Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: Green Jeep on November 22, 2010, 09:07:42 AM

Title: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: Green Jeep on November 22, 2010, 09:07:42 AM
Looking to get a later shape Grand Cherokee for towing car trailer and general rancho relaxo motoring, might use it for laning as well... but not the gnarly stuff, will keep Blue Cherokee for that.....

Advice please, which engine should I go for? Really like the 4.0's that I've had in various Cherokee's. Is the V8 a reliable lump? I guess most are 4.7?

Other common faults?

Thanks in advance Maf
Title: Re: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: scrw on November 22, 2010, 09:34:59 AM
you see more v8's in breakers than 4 litres, generally with engine issues. I'd say 4litre personally
Title: Re: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: JamesH on November 22, 2010, 11:04:42 AM
MUCH more power in the V8 though - a noticeable difference in performance.

Don't get an LPG one though, most seem to have engine probs at 100k ish miles
Title: Re: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: Bulldog67 on November 22, 2010, 01:35:24 PM
shall i drink warm coke, or cold beer? no brainer dood  :greggmo:
Title: Re: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: Green Jeep on November 22, 2010, 01:52:58 PM
Thanks for confirming my thoughts guys.... will go for 4.0, mild performance mods will get me the power we need I'm sure....
Title: Re: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: Bulldog67 on November 22, 2010, 02:01:03 PM
 :jawdrop:
Title: Re: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: tim_aka_tim on November 22, 2010, 02:10:26 PM

Other common faults?

Thanks in advance Maf

Off the top of my head..... Blend doors on the air system break and give you cold air only. Proper fix is
a dash out job, though there is a 100 quid ebay bodge.

Electric heated seats break - contact on bottom of seat burns out.

Electic mirrors stick, needing new units. Over 300 quid each. Motors aren't replaceable - mirror sold as
complete unit.

The 4.7 isn't a particularly good engine and was discontinued for the WK in 2005. It's only fitted in the
shitty Dodge Dakota these days.

If a gun was held to my head, I'd get the 4.0, even though it won't tow as well. Sad to say it, but on the
whole, the WJ is unreliable and will turn into a money pit.
Title: Re: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: Stempel on November 22, 2010, 02:48:38 PM
I had 2 of 4.0 before and now gone to 4.7.Biggest mistake I've ever made
Title: Re: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: scrw on November 22, 2010, 04:09:32 PM
Sad to say it, but on the
whole, the WJ is unreliable and will turn into a money pit.

I wouldn't be that harsh, they have 1 or 2 oddities but they are far from unreliable
Title: Re: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: tim_aka_tim on November 22, 2010, 04:22:31 PM
Perhaps unreliable is the wrong word. In general, it will get you home, but too many things go wrong with
them to justify the cost of owning one. Just look on carsurvey.com at the number of pissed off owners.
Title: Re: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: DarrenR on November 22, 2010, 06:35:58 PM
I was thinking of one a while back
Looked into that mpi engine oilpump failure tends to take out big ends
Also same problem on the 3.7 which is just a 4.7 with 2 pots chopped off
I would love a V8 but 4 L is a safer bet
I would like a 5.9 Zj though  :003:
Title: Re: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: Dutch on November 22, 2010, 06:39:32 PM
Sad to say it, but on the
whole, the WJ is unreliable and will turn into a money pit.

I wouldn't be that harsh, they have 1 or 2 oddities but they are far from unreliable

 :iagree:

Yes a bit harsh.  If I hear what problems people have with euro boxes in my neighbourhood the odd glitch (like my brake switch) is negligeable.  Every car needs
maintenance and things go wrong/break on every make nessecitating a garage visit ...not only on a WJ (so far I've always been able to drive there myself, not a lot of people can say that of what I heard)

If the 2.7 was flattened tomorrow (heaven forbids :icon_eek:) I'd go out and look for another the day after.

Title: Re: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: Green Jeep on November 22, 2010, 07:56:18 PM
Thanks guys...

Not fussed if shit like heated seats stop working, mirror motors pack up... main thing is engine & drivetrain all happy days and very comfy... which I'm sure will be fine....

Have agreed to buy a 2002 4.0 WJ, leather etc... all sounds sweet, well maintained, should have it this Thursday, bargain price (bought at trade price) very pleased  :icon_winkle:

(https://birtydastards.com/frm/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi439.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq119%2Fpropref%2FtJ-ZeQBW0KGrHqFlkEyjC1OjmBM3B9m06_12.jpg&hash=9e732cf739f1dd4fd07169b75528622f3217c8e5)

(https://birtydastards.com/frm/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi439.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq119%2Fpropref%2FtJ-ZuCW0KGrHqFlEEyjC1KIBM3CC6LOg_12.jpg&hash=bc959f4b3d3f5813ac6aea990784b7338823f65a)

(https://birtydastards.com/frm/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi439.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq119%2Fpropref%2FtJ-mEW0KGrHqFjkEzKJvvZzBM3CmNejw_12.jpg&hash=4479e1df931247ffd3ea037f679d5cb75a035659)

(https://birtydastards.com/frm/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi439.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq119%2Fpropref%2FtJ-SwBG0KGrHqVlUEyjC2KV3BM3CYfKw_12.jpg&hash=a49cb2f668dfcdfad44b257dd724494116a3ff12)
Title: Re: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: scrw on November 22, 2010, 08:22:00 PM
Nice, my 4l is at 202000 miles and still going strong  :icon_super:
Title: Re: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: Dutch on November 22, 2010, 08:26:00 PM
Very nooooice.....well done,  spitting image of mine  :clap:

 :great:
Title: Re: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: Bulldog67 on November 22, 2010, 08:31:00 PM
no faint heart here then  :038:
Title: Re: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: Green Jeep on November 22, 2010, 08:52:48 PM
No point messing about eh? If you want summat and you see the right one, crack on I say....

Looking forward to extra rancho relaxo over a normal Cherokee... never even sat in one before in case I felt cheated that the XJ's where not as comfy, not I can justify having both it's all happy days.....  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: Bulldog67 on November 22, 2010, 08:56:49 PM
sweetest truck i had for comfort, 500 mile trip non stop was like a good nights kip, if i had shorter daily miles i wouldnt hesitate, ya a lucky bugger
Title: Re: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: Bishops Finger on November 22, 2010, 09:34:45 PM
Maf...you star...laning it...??
Title: Re: Grand Cherokee V8 or 4.0?
Post by: Green Jeep on November 22, 2010, 10:22:35 PM
sweetest truck i had for comfort, 500 mile trip non stop was like a good nights kip, if i had shorter daily miles i wouldnt hesitate, ya a lucky bugger

This is what I wanna hear....  :icon_biggrin:

yeah I'll do some lanes, but gnarly stuff will be in Cherokee that will be a 4 door pick up as soon as I get chance... very busy with new job at the mo.... hence the WJ, tow car and rancho up the motorways.... really lookin forward to selecting full rancho relaxo mode.... sweet

One question though... are the hemi V8's all happy days....  :icon_winkle: