WJ goodies and pitfalls?

[IndyXJ]

I'm casually thinking about getting rid of my 06 Cobalt. After being in it for 4.5 years and loving my 05 WK, I just want something bigger again, 4x4...gas mileage be ****ed. No, I can't get a TJ and the XJ's at this juncture are either over priced for their mileage or too beat up in my brief ad looking.

What are some issues with WJ's to look for? I'm leaning towards the 2002-2004 model years. The 4.7 would be nice, but a 6 is fine too.

Don, I think you have had yours for a while and I see you have a thread of your own now, lol.

Anyway, thanks for any info.

Bill

[Don]

Hey Bill....... 4.7L or 4.0L isn't a big factor one way or the other. Both engines seem pretty hard to kill. I personally, prefer the 4.0L but that is just me. I ordered and waited for my WJ to be built. I took delivery on February 29, 2000 (leap Year) and it currently has 165,000 miles on the clock approximately.

Here is a laundry list of what I have done to mine, and notes about common issues that may not apply to the Laredo model.

Water pump = replaced 2 times

Electric fans = replaced 1 time

Radiator = replaced once? maybe twice ? as I think first time OEM was only thing available.

Front CV axle shafts = replaced once (Vari lock axle shafts - Quadra drive - non serviceable joints)

Front CV driveshaft = replaced 1 time. (non serviceable joints)

Heater core, AC -evap = replaced 1 time. Very common problem. Auto climate control models also have blend door issues (does apply to Laredo).

Stutter in front brakes very common problem, cheap fix is non OEM drilled rotors.

Crankshaft sensor = replaced 1 time (last week - first time my WJ has ever been towed)

Repaired wires that run from kick panel to driver side door, wire breaks, causes issues with electric windows & locks.. free fix, just requires labor, electrical tape & piece of wire.

The WJ's also have strange issues with tail lights working once they get a little age to OEM lights. Fix is to simply replace lights (housing, not bulbs) as ground wire in plastic gets old and works/doesn't work whenever it decides. A pair of new lights are about $75.00. I have also replaced both front headlights as they fog up with age. I think a pair of headlights (housing, not bulbs) was $75.00..

Driver's seat back broke, welded back...... zero cost to me.

Driver's seat track broke - replaced track.

Jeeps, esp. WJ's are really picky about having a good ground at the battery. If your ground isn't good, you will have funky gauge readings such as tac showing reading of 4K with engine not running.

Oil sending unit, temp sending unit, are typical issue as on other Jeeps. I have replaced both.

Like any vehicle with an automatic transmission, once you get about 150,000 on the clock, the transmission becomes suspect. Mine is still working fine. However, I have been told by a transmission shop that my days of pulling a trailer are over if I want to buy some time before I have to have transmission rebuilt. Having to have a transmission rebuild in a WJ is a common issue.

If you are doing to daily drive the Jeep in snow & ice, you will love the Quadra Drive (all time 4 wheel drive system) as this sucker doesn't even blink on slick roads. My Wife's XJ does good on slick roads, but it doesn't even compare to the Quadra Drive on slick roads. However, if you are going to go with bigger tires and off road it, you will want a part time TC or you will want to convert to a part time system (common modification)as the part time system uses normal u-joints on the front axle shafts and the part time TC is stronger than full time for use with big tires and off road abuse.

Like the XJ's, putting tow hooks on this vehicle, isn't as easy as it would seem and can be expensive. My WJ has the "UP Country" package which included metric version of 30 inch tires, skids and tow hooks, but I think they discontinued the U.C. package in 2002?

Unlike the TJ's, and XJ's, the parts for WJ, are just now starting to come down some. When I replaced the heater core in the XJ's it was a $50.00 part. When I first looked at parts to replaced the heater core in the WJ it was closer to $150.00. By time I actually ordered the parts, it was under $100.00 Also, unlike the XJ's and TJ's, the WJ is harder to work on. I still turn the wrench, but repairs aren't as simple or straight forward as they would be on a TJ, or XJ.

[IndyXJ]

Thanks for all the info. I have QDII on the WK and know what you mean. It would be a daily. I have done 2-3 of those XJ towhook installs, know what you mean.
There have been some Overlands that sure look nice that I'm giving a second glance too as well.
Since this winter has not been mild, I'm ready to move on from a normal car.

[IndyXJ]

I know, old thread I created...but... found a 04 I6 with the Select Trac Pt 4, full 4 , 2 hi and 4 lo selectable. 64K miles! Dealer is asking 11400, but I wonder what the real world talked down price could be? This will just be replacing my reliable Cobalt SS who has served me well after 5 years. I ran the numbers thru kbb which was almost exact, but since I haven't bought used in a while, I don't know how much I can get them to take off. Again, just entertaining this since winter is coming again. YOu still have your 99 Don?