close but not quite the same.
Are you looking for something to cruise around in leather seats, or looking for something to build up and romp around in?
You have to specify this much better, theese two Are completly different Jeeps.
Also for Grand Cherokee There is a model change in 99, pre is the ZJ, after is the WJ. The WJ and ZJ only share 127 parts so its also two complete different Jeep.
For the Cherokee (XJ)i dont know, but they Are pretty simple and lack of comfort compered to Grand's.
Only thing they have in common is the 4X4 systems and the Jeep logo as far as i know.
If you read in the XJ, ZJ, and Here WJ section, you can find out more.
Also a simple surch at wickipedia Will give you a great deal of info about the different models.
Also wjjeeps.com is a great site That offers amount of info about 99-04 models Grand's.
interresting,
I am currently shopping around for an XJ to replace my ZJ, our family vehicle is a WJ.
My ZJ is the 5.2 ltd, it's my daily driver and I put a woping 6mi on it a day.
The reason I'm "downsizing" to an XJ for my DD is simply becuase of operating and maint cost, the XJ will be cheaper to maintain and in turn operate.
If my family did not have the WJ I would not consider downisizing to the XJ based shearly on room, power and comfort.
the WJ;
WAY more room
more comfort
better ride
"worth more"
more "standard" features
arguably under powered with the 4.0
V8 option
the XJ;
WAY and I mean WAY more rugged !
cheaper operating costs
4.0 is the PERFECT mate for this jeep
feels more like a jeep
available option of the 231
posibilty of a 5sp
can be found in 2 door
cheaper price
probably a little better MPG vs the WJ WITH A 4.0
cheaper to build
I've always loved the XJ's I grew up around XJ's, but the ZJ and WJ has always fit my application better, having a family but still wanting to get dirty offroad.
BTW the 4.0's are bulletproof, someyears better than others but no matter what year you should run a good HDEO in it, as it is a noisy flat tappet style engine that loves heavier duty oils.
FWIW, my 2 cents
I'm, sure i'm missing some things
another thing to consider is what you do with your vehicle, (driving habbits)
If most of your miles are hi-way miles than the V8 WJ is the only option IMO
if you mostly rack up miles "in town" than consider a 4.0 which then gives you the option of the XJ, also if you tow than agian the V8 is the only way to go.
A friend of mine owns an XJ (totally stock) and it rides rough and feels cramped compared to the WJ. The interior also feels like it was designed in 1984. The 4.0 was a good motor until they put them in WJs...the last iteration of the I6 seems to have weak pistons.
WSAR really covered a lot of the main points I would make. A couple other points - the non-disco HPD30 and Corporate 8.25" axles in the XJ are great. The LPD30 and D35 combo are ok in the WJ, the D44a is a little better. I would say the XJ has stronger axles for its size.
XJ is much cheaper to get into and will depreciate less.
Also, if this is a family vehicle, the WJ and ZJs after 94 have significant improvements in safety equipment and crash protection.
A good in-between is the ZJ. I had a 4.0 ZJ, very dependable and cheap to operate. Fuel mileage in the 17-20 range average. My WJ only gets that high on long highway trips.
Thanks, it sounds like the wj is more in line with my current needs....family. The added safety features are a big plus. My shortbed chevy has bucket seats so i need more room. I will be using it to pull a small camper with a motorcycle hanging off the back so some power is needed along with mileage. How is the 4.7 on mileage?
I will be using it to pull a small camper with a motorcycle hanging off the back so some power is needed along with mileage. How is the 4.7 on mileage?
I have the 4.0 I-6 and my father recently sold his with the 4.7 V-8.
The 4.7 can get as much as 24 (regularly with careful driving) and the 4.0 can get UP TO 17 with careful driving.
IE the much more powerful engine is also much more fuel efficient.
Yeah, the only reason I have the i-6 is because my father told me that I should get it to save on fuel economy, two weeks after I bought the thing he tells me that he found out the 8 does much better.
I personally typically get around 12-13 city and 14-17 hwy. Once I did get 19 on a tank, but that was in Wyoming, and who knows what the winds did for me there. I now have about 40K that I put on the jeep, and the jeep is in the 180k total mileage range.
Thanks, it sounds like the wj is more in line with my current needs....family. The added safety features are a big plus. My shortbed chevy has bucket seats so i need more room. I will be using it to pull a small camper with a motorcycle hanging off the back so some power is needed along with mileage. How is the 4.7 on mileage?
I used to own a 99 Cherokee. It was comfy and fairly reliable. I did have alot of front end issues with it and occasionally on the interstate, the transmission would overheat causing fluid to overflow and smoke like crazy (well...it did it twice truth be told). I always liked the looks of the Cherokee and I really liked it and it had good gas mileage.
I still own a 02 Grand Cherokee Overland - bought it new and it now has 210,000 miles on it. Super duper comfy, has transported me through 42 states and has been reliable having never failed me - although the 4.7 is a PIG on gas. Has had minor issues, such as the fans not working on the passenger side and a rear main seal leak forever - but I can't complain...it's been a great vehicle and I'll probably never part with it.
I also have a 07 Jeep Liberty. It rides like they made a million of them in a week. Constant issues with the front end on this thing and just had the front axles replaced. Horrible riding...super uncomfortable, at least for me. Never again!
BTW - my 4.7 gets about 17 mpg. A little better on flat interstate (which doesn't exist where I live) - but all in all, for a V8 - it is average. Also - for family stuff - you can't beat the Grand's - very comfortable ride - it's like you're sitting on a couch....similar to my Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon - it just floats!
i was gona buy an xj but ended up w a wj..xj i wud prefer strait to build nd mess around w/. big aftermarket suport. wj is more comfortable nd a softer ride, but also has a wide aftermarket range too..not as much as xj, but still. both great cars but like evrythng comes down to personal preferance! gl w descision!
I own a 96 Cherokee with 4.0 and 5 speed stick and a 99 GC with 4.0 and auto transmission. I can't get an inspection sticker on the 96 due to rust, but the 99 is excellent shape and a daily driver. They are very different vehicles. The Cherokee is a cheap feeling light vehicle that probably would climb a tree with the right tires. I would hate to drive it on a 500 mile road trip, but it's fun in the boondocks. The GC is a way better vehicle, quiet, comfortable and it gets very good gas mileage! My only complaint with WJ , the seats are too soft and lack support, also I could use a bit more legroom. I had the Cherokee given to me, I bought the WJ for $2,000 and it's a really nice vehicle. Best $2,000 ever spent. Go for a WJ, unless your just looking for an off roader.
I owned a 2000 XJ sport prior to my current 2004 WJ. The XJ was a great rig. But, It just got a bit small for my growing family's needs. I was going to build up the XJ for offroad and expedition but I found myself just doing a lot of forest service roads and road trips.
The WJ is more comfortable, has more power, more room and gets about the same mileage. I say The Grand all the way unless you are looking for a wheeler then the XJ wins hands down.
The WJ is a much more comfortable and classy looking daily driver, and to my surprise my stock WJ will out wheel my old stock XJ. My WJ also gets better mileage than my XJ did even though it's much heavier. My wife absolutely loves the WJ and wants to drive it whenever she can, and she hated the XJ (that may or may not be a good thing hah hah).
I'd suggest you opt for the flavor that best suits your needs. An XJ will tolerate neglect better than a WJ IMO, so if you opt for a dub prior maintenance is a big concern. Some reading on here (and some great posts in this very thread) will give you an idea on the things to watch out for on the Grand.
WJ-worth more and cost more to fix.
XJ-worth less and costs less to fix.
Simple.
I had a 5.2ZJ and my next Jeep (after I sell my WJ) will most likely be a 98' 5.9ZJ; for the simple fact that the 4.0 in the WJ is a real loss. The WJ is WAY too heavy for the 4.0 and needs the 4.7 especially when heading off road. Aside from that...with the lift and tires my WJ still rides like **** so I can't base anything on comfort; it's a solid axle vechicle and rides like one but has plenty of room.
Considering my 94 Buick Roadmaster station wagon with a LT1 5.7 gets 24mpg consistently with over 200,000 miles, it is my opinion that 17 mpg would classify it as a pig on gas - I certainly don't exclaim to others "wow - this tiny V8 is GREAT on gas!" -lol. I say that tongue in cheek of course, that is just my opinion. People are free to feel that it is respectable/reasonable/expected/economical if they would like! lol
Considering my 94 Buick Roadmaster station wagon with a LT1 5.7 gets 24mpg consistently with over 200,000 miles, it is my opinion that 17 mpg would classify it as a pig on gas - I certainly don't exclaim to others "wow - this tiny V8 is GREAT on gas!" -lol. I say that tongue in cheek of course, that is just my opinion. People are free to feel that it is respectable/reasonable/expected/economical if they would like! lol
your comparing apple to oranges.....
a 2wd hi-way cruiser family car to a 4x4 truck (pretty much)
but again if a WJ (stock) is only getting under 19-21 on the hi-way than something is wrong, probably just maintenance that needs done
I love my Grand... So much so that I am on my 3rd and I just bought the lady a WJ that nearly matches mine. Tons of aftermarket parts and when built right, they will wheel with anything else on the trail. And you are riding on leather w/ the A/C blairing while the open tops are baking in the sun you knowthat you made the right choice. haha.
You're right - it IS apples and oranges. The original question, posed by a person that isn't even reading this anymore, wanted to know the difference between the Cherokee and the Grand. Me, my loving self, is throwing him my opinion that one of the notable differences between the two, is the gas mileage, I don't know how anyone could possibly deny the difference between the two. I used the word "pig" to describe that difference - I don't see what the big deal is being jovially honest.
But - the guy wanted to know the difference - and with gas nearly 4 bucks a gallon still, knowing a person's thoughts on fuel economy ranks right up there with seat comfort. Maybe I should have wrote "the grand is not as good". I have owned my Overland since brand new...it's got 210k on it.....it has gotten the same mpg since new. I merely provided the man with my opinion.
I recently got rid of my 95 Cherokee for a 2001 Grand Cherokee 4.0 and frankly, I don't really notice a huge difference in gas mileage. The Cherokee obviously seems like it was quicker but I've found that I like the more refined nature of the GC, which means I guess I'm getting older. :laugh: The Cherokee just seem like a more raw truck, with wind noise, rattles and a much rougher ride. It seemed like punishment to drive more than 100 miles, while the GC I could probably take cross country.
The GC just seems like a better build car, again, obviously because it IS a much more recent design. I've also found the GC easier to work on, for example, try changing the rear shocks on a Cherokee. :brickwall - took about 20 minutes to install the Bilsteins on the GC, same for the headunit, front axle, etc., etc. I haven't had the opportunity to take it off road or in snow yet so I can't give an opinion yet in that area.
But the main reason why I like the GC over the Cherokee is because in my case, with a 95, the GC is just a safer car and I have a new driver in the family. The 95 only had one airbag and no antilock brakes, so from a safety perspective, it was time to "upgrade".
i own a 2000 jeep grand Cherokee Laredo,whats different from the 2000 Cherokee sport .does the sport have a frame under it,or similar to the grand Cherokee. not talking bells whistles,but structure wise????
It irritates me when people call the 4.7 v8 tiny, the 4.7 is a power house for its size I agree but it's not really small. Like look at ford trucks they have the 4.6 that was a horribly underpowered truck. The 4.7 dodge rams run great and would flat out smoke a ford 4.6. Look at foreign cars.. Such as BMW, land rover and such with 4.0 and 4.3 v8s in vehicles larger than a wj. Ford even had a 3.7 v8 once. So compared to many I would not consider a 4.7 a small v8. Especially in the vehicle it's strapped in. The wj.
I wish I could push 17 mpg city out of my wj, it did once upon a time before we got the good ole reformulated fuel. Now I avg 13 in the city and 17 on the high way. Got about 14 before cams.
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