Grand Cherokee 6L vs V8
10-10-2016, 03:05 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Grand Cherokee 6L vs V8
Hello Friends, I’m thinking in buy other Grand Cherokee, actually I have a ZJ 1995 with 6L engine, and I think that maybe it’s a good idea buy now an, ZJ o WJ, but with V8 engine, what do you think about it?, what the principal differences between 6L and V8, obviously the V8 have more power, and I suppose, more torque, but are there differences in performance in trails?, what’s betters?, and what about the fuel consumption on trails and on-road?, in advance thank you for your comments!!.
10-10-2016, 08:49 PM
#2
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Model: Cherokee
The zj 5.2 can take some abuse,The wj 4.7 is picky unless its had all the maintenance or else it has a list of problems.It can drop a valve it can blow head gaskets and timing chain.
10-10-2016, 08:49 PM
#3
Old fart with a wrench
Welcome to CF!
Keep in mind the ZJs have the pretty rugged Dodge 5.2 or 5.9 liter V8s in them and the WJs have to 4.7 aluminum head overhead cam V8 that some people say are not very reliable. The pre-99 4.0 6s are pretty much bullet proof. My choice would have to be a 97 or 98 4.0 with the 242 t/case and 3.73 gears. But that's MY opinion. The later 4.0s are pretty good except for the 99-01s with the 0331 heads on them. Again, Selectrac has far fewer problems that Quadratrac.
Keep in mind the ZJs have the pretty rugged Dodge 5.2 or 5.9 liter V8s in them and the WJs have to 4.7 aluminum head overhead cam V8 that some people say are not very reliable. The pre-99 4.0 6s are pretty much bullet proof. My choice would have to be a 97 or 98 4.0 with the 242 t/case and 3.73 gears. But that's MY opinion. The later 4.0s are pretty good except for the 99-01s with the 0331 heads on them. Again, Selectrac has far fewer problems that Quadratrac.
10-11-2016, 07:51 AM
#5
Caracticus Potts The Mod
I had one, was a strong runner, but still a ZJ, so all the same issues did show there ugly little heads. Keep in mind the 5.2 & 5.9L dodge engine wore through valve guides and seals quickly.......Smokey oil burning monsters in the long run.
10-13-2016, 10:31 AM
#7
Newbie
Thread Starter
Thank you for your comments friends, in summary I thing is better get another ZJ, 97 or 98, with 6 in line engine and 4.0L, or do I have to consider other models or versions?!... thank you again and regards from México.
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10-13-2016, 11:41 AM
#8
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Year: 1999
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Engine: 4.0
The WJ's are a good choice also and the 03/04 4.7 HO's have some of the earlier problems fixed, and are good if taken care of, mine has excellent power with over 220,000 so far zero issues with the drivetrain. It has the Class IV towing pkg. with 3.73 gears I use it to pull my XJ on an all steel 18' dove tail car hauler.
10-13-2016, 08:17 PM
#9
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Year: 2002
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L (AMC) Straight Six
I've personally owned both a 5.2 V8 ZJ and a 4.0 I6 WJ... but my parents have owned 3 4.0 I6's (a '93 XJ, a '96 ZJ, and a '99 WJ), and 2 4.7 V8's (an '02 WJ and an '05 WK)...
The 4.7's aren't very reliable and repairs can be costly, plus they're terrible on gas. The 5.2's are reliable, but again, terrible on gas (a bit better than the 4.7's, but still not as good as the 4.0's)... the 4.0 can be thirsty at times (definitely won't hit 20 MPG), but I can get 16 or 17 MPG in my '02 WJ 4.0 if I drive moderately. 4.0 is definitely your best bet for reliability and service costs, and the 5.2 isn't that far behind in second place.
I guess what it all comes down to is what you'll be doing with it and how much power you desire... all engines have great power, and even the 4.0 has good power (though the 4.0 IS still a bit sluggish off the line vs. the V8's that have a "right now" response to the gas pedal)... also if you'll be towing with it, the V8's can tow heavier loads without getting tired, especially the 5.2's... and how far your commute is (if you drive far, you'll want the 4.0, but if you have a shorter commute, you'll be okay with either the 4.0 or any of the V8's).
The 4.7's aren't very reliable and repairs can be costly, plus they're terrible on gas. The 5.2's are reliable, but again, terrible on gas (a bit better than the 4.7's, but still not as good as the 4.0's)... the 4.0 can be thirsty at times (definitely won't hit 20 MPG), but I can get 16 or 17 MPG in my '02 WJ 4.0 if I drive moderately. 4.0 is definitely your best bet for reliability and service costs, and the 5.2 isn't that far behind in second place.
I guess what it all comes down to is what you'll be doing with it and how much power you desire... all engines have great power, and even the 4.0 has good power (though the 4.0 IS still a bit sluggish off the line vs. the V8's that have a "right now" response to the gas pedal)... also if you'll be towing with it, the V8's can tow heavier loads without getting tired, especially the 5.2's... and how far your commute is (if you drive far, you'll want the 4.0, but if you have a shorter commute, you'll be okay with either the 4.0 or any of the V8's).
Last edited by 94zj318; 10-13-2016 at 08:21 PM.
10-14-2016, 03:43 AM
#10
Old fart with a wrench
The best I ever got with my 2000 WJ 4.0 was 22.6 mpg on a 4 hour drive on flat terrain at 70 mph with all the windows down, no A/C, and air temperature of 93*F. The one, and only, time I got over 20 mpg. It fractured my mind! This was actual fuel usage measured by the pump and miles driven. This was also a round trip and unchanging wind conditions, humid air. This was thru the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge on the NYS Thruway and I can't seem to find altitude above sea level.
10-14-2016, 09:24 AM
#11
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I've personally owned both a 5.2 V8 ZJ and a 4.0 I6 WJ... but my parents have owned 3 4.0 I6's (a '93 XJ, a '96 ZJ, and a '99 WJ), and 2 4.7 V8's (an '02 WJ and an '05 WK)...
The 4.7's aren't very reliable and repairs can be costly, plus they're terrible on gas. The 5.2's are reliable, but again, terrible on gas (a bit better than the 4.7's, but still not as good as the 4.0's)... the 4.0 can be thirsty at times (definitely won't hit 20 MPG), but I can get 16 or 17 MPG in my '02 WJ 4.0 if I drive moderately. 4.0 is definitely your best bet for reliability and service costs, and the 5.2 isn't that far behind in second place.
I guess what it all comes down to is what you'll be doing with it and how much power you desire... all engines have great power, and even the 4.0 has good power (though the 4.0 IS still a bit sluggish off the line vs. the V8's that have a "right now" response to the gas pedal)... also if you'll be towing with it, the V8's can tow heavier loads without getting tired, especially the 5.2's... and how far your commute is (if you drive far, you'll want the 4.0, but if you have a shorter commute, you'll be okay with either the 4.0 or any of the V8's).
The 4.7's aren't very reliable and repairs can be costly, plus they're terrible on gas. The 5.2's are reliable, but again, terrible on gas (a bit better than the 4.7's, but still not as good as the 4.0's)... the 4.0 can be thirsty at times (definitely won't hit 20 MPG), but I can get 16 or 17 MPG in my '02 WJ 4.0 if I drive moderately. 4.0 is definitely your best bet for reliability and service costs, and the 5.2 isn't that far behind in second place.
I guess what it all comes down to is what you'll be doing with it and how much power you desire... all engines have great power, and even the 4.0 has good power (though the 4.0 IS still a bit sluggish off the line vs. the V8's that have a "right now" response to the gas pedal)... also if you'll be towing with it, the V8's can tow heavier loads without getting tired, especially the 5.2's... and how far your commute is (if you drive far, you'll want the 4.0, but if you have a shorter commute, you'll be okay with either the 4.0 or any of the V8's).
Mu 4.7 HO in a loaded out WJ 04 "Overland" gets better mileage than my XJ ever did with the 4.0. My WJ gets 18-19 mpg hiway with the 3.73 gear and full time 4wd that is with reg fuel with prem fuel it gets about 1-1 1/2 more mpg.
The 99-02 4.0 and 4.7's had issues, both were addressed by the 03 model year.
10-15-2016, 09:19 PM
#13
Old fart with a wrench
Are you doing the math or just reading the VIC? Driving style and conditions can eat up fuel. Do you spend a lot of time in stalled traffic? In the winter, I spend a lot of time sitting idling in a parking lot trying to stay warm while waiting for the newspapers to arrive from the presses. When that happens, I get about 10.
10-16-2016, 08:02 AM
#15
Old fart with a wrench
Do this; fill it up, record the mileage, next fillup, divide the actual miles driven by the actual gallons put in to get your true mpg. That will show your true mileage over your normal driving conditions and schedule. The VIC is not very accurate, although some are. Mine is about 1.5 mpg + or -.
On my trip to Rochester, I filled up just before I left and set my trip odometer, then filled up when I got back to the same station and did the math. The only part of the trip that wasn't highway was about 15 miles on secondary roads. My VIC said 23.7 and the actual was 22.6.
On my trip to Rochester, I filled up just before I left and set my trip odometer, then filled up when I got back to the same station and did the math. The only part of the trip that wasn't highway was about 15 miles on secondary roads. My VIC said 23.7 and the actual was 22.6.