Tow Vehicle Project: decision matrix rationale

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Re: Tow Vehicle Project: decision matrix rationale

Postby working on it » Wed Sep 10, 2014 1:06 pm

What years of GC do you consider to have good trannys, and does that apply to w/ 4.0 or w/ 4.7 engines or both. I see more Grand Cherokees popping up around here, so that may be what I have to get. One Cherokee I've noticed has a salvage title...since no "frame", just unibody, should I steer clear of it if the rail is dented?
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Re: Tow Vehicle Project: decision matrix rationale

Postby MtnDon » Wed Sep 10, 2014 1:16 pm

working on it wrote: One Cherokee I've noticed has a salvage title...



personally I would steer clear of that. You have no true idea of why it was disposed of as salvage in the first place. But that is just my opinion...
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Re: Tow Vehicle Project: decision matrix rationale

Postby Gold5one » Sat Sep 20, 2014 10:05 pm

I personally don't like the Grand Cherokee very much as there have been a lot of recalls on it over the years. I believe around 2006 they redesigned the rear axle and it turned out to be a bad design- Fiat fixed it in 2010.
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Re: Tow Vehicle Project: decision matrix rationale

Postby working on it » Mon Sep 22, 2014 9:32 pm

Gold5one wrote:I personally don't like the Grand Cherokee very much as there have been a lot of recalls on it over the years. I believe around 2006 they redesigned the rear axle and it turned out to be a bad design- Fiat fixed it in 2010.
So, if I am to consider the Grand Cherokee, I should focus on the years '98-'05 ? I see some ?fair? prospects out there, but now I have to dispose of the Chevelle first, and make some room for the project. But the workload grows, time is growing shorter, and I am itching to begin...frustrating!!!
2013 HHRv "squareback/squaredrop", rugged, 4x8 TTT, 2225 lbs
  • *3500 lb Dexter EZ-Lube braked axle, 3000 lb.springs, active-progressive bumpstop suspension
  • *27 x 8.5-14LT AT tires (x 3) *Weight Distribution system for single-beam tongue
  • *100% LED's & GFCI outlets, 3x fans, AM/FM/CD/Aux. *A/C & heat, Optima AGM, inverter & charger(s)
  • *extended-run, on-board, 2500w generator *Coleman dual-fuel stove & lantern, Ikea grill, vintage skillet
  • *zinc/stainless front & side racks *98"L x 6" diameter rod & reel carrier tube on roof
173193172890148599
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Re: Tow Vehicle Project: decision matrix rationale

Postby Gold5one » Sun Oct 26, 2014 9:29 pm

The 2001-2004 Grand Cherokee with the 4.7L engine is a good one- It has the 5 speed transmisson-
the 4.0L engine is also available in those years, not as smooth, less power and only a 4 speed tranny- - it was the cheapest RWD tranny they made back then. ( they put a better tranny in the Wranglers)
If it was me, I would want the 4.7L and 5 speed- it has a extra kickdown 1.50 2nd gear that comes in handy on hills- gives you about a 200 rpm bump up, just enough extra power without the huge downshift to the regular2nd gear 1.67 ratio. I had that 4.7L engine/tranny in my Ram truck that I towed a 6000lb 5th wheel with- and across the rockies, too.
"the slow road has the most adventure"
Mark

2022- Trek Freedom camper- journal
viewtopic.php?f=50&t=74522

Weekender-XL build journal
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=61445
sold-2018
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