Jeep decision: XJ or WJ
Discussion
I had a WJ Overland (Overland nets you the better V8 with +10% power and torque plus the auto-locking gerotor differentials). I loved the thing, particularly in winter on winter tyres. Not "fast" fast, but enough to make idiot kids in Saxos look a little silly. Very comfortable cruiser.
Yes, little stuff breaks. Blend doors, electric window mechanisms etc, but it's relatively easy to work on, and the mechanicals are pretty simple. The gearbox and transfer box (and diffs if they're gerotor ones) must have the right oil if you want them to last and work properly.
They're proper buy-the-best-you-can-afford cars, though. Pick up a ropey one that's been owned by someone who can't really afford to do 10mpg around town, and doesn't read up on the maintenance (let alone do it) and you will most definitely not have a good time.
Worth it when you powerslide a two-ton truck out a junction in four inches of snow and take off up the road while someone in a 20" wheeled Range Rover Sport is gingerly avoiding hidden potholes, though.
http://www.wjjeeps.com/ is your go-to for reference materials, and the guys on the American Jeep forums are frankly frightening for their ability to pull obscure part numbers and the like out of thin air.
Yes, little stuff breaks. Blend doors, electric window mechanisms etc, but it's relatively easy to work on, and the mechanicals are pretty simple. The gearbox and transfer box (and diffs if they're gerotor ones) must have the right oil if you want them to last and work properly.
They're proper buy-the-best-you-can-afford cars, though. Pick up a ropey one that's been owned by someone who can't really afford to do 10mpg around town, and doesn't read up on the maintenance (let alone do it) and you will most definitely not have a good time.
Worth it when you powerslide a two-ton truck out a junction in four inches of snow and take off up the road while someone in a 20" wheeled Range Rover Sport is gingerly avoiding hidden potholes, though.
http://www.wjjeeps.com/ is your go-to for reference materials, and the guys on the American Jeep forums are frankly frightening for their ability to pull obscure part numbers and the like out of thin air.
Here you go Paul: -
http://www.teamgrandcherokee.com/outside-window-si...
This the link which Steve posted from the thread back in March
http://www.teamgrandcherokee.com/outside-window-si...
This the link which Steve posted from the thread back in March
Eventually bought this one: -
It's a 2001 4.0 LTD (51 Plate) with 89,000 miles on it, and seems fine so far.
It drives OK, pulls well though a LOT slower than I'm used to, though me dailies a Bi-Turbo E63. The box changes smoothly and all seems good mechanically with no visible leaks.
It's a bit wallowy which is to be expected I suppose, though I may Poly-Bush the rear end as I've read that this may help. All the electrics seem to work, heated seats heater etc., but there's a wire been badly bodged on the rear window/demister. May have a play with it later, may not. Don't really trust my soldering skills that close to glass...
There was an advisory on last years MoT regarding corrosion, which I was a bit concerned about, though it's just the box section underneath the side steps, so not really detrimental or structural and can therefore be fixed at my leisure. I'll whip them off at some stage to see if a repair is feasible, if not it's either replacement parts or just leave them off.
Thanks to all who gave me advice on here, and I hope to be reporting back in another 12 months or so to tell you how much I'm liking this machine.
It's a 2001 4.0 LTD (51 Plate) with 89,000 miles on it, and seems fine so far.
It drives OK, pulls well though a LOT slower than I'm used to, though me dailies a Bi-Turbo E63. The box changes smoothly and all seems good mechanically with no visible leaks.
It's a bit wallowy which is to be expected I suppose, though I may Poly-Bush the rear end as I've read that this may help. All the electrics seem to work, heated seats heater etc., but there's a wire been badly bodged on the rear window/demister. May have a play with it later, may not. Don't really trust my soldering skills that close to glass...
There was an advisory on last years MoT regarding corrosion, which I was a bit concerned about, though it's just the box section underneath the side steps, so not really detrimental or structural and can therefore be fixed at my leisure. I'll whip them off at some stage to see if a repair is feasible, if not it's either replacement parts or just leave them off.
Thanks to all who gave me advice on here, and I hope to be reporting back in another 12 months or so to tell you how much I'm liking this machine.
Had mine up on the ramp yesterday for the MOT.
It Passed all OK - runs very very clean on emissions, no remarks but for sure the discs and pads need doing before the winter - I am a happy boy.
I do have the same running boards on mine and the mounts need some attention for sure as they look a bit crusty so I will take care of that
It Passed all OK - runs very very clean on emissions, no remarks but for sure the discs and pads need doing before the winter - I am a happy boy.
I do have the same running boards on mine and the mounts need some attention for sure as they look a bit crusty so I will take care of that
What is it with WJ owners and there desire to also own daft cars....VXR8 & Jeep, E63 & Jeep and I have an XFR & a Jeep.......should we all go to the same therapist?!
On a serious note, just got rid of my 4.7 for a 2.7, surprisingly little in it performance wise but cant miss the V8 beat....also done the blend door, mod, easy really and all the usual caliper stuff, but to be honest its nothing more than you would expect from any 10+ year old car, also stick to the US forums as someone has already said, wealth of info compared to the UK.
Just put 33's on mine and 4 inch lift, will post some pics soon but love it to bits, just as happy as I am in the Jag apart from when I have to park it, in which case I am much happier as I do not worry about scratches, kerbing etc!!!
On a serious note, just got rid of my 4.7 for a 2.7, surprisingly little in it performance wise but cant miss the V8 beat....also done the blend door, mod, easy really and all the usual caliper stuff, but to be honest its nothing more than you would expect from any 10+ year old car, also stick to the US forums as someone has already said, wealth of info compared to the UK.
Just put 33's on mine and 4 inch lift, will post some pics soon but love it to bits, just as happy as I am in the Jag apart from when I have to park it, in which case I am much happier as I do not worry about scratches, kerbing etc!!!
skinthespin said:
What is it with WJ owners and there desire to also own daft cars....VXR8 & Jeep, E63 & Jeep and I have an XFR & a Jeep.......should we all go to the same therapist?!
It's essential to compliment a big engined saloon with a big 4x4. Also aesthetically pleasing. I used to have an XFR but had an Outback as my "go-to" motor then.skinthespin said:
On a serious note, just got rid of my 4.7 for a 2.7, surprisingly little in it performance wise but cant miss the V8 beat....also done the blend door, mod, easy really and all the usual caliper stuff, but to be honest its nothing more than you would expect from any 10+ year old car, also stick to the US forums as someone has already said, wealth of info compared to the UK.
I have the 4.0 as stated above as I couldn't find a V8 in the condition I was after, though appreciate what you mean about performance. Not the quickest off the mark are they? How can they get so few horses out of so much capacity? Having said that, I took it for a little run to work and back on Monday just to give it a try out really and, according to the digital readout, averaged 23.8 mpg. If, as I am led to believe, these are American figures then that equates to 28.5 of our imperial ones. This was on a 125 mile round trip consisting of mainly motorways, but still impressed. Everything seems to work fine on it (so far), even the heater, though the brakes leave a bit to be desired, will have to have a look soon.skinthespin said:
Just put 33's on mine and 4 inch lift, will post some pics soon but love it to bits, just as happy as I am in the Jag apart from when I have to park it, in which case I am much happier as I do not worry about scratches, kerbing etc!!!
I'll be keeping mine at a standard height as off-roading is not something I need though, as you say, it's a pleasure to drive. I also agree about the parking aspect. I can leave this anywhere and not worry about it, whereas I'm constantly worried about dinks on the Merc.Sadly I only have a 2.0 MR2 Turbo and an R1 in the fleet.
Anyway can we have a poll on WJ MPG on the display.
Mine low output V8:
- Motorway 23 MPG,
- Town 19 MPG,
High Out Put V8:
- Motorway __ MPG,
- Town __ MPG,
4.0 Petrol:
- Motorway __ MPG,
- Town __ MPG,
2.7CRD
- Motorway __ MPG,
- Town __ MPG,
Anyway can we have a poll on WJ MPG on the display.
Mine low output V8:
- Motorway 23 MPG,
- Town 19 MPG,
High Out Put V8:
- Motorway __ MPG,
- Town __ MPG,
4.0 Petrol:
- Motorway __ MPG,
- Town __ MPG,
2.7CRD
- Motorway __ MPG,
- Town __ MPG,
That looks identical to my 4.0L WJ, same blue, same corrosion on the side steps, just yours is cleaner! My other car is a 2000 Porsche Boxster S so not too mad.
I hate to tell you but most WJs seem to display UK Gallons, mine does. On a run I can get 21-22MPG, but around town 12-14 isn't impossible. My 40K miles average checked brim to brim on a spreadsheet is 17.6MPG. Thank god for a fuel card.
I know the BHP output is low 188 or 190BHP from 4 Litres but the torque is enormous & they last for ever. Don't forget the engine design dates back to the late 50's & early 60's
I hate to tell you but most WJs seem to display UK Gallons, mine does. On a run I can get 21-22MPG, but around town 12-14 isn't impossible. My 40K miles average checked brim to brim on a spreadsheet is 17.6MPG. Thank god for a fuel card.
I know the BHP output is low 188 or 190BHP from 4 Litres but the torque is enormous & they last for ever. Don't forget the engine design dates back to the late 50's & early 60's
tr7v8 said:
That looks identical to my 4.0L WJ, same blue, same corrosion on the side steps, just yours is cleaner! My other car is a 2000 Porsche Boxster S so not too mad.
It's only that clean because that's the seller's photo.
It won't be getting too much attention from me bodywise, apart from those damn side steps... A Boxster is a nice sensible contrast to a Jeep I'd have thought.tr7v8 said:
I hate to tell you but most WJs seem to display UK Gallons, mine does. On a run I can get 21-22MPG, but around town 12-14 isn't impossible. My 40K miles average checked brim to brim on a spreadsheet is 17.6MPG. Thank god for a fuel card.
I know the BHP output is low 188 or 190BHP from 4 Litres but the torque is enormous & they last for ever. Don't forget the engine design dates back to the late 50's & early 60's
Ah well, it was a thought, though in reality I kind of expected as much. I log all my fuel purchases, though I don't anticipate accuracy for a good few months as it's not really going to get used until I've gone through all the mechanicals on it.I know the BHP output is low 188 or 190BHP from 4 Litres but the torque is enormous & they last for ever. Don't forget the engine design dates back to the late 50's & early 60's
scrwright said:
I have averaged 18-20mpg on my 4litre over the last 160k miles of driving, no fuel card but on lpg so cheaper to run than my mx5. Lifting them drops a few mpg, mine is at 4.5" of lift with 32"s & is currently getting regeared to get some power/speed/mpg back
Noticed it there last week when I got the ZJ back after a bit of tinkering at MSJ. I drive my 2.7CRD quite quickly, and yes my other car is a V8 (XK8) so I am following the trend, and I get around 28mpg over all around 30mpg on a run but I never stick to 60-65 I am keeping up with the flow in the faster lanes if you know what I mean. I find mine slugish off the mark for that first hit of the pedal and then it gets going and pulls like a train, not sure if it's lag whilst the turbo spins up but for a big motor it goes well enough. It just lacks that immediate torque from a standstill of the V8, overall I rate it.
I am considering some All terrain tyres for when the tyres need changing so would be interested in recommendations for predominantly road use, I don't want to ruin the drive with noisy droning mud tyres!
I am considering some All terrain tyres for when the tyres need changing so would be interested in recommendations for predominantly road use, I don't want to ruin the drive with noisy droning mud tyres!
psychoR1 said:
Sadly I only have a 2.0 MR2 Turbo and an R1 in the fleet.
Anyway can we have a poll on WJ MPG on the display.
Mine low output V8:
- Motorway 23 MPG,
- Town 19 MPG,
High Out Put V8:
- Motorway __ MPG,
- Town __ MPG,
4.0 Petrol:
- Motorway 24 MPG,
- Town 16 MPG,
2.7CRD
- Motorway __ MPG,
- Town __ MPG,
I have a ZJ 4.0 but fuel economy should be very similar, so added to the list Anyway can we have a poll on WJ MPG on the display.
Mine low output V8:
- Motorway 23 MPG,
- Town 19 MPG,
High Out Put V8:
- Motorway __ MPG,
- Town __ MPG,
4.0 Petrol:
- Motorway 24 MPG,
- Town 16 MPG,
2.7CRD
- Motorway __ MPG,
- Town __ MPG,
4.7 WJ here. My only car so no other V8.
Here's a useful website with a US mpg to UK mpg converter.
http://www.birtydastards.com/frm/index.php?action=...
what I don't understand though is as the majority of the WJ's in the UK today were made in Austria, why do they have US mpg on them? I would've thought a simple software change would have them showing imperial MPG.
Screen shows average of 18 for me, that's a mixture of country lanes and fast dual carriageways. seems to do better on motorways. if you really want to scare yourself, put the display on instant MPG and floor it 6 is the lowest I've seen.
Here's a useful website with a US mpg to UK mpg converter.
http://www.birtydastards.com/frm/index.php?action=...
what I don't understand though is as the majority of the WJ's in the UK today were made in Austria, why do they have US mpg on them? I would've thought a simple software change would have them showing imperial MPG.
Screen shows average of 18 for me, that's a mixture of country lanes and fast dual carriageways. seems to do better on motorways. if you really want to scare yourself, put the display on instant MPG and floor it 6 is the lowest I've seen.
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