don't do this, they are going claim that Jeeps are JUNK. That is false. Gas mileage is not great but if you don't have to drive 40+ kms every day, this will suit your needs just fine.
Similar childhood memory for me James. My dad borrowed a first gen model from his boss when I was a kid. The heated rear seats were mind blowing to me as a child in the late 90s!
I purchased a WJ 2000 Jeep GC LTD 4.7L V8 in 2014, it was advertised for $4500 with an engine tick. When I first saw the car the paint work, panels and interior was near perfect but the engine tick was an engine knock. I purchased it for $1500. I fitted a fully recondition 4.7L HO engine as this was the only one I could get. There were other thing wrong like the HVAC blend doors not working so out came the dash. New blend doors, AC evap and heater core and also fixed the dash pad separation from the dash frame. Reco steering box, it cost me $7000 on road. I still have it today in 2022 and love it. No rattles or squeaks and everything works.
I drove a WJ few years ago. It was the most confortable car I ever sat in. Very smooth and effortless to ride. Sadly it was doomed by it's MB 2.7 CRD, which suffered from EGR and injectors sickness. With a relibale and efficient engine, I would still daily drive one of these beauty... Maybe one day with some retro fit stuff ?
have a wj 4.0 with 168k miles.... Do all the maintenance myself, easy to work on.... feel safe driving it but not good on gas. Still funs great....
Nice review! Being that I had an '01 for eight years (aside from all my other Jeeps), you really did a fine job at highlighting what makes these such solid vehicles. I do have to correct you on one thing, though; the AWD systems are not computer controlled, but instead used a transfer case with viscous couplers and open-ended differentials fore and aft. That system behind the stout 4.7 probably made up about 50% of all units built, while the other half was the monolithic 4.0 backed by the equally fantastic part-time transfer case that could help you reach 24 mpg! It's also really hard to beat how comfortable these are, I do miss that about mine.
Love your take on these kind of ordinary cars!
Loved the video! However, the 1999-2004 Grand Cherokee doesn't use an electric 4WD system, it is purely mechanical. Transfer case uses a viscous type center differential, and I believe both the front and rear diffs are the same, as it's an Overland trim. That's why I love it so much, it's a simple vehicle.
Back in the days we used to own a first generation 5.9I ZJ for seven years.After that an early 2005 WK2 5.7 Hemi, which after 5 years of great ownership turned to had so many problems (canbus failures) and then moved to one of the latest WK 4.7 Overland 2004 with only 36k miles and no issues at all. This specific car was not in use for the last 15 years. So I can understand your feelings for those cars.
I had a chance to drive an old 5.7 Jeep Commander not so long back.Huge vehicle,wallowing and not hugely fast....but oh so great to drive...sounded immense and one of the best things I have driven ever in 40 yrs....
Have one as a daily and will never get rid of it. 5.7 quadradrive 4x4. Will go anywhere, fun and comfortable to drive. 246k as of now and nothing major has needed to replaced that wasn't anticipated.
I now own my third WJ. All 4.7 H.O., all 2004s. A limited, a Columbia Edition, and my daily, my blue Overland. I love these things.
I have 2 WJs and a ZJ. I can confirm they are a good time on solid axles…and an awesome way to travel. It’s a lifestyle really 😎
I have a2001 4.7 as a Daily driver.
👍
I love seeing Jay drive & talk about American cars. If he's never done a video on any of the Ford Panther platform cars I would LOVE to watch that!
Jeep isn’t a American anymore and it’s owed by Italians now
@@louisbeerreviews8964 Jay wasn't reviewing a modern Jeep.
@@louisbeerreviews8964 It still doesn't change it's identity. By that logic Land Rover is Indian and used to be American owed (Ford). Owners change.
I have 1999 WJ 4.0 inline 6 cylinders with just 60.000 miles on it. Yes, I had several problems with windows, overheating, sensors but other than that, I feel safe in this care, seats are very comfortable, smooth ride and I will still keep this WJ, besides 2 other cars in my garage 😊
I've had my 2001 4-litre since new and I still look forward to driving it every day, with full confidence in its reliability. That really says something about a vehicle when the ownership experience still feels that way after that much time.
I have had my Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 1999 WJ Aust delivered for around five years and I still love it, easy to work on can get parts easy, the best.
Bought 1st gen Grand Cherokee Orvis edition 4.0l two years ago for 1.5K and she's just over 104 000mls . Lovely , lush and being Orvis it is a league above the stangart ones .... allheated leather and woor trim and packed with tech !!! Love it !
The WJ is the perfect size and unpretentious while being a bit luxurious at the same time. It was the cheaper American Range Rover. With true off-road credentials.
Had a Laredo version, same color, with the six cylinder and selectrac gearbox here in Texas. Got it at around a hundred thousand miles and put that on it again. As a land surveyor I will say off-roading needs a bit more ground clearance but that’s not a hard upgrade. It was a relief after coming from a Land Rover when parts cost $10 instead of $200. Labor was pricey, and working I couldn’t do it myself without a second car….
Pulled a boat, went just about anywhere and very reliable until the end when everything but the drivetrain started breaking in sequential order.
My 2001 has the select trac too awsome t case.
I'm dailying a 2008 WK 3.0 turbodiesel right now, and I absolutely love it
Unexpected video 😃 my wj jeep was an absolute pain in the a** , but also one of the most enjoyable vehicles I've owned and I miss it!! 2.7 crd, injectors kept junking themselves, heater matrix broke multiple times so no heating, heated seats were on the blink and had wood holding up the rear window, but what an absolute riot 😄😄🙌
I ordered a Grande Cherokee 1st gen and the 2nd gen was announced and the dealer was happy to amend my order and I was one of the first in the UK with a 4.7L gen 2.
In the last 25 years, I've had 8 or 10 GCs, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generations. Just picked up an '04 Special Edition for $1,500 and it impresses me every time I drive it -- which is often.
Getting ready for an evaporator and heater core replacement, so it's obvious that I want to keep it. In some ways, it reminds me of a thoroughbred race horse that hates to sit idle.
Had the identical one back in 2008, used. Loved it. Didn't think it was particularly thirsty either, but my previous car was a land rover discovery V8. Relative to that it was like a Prius. Expensive bits though. Window winders on both sides failed. Can't remember the price but drove around for ages with the passenger side wedged up with a screw driver.
I have a 2002 JGC 4.7 ...i love it....bought it off a used car lot and had it for 10 years...had to put about 17,000 dollars into it to get it to run the way i wanted.....still have 2day and wouldnt trade it in for the world.....the JGC is very temperamental, so you have to have patience .....
Had to comment on this because I was so excited to see this review pop up! My best friend had one in high school and it was probably the second or third fastest car at our school. I had a disco 1 and the GC was actually a better off-roader as well.
I had one of these until a few years back. My 3rd jeep - first was the original 'Goonies' black but in diesel, then a 4.0 Mk1 Grand- then one of these 4.7s'. Beautiful car. Big, powerful, well equipped and SO comfy. I still miss it now as it was a forced-sale.... hidden gems. That last proper Jeep until Chrysler got their hands on it to 'value engineer' is for the Mk 3.
16 years on the wj. I love it, but i can t forget the blend doors problems 😂
Used to love ferrying these between airport terminals back when I worked in vehicle rental. For most of the reasons you described this was one of the sets of keys I always used to love grabbing.
I have 2.7CRD for over 3 years.I have lift it and put 33inch wheels and tuned the engine :) It's my daly i love it
i've had one of these for about 15 years .. it's sole task has been to tow my single seater & spares to tracks around the country & it's done it effortlessly & been very comfy ( had to sleep in the back of it a few times .. no problem )
I love these cars. My 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland is the 2.7 CRD version with the Mercedes engine and gearbox. I bought it when it was eight years old with 50K miles on it, twelve years later it now has 122K and is still my daily driver. I do keep on top of the maintenance and it is regularly serviced and maintained by Greg McAllen at 4playjeep in Rutland. You do need to use someone who knows these cars, and Greg knows these cars! Yes, you can now buy one of these quite cheaply, but if you do, be prepared to spend some money on it - perhaps quite a bit of money. But get it all done right, and it will repay you. We’ve just got back from a 2,400 mile round trip to Italy and it never missed a beat. And it returned 37 mpg! Mine may well be one of the only ones left in the UK, it’s certainly one of the best, if not the best, and it’s a definite keeper!
I love my 93 Laredo with a 5.2l lifted 8½" riding on 35" tires. I feel like a celebrity when driving her, people constantly wave, or thumbs up, and stop me at random places to talk about her.
Send it brother! 👍
The WJ with QuadraDrive is actually a wholly mechanical All Wheel Drive system that uses geo-rotor pumps to actuate clutch packs in the limited slip diffs at an axle wheel RPM difference of 140, and viscus coupler in the transfer-case. Basically a fluid driven system, not a computer controlled 4wd system at all. The engine and transmission each do have a computer. The transmission is interesting, it got an "extra" ("4"-"5"rfe) gear with a firmware update; a different second gear is used when decelerating, hence a "five speed", although really just a four speed with overdrive.
Drive a 2002 Laredo. Absolutely love it. We’ve had it for 15 years and it’s been very reliable.
My parents used to have one of these when I was growing up and we went all over the US with it. Nostalgia trip watching this video.
2005, 3 week road trip British Columbia, this WAS the perfect car to do it in for all the reasons James mentioned. Happy 21 days
Very comfortable and quiet to travel in too.
The WJ/WG does not have a computer controlled 4x4 system, it's all mechanical.
We,ve had a 4.0 limited in the family for nearly 18 years. We've loved our ownership despite its flaws. Drove to Switzerland and back 4 times without any issues!. When I finally had enough driving experience to drive it... It felt like i was driving an obese person. I would feel a bump on one wheel and it would circulate around the rest of the car. I still loved it though!
I’ve always had a soft spot for these. Perhaps this goes back to my father owning an early 80’s Jeep ‘Cherokee’ which was a version of the Wagoneer as it was known in Australia. They have character and build character in the owner as things slowly break. 😄
I hate that I had a terrible experience with my 04 GC w/ the 4.0L… I loved the car for the first couple months, then it started falling apart. It ended up blowing up around 210k miles. Loved everything about it besides the fact it was a money pit
I convinced my dad to get one of these back in 2009, a 2.7 CRD Limited. Great car, big nostalgia although it was a bit slow and agricultural sounding and I imagine the steering was a bit suggestive. I'd love a 4.7 now tbh.
I have an 04 Limited 4x4 with the bulletproof 4.0 i6. Just hit 125k miles. It is in amazing shape, zero rust, zero leaks, zero dents, scratches, or paint issues, and zero mechanical issues. I bought it in 2021 for $5,500 from a guy who's wife drove it for 11 years. It is so much car for that price. No car payment. And with how expensive cars are getting, I refuse to buy a new one and will make this one last as long as possible. I would trust it to drive me across the states without an issue.
My wife and I just picked up the same year Jeep but in the limited trim (same v8). Great buy!
the engine/transmission/axle setup in the limited is bulletproof. i have a 2002 limited too
Been looking at these as a tow vehicle. I can't find anything else at their price that comes close. Been chatting with an American mechanic mate, he says they are bulletproof.
They are, it can prone to issues (if its been ragged especially) though so make sure to check its history. Don't listen to what Scotty Kilmer said, he is a complete fraud.
My aunt can tell you they are not. She owned one of this gen. But everyone has different experiences.
Having worked in a Chrysler Jeep Dealership, they really are not. The V8 petrol are slightly more reliable, but none are bulletproof. You will spend on average a thousand a year keeping it on the road no matter which one you get.
I've owned one and I would agree they are bullet proof. If you keep up with maintenance especially oil changes and other general fluid changes they will go forever. If can find a 4.7HO you've found a jewel.
@@theguyjt7921 facts bro.
I have the same color scheme on my 01. Sadly I've had to add the HO bit. Never the less. It's been fully restored. You enthusiasm is infectious. I am sorry about grand-mama. You've well come to terms.
My dad drove a 1st then 2nd gen Grand Cherokee when I was a kid so this was nostalgic for me also. Great video!
My late grandad had a first gen in black with the wooden interior I'll never forget that thing
You should try a newer Trackhawk, most likely not available in Europe. Hellcat Hemi crazy.
These are usually quite reliable, the 4.7 is actually the worst engine, the 4.0 and the hemi are better choices.
There aren't all that many USA cars I actually like and would want to own but a Grand Cherokee is one of them. Also one of the only SUV's I actually like.