The WJ Grand Cherokee released first time at 1999. WJs, which were virtually same as WGs, were of slightly unusual design. It’s coming with more rounded shape compare to its predecessor Grand Cherokee ZJ/ZG. They featured monocoque chassis in order to increase interior space and remain car-like but used live axles front and rear. This was done to maximize off road ability over an independent suspension.
Grand Cherokee earned the nickname “Wobbly Jeeps” because they A-frame rear, top suspension link, which over superb axle articulation, doesn’t locate the rear axle as well as other means, making the car wobble.
These models were fulltime 4WD and came with the option of Quadra Drive II 4WD traction system, which provide limited locking of the front and rear diffs. While the system worked well, it was no match for diff locks, so if you are buying a Grand for hard off-road use, avoid the Quadra Drive equipped version, as it’s hard to convert them to run lockers.
Because of their monocoque chassis and very short front and rear trailing arms, WJ/WGs don’t lend themshelves to extreme off-road modifications. These models benefit from simple mods like fitting swaybar disconnects, a 2 in lift and diff locks, which combine to make the Grand a pretty capable playmate.
Again, if you want a 4WD to use for hard core off-roading, it’s best to look elsewhere. While they have been modified to performed off road miracles, be prepared to fork out plenty to achieve this end. Aftermarket products are limited compared to TJ, XJ and ZJ, especially if you are living outside of US, even bullbars are only sold by few suppliers.
BUYING USED
Being luxury vehicles, and priced accordingly when new, most WJ/WGs were purchased by older, more sedate owners and were seldom modified. This means there are plenty of good examples floating about that haven’t set foot off-road.
Because of the complexity of these vehicles and their quirky faults, it is always advisable to take any prospective buys to a Jeep specialist for once-over. To help you choose a vehicle worthy of a second opinion, follow this step:
- Walk around the vehicle and take a long look at the body work in good daylight, checking for paint inconsistencies and misaligned panel gaps that indicates the Jeep after a crash.
- Open the doors and check that the woodgrain trim inserts aren’t starting to fall off. Check the electric front seat adjuster, as well as heated seat work, which are prone to failing.
- Inspect the CV joint in the front propshaft, this joint breaks without much effort when off roading. Some manufactures offer a uni-joint replacement kit, which prevents this happening again.
These models were fulltime 4WD and came with the option of Quadra Drive II 4WD traction system, which provide limited locking of the front and rear diffs. While the system worked well, it was no match for diff locks, so if you are buying a Grand for hard off-road use, avoid the Quadra Drive equipped version, as it’s hard to convert them to run lockers.
Because of their monocoque chassis and very short front and rear trailing arms, WJ/WGs don’t lend themshelves to extreme off-road modifications. These models benefit from simple mods like fitting swaybar disconnects, a 2 in lift and diff locks, which combine to make the Grand a pretty capable playmate.
Again, if you want a 4WD to use for hard core off-roading, it’s best to look elsewhere. While they have been modified to performed off road miracles, be prepared to fork out plenty to achieve this end. Aftermarket products are limited compared to TJ, XJ and ZJ, especially if you are living outside of US, even bullbars are only sold by few suppliers.
BUYING USED
Being luxury vehicles, and priced accordingly when new, most WJ/WGs were purchased by older, more sedate owners and were seldom modified. This means there are plenty of good examples floating about that haven’t set foot off-road.
Because of the complexity of these vehicles and their quirky faults, it is always advisable to take any prospective buys to a Jeep specialist for once-over. To help you choose a vehicle worthy of a second opinion, follow this step:
- Walk around the vehicle and take a long look at the body work in good daylight, checking for paint inconsistencies and misaligned panel gaps that indicates the Jeep after a crash.
- Open the doors and check that the woodgrain trim inserts aren’t starting to fall off. Check the electric front seat adjuster, as well as heated seat work, which are prone to failing.
- Inspect the CV joint in the front propshaft, this joint breaks without much effort when off roading. Some manufactures offer a uni-joint replacement kit, which prevents this happening again.
- Check of visual signs on both the front and real trailing arms. The Grand Cherokee’s unsusual oval-shaped bushes wear out by about 100,000 km. This is partly due to the very short trailing-arm length and bush design.
- Check the outer front axle seals aren’t leaking this will be evident by oil around this area
- Check the outer front axle seals aren’t leaking this will be evident by oil around this area
- Looks for leaks around the transfer-case output shaft seal.
- Inspect leaks from the inspection cover gasket on the front and rear diffs.
- Under the hood, first check for coolant leaks from the radiator, the leaks occur commonly between the aluminium radiator core and the plastic side tanks. It is very important that there are no coolant leaks, because if the V8 engine overheats, and plenty of them have been known to, the alloy heads expand and cause the steel valve seats to fall out, causing major and expensive engine damage.
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