Is Commander a disappointment after XJ 4dr?

101gargoyles · 01-03-2009, 03:58 PM

Our 95 XJ is coming up to 400k kms./240k mi and is one of our dd's but with 4" RE lift for dog sports (herding/agility/etc).
Willing to keep it around because it just won't die by itself.
Thinking of picking up a new 4.7l Sport S group as replacement daily drive.
Don't want a higher trim package with 3 dog crates and associated tents/ cargo required for training and trials. Before you ask yes...it's often...look at the mileage and the driver works only 15 minutes from home.
Question is-can the Commander live up to being a replacement for a hard working vehicle after the rear row(s) of seats are removed?

**RogueSpear2023** · 01-03-2009, 10:03 PM

I would say yes there isn't much I would not call a disappointment anymore. Everything has gone disappointment even wranglers, I mean they are great on the road but they have lost a lot of there off-road prowess. Too much plasitic, too many electronics, too much building for soccer moms, even solid front axles are gone except for the wrangler, I believe. Although after I get my TJ paid off I'm going to buy a JK to drive around on the street, it will be a mall queen. Keep the TJ for what it was built for off road.

101gargoyles · 01-30-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogueSpear2023

I would say yes there isn't much I would not call a disappointment anymore. Everything has gone disappointment even wranglers, I mean they are great on the road but they have lost a lot of there off-road prowess. Too much plasitic, too many electronics, too much building for soccer moms, even solid front axles are gone except for the wrangler, I believe. Although after I get my TJ paid off I'm going to buy a JK to drive around on the street, it will be a mall queen. Keep the TJ for what it was built for off road.

The XJ is still great and We'll probably keep it for farm or DD use. What I'm interested in,aside from the new technology which our 07 Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited shares with the Commander, is the functionality of the interior body shape as compared to the XJ.
Unlike most buyers, the intended use is for transportation of commodities other than Humans.
Our dogs heading to trials need a ride too.
3 crates and associated gear plus the mud/dirt related to a trip are things we have to take into account.

Soccer moms and mall crawlers need not reply---sorry

BlazinJack · 01-30-2009, 11:47 AM

We bought my wife an 07 commander about 9 months ago. buy one slightly used if you want to knock about 20k off the new price. she loves it!! i actually like it as well. the 4.7 v8 is plenty powerful, is e-85 compatable, and the 6 speed auto behind it is pretty sweet!! 3rd row has helped with car pooling a few times, but it folds flat and you dont know its there until you need them. taken it camping a few times (when we dont take the TJ) and its awesome!! a purchase i dont think youll regret!! PM if you have more q's, as i dont check this part of the forum often.

LTrainGC · 01-30-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlazinJack

We bought my wife an 07 commander about 9 months ago. buy one slightly used if you want to knock about 20k off the new price. she loves it!! i actually like it as well. the 4.7 v8 is plenty powerful, is e-85 compatable, and the 6 speed auto behind it is pretty sweet!! 3rd row has helped with car pooling a few times, but it folds flat and you dont know its there until you need them. taken it camping a few times (when we dont take the TJ) and its awesome!! a purchase i dont think youll regret!! PM if you have more q's, as i dont check this part of the forum often.

Pretty sure the XK's have a 5 speed auto.

My sister has 08 Limited with the 4.7 and loves it. I like it as well, great ride and there is a TON of space in the back with the rear seats folded down (they all fold down flat)

BlazinJack · 01-31-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Pretty sure the XK's have a 5 speed auto.

Nope, we've got a 6 speed, cuz we got the autostick, and i can shift it 5 times!!

LTrainGC · 01-31-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlazinJack

Nope, we've got a 6 speed, cuz we got the autostick, and i can shift it 5 times!!

I have autostick too, and it shift readout reads "1, 2, 3, 4, D" - the D is "5th gear" - but it's overdrive.

No Jeeps came with a 6 speed auto.

BlazinJack · 02-01-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

I have autostick too, and it shift readout reads "1, 2, 3, 4, D" - the D is "5th gear" - but it's overdrive.

No Jeeps came with a 6 speed auto.

theres your problem. mine reads 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, D. D is the second overdrive in mine.
Maybe in 2005 there were no 6 speeds, but Chrysler has several 6 speed autos now. My wifes commander, my Dads Dodge ram 2500 Cummins has a 6 speed auto, and my moms brand new 08 GC has a 6 speed auto. My best friend is a chrysler tech, and he helped us buy all of our Chrysler vehicles.
Stop arguing about something you dont know.

IndyXJ · 02-01-2009, 11:17 AM

I have my on an 06 Limited Hemi. I don't know what you mean by disappointment per se. It's gone after this or next year, probably due to the economy and all the re-organization of the car makers.

LTrainGC · 02-02-2009, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlazinJack

theres your problem. mine reads 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, D. D is the second overdrive in mine.
Maybe in 2005 there were no 6 speeds, but Chrysler has several 6 speed autos now. My wifes commander, my Dads Dodge ram 2500 Cummins has a 6 speed auto, and my moms brand new 08 GC has a 6 speed auto. My best friend is a chrysler tech, and he helped us buy all of our Chrysler vehicles.
Stop arguing about something you dont know.

Well, lets see. They don't put the same transmission in the WK/XK that they put in a Cummins truck.

The only two transmissions available with the XK/WK are the W5A580 (a five-speed) or the 545RFE (also a five speed).

Do me a favor. Go to www.jeep.com. Do "build my own" for either the Commander or Grand Cherokee. Go to "options" and try to select the 6 speed auto. You can't, because they don't come with one, and it isn't an option.

Go to this link, and scroll down to the bottom where it lists transmissions - I don't see a 6 speed as an option. It is a list of features available for the 2008 WK.

http://www.wkjeeps.com/2008_standard.htm

"Two different transmissions are offered for the 2005-up Grand Cherokee models. An all-new W5A580 five-speed automatic transmission offers smooth shifts and optimum fuel economy with the 3.7-liter V-6. The 545RFE five-speed automatic has been refined for higher-quality shifts while increasing the Grand Cherokee’s maximum towing capacity. The all-new five-speed has an Electronically Modulated Converter Clutch (EMCC). The torque converter clutch is electronically modulated and provides for partial engagement in third, fourth or fifth gears. This results in improved shift feel, fuel economy, driveability and transmission cooling. It can be used at lower speeds to provide benefits over a broad speed range. The system unlocks the torque converter when optimal performance is required. "

BlazinJack · 02-02-2009, 09:38 AM

Ok, went to the jeep website. the only thing stated was that there was a 5 speed mated to the 3.7 v6 and a "multispeed transmission" mated to either v8 choice.
then i went to your other link, and stopped searching when i saw the stats they had posted for "2005-2016 jeeps" i could tell right there that this website will be less than helpful with technical items.
I know FOR A FACT that my Commander shifts through 6 gears AND THEN locks up when i accelerate to highway speeds. i dont know what tranny i have, and i dont really care at this point.

To the OP if your still checking this thread, you will like the commander if you decide to buy one. go take a test drive!

LTrainGC · 02-02-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlazinJack

Ok, went to the jeep website. the only thing stated was that there was a 5 speed mated to the 3.7 v6 and a "multispeed transmission" mated to either v8 choice.
then i went to your other link, and stopped searching when i saw the stats they had posted for "2005-2016 jeeps" i could tell right there that this website will be less than helpful with technical items.
I know FOR A FACT that my Commander shifts through 6 gears AND THEN locks up when i accelerate to highway speeds. i dont know what tranny i have, and i dont really care at this point.

To the OP if your still checking this thread, you will like the commander if you decide to buy one. go take a test drive!

And if you look at the information for the "multispeed" transmission - you'll see that it is the 545RFE - which is the same transmission in my WK, which has 5 speeds. The website I posted, www.wkjeeps.com - is where pretty much everyone goes for technical information on the WK. They said 2005-2016 because the WK is the codename for the Grand Cherokee until 2016. Why don't you go post in the WK/XK section about your six speed transmission and see what kind of responses you get about it.

And it is obvious you don't know what transmission you have. And if you don't care don't tell me I don't know what I'm talking about.

But I agree with you about test driving... OP should go drive one. I personally don't think you will be disappointed.

marlon_jbt · 02-06-2009, 08:54 AM

The 545RFE which is used behind the 4.7L and 5.7L is a 5 Speed Automatic transmission with an alternate 2nd gear used during downshifting. So yes, TECHNICALLY a 6 speed but only 5 of those gears are used. So it shifts 5 times up, then lockup, and 5 times down, unlock. If you "feel" it shifting 6 times + lockup you are hallucinating.

I don't mean that as a personal attack, that's just the way it is.

I've had a Jeep with the 545RFE and um... there's only 5 gears in it... My cousin's Commander (5.7L) only shifts 5 times too.