what year to buy ???
 

Hi, i'm new here and just signed up because i plan to build a jeep grand cherokee maybe this summer. I have never owned a jeep and know nothing about them , have driven dodge rams for last 15 years . I want a rig with good offroad traction but also for highway driving plan to lift it and get some bigger tires ect ...around 2002 -2005 seems to fit my budget.... can anyone give me some pros/cons on motor / differential lock up ect for those years vs maybe earlier models ..whats the best choice , i like all 4 tires hooking up in mud and snow !!!!! What models ect have the quadra trac !?

thanks

Re: what year to buy ???
 

Hmmm...i found alot of info on the web i was looking for ... now i'm wondering what is the best drive system , select trac, quadra trac, or quadra drive ...for on road and serious off road running also with 6" lift ?!

Re: what year to buy ???
 

selectrac 242 is good since you'll have 2WD for saving gas and everything, high range locked and unlocked driveshafts, and then 4 low... its the best all around transfercase

depending on how hardcore you plan on going a 231 transfercase is slightly stronger, since you can install a terralow in it, get a 4:1 ratio, there are more SYE's available for it...

axles are best to build to your needs, air lockers or limited slip all depends on how your going to use it...how strong you want it, and gear ratio if your putting on larger tires...

i've got myself a dana 44 for my 98 ZJ, geared to 3.73 with limited slip for the moment, it'll end up getting built up abit more, put a truss on it and all that goodness...

Re: what year to buy ???
 

Thanks for the reply !! .... i will just use it for play offroad , hunting also , but i have a suzuki now that only spind one front and one back tire , drives me nuts in semi icey situations or heavy mud ...i want something that will hook all 4 tires when needed . The selectrac 242 you mentioned , this would be limited slip diff's back and front on a stock grand cherokee ?? I have seen youtube videos of the quadra drive spinning all 4 tires in the snow . Would i need a front and or back lock with the selectrac ?

Re: what year to buy ???
 

yeah its a tricky bit, they dont have a perfect Jeep Grand Cherokee... you have to build it to make it really fun...

Get a Quadradrive, (that'll be a limited slip diff's for your 4 wheels spinning) and the transfercase will be full time 4, and then 4 low...

what year were you looking at getting and engine?

Re: what year to buy ???
 

I have been looking @ 2000 - 2004 models , i have a ram now (2004) with 4.7 that is gutless and hard on gas (14 mpg) but i can't really see me going with anything less in a jeep , especially with a set of 33's ! I suppose if i like the jeep well enough i might purchase a front air locker . Do you know what years offer quadra drive ? only thing about that is the fact that it is full time 4x4 , i like taking them out and running in 2 wheel drive .

Re: what year to buy ???
 

I had a 04 Grand, with the 4.0L it was gutless on the highway, but had it where it counts on the trail!
mine was the open dana 30/35 axles (the one wheel wonders) but had the 242 transfercase...

If you get a 4.7L make sure you get a High Output, its an extra 30hp, and 30ft -Lb torque... its in all the special editions for 2004, and some 02-04 models...

with the 4.7L though your get yourself limited to the NP247 transfercase... the full time 4wd... getting a Quadra-Drive gets you the limited slip diff's from the get go.

if you can find a 242HD transfer case i think its a fit V8, but you have to swap driveshafts i believe... but it'll let you run the 2wd which would be nice...

Re: what year to buy ???
 

FWIW..there is little to no MPG difference between a NV242 and a NV247. This is because a 247 is essentially 2wd until you spin the rears (which shouldn't happen under normal driving conditions.)

With that said, if you want to be able to spin all 4 tires, you'll want to look at QuadraDrive models. Otherwise, you'll have to swap LSD's or lockers into your axles if you go with a QuadraTrac/Select trac.

Lots of folks will 'upgrade' a QuadraDrive model by replacing the 247 with a 242 when the original gives out. On the other hand, with proper maintenance/regular fluid changes, the 247 is a very strong transfer case.