Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ 

Production period:	1999 to 2004
Body versions:	station wagon
Motors:	Petrol :4.0 – 4.7 litres (140 – 190 kW) Diesel :2.7 – 3.1 Liters (103 – 120 kW)
Length:	1999 – 2000: 4610 mm 2001 – 2003: 4613 mm 2004: 4605 mm
Width:	1999 – 2000: 1836 mm 2001 – 2003: 1844 mm 2004: 1836 mm
Height:	1999 – 2000: 1763 mm 2001 – 2003: 1786 mm 2004: 1763 mm
Wheelbase:	2690 mm
Empty weight:	1881 – 2135 kg

The revised Grand Cherokee WJ or (from manufacturing in Graz for the European market) shared apartment from model year 1999 only had 127 parts in common with its predecessor. The construction was from Porsche Engineering stiffens to achieve lower weight and better steering properties. The spare wheel moved from the side of the cargo area under the cargo space floor, which the buyers greatly appreciated.

The WJ was the first jeep after Chrysler took over the brand in 1987, which instead of the usual 4.5 ″ five-pitch circle for wheel mounting instead of the 4.5 ″ five-pitch circuit that was usual with Jeep. 5 ″ perforated circuits (diameter 127 mm) with five-wheel bolts, which initially follow rear-wheel drive Cars and light truck and vans from GM found, were now also common with Ford vehicles as with Ford LTD (1973 – 1978) and Lincoln-Models. Chrysler used this bolt circle for the first time at the brand Dodge in the model year 1986 at Dodge Ram as a large semi-tonner pickup and at SUV Dodge Ram charger.

A year before replacement, this series of models changed design of the radiator grille and the fog lights (round instead of angular).

From 2002 it became the former Jeep owner Willys-Overland named Overland Top model. From mid-2003, a two-tone, black interior and a navigation system were added to the more lavish interior with „Overland “emblems. The equipment included front and side Airbags, an Infinity Sound system with changer for ten CDs, heated and electrically adjustable front seats, an electrically operated sunroof, a steering wheel in leather-wood finish and 17 ″ aluminium wheels. Equipped with the 4.7-liter high-performance machine as standard, it was also available with a common rail diesel engine.

The four-wheel drive which is available on request and automatically switches on Quadra drive “. this had three liquid couplings. At that time, it was one of the few all-wheel drive systems that had more than three Exclusion differentials and the only fully automatic one. Otherwise offered next to the Unimog from Mercedes-Benz only those as well as the flat share in Graz Magna Steyr manufactured Off-road vehicle Mercedes-Benz G model and Steyr 100% lockable differentials on axles and cardan shaft.

Special models

• 2002 – 2003: sport, above that Laredo positioned with a special two-tone black interior,
• 2002 – 2004: Special Edition first like one Limited with smooth plastic planks throughout and with 4.7 l V8 engine, later also with richer interior fittings such as a CD changer installed in the cargo hold,
• 2003 – 2004: Columbia Edition with the usual equipment of the other special models and also a two-tone interior Columbia sports have Emblems and a navigation system for an additional charge,
• 2004 – 2005: Vision Series, limited to 333 pieces, like Overland, additionally with Aluminum trim strips outside and inside, navigation system, parking assistant and a badge in the interior with engraved production number,
• 2004 – 2005: Final Edition, how Overland with decorative strips outside in car color and inside made of wood and also a auxiliary heater from Webasto.

engines

The two V8 engines of the previous model (ohv) replaced a modern V8 engine with aluminum motor block and above Camshafts (ohc), called Power tech. It was lighter, consumed significantly less petrol with the same power and higher torque. The Chrysler 45RFE automatic transmission used here was remarkable: it has three planetary sets instead of the one usual for 4-speed automatic transmissions. This theoretically enabled six stages, making the transmission the first 6-speed automatic to be produced in series; however, it was programmed so that only five stages could be used. Four steps were used for normal driving, an additional second step took action when switching down. Although five of the six possible translations were used, Chrysler decided to call the transmission „4-speed automatic “. Only later was the longest translation activated by software update. Henceforth the designation was 545RF.

The 3.1-liter turbo diesel available in Europe from 1999 alone was combined with Detroit Diesel and VM Motori developed. It has an electronic injection pump, an electronically controlled, vacuum-operated exhaust gas recirculation and a special catalyst for Nitric Oxide-Reduction. In Cento in Italy 13,000 pieces were manufactured annually. Its exhaust gas behaviour corresponded to the EURO I standard. It was equipped with an electronically controlled four-stage automatic transmission. From 2002 it was replaced by a variant of the 2.7-liter five-cylinder engine known from the Mercedes 270 CDI. The 120 kW (163 hp) here Common rail-Diesel engine delivers a maximum of 400 Nm and, with 10 l / 100 km, enables a much lower consumption than the predecessor. A five-stage automatic transmission of Mercedes-Benz.

Further production in China since 2006

The Beijing Jeep Corporation, the old one since 1984 Cherokee XJ manufactured, acquired the WJ production facilities in 2004 after the WK was introduced. After the plants were rebuilt in 2006, the WJ was used for the Chinese market Jeep 4000 and Jeep 4700 (with 4.0-l – R6 – engine and 4.7-l – V8 – engine including high-performance special models). It became the top model of Beijing and resembled that in appearance and decor Limited from 2004 including chassis, all-wheel drive systems, plastic planks in car colour, aluminium wheels, sound systems and automatic climate control. This was different from the Cherokee XJ, which Beijing Jeep had changed significantly for the Chinese market.