Looking at getting a 99 Grand Cherokee WJ. It has the 4.7 v8 180,000 miles. I have heard these trannys don't hold up, owner says it shifts fine, doesn't think it has ever been rebuilt though. I haven't seen it yet, but owner says the rear makes noise when starting. Possible rear wheel bearings? How do these engines hold up? Anything else to specifically look at? Thanks

 

We have an '04 w/the 4.7L V8 that we bought new, and it now has 109,000+ miles on it. The only issues it's had were recall on the front brakes, the heated seats, the trans had to be re-flashed twice under warranty because of late shifting issues, and the rear wheel bearings had to be replaced under warranty. Still runs strong & quiet w/no use of oil between changes.
I'd check the u-joints, rear control arm bushings, rear pinion bearings, and carrier bearings, because it has the D44a with the aluminum center section. Wheel bearings wouldn't make a noise on starting out IMO.

 

180K would not hold me back, as long as everything checks out ok and it seems to have been maintained. The transmission behind the V8 is solid, it's the 42RE behind the I6 that is not as strong.

 

Ok Ill check it out hopefully its clean. Didn't know that it had the D44a thought only ZJs did. If anything is wrong with it Ill probably swap it for something else immediately, no need to polish a turd. What Ive heard is the V8 has so much power that it causes downshifting issues. Is this not the case though?

 

I read earlier that someone had made a good point, upgrades for wj/zjs tend to run a little higher then xj's? Not sure if it's totally true, but something to think about I guess.

 

No problemo doctor! Welder is being purchased real soon so it'll be homebrew sliders and front bumper. Lifts look more expensive, so it'll probably be awhile before she gets airborn

 

Welder?? oh F*** yeah! Lets make me some long arms!

 

We travel between Mich and Tenn a few times every year, and have used the WJ to tow everything from the 18 ft. boat, to cars (& a van) on a dolly, a "loaded" 8x12 ft trailer, and it never missed a beat. You just can't use OD when towing.
However, it doesn't have the torque of the 5.2L V8 in the '97 ZJ that I sold. That was better for towing, and rode/steered more like a truck.

 

Not gonna worry to much about the tranny then as long as she shifts smooth. I never tow anything over 2000lbs, so not to worried. Hopefully it works out, would love to build a WJ

 

Why can't you use od when your towing?

 

Brock, i looked into these for a good while before i got my built zj..

they are nice jeeps! drive nice!

i agree that the trannies in the v8, are good trannies. avoid the i6.

i found alot of 4.7s that had burnt bearings. the v8 wjs have the 44a rear axle. it's a decent axle, but i heard the bearings go out. not at starting out tho.

i would just be a little weary since its a '99 and that is the first model year. way too many changes for chryco to manage. is it the limited? if so, watch out for blend door problems.

lifts are expensive if you replace coils and arms. the wj already has decent length control arms and a good steering setup, so maybe just put some pucks in there.

 

Thanks for the info Alex, but just got home with my new XJ. Decided since I have a full XJ parts rig in my backyard, it would be cheaper/easier to repair and mod this one. WJ will have to wait, I'd like to build one eventually.

 

you actually bought an xj??

 

I can't speak for the tranny that Jeep used, buy my uncle had a 2005 F-150 with the 4R75E and when I talked to the Ford engineers, they said it was fine to use overdrive, as long as the transmission wasn't constantly kicking down to maintain speed.

 

good choice!

pics or it didn't happen! lol