Thoughts on a Grand Cherokee?

[Brewtal66]

Hey Folks,

I was reading through the Rubicon Vs. 4-Door Jeep thread and saw we have some guys here with some insights on Jeeps.

I'm looking at possibly buying a Jeep soon. My Dad and and a lot of other guys I know all have Wranglers. Personally, I'd love a Wrangler.

My dilemma is that I have two small children, with a third coming at some point in the future. Fitting two small kids in the back of a Wrangler isn't going to be fun, and impossible with a third.

I thought about going the JK route and getting a 4-Door which would provide an ample back seat for three kids. However, those are out of my price range. I noticed that Grand Cherokee's can be had cheap and thought that might be the route to go.

The little bit of research I've done I see that I'd want one older than 2005, so it still has a straight front axle. Is there anything else you guys might know about them? Should I get a V8 model or steer away from that and stick to 6 cylinder? I'm not looking to do some insane rock crawling. Just poking around trails and such. And it will be a tow vehicle behind my motorhome.

Thanks for your help/insight!

[Try2paz]

The older Grand Cherokee models have a really small rear seat space in my opinion. They are not that much bigger than a new Jeep Rubicon.

If you want the Jeep Rubicon id go sit in a both you might be surprised how much smaller the older grand cherokee's are compared to newer Rubicons.

[DBasher]

My best advice...don't have any more kids! :lol:

I've got a 2005 now and really like it. It's quieter and feels more solid then the 99 we had a few years ago. Both equipped with the 4.7 V8, power everything and a small lift. With both my boys, the dog and wife packed for a trip we were out of room, roof top cargo deal solves that problem.

If your kids are still in car seats and a third is a strong possibility, I'd be looking at the early/mid 90's Land Cruiser/Lexus. Inexpensive, solid front axle and more room front and back. A lot of these were never abused off-road and were second or third vehicles so the mileage isn't all that bad for the age.

[Brewtal66]

The older Grand Cherokee models have a really small rear seat space in my opinion. They are not that much bigger than a new Jeep Rubicon.

If you want the Jeep Rubicon id go sit in a both you might be surprised how much smaller the older grand cherokee's are compared to newer Rubicons.

Oh I'd love to to have a new Jeep Rubicon...but the Bank Of Wife says no lol

[Brewtal66]

My best advice...don't have any more kids! :lol:

I've got a 2005 now and really like it. It's quieter and feels more solid then the 99 we had a few years ago. Both equipped with the 4.7 V8, power everything and a small lift. With both my boys, the dog and wife packed for a trip we were out of room, roof top cargo deal solves that problem.

If your kids are still in car seats and a third is a strong possibility, I'd be looking at the early/mid 90's Land Cruiser/Lexus. Inexpensive, solid front axle and more room front and back. A lot of these were never abused off-road and were second or third vehicles so the mileage isn't all that bad for the age.

I never even thought about a Land Cruiser/Lexus...but I'd imagine there isn't half the aftermarket support as a GC. Both my boys are current in car seats, but by time the third comes around, the oldest boy will only be in a booster seat.

[DBasher]

Oh there is, mainly because they've been sold all over the world. I had an Old Man Emu lift on mine and loved it. What the hippie...er wife didn't like was the mileage...whatever! A lot of them are equipped with factory lockers...get the lift, some armor and bigger tires and you're done.

What will you be using it for? A daily or the tow behind every once in awhile rig?

[Brewtal66]

Oh there is, mainly because they've been sold all over the world. I had an Old Man Emu lift on mine and loved it. What the hippie...er wife didn't like was the mileage...whatever! A lot of them are equipped with factory lockers...get the lift, some armor and bigger tires and you're done.

What will you be using it for? A daily or the tow behind every once in awhile rig?

Purely a tow-behind pleasure vehicle. Not a daily driver.

[DBasher]

Tim, I think if I was you I'd go look at a few, load the kiddos up and see what you're dealing with. I'm a big kid at 6'4" and my seat is always all the way back, my boys have plenty of room in the back but aren't in any kind of booster/car seat.

I'm a fan of Jeeps and would recommend them to most people, I just wonder if 3 seats across the back will fit well.

:thumbsup:

[Brewtal66]

Tim, I think if I was you I'd go look at a few, load the kiddos up and see what you're dealing with. I'm a big kid at 6'4" and my seat is always all the way back, my boys have plenty of room in the back but aren't in any kind of booster/car seat.

I'm a fan of Jeeps and would recommend them to most people, I just wonder if 3 seats across the back will fit well.

:thumbsup:

I think that's sound advice. I talked to a buddy with a Cherokee...he fit three but said it was snug.

Right now I've decided on a 2000-2004 Grand Cherokee V8 4x4. That way it's fairly new, has good power, straight axle front end, and can fit the whole family.

[camsdad]

My Wife has a 96 Grand Cherokee Laredo 6 Cyl 2WD and loves it!
When it's not acting like a Boat. The proverbial money pit.
Good MPG, Tight turning radius, good ground clearance, comfy seats, weird suspension, Decent interior space for a sub-compact 4 door SUV.
When the sensors start failing, heed my advice and use OEM sensors only.

[03fridge]

I've got a 2006 Grand Cherokee SRT8. Love it. It's got the 6.1L motor, plenty of power for the family hauler. Full time four wheel drive. Easily fits me, wife and two kids (14 and 7), and still able to load things in the cargo area.

[cpd004]

I had a 99 inline 6 4wd and a 2004 4.7 HO AWD. The power of the 04 was great but the reliability of the 6 can't be beat. You see people getting 250k + out of the 6 without any major engine work. You won't see that in with the 8. We had a bunch of problems with the 04 as did friends with the same engine.

[DBasher]

I had a 99 inline 6 4wd and a 2004 4.7 HO AWD. The power of the 04 was great but the reliability of the 6 can't be beat. You see people getting 250k + out of the 6 without any major engine work. You won't see that in with the 8. We had a bunch of problems with the 04 as did friends with the same engine.

The straight 6 is one of the best motors ever made in my opinion, it's bullet proof! My 90 and 98 Cherokees as well as the 01 TJ all had the six with zero issues, I sold them at 180k to 200k miles and still got good money. They make killer stokers as well. Both of my Grands have had the 4.7 and so far so good. The tranny in the older one gave me fits but never a hick up from the motor. The 4.7 was also used in the Durangos and Dakotas, I've heard and read stories but have had good luck so far with them.
With that being said, I'm loading up and heading out for the weekend with the family...over two very snowy passes...in the dark....maybe I shouldn't have said anything!