Ask Oppo: Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ vs. WK?

"Somethin' 'bout a truck" (somethin-bout-a-truck)
03/05/2016 at 08:01 • Filed to: Jeep, WK, WJ, 4x4, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Grand, Cherokee, Off Road, SUV

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Honestly, I know that most SUV’s would do the job, but life is to short to drive sensible and boring. So today I ask you, what of the two years Grand Cherokee are best?

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Jeep WJ: My personal favorite

Aside from the brand new version (and I’m not buying new) this is my all time favorite Cherokee design. More than that I love the 4.0 and the option of QuadraTrack. To me, this is the Land Rover I can afford. A classless truck with tons of abilities that looks good, and I can have a lot of fun driving.

Jeep WK: The newer version

I can’t stand the headlights on these. But I would be willing to look at them because I assume they would be an improvement over the WJ. But these have the 3.7, so I’m wondering if this would be a step back at this point.

So, if you guys were buying what version would you get? Why? Have you driven either? Owned either? Love to hear your thoughts!

DISCUSSION (22)

bob and john > Somethin' 'bout a truck
03/05/2016 at 08:14

I swear someone on here was going BACK to a WJ from a WK b/c of the motor when I first joined oppo

Gone > Somethin' 'bout a truck
03/05/2016 at 08:33

Look alone, the WJ wins. But the optional QDII in the WK will pretty much kick the WJs ass offroad. IFS rides nicer as well. Once you’re talking crazy lifts and tire sizes, the WJ will win out. But I’d go 4.7 or hemi or diesel. No way with the 3.7.

Nobi > Somethin' 'bout a truck
03/05/2016 at 08:37

If you go WJ, make sure it was well taken care of, or it will nickel and dime you to death. So far, the wife’s 4.0 WJ has needed:

-front pads, rotors, and calipers

-every ball joint in the front end

-steering stabilizer

-coil pack

-valve cover gasket

-PCM

-crank and cam sensors

-o2 sensors

-front axle boots

-respray of the roof and hood

-repeated flushings of the coolant system

-still needs a muffler and possibly a transmission.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good workhorse, but a costly one if not kept up with.

Curbsenthusiasms > Somethin' 'bout a truck
03/05/2016 at 08:42

02 Overland would be my pick although I’m biased to 98' 5.9 Limiteds

Somethin' 'bout a truck > Curbsenthusiasms
03/05/2016 at 08:55

Those are very nice.

Somethin' 'bout a truck > bob and john
03/05/2016 at 08:55

I believe it! I would love to read their account. I’ll have to start searching.

Somethin' 'bout a truck > Gone
03/05/2016 at 08:56

Yeah, I’m not doing any lifts other than a level and bigger tires. I’m not going rock crawling where I live!

Somethin' 'bout a truck > Nobi
03/05/2016 at 08:57

So would you buy one again if you knew what you knew now?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Somethin' 'bout a truck
03/05/2016 at 08:57

WJ with the 4.0 would be your best choice by far, at least when it comes to reliability.

jkm7680 > Somethin' 'bout a truck
03/05/2016 at 09:13

Under_Score > Somethin' 'bout a truck
03/05/2016 at 09:45

I like the WJ. Just don’t get rear ended...

Danger > Somethin' 'bout a truck
03/05/2016 at 10:00

I’m thinking of something along the same lines. I’m looking out for a 4x4 4.0 with leather. We’ll see.

Somethin' 'bout a truck > Danger
03/05/2016 at 10:25

Yes, that would make a great SUV. I keep looking, but man do some people have big issues with them..

Gone > Somethin' 'bout a truck
03/05/2016 at 10:57

For WK, try to find one w/QDII. Tires with the QDII elockers makes it pretty unstoppable. QDI for the WJ is alright. QTI/QTII need aftermarket lockers for play.

QTII/QDI/II should be fine in the snow, but QDII will just be that much better.

Nobi > Somethin' 'bout a truck
03/05/2016 at 11:37

If I found one that had all of its records and was obviously taken good care of, yes. As a fixer-upper, oh god no.

Nobi > Under_Score
03/05/2016 at 11:40

You can fix that cheap. I bought a trailer hitch for $68 from Advance Auto Parts when they do their annual 40% off Christmas sale. Brought it to the Chrysler dealer when I got the PCM replaced on mine and they put a Mopar hitch on it for free.

Tatanko > Somethin' 'bout a truck
03/05/2016 at 13:18

My father had a ‘99 WJ 4.0 and an ‘06 WK 3.7, both Laredos (the ‘06 was a 65th Anniv. Ed.). I got a lot of wheel time with both of them over the years that he had them, and as such got a chance to form a solid opinion of both.

The WJ was definitely my favorite. I loved how much control I had over the 4WD system, and it just felt less “cheap” than the WK that replaced it. I also much preferred the 4.0 to the 3.7.

Dru > Somethin' 'bout a truck
03/05/2016 at 13:23

I’ve had a WJ overland for 5 years. It’s been an awesome vehicle. Really comfortable, can do some towing, great leather on the seats.

I have the 4.7l HO motor. Tons of powah. People say they can be unreliable but I just keep all fluids changed and run premium fuel and she stays happy.

My only complaint is the blend doors crap out on almost all of them with dual zone climate control. Mine are stuck in a mostly functional position so I got lucky.

WK just seems bland to me. They look good with a lift. But I’ve never driven one.

EmbraceTheRasp > Somethin' 'bout a truck
03/05/2016 at 21:40

I’d vote for the WJ between them, but may I suggest a GX470. Such a quality platform. More and more stuff made for customization. Cheaper than the same gen 4Runner. Leather. Lockers. Never break. Tundra motor.

Somethin' 'bout a truck > EmbraceTheRasp
03/05/2016 at 22:57

I like your style sir! I will check into these!

EmbraceTheRasp > Somethin' 'bout a truck
03/05/2016 at 23:15

Might should’ve mentioned I’ve owned 2 XJs and ridden both past the 250K marker. The WJS were cool (all coils) but problematic in other ways. Lots of us moved to FZJ 80 cruisers, but they are thin in the ground and expensive to feed (at 12 mpg)

Pretty much everything you want to know about the Toyota 120 platform is in the ih8mud forums .

Here’s a great build thread by a Gentleman Wheeler

Kinja'd!!!

Somethin' 'bout a truck > EmbraceTheRasp
03/05/2016 at 23:24

And now I will loose another hour! Thank you! I love those trucks. Something so wrong about seeing the Lexus logo behind all that off-road gear, but it’s so right!