Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7?

[Finn]

Cheers!

I'm going tomorrow to check a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7 HO. What is the general verdict on these cars?

Apart from the blend door problem is there anything else specific to check?

It is supposed to have appr. 135k miles on the clock and some sort of a service history too. Do these have life left with these miles?

 

[Finn]

I think I'm wondering that when the 4.7 with these miles cost X and a previous model with 5.2 or 5.9 with 120k miles cost half as much would the 4.7 still be worth buying?

 

[tomcat27]

I had one from around the era with the 4.7. It was a fantastic engine. ran very smooth and kept pulling well above normal speeds. There are some reports of issues typical of any engine (sludge, head gaskets) but from what I know I would love to have another. 135k is low miles for its age.

 

[meep]

there's also hugely active forums for grand chero's with lots of DIY and support. Any older vehicle will need DIY. I'd look more into things like **blend door** issues, AC condensors and electrical gremlins in these.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

They don't care to be overheated - it will crack the heads and blow the head gaskets. But they are significantly more modern than the 318 and 360 in the older Grand Cherokees that they replaced. More timing chains.

The 5 speed transmission (or 4 speed , easy with a PCM swap) is actually very reliable behind them.

WJ Grand Cherokees (99-04) are very well known for their electrical problems.

Mechanically, as long as you don't overheat it, you have another 100K in it. The major failure point is going to be the Chrysler electronics.

 

[DemoFly]

The WJ grand cherokee is worth buying over the older ZJ regardless of engine.

The 545rfe is waaaay better than the 4Xre transmissions in the earlier generation. The AWD transfer case in the WJ uses a gerotor pump instead of a viscous coupling in the older generation.
The suspension geometry is better and the control arms are a boxed design with oval bushings. The 4.7 is also capable of 22MPG...

The 4.7 is a good engine. A 300K mile engine no doubt. Like all engines it will inevitably need timing chains and unfortunately that can be an expensive job on the 4.7. These engines have a bad reputation for sludge and that is largely due to their elongated oil fill tube which creates condensation near the cap if short tripped. It produces a milky sludge. The engine itself isn't sludge prone.

Crank position sensor failures are more common than other vehicles. I replaced a lot of them when I turned wrenches. Oil pressure sending units as well.

 

[Chris142]

The axles are problematic. Rear is an aluminum D44 and the front is a D30 with CV joints. The valve seats like to fall out of the heads which destroys the engine. Guaranteed if it gets overheated. Replacing the radiator is a major job as the entire front end has to come off.

 

[SEMI_287]

We put well over 200k on our 2000 WJ. VERY strong running motors. The 5 speed behind it is bullet proof as is the transfer case. Don't overheat it as previously stated.

Keep on its maintenance and you'll easily get another 100k out of it. The transfer case REQUIRES the Mopar fluid. The last time I bought some it was close to $20 a quart. Wish I still had ours.

 

[92saturnsl2]

The 4.7 is a solid engine. Just a basic OHC V8, not a top performer compared to today's engines, but it's reliable with good torque, decent fuel economy. A friend used to own a 2004 GC Limited and he sold it at 220k. Ran fine till the end, and he's the type just to fix things when they break, no real maintenance other than basic oil changes. My mom has a 05 Durango 4.7 with 180k, still running fine. Hers needed a new head gasket at around 150k because it had overheated.

 

[Finn]

Thank you all for the comments and advices, much appreciated.

I'll wake up early in the morning and take a trip to see the Jeep. If it is in good condition (fingers crossed) and if I can get a half-decent deal that'll be a Christmas present for myself.

 

[VNTS]

I have an 02 WJ with the 4.7 and the nv242 FT t-case

if it has records and fluids have been changed, your good to go.

Run the stock champion copper plugs.

check for codes via key dance and make sure the hydraulic fan works

also check the front spring perches, they can rot.

rockers can rot and also front fenders.

I bought mine brand new, other than a brake job, new set of Bilsteins, fluid changes, upper and lower rad hoses, one set of dash tweeters, serp belt and tensioner and a couple set of plugs, not much else. very dependable

junkyard near me always has a few beat ones in their, so have a hole shelf of spare parts for a song.

if you buy one, change all fluids and filters, coolant etc

 

[jeepman3071]

My father owned a '99 with the 4.7L. Put 200k miles on it with minimal maintenance (a starter, radiator, and some brakes) and trailer towing every weekend. That Jeep with good tires was unstoppable in the snow. The 4.7L HO V8 has 265hp while the non-HO 4.7L has 235hp. The 4.7L HO sure makes those WJ's fun to drive.

 

[Finn]

Erm...as it often happens things and plans change.

I was on my way this morning to check the 4.7 when I got a phone call. Luckily I was not far away from home yet and went to see an almost local ZJ instead. Had it not been a good one I could have continued to see the 4.7.

ZJ was in such a good shape that I bought it after a short test drive. It is a 1996 ZJ with 4.0 I6 and automatic transmission. It seems to have all the bells and whistles of a Limited but it does not say that on the outside. Leather is in great shape and there is no rust anywhere. Planning to do basic maintenance such as all fluids, filters etc. and driving it - previous owner had done just less than 2000 miles in last 18 months. Total mileage is just 105k miles.

This has been a great day.

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: Finn
Erm...as it often happens things and plans change.

I was on my way this morning to check the 4.7 when I got a phone call. Luckily I was not far away from home yet and went to see an almost local ZJ instead. Had it not been a good one I could have continued to see the 4.7.

ZJ was in such a good shape that I bought it after a short test drive. It is a 1996 ZJ with 4.0 I6 and automatic transmission. It seems to have all the bells and whistles of a Limited but it does not say that on the outside. Leather is in great shape and there is no rust anywhere. Planning to do basic maintenance such as all fluids, filters etc. and driving it - previous owner had done just less than 2000 miles in last 18 months. Total mileage is just 105k miles.

This has been a great day.

Awesome find, that's some nice low mileage for the 4.0L I6. Good idea on changing all fluids and filters.

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: Finn
Erm...as it often happens things and plans change.

I was on my way this morning to check the 4.7 when I got a phone call. Luckily I was not far away from home yet and went to see an almost local ZJ instead. Had it not been a good one I could have continued to see the 4.7.

ZJ was in such a good shape that I bought it after a short test drive. It is a 1996 ZJ with 4.0 I6 and automatic transmission. It seems to have all the bells and whistles of a Limited but it does not say that on the outside. Leather is in great shape and there is no rust anywhere. Planning to do basic maintenance such as all fluids, filters etc. and driving it - previous owner had done just less than 2000 miles in last 18 months. Total mileage is just 105k miles.

This has been a great day.

Good deal! Those transmissions aren't supposed to be the greatest, but some care and it might last a great while.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: Finn
Erm...as it often happens things and plans change.

I was on my way this morning to check the 4.7 when I got a phone call. Luckily I was not far away from home yet and went to see an almost local ZJ instead. Had it not been a good one I could have continued to see the 4.7.

ZJ was in such a good shape that I bought it after a short test drive. It is a 1996 ZJ with 4.0 I6 and automatic transmission. It seems to have all the bells and whistles of a Limited but it does not say that on the outside. Leather is in great shape and there is no rust anywhere. Planning to do basic maintenance such as all fluids, filters etc. and driving it - previous owner had done just less than 2000 miles in last 18 months. Total mileage is just 105k miles.

This has been a great day.

Nice. I'd like to find something like that. I'm hoping o downsize my current fleet and that would be perfect to replace the X3 and the Wrangler. Congrats!

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Finn
It seems to have all the bells and whistles of a Limited but it does not say that on the outside.


My dad had a '96 ZJ with the 318. Great vehicle. I like how the alternator and A/C compressor are mounted up high.

The Limiteds had painted, body-colored side moulding, and 16" "lattice" wheels (with gold trim inside them). Example:

I think that one's actually an Orvis edition (with the Up Country suspension). But those are the Limited wheels and you can see the painted body moulding.

The Laredos had 15" 5-star wheels and grey side moulding. Example:

Dad's '96 was a Laredo, but the Laredo could be fitted pretty nice. His had full leather seats, the 9-speaker Infinity sound system with subwoofer under the rear seat, power everything, etc. It also had the Up Country package, which was a factory 1.5" lift with Bilstein shocks. I don't think you could get that on the Limited, but the Orvis edition was essentially a Limited with the Up Country, so that was the top-line ZJ in that era.

 

[jeepman3071]

The UpCountry package also came with 3.73 gears, skid plates, tow hooks, and usually a limited slip rear differential.

 

[dlundblad]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: Finn
It seems to have all the bells and whistles of a Limited but it does not say that on the outside.


My dad had a '96 ZJ with the 318. Great vehicle. I like how the alternator and A/C compressor are mounted up high.

The Limiteds had painted, body-colored side moulding, and 16" "lattice" wheels (with gold trim inside them). Example:

I think that one's actually an Orvis edition (with the Up Country suspension). But those are the Limited wheels and you can see the painted body moulding.

The Laredos had 15" 5-star wheels and grey side moulding. Example:

Dad's '96 was a Laredo, but the Laredo could be fitted pretty nice. His had full leather seats, the 9-speaker Infinity sound system with subwoofer under the rear seat, power everything, etc. It also had the Up Country package, which was a factory 1.5" lift with Bilstein shocks. I don't think you could get that on the Limited, but the Orvis edition was essentially a Limited with the Up Country, so that was the top-line ZJ in that era.


My dad actually had a 1996 Orvis back in the day with the 4.0. It had the green leather inserts with camel interior. Mom had a 1995 Laredo with the 5.2 at the same time. That is what she bought after selling the Comanche, which they have again today.

Believe it or not, those wheels came on Orvis editions, but they were rare. Typically it was the lattice/ honeycombs. An even more rare animal is the white Orvis with black interior. Still had the UC coils, fogs, skids etc. just all white.

A guy on CL had a Orvis for sale for $1200. 245k. I was going to go check it out last week with cash and potentially buy it, but I must have got a hold of him while he was drinking. Nothing made sense and he went into a long dissertation about the door locks. Turns out, he thought I was the guy that bought it. The ad was very well written and he said he owned it for 7 years. Sounded genuine. Oh well.

 

[Huie83]

Good find with that drive-train combo. I had a 96 ZJ limited in 00-03 with the 5.2 and AWD transfer case. I loved it but it wasn't reliable after 75K miles. @ 75K I lost the trans which also took out the torque converter. Replaced the trans, then at 80K it stopped going into low 4x4 and also had issues starting and running in hot weather which I could never figure out. It was stolen around 100K and totaled which was OK by me...