Newbie

What is the orvis im new to jeeps and especially grand cherokees ? i found one and the guy wants 3500 for it and it has 176xxx on it body is in great shape other than the hatch, one small rust spot on the bottom corner. Is it worth it ?

RaiderMike67

The Orvis Edition (1995–1997)

1996 Grand Cherokee Orvis


The Orvis (1995–1997)[8] was a Grand Cherokee Limited package that featured an exterior color scheme of Moss Green, or in 1997 the (less common) Light Driftwood, with roan red and maize side strip accents (1995). Moss Green paint accents on the road wheels (matching the moss green body color) and the special "Orvis" brand badging were the only significant exterior visual differences. In performance, the 5.2 V8 engine became standard, but was available with a 4.0 inline 6-cylinder engine. Also, all Orvis editions were installed with tow hooks and the Up-Country suspension group. However, the interior was special. Two-tone green and tan leather seats were complemented with roan red accent piping and Orvis insignia. There was a slight difference between the 1996 and 1997 years' interior compared to each other. The 1996 had a black dash where the 1997 had a tan dash, The Orvis Edition luxury trim package was optional on the Limited version, and when equipped with all the other options was the most expensive of all the Grand Cherokee versions until 1998 when the 5.9 Limited was introduced.
Production numbers of the Orvis Editions are:

• 1995: 10,020
• 1996: 2,341
• 1997: 2,733

Newbie

any other advice guys ? are they good or bad is it too much to go wrong ? what are the positives and negatives ?

Newbie

bump

RaiderMike67

Well thats about what I paid for mine(it's not the Orvis) but it only had 84,000 miles, very gently used however this was before "cash for clunkers" so the price has actually bumped up a little with many taken off the road.

blackjack12982

I guess it depends where you live, but I certainly wouldn't pay $3500 for a ZJ. I paid $3000 for mine, the only reason I did that was it had no rust whatsoever on it, and about 50,000 less miles.

tiwvr1

I wouldnt buy it. To much power for the tranny to handle. I have heard and seen of lots of transmission problems on them, yeah they are neat with that 360 in them, but IDK if u would ever notice the diffrence from a 318.

On a side note, I have a 94 grand with a 5.2 in, 217k, original motor and trans, but the 94's had a much better transmission in them.

blackjack12982

What? Orvis's didn't come with 360's in them, ever. The early transmissions are really only marginally better than the later ones. There's not a huge difference in strength between them.

Newbie

I have found alot of zj's cheaper but they are in way worse shape, i dont think this has a 360 im prettty sure its the 318 but i can understand why it would be too much power. I think if they can get the price closer to 3 i may buy it but if not ill walk away. I have heard that you cant really tell the difference between the two motors i just want some input from guys who have had them. Is it too big of a risk with the amount of miles on the tranny? My plans are to swap out the tranfer case first thing then ill lift and start building but its going to be a weekend wheeler. nothing to crazy yet till im out of school and have a good job lol

RaiderMike67

If you're going to make it a weekend warrior project I'd look for something in a more basic version for less money. Like I said since cash for clunkers the premium on these has increased, when I was shopping around they were a dime a dozen for $3,000 or less.

I was told used Cherokee's are in demand in southeast Asia and other underdeveloped nations where there aren't a lot of paved roads.

Newbie

Okay thanks, i figured the more stuff like power seats and all those bells and whistles would end up a problem. Ill keep shopping im just trying to find one before april hopefully

tiwvr1

Maybe all orvis jeeps didnt come with a 360, but I know the only jeeps that DID come with a 360 were the orvis. Also, I THINK in 1996 the v8's went from a 46re tranny, to a 44re, 44re being the weaker of the two. Thats what I ment about the to much power statement. That the drivetrain isnt really built to handle it.

blackjack12982

Incorrect! No Orvis editions ever came with a 360, ever. Look it up. The only Grand Cherokee that ever came with a 360 was a one year only, special edition 1998 5.9 Grand Cherokee.

Transmission info, somewhat false. V8's from 93-95 used the 46RH transmissions, from 96-98 the 5.2's used the 44RE transmisssion, with the 98 5.9 using the 46RE transmission. If you're gonna get a 5.2, get an earlier model, the transmission is marginally better than the later years. If you want the mother of all Jeeps, get the 5.9.

I'm not even gonna touch that last sentence...

Crashley73

I have a 95 orvis with 218kmi with the ORIGINAL motor and tranny. Nothin' is wrong with my transmission at all and it has the 318 NOT the 360. I have never seen an orvis with the 360. Now back to the transmission I live up in the mtns so my jeep is pullin' hills on a daily basis and it's been thru street warriors where I have beaten the crap out of it and it has also towed heavy loads and it still has all gears and doesn't slip at all! The price is definitely a lot higher than it should be. I bought mine in mint condition with 150kmi for 800.

dave1123

PLEASE don't take a beautiful Orvis and start wheeling it! Start with something cheaper like an XJ or cheap ZJ. Leave a beauty like that for someone who'll appreciate it. JMHO.