I have read various articles online which suggest that the Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ (1999-2004) is very unsafe in rollover accidents and that the roof will crush severely even on its own body weight!
Given that off-roading increases the risk of a rollover I'm quite concerned about this. I have also been in a few near rollover incidents in my few years of off-roading, albeit not in a Grand Cherokee.
Also, I noticed that my recently purchased WJ is much harsher offroad compared to my old Land Rover Discovery 300tdi. I hardly ever got my unmodified Discovery wheels up in the air, but today I unexpectedly got my WJ's NSR wheel off the ground on a mild to moderate track.
Am I being paranoid?
Given that off-roading increases the risk of a rollover I'm quite concerned about this. I have also been in a few near rollover incidents in my few years of off-roading, albeit not in a Grand Cherokee.
Also, I noticed that my recently purchased WJ is much harsher offroad compared to my old Land Rover Discovery 300tdi. I hardly ever got my unmodified Discovery wheels up in the air, but today I unexpectedly got my WJ's NSR wheel off the ground on a mild to moderate track.
Am I being paranoid?
You bought a WJ to replace a Discovery 300? lol Oh well at least it wasn't a Defender
Honestly doesn't surprise me. The WJs were aimed at yuppies that wanted to attach to some of the Jeep offroading brand, but their primary concern was "a nice ride". If you look at the history of the Grand Cherokee you can tell it's not aimed at being beaten on. Take for example the 42RE transmission, D44a aluminum axle, and even new models like this:
I realize that VW and Volvo are in a different class of vehicle and the comparison may be unfair, but I have to admit that's pretty fail on the part of the WK2
Honestly doesn't surprise me. The WJs were aimed at yuppies that wanted to attach to some of the Jeep offroading brand, but their primary concern was "a nice ride". If you look at the history of the Grand Cherokee you can tell it's not aimed at being beaten on. Take for example the 42RE transmission, D44a aluminum axle, and even new models like this:
I realize that VW and Volvo are in a different class of vehicle and the comparison may be unfair, but I have to admit that's pretty fail on the part of the WK2
Outlaw Star
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- Join DateSep 2010
- LocationLantana, Fl
- Posts:34,088
- Year1996
- ModelCherokee (XJ)
- Engine4.Slow
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The D90s were awesome compared to the modern crap model.
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I drive a wj on the road everyday and have had no issues but then again I don't try to track a vehicle no designed to do that

