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

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 *** 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.

 

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 *** 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.

 

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 *** 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.