Time to find a new9er) Cherokee

My faithful 1996 XJ has 230K miles and it is starting to fade, so I'm in
the market for a newer Cherokee. The old one has the 4.0L, auto, and the
Fulltime/Parttime transfer case.

It looks like the Grand Cherokee is my only valid choice, but I know jack-
**** about their features. I like the 4.0L engine, the amount of rush-
hour driving that I do calls for an auto transmission. I do want to be
able to use the 4WD on the highway in horrible New England weather. I do
a little bit of light towing (motorcycle on a trailer, for example) from
time to time. I don't have time to go off-road these days -- this is
strictly transportation.

What should I look for for features? What should I run, screaming, from?

Thanks.

On 12/7/2011 17:56, Lee Ayrton wrote:
>
>
> My faithful 1996 XJ has 230K miles and it is starting to fade, so I'm in
> the market for a newer Cherokee. The old one has the 4.0L, auto, and the
> Fulltime/Parttime transfer case.
>
> It looks like the Grand Cherokee is my only valid choice, but I know jack-
> **** about their features. I like the 4.0L engine, the amount of rush-
> hour driving that I do calls for an auto transmission. I do want to be
> able to use the 4WD on the highway in horrible New England weather. I do
> a little bit of light towing (motorcycle on a trailer, for example) from
> time to time. I don't have time to go off-road these days -- this is
> strictly transportation.
>
> What should I look for for features? What should I run, screaming, from?
>
> Thanks.
>

I'm struggling with similar replacement of a 95 ZJ which is almost as
long in the tooth as I am. It has about one more major tick me off
annoyance before it gets a new owner.

Personally, I would either go for the 2012 Mercedes based Grand or a
2004 series Overland/Limited if I do decide to retire old paint. The
2005 series In My Non Humble Opinion couldn't decide if they were Jeeps
or Land Rover pretenders. The newest model is a reasonable Range Rover
pretender, but a couple rentals I've driven somewhat underwhelmed me.

The 4.7 V8s aren't all bad, if you are looking for flex fuel, the 2004
4.7 HO V8 will move the Grand along reasonably well, and it still has
solid axles. That series also has the odd gerotor based 4wd setup, and
a somewhat extra kick down gear for passing that the 93 ZJ series lacked.

The ZJ series is pretty cheap used, as long as it is in good shape and
the electronic gewgaws all work. The speedometer will go nuts somewhere
in the 140K mile range, easily fixed by removing the dash cover and
soldering the durn thing. The automatic climate control systems can be
a problem and expensive to work on. The 4.0 in the ZJ *seems* faster
than the one in the Cherokee--and what the heck you could always toss in
a Monster Forged 4.9 if you want to hunt Mucking Fustangs.

The next newer series isnt that much more expensive, even top of the
line Overland HO V8s top out at under $10K around here. These
somewhat look like a ZJ someone overinflated IMNHO, but are very
serviceable Jeeps for anyone but hardcores.

For the 2005 series you'll see a pretty good price bump, and the only
thing I can see of value in them is the multi-displacement Hemi.
Partial independent suspension, and none of the variable height stuff of
the current models.

On Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:50:25 -0700, Lon wrote:

> On 12/7/2011 17:56, Lee Ayrton wrote:
>>
>>
>> My faithful 1996 XJ has 230K miles and it is starting to fade, so I'm
>> in the market for a newer Cherokee. The old one has the 4.0L, auto,
>> and the Fulltime/Parttime transfer case.
>>
>> It looks like the Grand Cherokee is my only valid choice, but I know
>> jack- **** about their features. I like the 4.0L engine, the amount of
>> rush- hour driving that I do calls for an auto transmission. I do want
>> to be able to use the 4WD on the highway in horrible New England
>> weather. I do a little bit of light towing (motorcycle on a trailer,
>> for example) from time to time. I don't have time to go off-road these
>> days -- this is strictly transportation.
>>
>> What should I look for for features? What should I run, screaming,
>> from?
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>>
> I'm struggling with similar replacement of a 95 ZJ which is almost as
> long in the tooth as I am. It has about one more major tick me off
> annoyance before it gets a new owner.
>
> Personally, I would either go for the 2012 Mercedes based Grand or a
> 2004 series Overland/Limited if I do decide to retire old paint. The
> 2005 series In My Non Humble Opinion couldn't decide if they were Jeeps
> or Land Rover pretenders. The newest model is a reasonable Range Rover
> pretender, but a couple rentals I've driven somewhat underwhelmed me.
>
> The 4.7 V8s aren't all bad, if you are looking for flex fuel, the 2004
> 4.7 HO V8 will move the Grand along reasonably well, and it still has
> solid axles. That series also has the odd gerotor based 4wd setup, and
> a somewhat extra kick down gear for passing that the 93 ZJ series
> lacked.
>
> The ZJ series is pretty cheap used, as long as it is in good shape and
> the electronic gewgaws all work. The speedometer will go nuts somewhere
> in the 140K mile range, easily fixed by removing the dash cover and
> soldering the durn thing. The automatic climate control systems can be
> a problem and expensive to work on. The 4.0 in the ZJ *seems* faster
> than the one in the Cherokee--and what the heck you could always toss in
> a Monster Forged 4.9 if you want to hunt Mucking Fustangs.
>
> The next newer series isnt that much more expensive, even top of the
> line Overland HO V8s top out at under $10K around here. These
> somewhat look like a ZJ someone overinflated IMNHO, but are very
> serviceable Jeeps for anyone but hardcores.
>
> For the 2005 series you'll see a pretty good price bump, and the only
> thing I can see of value in them is the multi-displacement Hemi. Partial
> independent suspension, and none of the variable height stuff of the
> current models.

Thanks for the advice. My target price is around $6K, which puts me
somewhat fuzzily in the the 2000-2006 range, depending on options,
mileage and the owner's idea of value. Good tip about the gages.

Were there different transfer case offerings in that range? My current
ride (1996) offers both 4WD full-time and 4WD part-time selections, the
1997 that I had briefly didn't have 4WD full-time, only part-time. I'm
not sure I want to be doing 70 in part-time even if it is on a rainy road.

I'd really, really like to have one of the 4-door Wranglers, but they're
too new for my purse.

On Dec 12, 6:51*pm, Lee Ayrton > wrote:
> On Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:50:25 -0700, Lon wrote:
> > On 12/7/2011 17:56, Lee Ayrton wrote:
>
> >> My faithful 1996 XJ has 230K miles and it is starting to fade, so I'm
> >> in the market for a newer Cherokee. *The old one has the 4.0L, auto,
> >> and the Fulltime/Parttime transfer case.
>
> >> It looks like the Grand Cherokee is my only valid choice, but I know
> >> jack- **** about their features. *I like the 4.0L engine, the amount of
> >> rush- hour driving that I do calls for an auto transmission. *I do want
> >> to be able to use the 4WD on the highway in horrible New England
> >> weather. *I do a little bit of light towing (motorcycle on a trailer,
> >> for example) from time to time. *I don't have time to go off-road these
> >> days -- this is strictly transportation.
>
> >> What should I look for for features? *What should I run, screaming,
> >> from?
>
> >> Thanks.
>
> > I'm struggling with similar replacement of a 95 ZJ which is almost as
> > long in the tooth as I am. *It has about one more major tick me off
> > annoyance before it gets a new owner.
>
> > Personally, I would either go for the 2012 Mercedes based Grand or a
> > 2004 series Overland/Limited if I do decide to retire old paint. *The
> > 2005 series In My Non Humble Opinion couldn't decide if they were Jeeps
> > or Land Rover pretenders. *The newest model is a reasonable Range Rover
> > pretender, but a couple rentals I've driven somewhat underwhelmed me.
>
> > The 4.7 V8s aren't all bad, if you are looking for flex fuel, the 2004
> > 4.7 HO V8 will move the Grand along reasonably well, and it still has
> > solid axles. * That series also has the odd gerotor based 4wd setup, and
> > a somewhat extra kick down gear for passing that the 93 ZJ series
> > lacked.
>
> > The ZJ series is pretty cheap used, as long as it is in good shape and
> > the electronic gewgaws all work. *The speedometer will go nuts somewhere
> > in the 140K mile range, easily fixed by removing the dash cover and
> > soldering the durn thing. *The automatic climate control systems can be
> > a problem and expensive to work on. * The 4.0 in the ZJ *seems* faster
> > than the one in the Cherokee--and what the heck you could always toss in
> > a Monster Forged 4.9 if you want to hunt Mucking Fustangs.
>
> > The next newer series isnt that much more expensive, even top of the
> > line Overland HO V8s top out at under $10K around here. * *These
> > somewhat look like a ZJ someone overinflated IMNHO, but are very
> > serviceable Jeeps for anyone but hardcores.
>
> > For the 2005 series you'll see a pretty good price bump, and the only
> > thing I can see of value in them is the multi-displacement Hemi. Partial
> > independent suspension, and none of the variable height stuff of the
> > current models.
>
> Thanks for the advice. *My target price is around $6K, which puts me
> somewhat fuzzily in the the 2000-2006 range, depending on options,
> mileage and the owner's idea of value. Good tip about the gages.
>
> Were there different transfer case offerings in that range? *My current
> ride (1996) offers both 4WD full-time and 4WD part-time selections, the
> 1997 that I had briefly didn't have 4WD full-time, only part-time. *I'm
> not sure I want to be doing 70 in part-time even if it is on a rainy road..
>
> I'd really, really like to have one of the 4-door Wranglers, but they're
> too new for my purse.

On my 98 Cherokee that I bought new and my first jeep, I had the
dealer replace the part time transfer case with a rebuilt select trac
transfer case. I figured I would be keeping it a long time and felt it
was worth the extra cost. The full time option is very handy.

I was surprised at jeeps decision not to have the full time option
available in the new 4 door wranglers.

Larry

On Dec 12, 6:51*pm, Lee Ayrton > wrote:
> On Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:50:25 -0700, Lon wrote:
> > On 12/7/2011 17:56, Lee Ayrton wrote:
>
> >> My faithful 1996 XJ has 230K miles and it is starting to fade, so I'm
> >> in the market for a newer Cherokee. *The old one has the 4.0L, auto,
> >> and the Fulltime/Parttime transfer case.
>
> >> It looks like the Grand Cherokee is my only valid choice, but I know
> >> jack- **** about their features. *I like the 4.0L engine, the amount of
> >> rush- hour driving that I do calls for an auto transmission. *I do want
> >> to be able to use the 4WD on the highway in horrible New England
> >> weather. *I do a little bit of light towing (motorcycle on a trailer,
> >> for example) from time to time. *I don't have time to go off-road these
> >> days -- this is strictly transportation.
>
> >> What should I look for for features? *What should I run, screaming,
> >> from?
>
> >> Thanks.
>
> > I'm struggling with similar replacement of a 95 ZJ which is almost as
> > long in the tooth as I am. *It has about one more major tick me off
> > annoyance before it gets a new owner.
>
> > Personally, I would either go for the 2012 Mercedes based Grand or a
> > 2004 series Overland/Limited if I do decide to retire old paint. *The
> > 2005 series In My Non Humble Opinion couldn't decide if they were Jeeps
> > or Land Rover pretenders. *The newest model is a reasonable Range Rover
> > pretender, but a couple rentals I've driven somewhat underwhelmed me.
>
> > The 4.7 V8s aren't all bad, if you are looking for flex fuel, the 2004
> > 4.7 HO V8 will move the Grand along reasonably well, and it still has
> > solid axles. * That series also has the odd gerotor based 4wd setup, and
> > a somewhat extra kick down gear for passing that the 93 ZJ series
> > lacked.
>
> > The ZJ series is pretty cheap used, as long as it is in good shape and
> > the electronic gewgaws all work. *The speedometer will go nuts somewhere
> > in the 140K mile range, easily fixed by removing the dash cover and
> > soldering the durn thing. *The automatic climate control systems can be
> > a problem and expensive to work on. * The 4.0 in the ZJ *seems* faster
> > than the one in the Cherokee--and what the heck you could always toss in
> > a Monster Forged 4.9 if you want to hunt Mucking Fustangs.
>
> > The next newer series isnt that much more expensive, even top of the
> > line Overland HO V8s top out at under $10K around here. * *These
> > somewhat look like a ZJ someone overinflated IMNHO, but are very
> > serviceable Jeeps for anyone but hardcores.
>
> > For the 2005 series you'll see a pretty good price bump, and the only
> > thing I can see of value in them is the multi-displacement Hemi. Partial
> > independent suspension, and none of the variable height stuff of the
> > current models.
>
> Thanks for the advice. *My target price is around $6K, which puts me
> somewhat fuzzily in the the 2000-2006 range, depending on options,
> mileage and the owner's idea of value. Good tip about the gages.
>
> Were there different transfer case offerings in that range? *My current
> ride (1996) offers both 4WD full-time and 4WD part-time selections, the
> 1997 that I had briefly didn't have 4WD full-time, only part-time. *I'm
> not sure I want to be doing 70 in part-time even if it is on a rainy road..
>
> I'd really, really like to have one of the 4-door Wranglers, but they're
> too new for my purse.

On my 98 Cherokee that I bought new and my first jeep, I had the
dealer replace the part time transfer case with a rebuilt select trac
transfer case. I figured I would be keeping it a long time and felt it
was worth the extra cost. The full time option is very handy.

I was surprised at jeeps decision not to have the full time option
available in the new 4 door wranglers.

Larry

Larry wrote:

> On my 98 Cherokee that I bought new and my first jeep, I had the
> dealer replace the part time transfer case with a rebuilt select trac
> transfer case. I figured I would be keeping it a long time and felt it
> was worth the extra cost. The full time option is very handy.
>
> I was surprised at jeeps decision not to have the full time option
> available in the new 4 door wranglers.

With the 231/242 exchange, the full-time 242 is a little longer so the drive
shaft is shorter. It's only a couple of inches but several folks tried to
swap the 242 into short wheel based models wound up with drive line
vibration and lots of problems. I was going to put a 242 in my 88 MJ when I
swapped in an AX15 in place of the BA10 but I got in a hurry and didn't have
time to get the driveshaft shortened.

That length was the reason given for never offering the 242 in the YJ.

--
Will Honea

On Dec 13, 1:40*pm, Will Honea > wrote:
> Larry wrote:
> > On my 98 Cherokee that I bought new and my first jeep, I had the
> > dealer replace the part time transfer case with a rebuilt select trac
> > transfer case. I figured I would be keeping it a long time and felt it
> > was worth the extra cost. *The full time option is very handy.
>
> > I was surprised at jeeps decision not to have the full time option
> > available in the new 4 door wranglers.
>
> With the 231/242 exchange, the full-time 242 is a little longer so the drive
> shaft is shorter. *It's only a couple of inches but several folks tried to
> swap the 242 into short wheel based models wound up with drive line
> vibration and lots of problems. *I was going to put a 242 in my 88 MJ when I
> swapped in an AX15 in place of the BA10 but I got in a hurry and didn't have
> time to get the driveshaft shortened.
>
> That length was the reason given for never offering the 242 in the YJ.
>
> --
> Will Honea

Thanks for that update. I read previously about the vibration problem
with the shorter wheel base. I didn't realize the newer transfer case
was longer. Fortunately the swap of the command trac for a select
trac on my 98 Cherokee used the existing drive line.

Larry

On 12/12/2011 18:51, Lee Ayrton wrote:

>
> Thanks for the advice. My target price is around $6K, which puts me
> somewhat fuzzily in the the 2000-2006 range, depending on options,
> mileage and the owner's idea of value. Good tip about the gages.
>
> Were there different transfer case offerings in that range? My current
> ride (1996) offers both 4WD full-time and 4WD part-time selections, the
> 1997 that I had briefly didn't have 4WD full-time, only part-time. I'm
> not sure I want to be doing 70 in part-time even if it is on a rainy road.
>
> I'd really, really like to have one of the 4-door Wranglers, but they're
> too new for my purse.
>

Your range puts you out of anything newer than the 2004 models, and is
higher than a ZJ series should be going for unless you go for the 5.9
liter special v8.

Yes, there were multiple transfer cases offered pretty much across the
line, the later 2000-04 series top of the line was the one with the
gerotor that controlled the front/back split. Same series also had the
kick down gear that was just above 4th, for passing allegedly. Towing
and smog checks are an issue with the full time, as you cannot get to 2wd.

Even a 95 ZJ with the all time 4wd has no trouble freeway cruising at 90
mph in some really crappy weather conditions. A function of tires,
where the Michelin M+S or ATX2 are hard to beat for summer unless you
need hardcore trail crawling. In winter, I chicken out and use 3 row
studded premium snows.... as 4wd aint 4wheelstop.