Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

Hey Guys, long time no post. Good to see that a lot of the regulars
are still here. My son needs a car, his first, and I've thinking
about buying him a Grand Cherokee. While I can quote you chapter and
verse from the book of TJ, I don't know much about the Grands.

I do know that I'm looking at the 93 - 98 models. The Jeep will
mostly be used for getting to school and various errands. He and I
will be putting on a mild lift and doing some of the easier Moab
trails.

Questions
Which years should I look for/avoid?
Gas mileage, how bad is it?
Is the gas mileage for the 6 better than the V8?
Transfer cases options and any to avoid?
How does the Grand do in accidents?

TIA
Dean

Re: Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

On Jul 10, 8:39 pm, Dean <JuanSig...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey Guys, long time no post. Good to see that a lot of the regulars
> are still here. My son needs a car, his first, and I've thinking
> about buying him a Grand Cherokee. While I can quote you chapter and
> verse from the book of TJ, I don't know much about the Grands.
>
> I do know that I'm looking at the 93 - 98 models. The Jeep will
> mostly be used for getting to school and various errands. He and I
> will be putting on a mild lift and doing some of the easier Moab
> trails.
>
> Questions
> Which years should I look for/avoid?
> Gas mileage, how bad is it?
> Is the gas mileage for the 6 better than the V8?
> Transfer cases options and any to avoid?
> How does the Grand do in accidents?
>
> TIA
> Dean

Ok, I'll bite on a few areas:

Well, you know the Chrysler-derived Wrangler automatic -- the GC unit
is from the same family of transmissions. I don't see the same
failure rates with Wranglers as with heavier OD vehicles, but I'm not
a fan of the transmission -- the fact is that Dodge didn't have the
time or money or motivation to develop a new OD transmission back in
the day, so they took the 727 3-spd, slapped on what amounts to an
auxiliary OD unit, and milked the idea. Transmissions aren't rocket
science, so that should be fine...right? Well, the bottom line is
that it didn't mature into a very reliable package -- 100K is a
blessing on a factory unit. Having said that much, when they work,
they work well. Up to '96 is a mechanically governed setup, rebuilds
are a couple hundred cheaper than an electronically governed setup
(96+). Not 100% on the date, someone can verify.

Same logic goes for the V-8: a tried and true soldier with a new set
of boots. The bad news is that the Magnum-engine head castings are
prone to cracking at the valve seats, it's worth having the coolant
tested for the presence of combustion gases. Aftermarket replacement
heads are popular and not too pricey, go to www.------engines.com to
see their solutions for heads as well as intake leaks.

I understand that every vehicle has its own share of problems, but the
prospect of spending -- oh, say, $2500 if you do it yourself -- out of
pocket just to keep it driving....on something that is sure to have
100k on it already....well, that seems like a deal-buster to me.

[YES lesser quality Asian heads are available at half the price, and
YES if you are a great shopper you can get this tranny rebuilt and
installed for $1100, so that's only a $1600 gamble......but that is
definitely a bottom-bin parts affair]

Jon

Re: Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

On Jul 10, 8:39 pm, Dean <JuanSig...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey Guys, long time no post. Good to see that a lot of the regulars
> are still here. My son needs a car, his first, and I've thinking
> about buying him a Grand Cherokee. While I can quote you chapter and
> verse from the book of TJ, I don't know much about the Grands.
>
> I do know that I'm looking at the 93 - 98 models. The Jeep will
> mostly be used for getting to school and various errands. He and I
> will be putting on a mild lift and doing some of the easier Moab
> trails.
>
> Questions
> Which years should I look for/avoid?
> Gas mileage, how bad is it?
> Is the gas mileage for the 6 better than the V8?
> Transfer cases options and any to avoid?
> How does the Grand do in accidents?
>
> TIA
> Dean

Ok, I'll bite on a few areas:

Well, you know the Chrysler-derived Wrangler automatic -- the GC unit
is from the same family of transmissions. I don't see the same
failure rates with Wranglers as with heavier OD vehicles, but I'm not
a fan of the transmission -- the fact is that Dodge didn't have the
time or money or motivation to develop a new OD transmission back in
the day, so they took the 727 3-spd, slapped on what amounts to an
auxiliary OD unit, and milked the idea. Transmissions aren't rocket
science, so that should be fine...right? Well, the bottom line is
that it didn't mature into a very reliable package -- 100K is a
blessing on a factory unit. Having said that much, when they work,
they work well. Up to '96 is a mechanically governed setup, rebuilds
are a couple hundred cheaper than an electronically governed setup
(96+). Not 100% on the date, someone can verify.

Same logic goes for the V-8: a tried and true soldier with a new set
of boots. The bad news is that the Magnum-engine head castings are
prone to cracking at the valve seats, it's worth having the coolant
tested for the presence of combustion gases. Aftermarket replacement
heads are popular and not too pricey, go to www.------engines.com to
see their solutions for heads as well as intake leaks.

I understand that every vehicle has its own share of problems, but the
prospect of spending -- oh, say, $2500 if you do it yourself -- out of
pocket just to keep it driving....on something that is sure to have
100k on it already....well, that seems like a deal-buster to me.

[YES lesser quality Asian heads are available at half the price, and
YES if you are a great shopper you can get this tranny rebuilt and
installed for $1100, so that's only a $1600 gamble......but that is
definitely a bottom-bin parts affair]

Jon

Re: Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

On Jul 10, 8:39 pm, Dean <JuanSig...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey Guys, long time no post. Good to see that a lot of the regulars
> are still here. My son needs a car, his first, and I've thinking
> about buying him a Grand Cherokee. While I can quote you chapter and
> verse from the book of TJ, I don't know much about the Grands.
>
> I do know that I'm looking at the 93 - 98 models. The Jeep will
> mostly be used for getting to school and various errands. He and I
> will be putting on a mild lift and doing some of the easier Moab
> trails.
>
> Questions
> Which years should I look for/avoid?
> Gas mileage, how bad is it?
> Is the gas mileage for the 6 better than the V8?
> Transfer cases options and any to avoid?
> How does the Grand do in accidents?
>
> TIA
> Dean

Ok, I'll bite on a few areas:

Well, you know the Chrysler-derived Wrangler automatic -- the GC unit
is from the same family of transmissions. I don't see the same
failure rates with Wranglers as with heavier OD vehicles, but I'm not
a fan of the transmission -- the fact is that Dodge didn't have the
time or money or motivation to develop a new OD transmission back in
the day, so they took the 727 3-spd, slapped on what amounts to an
auxiliary OD unit, and milked the idea. Transmissions aren't rocket
science, so that should be fine...right? Well, the bottom line is
that it didn't mature into a very reliable package -- 100K is a
blessing on a factory unit. Having said that much, when they work,
they work well. Up to '96 is a mechanically governed setup, rebuilds
are a couple hundred cheaper than an electronically governed setup
(96+). Not 100% on the date, someone can verify.

Same logic goes for the V-8: a tried and true soldier with a new set
of boots. The bad news is that the Magnum-engine head castings are
prone to cracking at the valve seats, it's worth having the coolant
tested for the presence of combustion gases. Aftermarket replacement
heads are popular and not too pricey, go to www.------engines.com to
see their solutions for heads as well as intake leaks.

I understand that every vehicle has its own share of problems, but the
prospect of spending -- oh, say, $2500 if you do it yourself -- out of
pocket just to keep it driving....on something that is sure to have
100k on it already....well, that seems like a deal-buster to me.

[YES lesser quality Asian heads are available at half the price, and
YES if you are a great shopper you can get this tranny rebuilt and
installed for $1100, so that's only a $1600 gamble......but that is
definitely a bottom-bin parts affair]

Jon

Re: Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

On Jul 10, 8:39 pm, Dean <JuanSig...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey Guys, long time no post. Good to see that a lot of the regulars
> are still here. My son needs a car, his first, and I've thinking
> about buying him a Grand Cherokee. While I can quote you chapter and
> verse from the book of TJ, I don't know much about the Grands.
>
> I do know that I'm looking at the 93 - 98 models. The Jeep will
> mostly be used for getting to school and various errands. He and I
> will be putting on a mild lift and doing some of the easier Moab
> trails.
>
> Questions
> Which years should I look for/avoid?
> Gas mileage, how bad is it?
> Is the gas mileage for the 6 better than the V8?
> Transfer cases options and any to avoid?
> How does the Grand do in accidents?
>
> TIA
> Dean

Ok, I'll bite on a few areas:

Well, you know the Chrysler-derived Wrangler automatic -- the GC unit
is from the same family of transmissions. I don't see the same
failure rates with Wranglers as with heavier OD vehicles, but I'm not
a fan of the transmission -- the fact is that Dodge didn't have the
time or money or motivation to develop a new OD transmission back in
the day, so they took the 727 3-spd, slapped on what amounts to an
auxiliary OD unit, and milked the idea. Transmissions aren't rocket
science, so that should be fine...right? Well, the bottom line is
that it didn't mature into a very reliable package -- 100K is a
blessing on a factory unit. Having said that much, when they work,
they work well. Up to '96 is a mechanically governed setup, rebuilds
are a couple hundred cheaper than an electronically governed setup
(96+). Not 100% on the date, someone can verify.

Same logic goes for the V-8: a tried and true soldier with a new set
of boots. The bad news is that the Magnum-engine head castings are
prone to cracking at the valve seats, it's worth having the coolant
tested for the presence of combustion gases. Aftermarket replacement
heads are popular and not too pricey, go to www.------engines.com to
see their solutions for heads as well as intake leaks.

I understand that every vehicle has its own share of problems, but the
prospect of spending -- oh, say, $2500 if you do it yourself -- out of
pocket just to keep it driving....on something that is sure to have
100k on it already....well, that seems like a deal-buster to me.

[YES lesser quality Asian heads are available at half the price, and
YES if you are a great shopper you can get this tranny rebuilt and
installed for $1100, so that's only a $1600 gamble......but that is
definitely a bottom-bin parts affair]

Jon

Re: Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

"Jon" <jongoddard@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184180864.627591.94160@g4g2000hsf.googlegrou ps.com...
> On Jul 10, 8:39 pm, Dean <JuanSig...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Well, you know the Chrysler-derived Wrangler automatic -- the GC unit
> is from the same family of transmissions. I don't see the same
> failure rates with Wranglers as with heavier OD vehicles, but I'm not
> a fan of the transmission --

I don't know much about the Grands, even though I had a '93, but is this
accurate? The XJ's AX4 automatic is known to be a pretty reliable
transmission, and it seems to me it would have made more sense since they
already had an OD unit in the lineup they would have used it instead of
reengineering a Wrangler 3-speed.

Re: Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

"Jon" <jongoddard@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184180864.627591.94160@g4g2000hsf.googlegrou ps.com...
> On Jul 10, 8:39 pm, Dean <JuanSig...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Well, you know the Chrysler-derived Wrangler automatic -- the GC unit
> is from the same family of transmissions. I don't see the same
> failure rates with Wranglers as with heavier OD vehicles, but I'm not
> a fan of the transmission --

I don't know much about the Grands, even though I had a '93, but is this
accurate? The XJ's AX4 automatic is known to be a pretty reliable
transmission, and it seems to me it would have made more sense since they
already had an OD unit in the lineup they would have used it instead of
reengineering a Wrangler 3-speed.

Re: Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

"Jon" <jongoddard@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184180864.627591.94160@g4g2000hsf.googlegrou ps.com...
> On Jul 10, 8:39 pm, Dean <JuanSig...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Well, you know the Chrysler-derived Wrangler automatic -- the GC unit
> is from the same family of transmissions. I don't see the same
> failure rates with Wranglers as with heavier OD vehicles, but I'm not
> a fan of the transmission --

I don't know much about the Grands, even though I had a '93, but is this
accurate? The XJ's AX4 automatic is known to be a pretty reliable
transmission, and it seems to me it would have made more sense since they
already had an OD unit in the lineup they would have used it instead of
reengineering a Wrangler 3-speed.

Re: Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

"Jon" <jongoddard@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184180864.627591.94160@g4g2000hsf.googlegrou ps.com...
> On Jul 10, 8:39 pm, Dean <JuanSig...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Well, you know the Chrysler-derived Wrangler automatic -- the GC unit
> is from the same family of transmissions. I don't see the same
> failure rates with Wranglers as with heavier OD vehicles, but I'm not
> a fan of the transmission --

I don't know much about the Grands, even though I had a '93, but is this
accurate? The XJ's AX4 automatic is known to be a pretty reliable
transmission, and it seems to me it would have made more sense since they
already had an OD unit in the lineup they would have used it instead of
reengineering a Wrangler 3-speed.

Re: Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

On Jul 11, 1:53 pm, "Matt Macchiarolo" <m...@nospamplease.com> wrote:
> "Jon" <jongodd...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1184180864.627591.94160@g4g2000hsf.googlegrou ps.com...
>
> > On Jul 10, 8:39 pm, Dean <JuanSig...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Well, you know the Chrysler-derived Wrangler automatic -- the GC unit
> > is from the same family of transmissions. I don't see the same
> > failure rates with Wranglers as with heavier OD vehicles, but I'm not
> > a fan of the transmission --
>
> I don't know much about the Grands, even though I had a '93, but is this
> accurate? The XJ's AX4 automatic is known to be a pretty reliable
> transmission, and it seems to me it would have made more sense since they
> already had an OD unit in the lineup they would have used it instead of
> reengineering a Wrangler 3-speed.


Hi Matt,

I was picking up the conversation from his TJ perspective -- so,
before that point: Chrysler steps in, and puts their transmission
into Jeeps -- why pay someone else? Jeeps get the 3 speed version
because the aformentioned OD "add-on" makes for a ridiculously long
transmission.

Don't quote all the digits, but this is my understanding: A-727 > 727
w/lockup > A-518 (4sp) > 4xRH > 4xRE .....A-518 might be the old name
for 4xRH

But don't take my word for it: http://www.jeeptech.com/trans/

And [oops] I do see that early 1993 4.0 GCs have the Aisin unit.

Jon