Thoughts on a Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005

[Wiscoballer]

Hey,

Looking for a few people who may have owned a 2005/2006 Grand Cherokee. Looking at picking up one in the next month, looking for a 3.7L Laredo 4x4. Not really looking to modify it, as the Quadra-Trac 1 system is fine by me. I like the 3.7L as it seems to have proven itself as a solid motor in the Libertys and Grand Cherokees, and will also be my DD.

[GLHNSLHT2]

a 3.7 in a Grand has to be horrible. It's only adequate in my g/f's liberty.

[RoadWarrior222]

More power and torque than the old i6 4.0 and not a whole lot behind the 90s 5.2 V8

If you're not used to tall vehicles, they feel slower due to being higher off the road.

[GLHNSLHT2]

Has nothing to do with perception. If I don't get the reaction time and beat cars with that it's not likely going to happen. I couldn't imagine adding more weight to what it has to pull around. Sure it has more power than a 4.0, barely. And in a liberty it's lugging around 500-1000 more pounds that it was in a old cherokee. Add more weight that the grand has and you're even more screwed.

for a tall vehicle the thing corners awesome. It's amazing how hard I can rip through the corners in it. But it's still turdish on the straights. 17.0's in the 1/4 all day long though got me a trophy when I raced it in the brackets.

[Stevien1]

The 3.7 is a good motor, but with three timing chains flinging around, it really taxes the engine oil. If the previous owner(s) were not good about having it changed, the engine will sludge. Listen for a sharp rattle upon startup- early stages of timing chain tensioner failure. These engines warp cyl head deck surfaces like mad if you even think about overheating it. Aside of those two issues, it is a decent engine. But as stated before, it's PAINFULLY slow in a Grand Cherokee and downright scary in a Commander.

Don't expect gas mileage to do better than 16 or 17 combined. If you can swing the extra $$$, hold out for a 4.7 or 5.7 model instead- it's worth it especially if your commute involves expressway driving.

[Wiscoballer]

My mom has a Commander with the 4.7L. Don't care for the engine at all, as it seems to be slower than just about everything else I have driven. I have driven Libertys with the 3.7L, and I don't mind it at all, but if the 5.7L will get the same milage, then I know it is a proven engine. Any idea what was done to the 5.7L in the last few years? I see the 2005 5.7L is 250 HP, and I know the 2012 5.7L is 370 HP.

[Stevien1]

The 05-08 5.7 is rated at 330hp - 340hp and the 09-current is rated 370hp - 390hp depending upon application. The 09 and newer is referred to as the Eagle motor, as that was the internal name of development project at Chrysler. It has variable camshaft timing, larger exhaust ports ( similar to the 6.1), a revised intake manifold, and a few other improvements as far as gaskets and valve spring durability. It's real enjoyable engine to drive, plenty of midrange passing umph.

The older 5.7 is still an awesome package and easily modified into whatever you want/money will allow. IIRC, high mileage is 17-18, but city mileage is like 14-15.

Your mom's Commander is several hundred pounds heavier than a GC, so that's not a fair comparison. It would be like having a GC and hauling around 3 football players, or something like that!

[Turbo3Iroc]

A 5.7 was never rated as low as 250 hp. It is probably a misprint for a 4.7 or 350 hp. I don't know what the hemi or 4.7 were rated for in the Jeeps in that year but those are pretty close to other ratings they have had. My 2004 5.7 is rated at 345 for example.

The 3.7 in a GC isn't that bad. My mom has one also. The Quadra-Trac in it is great. Yes it isn't going to win you any drag races but the motor seems to be proven if you maintain it.

[Wiscoballer]

what does your truck get for gas milage? I noticed the trucks and jeeps are very simmilar when it comes to gas milage ratings

[Turbo3Iroc]

It is primarily a tow/trip vehicle for me so I rarely run a full tank out of it without taking a trip. It was rated at 13-17 on the sticker and I can usually get 1-2 mpg better than the highway rating but my last trip to Carlisle only netted about 16.5. Towing varies and gets better the farther from home I get. I got an overall of 14 mpg to Detroit and back.