DesertRobot111

So I'm looking at buying a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee, V8, with 180,000 miles on it, and I'm trying to get some info on it. From word of mouth I hear the v8's hard to work on, but that's most cars, I can deal with that. What's really getting my attention is the Quadra-Trac system. I'm pretty sure mine has the Quadra-Trac 2 system. I hear that they go out easy, are hard to replace, and will cost you small fortune. That's just from one person though, so I'm hoping it's not true. Anyways, are there any other quirks of the Grand Cherokee that you guys know? Parts that go bad fast, or need to be serviced more than usual? And what should I look at when buying one?

dave1123

Okay, here's what I know and if I'm wrong about any part of this, I'm sure the other guys will correct me.

The V8 is the 4.7 OHC aluminum head engine and 99 was the first year in jeeps. The cam drive train is a nightmare to retime if you have to pull it apart to change a head gasket or other reason. As with any steel block/aluminum head engine, they are prone to blown head gaskets or warped heads if overheated badly. Properly maintained, they are a good engine.

The Quadra-Trac I is an AWD case without a low range option, NV147. The Quadra-Trac II is the NV247 that is AWD with a low range option. The predecessor of both these cases was the NV249 which had a reputation for bad viscous clutches, but I understand this was fixed in later years. IDK for sure.

I have no first-hand knowledge of the 4.7 or the 247 t/case because I've got the 4.0 and 242, but I have researched them a lot. When I went shopping for my WJ, I was looking for the 4.0 and 242 exclusively because I've had hand-on knowledge of both of them. Nobody told me about the 0331 head and it's cracking problems. Live and learn. I bought it with 122K miles on it and put 50K more on it before the head cracked. I've got 10K on the new head and that's all the major problems I've had with my jeep.

Bustedback

A 99 with the 4.7 should be avoided.

Fred/N0AZZ

A lot depends on the PO's and how it was treated in the past as with any car. Sometimes the first year for anything can be an issue I do not know. I have an 04 WJ with a 4.7HO engine and that trans and 213,000 mi. on it I bought used 5 yrs ago. It runs excellent and does not use a drop of oil between changes (6 mo./6,000 mi.). Mine could be an exception I don't know but if anything did ever happen to it I would have it rebuilt for certain that was the last year for the WJ's.


The trans works very well in fact my wife will only drive it now in the winter (we have 4 4WD's a Blazer, F-350, XJ and the WJ. She likes it because she has to do nothing with it in bad weather rain, sleet, ice, snow it just goes anywhere even in deep drifted roads here in the country. We may not see a plow for days after a storm.


It all depends on the price I guess and knowing all you can about it.

andrewmp6

The 4.7 if taken care can run a long time,If its been used and abused timing chain an head gasket problems happen.

dave1123

I guess you could call it a "Flex-fuel" engine because it's designed to run on anything from straight gasoline to E85.

ZJMAX

It is also common on the 4.7 for the lifters to get gummed up if the PO did not service as often as they should have. When this happens it is really common for the cam to shove the rocker arm off the valve causing a misfire. I was able to pick up a 2004 with that exact issue for really cheap and was able to disassemble each lifter and clean and reassemble with just the cost of some valve cover gaskets and a few cans of carb cleaner.

Max

94zj318

If you need to change the EGR valve, it's a pain in the toosh... my dad didn't do his '05 WK 4.7's EGR valve, and let a Jeep mechanic do it instead... the mechanic says the EGR valve is right in front of the firewall between the engine and cabin, so you have to install the EGR valve blindly with little visibility. I'd recommend a 4.0 over a 4.7 any day... the 4.0 is MUCH more reliable, and has just enough power and torque for everyday driving. The 4.7 DOES use the 545RFE, vs. the 4.0's 42RE (you may be able to find a 4.7 with the 45RFE, which is possibly more reliable, though it's rare), and the 42RE is VERY reliable. Also, find a Selec-Trac model if you can, it gives you 2WD to save on gas when you don't need 4X4, and 4X4 when you ONLY need it, NOT when the Jeep thinks you need it. Good luck with your purchase!

-Vince

dave1123

JMHO, but I don't see any appreciable difference in fuel mileage between 2wd or 4wd in my WJ with the 242 Selectrac. You're still turning those gears weither or not they are under power. I do, however, like the choice of 2 or 4.