Watch This Before Buying a Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ 1999-2004

The Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ has a special spot in my heart. Its a beautiful, agile, and reliable SUV if you take care of it properly. Even IF things do go out, they are relatively easy to repair.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ is made from 1999-2004 as the second generation. Some of the suspension mimics other jeeps within the linup, so diagnosing suspension problems, like the death wobble, can be easy with research.

Overall, the Jeep WJ is a grand SUV with much nicer interior to the standard cherokee.

Parts:

Videos:

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[cknotts]

My 04 cherokee has been fine the last 13 years and I just got it from my stepdad.. Regular oil changes, tires, breaks, rotors, and reg maintenence is all we've done.. And it's still a beast

[christopherstromberg]

My wife had a whole for about 7 years. It had the 4.0l. I had to put a battery in it when we first met, and a crank sensor a few years ago. That’s it with 180, 000+ miles, other than regular maintenance. I wish she never totaled it. It was her 3rd totaled jeep. It was a sad day loosing it with all the memories we made in it.

I currently have a zj with the 4.0l with 275, 000+ miles and still going strong. Needless to say she’s not allowed to drive it.

[aussietaipan]

When I purchased my WJ 4.7L LMT 6 years ago, there were 2 thing wrong. 1) the engine tick (as advertised) was an engine knock, big end bearing failure. 2) the blend doors were not working. So the car price of $4000 went down to $500 purchase price. In went a new reco engine. Out came the dash and HVAC. All blend doors were replaces (2 broken) and also replaced the ac condenser and heater core. The cars exterior and interior are near perfect, and it goes very well. Since then I've done more work but I love the car and I want to keep it fpr a long time so I take care of it

[southwestvajeeper]

The 545RFE is a very good transmission and it only came paired with the 4.7 V8. My Dad owned a 2001 WJ 4.7 that had 337k miles when we sold it. The engine had been replaced but the transmission was still the original as far as we knew. It shifted just fine, too!

[LeviRules-miim]

When you watch these types of videos after you've already bought the vehicle😂

[mono]

Damn everyone hates the 4.7! Mine has been good so far 🤞🏻 “knock on wood”

[toma.]

I've daily driven a 4.7 HO 04 overland for last 18 years in pa

[jgcruisers]

nice video, I have a 4.7 H.0 and have worked on both the 4.0 and 4.7ho. I like the 4.7 better, gas mileage is about the same, but the 4.7 has to have the cooling system dialed in and oil changes religiously every3k miles or it dies, but power wise, it is an awesome car. got mine for 600. and had a valve seat down, fixed it myself and has been a daily for about 3 years now, no issues at all. I changed the fuel pump, because it would pass 75 and at 75 the engine light will come on, would disconnect the battery and do another 100 miles or so and as soon as the 75 mph would it the light would come on with a code that said. lack of fuel or something, (cant remember)and so replaced the fuel pump and it has been great since. cold ac and hot seats and heater, 1 battery and about to do a mild lift and new tires. it is awesome off road. wasn't expecting it to handle major obstacles but it does just like my land cruiser for a fraction of the price. about to get a 2.7 diesel 2002 .

[OldsNinetyEight]

I bought a 2000 4.0 4x4 Laredo a few months ago for my son to use. I want another one for me!

[marianoasselborn]

Viscous coupler section is wrong. WJs with Quadra Drive came with a 247 transfer case, which is gears driven. Viscous coupler is the 249 transfer case, which came in the ZJ, previous generation.

Also, technicality, but there is no frame, it's a unibody.

[andrescarrillo_fitness]

If you take care of the 4.7 (regular oil change’s, correct coolant, fixing sensors right away if they go bad) then it will last you well into the 300k+ range with a heck of a lot more power than the 4.0. If you’re a lazy car owner though go for the 4.0 but if you’re a responsible adult 4.7 is your dream engine.

[strummaster]

My 2004 WJ in-line 6 cylinder 4.0 L is coming up on 200k and I had to rebuild the transmission at 185k, still running great

[DylanHaas]

I’ve had my 04 4.0l for 6 years now. She only has 49k on it today, I’ve put 39k of those miles on it. Super capable and never let me down.

[andysaunders]

Think that engine bay is tight - try the 4.7 V8...
PS: Mine had the "tick of doom", but it was the purge solenoid - there's a mounting mod, and it shuts it up.
About 30 minute's work, and is pretty much just about insulating the solenoid from the body.
Cheap and cheerful.

[Logan-dexx]

Everyone hates on the 4.7 meanwhile a ton of people have the 4.7 and have zero issues. Make sure your plugs are gapped properly, make sure you bleed the cooling system properly. The transmissions are also heavy duty and haven’t given me any issues. Proper maintenance on any ANY vehicle is key. I love the 4.7 and if I had my choice I’d stay with the 4.7 for that extra power needed in this beauty.

[arunsubramanian]

I’ve had 2 of these- power window regulators will fail and needs replacement. Power steering pump failure in both of my jeeps, blend door noise easy fix. Airbag light came on one.

Ease of working on this is great.

[rockymountboy]

"Your window regulator may fail" Wrong. Your window regulators WILL fail. It's not the quality of the part. They are just a bad design. Figure on replacing the front regulators every 5 years or so. Replace the door panel clips when you do, or the door panel will pop out when the door is closed.

[mechsupernova]

I bought a 1999 4.7l 4 or 5 years ago for $800, I have put about $1500 in it maybe. everything works except the passenger side back window and the seatbelt lights/alarm I absolutely love my jeep, it runs good

[baggedlunch]

I just bought a used 2002 jeep Cherokee wj 4.0 with 208k miles only had to replace the battery so far and I do notice the thermostat gets hot when I accelerate but it's still good lol.

[Kinny]

There’s also the driver’s door wiring harness. The wires eventually break and it tells you the door is open and interior lights won’t shut off. Plus every seal eventually leaks. I would buy another 4.7 WJ mainly because I now know how to replace almost everything and I’ve got all the tools and extra fluids laying around to do it. I’ve had many adventures in it though so that’s the price I guess.