This Old Waggy Still Surprises Me

"BrokenMostWeeks" (brokenmostweeks)
10/22/2020 at 20:09 • Filed to: B.M.W. Fleet, Jeep, Jeep Grand Cherokee

Another weekend of adventure in the books.

( Ok, I know this isn’t an actual Waggy... but I liken it to the next-closest thing in a semi-modern form. At least, that’s how I’ve made it to be.)

To many, the WJ Grand Cherokee is a throw-away vehicle. Most examples you’ll see on the road are on their 8th owners, have a value similar to a nice dinner for two at Applebee’s, and are in such appalling condition it can be a true testament to reliability in the face of absolute neglect. Either that, or they’re beat to hell as purpose-built off-roaders. T hink of them as the muddy equivalent of a JDM drift missile.

That’s not to say my example, a 2003 Overland, is perfect. Far from it. But I do my best to keep it as nice as can be and modify to fit my needs when repairs become necessary.

Christmas Tree Retrieval in the NC Mountains

Four years into my ownership, of which I’m somehow only the third to grace the Carfax, this little Jeep keeps surprising me. It may not be worth much in the monetary sense, or even in the physical sense to most, yet until I decide to call it quits and order a new Gladiator, I can’t think of a vehicle that personifies ‘me’ more than this Onyx Green box on BFGs. In fact, I’ve bought three cars since the wanna-be Waggy, all with the intention of replacing the old girl. None matched the usability of the WJ and found new homes.

#boatlopnik

This past weekend, I really put it to the rest when a surprise last-minute invite to the 2020 Rooftop Tent Rally at James River State Park in Virginia. I’d already decided to leave the city for the weekend and head for the mountains to go mountain biking with my Dad. A coworker had also invited me to ride dual sports on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Since loading either the moto or the mountain bike requires using a hitch mount, this was already turning out to be a challenge.

Rooftop Tent Rally 2020 (VA)

But then the invite came- wanna go camp for three days at an overland convention? Sure, sounds fun. But two days before departure, I now had to figure out how to Tetris three days’ worth of camping gear where the weather promises to be both cold/rainy and ideal/warm, a dual suspension 29” mountain bike (fitted vertically, no less) and all the associated gear, AND a motorcycle and it’s gear. I wasn’t sure I could make it all work.

After driving over 1100mi and toting enough gear for ALL the fun things, this old Jeep provided nothing but leather-lined, mile-munching comfort, off-road capabilities when the road ended in a soggy field, and enough storage capacity for 5 days and 3 activities’ worth of crap (with plenty of surplus room, I might add, not including the unused roof) . And those glorious V8 sounds still netted me over 18mpg for the entire trip.

Dispatching 1100mi stints with all the wood and leather of a Midwestern living room.

Sure, it may not be as desirable or worth as much as a Waggy (or any more than the motorcycle or mountain bike it often hauls, sadly). It’s certainly not new, and will certainly be needy for the rest of its life. And it can even be a love-hate relationship at times.

But I just can’t help being surprised that this nearly 20yr old product of ‘old Jeep’ is still hanging in there, and is more usable than many of its contemporaries, to boot.

It’s the old dog teaching me new tricks, this time.

DISCUSSION (30)

Just Jeepin' > BrokenMostWeeks
10/22/2020 at 20:16

Did you ever get the driveshaft fixed? I had my hopes dashed yet again today.

BrokenMostWeeks > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 20:21

Not yet.
I’ve been out of town every day I’m not at work for the last month. Hoping to take it in for rebuild next Monday

Amoore100 > BrokenMostWeeks
10/22/2020 at 20:28

Did these still have the AMC six? I do enjoy how it looks like a freshened up ZJ, it really helps it feel old school versus the weird, angular Daimler WK. Having that awesome 4.0L from a dead brand just makes it all the weirder and cooler.

Just Jeepin' > Amoore100
10/22/2020 at 20:32

Some do but not this one. It has a 4.7 L V8.

UserNotFound > BrokenMostWeeks
10/22/2020 at 20:36

Really really digging that first shot.

BrokenMostWeeks > UserNotFound
10/22/2020 at 20:41

Thanks!

BrokenMostWeeks > Amoore100
10/22/2020 at 20:44

While this is the 4.7HO as JJ said, I have an XJ with the 4.0 and will forever be smitten with that motor. 245k in, never rebuilt, and I can leave it for months at a time and it will start first try no issue

Just Jeepin' > BrokenMostWeeks
10/22/2020 at 21:10

So, uh, how far are you from Greenville?

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/826406551/overview/?aff=atempest&cmp=atempest&utm_source=AutoTempest&utm_medium=TRP&utm_campaign=atempest

Just Jeepin' > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 21:11

Er, I guess Walkertown.

Gerry197 > BrokenMostWeeks
10/22/2020 at 21:23

We still have the previous gen Grand Cherokee Laredo (1998) running around. Bought it new, now with 170,000 miles still with it’s original owners. The headliner is drooping and the paint on the hood is peeling, but still impressive no major mechanical problems after 22 years of now occasional use.

Do have a failing smog pump which causes a yellow light on the dash sometimes, it is California so it’s an issue, but only once every 2 years for it’s smog test. We can finagle it to clear just long enough to pass.

Funny how time changes everything regarding cars. I remember when the next gen Grand Cherokee came out, the author’s own car, how I wanted one really bad. And now so many example are literally clunkers moving around Craigslist.

However, prices are a little crazy right now, elevated for pretty much all cheaper vehicles. A year ago my old 27 year old Ranger was worth $1,500, I can probably sell it for $3,000 right now!

flatisflat > BrokenMostWeeks
10/22/2020 at 21:44

This sort of unexpected vehicular love is what it’s all about. No glamour, but dang it if the thing just doesn’t tick all the boxes and then some. Kudos on yours!

Tohru > BrokenMostWeeks
10/22/2020 at 22:26

Mom’s got one of those from down south - green, straight six, and no four-wheel drive.

Steve in Manhattan > BrokenMostWeeks
10/22/2020 at 22:53

My sister has a 3 year old Grand Cherokee - it’s a nice ride. The older ones? Carry belts in the car and be willing to throw parts at it a couple times a year, and it’s fine. Would DD (if I ever need a DD again).

S65 > BrokenMostWeeks
10/22/2020 at 23:22

That’s in damn good shape for a 16 year old car, props to you for keeping it that way. I never actually bothered to ever give those a second look. Thanks for showing yours to me.

Nothing > BrokenMostWeeks
10/22/2020 at 23:45

Dig the Jeep and the Mastercraft!

3 Jeeps and a Mazda wants a Fiata > BrokenMostWeeks
10/23/2020 at 02:29

Ooo! Hello brother!

Kinja'd!!!

adamftw > BrokenMostWeeks
10/23/2020 at 06:52

I almost bought one of these instead of my Disco 1 a few years ago. The 4.7 is a good motor if it was looked after, but the quadra-drive on these is SO impressive. The way you have yours set up is perfect.

BrokenMostWeeks > flatisflat
10/23/2020 at 09:44

Thank you for the kind words!

Definitely not a special or collectible vehicle, but its the right tool for the job and I take pride its been ‘saved’ compared to the normal fate of these old GCs. They’re good little trucklets, they just get thrown away

BrokenMostWeeks > Steve in Manhattan
10/23/2020 at 09:46

The current WK2s are super nice. They really don’t even feel like a GC compared to mine, they’re that much nicer haha

BrokenMostWeeks > adamftw
10/23/2020 at 09:48

Thanks for the compliment!

I’ve gotten lucky with this 4.7- aside from leaks (which have been fixed), the motor has done great. But you hit the nail on the head... QD is where its at for an all-weather travel tool. Simply don’t have to even think in snow and ice.

Now about your Disco... yes. Please. Love me a good Disco!

BrokenMostWeeks > S65
10/23/2020 at 09:50

Thank you! I’ve always been kinda OCD about my vehicles, no matter how old or undesirable. These old GCs deserve a bit more of the spotlight than they get as throw-always these days

BrokenMostWeeks > Tohru
10/23/2020 at 09:51

Tough to kill a 4.0

BrokenMostWeeks > Nothing
10/23/2020 at 09:52

Thank you!

We’ve had that MC since 94, and its been a blast since day one

and 100 more > BrokenMostWeeks
10/23/2020 at 10:20

I hate the notion of brand loyalty, but Jeeps are just built different. I love my ‘12 Laredo , and only lament the fact that it has no roof rails, and I opted for a 2WD version (price being my deciding factor). Of all the vehicles i tested before deciding on mine, everything seemed adequate, but nothing felt as good as the Jeep... except the ‘13 Limited V8 one in a green similar to yours, which was out of my price range.

BrokenMostWeeks > and 100 more
10/23/2020 at 10:42

What you said is a really good take on things.

I’ll be the first that I have brand fetishes (hello BMW and Jeep especially, Mazda to a lesser extent), but I’ll be the first to admit there are some real steaming piles in each/every brand, and even every individual vehicle has flaws.

I think Jeeps, even though they are objectively bad at a lot of things, have a certain personality or character that makes up for a lot and is a draw.

Even the new ones like your WK2, which is a MUCH better vehicle in every way still just has ‘something’ different, like you said. That’s getting tougher to find these days

3 Jeeps and a Mazda wants a Fiata > BrokenMostWeeks
10/23/2020 at 11:27

Do a selec-trac swap and get the best 4wd system that was never offered, selec-drive!

S65 > BrokenMostWeeks
10/23/2020 at 11:56

I’m like that with my Accord, even though it’s got like 189k and the paints all fucked. The hood is all dented, and the front bumper is all scratched and it bothers me quite a bit. I have half of mine to order a new bumper and hammer out the hood and repaint it even though it’s like a waste of time for something that old.

BrokenMostWeeks > 3 Jeeps and a Mazda wants a Fiata
10/23/2020 at 11:57

I’ve certainly considered doing this...

I love the axles, but the 100% full-time 4wd is annoying in parking lots and has caused some driveline vibes after the lift

I should probably research this swap more. Thanks for reminding me!

3 Jeeps and a Mazda wants a Fiata > BrokenMostWeeks
10/23/2020 at 12:59

Its a pretty straight forward swap, just make sure you take the driveshaft from the donor vehicle as well. I bought mine off a guy who had aquired the parts but got rid of his WJ before doing the swap so he had the shaft with it but it was dented . Denver driveline built me a new one for a really good price in two days. Pretty impressed with their service.

BrokenMostWeeks > 3 Jeeps and a Mazda wants a Fiata
10/23/2020 at 14:14

Well now I’m on the search...
I was getting ready to service the T Case fluid, but why not just throw a whole other box in?!