Re: Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

In article <1184207277.959021.311660@n60g2000hse.googlegroups .com>,
Dean <JuanSigned@gmail.com> wrote:
#I've got another question related to the variations on the full time
#transfer cases. Can the transfer case be locked into an off-road only
#mode? How reliable are they? Is one flavor better than any other?
#(better is defined reliable, and can be locked for off-road use)
#
#tia
#Dean
#

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Grand_Cherokee

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_fo..._drive_systems

/herb

Re: Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

In article <1184207277.959021.311660@n60g2000hse.googlegroups .com>,
Dean <JuanSigned@gmail.com> wrote:
#I've got another question related to the variations on the full time
#transfer cases. Can the transfer case be locked into an off-road only
#mode? How reliable are they? Is one flavor better than any other?
#(better is defined reliable, and can be locked for off-road use)
#
#tia
#Dean
#

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Grand_Cherokee

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_fo..._drive_systems

/herb

Re: Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

In article <1184207277.959021.311660@n60g2000hse.googlegroups .com>,
Dean <JuanSigned@gmail.com> wrote:
#I've got another question related to the variations on the full time
#transfer cases. Can the transfer case be locked into an off-road only
#mode? How reliable are they? Is one flavor better than any other?
#(better is defined reliable, and can be locked for off-road use)
#
#tia
#Dean
#

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Grand_Cherokee

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_fo..._drive_systems

/herb

Re: Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

On Jul 11, 7:19 pm, Dean <JuanSig...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Ok so the ZJ has a dog's breath transmission. Which probably explains
> why so many of the used one's I'm looking at proudly advertise their
> newly replaced transmissions. Is the design basically flawed or have
> the issues been fixed so that a replacement transmission can be
> counted on to last for a good while?
>
> Dean
> Check out my web site 6bargrill . com. The url is a complete rip-off
> of Nate's 7slotgrill, but I couldn't come up with something I liked
> better.

Well, with the standard "opinion" disclaimers, the design isn't flawed
to the degree that you see catastrophic failures .... just premature
ones. A few sources cite insufficient lubrication to some bearing or
clutch...but if someone popped for a transferable warranty, you're in
like Flynn. What I do understand follows:

-- sensitive to proper transmission fluid
-- prone to governor pressure solenoid/sensor failures
-- [some models] prone to torque converter [clutch] failures, fouling
coolers with debris
-- the so-called "anti-drainback valve" catches torque converter
debris and clogs/sticks, blocking fluid flow to the transmission
"operating system"
-- people fuss about a lag after starting, then shifting from park
into gear, as this model doesn't circulate fluid through the torque
converter in park....generally caused by some worn [not to a fatal
degree] component that I didn't bother to catalog in my head.
-- rebuild components aren't crazy expensive, but the O/D unit, which
does fail, comes in around 3 bills:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-4...spagenameZWD1V


Now that I've done my share of raining on the machine, I'd like to
hear from others how they think a GC fares off-road.

Re: Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

On Jul 11, 7:19 pm, Dean <JuanSig...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Ok so the ZJ has a dog's breath transmission. Which probably explains
> why so many of the used one's I'm looking at proudly advertise their
> newly replaced transmissions. Is the design basically flawed or have
> the issues been fixed so that a replacement transmission can be
> counted on to last for a good while?
>
> Dean
> Check out my web site 6bargrill . com. The url is a complete rip-off
> of Nate's 7slotgrill, but I couldn't come up with something I liked
> better.

Well, with the standard "opinion" disclaimers, the design isn't flawed
to the degree that you see catastrophic failures .... just premature
ones. A few sources cite insufficient lubrication to some bearing or
clutch...but if someone popped for a transferable warranty, you're in
like Flynn. What I do understand follows:

-- sensitive to proper transmission fluid
-- prone to governor pressure solenoid/sensor failures
-- [some models] prone to torque converter [clutch] failures, fouling
coolers with debris
-- the so-called "anti-drainback valve" catches torque converter
debris and clogs/sticks, blocking fluid flow to the transmission
"operating system"
-- people fuss about a lag after starting, then shifting from park
into gear, as this model doesn't circulate fluid through the torque
converter in park....generally caused by some worn [not to a fatal
degree] component that I didn't bother to catalog in my head.
-- rebuild components aren't crazy expensive, but the O/D unit, which
does fail, comes in around 3 bills:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-4...spagenameZWD1V


Now that I've done my share of raining on the machine, I'd like to
hear from others how they think a GC fares off-road.

Re: Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

On Jul 11, 7:19 pm, Dean <JuanSig...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Ok so the ZJ has a dog's breath transmission. Which probably explains
> why so many of the used one's I'm looking at proudly advertise their
> newly replaced transmissions. Is the design basically flawed or have
> the issues been fixed so that a replacement transmission can be
> counted on to last for a good while?
>
> Dean
> Check out my web site 6bargrill . com. The url is a complete rip-off
> of Nate's 7slotgrill, but I couldn't come up with something I liked
> better.

Well, with the standard "opinion" disclaimers, the design isn't flawed
to the degree that you see catastrophic failures .... just premature
ones. A few sources cite insufficient lubrication to some bearing or
clutch...but if someone popped for a transferable warranty, you're in
like Flynn. What I do understand follows:

-- sensitive to proper transmission fluid
-- prone to governor pressure solenoid/sensor failures
-- [some models] prone to torque converter [clutch] failures, fouling
coolers with debris
-- the so-called "anti-drainback valve" catches torque converter
debris and clogs/sticks, blocking fluid flow to the transmission
"operating system"
-- people fuss about a lag after starting, then shifting from park
into gear, as this model doesn't circulate fluid through the torque
converter in park....generally caused by some worn [not to a fatal
degree] component that I didn't bother to catalog in my head.
-- rebuild components aren't crazy expensive, but the O/D unit, which
does fail, comes in around 3 bills:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-4...spagenameZWD1V


Now that I've done my share of raining on the machine, I'd like to
hear from others how they think a GC fares off-road.

Re: Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

On Jul 11, 7:19 pm, Dean <JuanSig...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Ok so the ZJ has a dog's breath transmission. Which probably explains
> why so many of the used one's I'm looking at proudly advertise their
> newly replaced transmissions. Is the design basically flawed or have
> the issues been fixed so that a replacement transmission can be
> counted on to last for a good while?
>
> Dean
> Check out my web site 6bargrill . com. The url is a complete rip-off
> of Nate's 7slotgrill, but I couldn't come up with something I liked
> better.

Well, with the standard "opinion" disclaimers, the design isn't flawed
to the degree that you see catastrophic failures .... just premature
ones. A few sources cite insufficient lubrication to some bearing or
clutch...but if someone popped for a transferable warranty, you're in
like Flynn. What I do understand follows:

-- sensitive to proper transmission fluid
-- prone to governor pressure solenoid/sensor failures
-- [some models] prone to torque converter [clutch] failures, fouling
coolers with debris
-- the so-called "anti-drainback valve" catches torque converter
debris and clogs/sticks, blocking fluid flow to the transmission
"operating system"
-- people fuss about a lag after starting, then shifting from park
into gear, as this model doesn't circulate fluid through the torque
converter in park....generally caused by some worn [not to a fatal
degree] component that I didn't bother to catalog in my head.
-- rebuild components aren't crazy expensive, but the O/D unit, which
does fail, comes in around 3 bills:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-4...spagenameZWD1V


Now that I've done my share of raining on the machine, I'd like to
hear from others how they think a GC fares off-road.

Re: Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

On Jul 10, 11:39 pm, Dean <JuanSig...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Which years should I look for/avoid?

Interior and grille/bumper were redesigned in '96. Earlier ones are
ugly.

> Gas mileage, how bad is it?

My '96 5.2L would get 20mpg on the highway. That was with the
Goodyear Wrangler AT/S's aired up to about 45 PSI. With a lift and
offroad tires it'll probably be a lot worse.

> Is the gas mileage for the 6 better than the V8?

I've heard that it's so close that it's not worth the loss in power.

> Transfer cases options and any to avoid?

The full time unit is known for problems with the viscous coupler but
I had no problems with mine (130k miles).

> How does the Grand do in accidents?

I saw one that had gone off an overpass backwards and landed ass first
on the the road below. The doors would still open and close. Most
other cars would crush like a beer can. The flip side to lousy gas
mileage is that it's 4000+ pounds of crashworthy steel.

Only downside as a first car is that it holds so many passengers.

Re: Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

On Jul 10, 11:39 pm, Dean <JuanSig...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Which years should I look for/avoid?

Interior and grille/bumper were redesigned in '96. Earlier ones are
ugly.

> Gas mileage, how bad is it?

My '96 5.2L would get 20mpg on the highway. That was with the
Goodyear Wrangler AT/S's aired up to about 45 PSI. With a lift and
offroad tires it'll probably be a lot worse.

> Is the gas mileage for the 6 better than the V8?

I've heard that it's so close that it's not worth the loss in power.

> Transfer cases options and any to avoid?

The full time unit is known for problems with the viscous coupler but
I had no problems with mine (130k miles).

> How does the Grand do in accidents?

I saw one that had gone off an overpass backwards and landed ass first
on the the road below. The doors would still open and close. Most
other cars would crush like a beer can. The flip side to lousy gas
mileage is that it's 4000+ pounds of crashworthy steel.

Only downside as a first car is that it holds so many passengers.

Re: Looking for a Grand Cherokee
 

On Jul 10, 11:39 pm, Dean <JuanSig...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Which years should I look for/avoid?

Interior and grille/bumper were redesigned in '96. Earlier ones are
ugly.

> Gas mileage, how bad is it?

My '96 5.2L would get 20mpg on the highway. That was with the
Goodyear Wrangler AT/S's aired up to about 45 PSI. With a lift and
offroad tires it'll probably be a lot worse.

> Is the gas mileage for the 6 better than the V8?

I've heard that it's so close that it's not worth the loss in power.

> Transfer cases options and any to avoid?

The full time unit is known for problems with the viscous coupler but
I had no problems with mine (130k miles).

> How does the Grand do in accidents?

I saw one that had gone off an overpass backwards and landed ass first
on the the road below. The doors would still open and close. Most
other cars would crush like a beer can. The flip side to lousy gas
mileage is that it's 4000+ pounds of crashworthy steel.

Only downside as a first car is that it holds so many passengers.