1999-2004
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE: A BUYER’S GUIDE:
INTRODUCTION:
The Jeep Grand Cherokee was one of the most popular SUV’s
of the 1990’s. In 1999, Jeep decided to redesign its flagship midsized SUV,
dubbed the “WJ” generation. Sharing only about 127 parts with its “ZJ” predecessor
(mostly bolts and fasteners), the all-new Grand Cherokee was also dubbed “The
Most Capable Sport Utility Ever”. This version of the Grand Cherokee sold so
well, that it remained largely unchanged until 2004, when the all-new 2005 Jeep
Grand Cherokee “WK” replaced it.
TRIM
LEVELS:
Throughout
the 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee “WJ”’s lifespan, it was offered in many
different trim levels. The two main trim levels were the Laredo and the Limited,
both of which were offered throughout the Grand Cherokee’s lifespan, from
1999-2004. The Laredo served as the base trim level. Still, it offered many
creature comforts that were still only options on its competitors. Those
features were an A/M-F/M stereo with cassette player (later, a single-disc CD
player), six speakers, sixteen-inch alloy wheels, cloth seating surfaces, a
keyless entry system with two remotes, power front driver’s seat, split-folding
rear 60/40 bench seat, and the tried-and-true 4.0-liter high-output “Power-
Tech” inline six-cylinder engine, making 195 horsepower and 220 lb. ft. of
torque, paired to a four-speed automatic transmission. Still, the Laredo trim
level offered options, such as a stereo with cassette and single-disc CD
players, a premium Infinity Gold 120-watt sound system with six speakers,
security system, leather seating surfaces, dual power front seats, heated front
seats, a power sunroof, and other features that allowed a Grand Cherokee buyer
to option up their vehicle to luxury specifications, without having to upgrade
to the Limited trim level. The Limited trim level offered an even greater
amount of luxury features to even the most demanding buyers, such as an A/M-F/M
stereo with cassette player and ten-disc remote CD changer (later, cassette and
single-disc CD players with remote ten-disc CD changer), a premium 120-watt Infinity
Gold sound system with six speakers, leather seating surfaces, dual power front
seats with driver’s two-person memory system, a security system, and more. Also
offered on the Limited were a stereo with cassette and single-disc CD player
(this became standard equipment later), a power sunroof, heated front seats,
and gold-painted trim accents on the sixteen-inch alloy wheels and side
cladding panels (this option was later discontinued). Beginning in 2002, an
Overland trim level was offered, adding even more luxury items to the already
well-equipped Limited trim level. Adding feature such as an A/M-F/M stereo with
cassette and single-disc CD player and remote ten-disc CD changer, chrome-clad
seventeen-inch alloy wheels, a power sunroof, heated dual front seats, a
4.7-liter high-output “Power-Tech” V8 engine that produced 250 horsepower and
305 lb. ft. of torque, and a five-speed automatic transmission with
Quadra-Drive all-time four-wheel-drive. About the only option offered on the
Overland trim level were side-impact SRS airbags for the front and rear seats
(this option was also offered for both the Laredo and Limited trim levels,
starting in 2002). Power-adjustable foot pedals were also available on all trim
levels, starting in 2002.
SPECIAL
EDITIONS:
There
were also many special editions offered throughout the production years of the
Jeep Grand Cherokee “WJ”. The 60TH Anniversary Edition was one of
the first, adding many desirable features onto the already well-equipped
Limited trim level, while celebrating Jeep’s 60TH anniversary in
2001 (this edition was only offered for 2001). Some of the features were heated
front seats, seventeen-inch chrome-clad alloy wheels, power sunroof, and
special 60TH Anniversary Edition badges. The Sport, priced below the
Laredo trim level, was only available for 2002. It offered prospective buyers
the options that they would otherwise have to add onto the Laredo trim level,
such as an A/M-F/M stereo with cassette and single-disc CD players, a 120-watt
Infinity Gold premium sound system with six speakers, leather seating surfaces,
dual power front seats, heated front seats, a power sunroof, security system,
and more. Cloth seating surfaces were also available on the Sport package, as
was an option to delete the standard power sunroof. The Special Edition was
offered from 2002-2004, and added many desirable features to the Laredo trim
level, such as a 120-watt Infinity Gold premium sound system with six speakers,
power dual front seats, a security alarm, and body-color side cladding panels
and front and rear bumpers. Available on the Special Edition package were
options such as leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, a power sunroof,
a stereo with cassette and single-disc CD players, and other options. The
Freedom Edition was offered from 2003-2004, and added desirable options onto
the Laredo trim level. These options were an A/M-F/M stereo with cassette and
single-disc CD players, a 120-watt Infinity Gold premium sound system with six
speakers, power dual front seats, and seventeen-inch graphite-finished alloy
wheels. A power sunroof was about the only option offered on the Freedom
Edition. Finally, the Columbia Edition was offered only in 2004. It added
styling cues onto the Laredo trim level, such as silver-painted front and rear
bumpers and side cladding panels, an A/M-F/M stereo with cassette and
single-disc CD players, two-tone cloth seating surfaces with ‘Columbia Edition’
embroidery, seventeen-inch alloy wheels, a security alarm, and more. The only
options offered on the Columbia Edition were a 120-watt Infinity Gold premium
sound system with six speakers, a power sunroof, side-impact SRS airbags for
the front and rear seats, and power-adjustable foot pedals. Buyers of the
Columbia Edition received a complimentary Columbia parka through Jeep’s
partnership with the Columbia Sportswear Company.
ENGINES,
TRANSMISSIONS, AND 4WD SYSTEMS:
The
Jeep Grand Cherokee “WJ” offered three main engine choices during its
production run from 1999-2004. The first was the tried-and-true 4.0-liter “Power-Tech”
high-output inline six-cylinder engine, making 195 horsepower and 220 lb. ft.
of torque, and paired to a four-speed automatic transmission. It was available
with all Grand Cherokee trim levels, of all years, except for the Overland trim
level. The second engine that was available was the 4.7-liter “Power-Tech”
high-output V8 engine, making 235 horsepower and 305 lb. ft. of torque, and
paired to a five-speed automatic transmission. It was available with all Grand Cherokee
trim levels, of all years, except for the Overland trim level. Finally, a 4.7L “Power-Tech”
high-output V8 engine, making 250 horsepower and 305 lb. ft. of torque, and
paired to a five-speed automatic transmission, was available between 2002 and
2004, and was offered on the Limited and Overland trim levels. Rear-wheel-drive,
or two-wheel-drive, was offered on the Grand Cherokee “WJ”, though Selec-Trac,
Quadra-Trac, and Quadra-Drive four-wheel-drive systems were available.
PRICING
FOR A USED 1999-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE “WJ”:
There
is an excellent point about the 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee “WJ”’s: they can
be obtained for very cheaply. You should expect to pay $2,500 for a 1999 Laredo
trim level in fair condition, to all the way up to $11,500 for a 2004 Overland
trim level in excellent condition. Check eBay, Craigslist, dealership lots of
both new and used car dealerships, and auto auctions throughout the United
States. Vincent from Vincent’s Auto Reviews recently purchased a 2002 Jeep
Grand Cherokee Laredo for $3,500 off of Craigslist that was in good condition.
As soon as you find the right 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee “WJ” for you, go
ahead and make your purchase, and you’ll be very happy you did.
-Vincent D., Vincent’s Auto Reviews
