Jeep · 1998–2005

Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ)

The Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ) is the second generation of the Jeep Grand Cherokee sport utility vehicle. Unveiled in Detroit, Michigan, on June 16, 1998, production lasted until 2004 in the US, continuing in foreign markets until 2005. The WJ was completely overhauled from its ZJ predecessor and was renowned for its off-road capability. Jeep marketed the (WJ) as "the most capable SUV ever."

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ) · Successor: Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK)

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Background

Unveiled at Detroit, MI Cobo Hall on June 16, 1998, the redesigned WJ 1999 Grand Cherokee shared just 127 parts with its predecessor (mostly fasteners) and took 28 months to develop from its March 1996 design freeze (styling approval in Q3 1995). The spare tire was relocated from the side of the cargo compartment to under the floor. The two heavy pushrod V8 engines were replaced by Chrysler's then-new PowerTech. The new V8 engine produced less torque than the old pushrods, but was lighter, offered better fuel economy, and provided similar on-road performance figures (the 23-gallon fuel tank was replaced with one of a 20.5-gallon capacity). The Inline 6 engine was also updated for MY1999. A redesign of the intake manifold added 10 horsepower (7.5 kW). While other Jeep vehicles used the Mopar 5 x 4.5 bolt circle, this was the first Jeep following the 1987 Chrysler buyout to receive a wider wheel bolt pattern: – 5 x 5 - (metric 5 x 127mm). A notable feature available in this generation was the automatic four-wheel-drive option called Quadra-Drive, which employed the New Venture Gear NV247 transfer case. This two-speed chain-driven transfer case uses a gerotor, a clutch pack coupled to a hydraulic pump, to transfer torque between the front and rear axles. The transfer case contains three modes: 4-All Time, Neutral, and 4-Lo. In 4-All Time, 100% of torque is sent to the rear axle in normal conditions. If the rear axle starts spinning at a higher rate than the front axle, hydraulic pressure builds up in the gerotor and causes the clutch pack to progressively transfer torque to the front axle until both axles return to the same speed. Neutral mode is intended for towing the vehicle. In 4-Lo, the front and rear axles are locked together through a 2.72 reduction gear ratio. The

New features

The first-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ) offered many new and class-exclusive features, and the second-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ continued to offer new features that were not yet available on its competitors, such as the Chevrolet Blazer and Ford Explorer. At the time of its release, the all-new 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ had many standard and optional features that were class-exclusive. HomeLink allowed the driver to program up to three devices, such as garage door openers, estate gates, and other controlled access devices, and operate those devices with buttons located in the overhead console. A state-of-the-art automatic dual-zone climate control system used infrared sensors located in the climate control panel to monitor the surface temperature of both driver and front passenger to automatically control the interior temperature for both front passengers. The Jeep Memory System allowed for two drivers to set their individual driver's seat, side mirror, and radio setting by using buttons located on the front driver's door interior panel to recall their preferred settings at the touch of a button, or upon insertion of the corresponding key into the ignition (the keyless entry remotes were color-coded either black or gray, and had either a '1' or '2' on the back of the remote to help the drivers easily identify their remote). For the 2002 model year, the Grand Cherokee WJ received its first mid-cycle refresh. This included the introduction of three new models: a value-oriented Sport, the Laredo-based Special Edition, and the new range-topping Overland. A new 4.7L High-Output Power Tech V8 gasoline engine became available on Limited models, and was standard on Overland. All models receive new radios, which included a standard A/M-F/M stereo radio with a sin

Yearly changes

1999 - 1999 saw the introduction of the all-new, second-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ. While similar in dimensions and style to the first-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ), the WJ Grand Cherokee featured a more modern exterior design and an all-new interior. While the 4.0L "Power-Tech" Inline Six-Cylinder (I6) engine and 42RE four-speed automatic transmission both carried over from the previous-generation model, the previous 5.2L "Magnum" V8 engine was replaced by an all-new 4.7L "Power-Tech" V8 engine, which was mated to the all-new 45RFE four-speed automatic transmission (the 5.9L "Magnum" V8 engine was dropped after the 1998 model year). The spare tire and wheel were relocated from the left side of the rear cargo area to underneath the cargo floor. This decreased on available cargo space, but made it easier to access the spare tire and wheel. 2000 - Having been fully redesigned for the 1999 model year, the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee received minimal changes. However, the 4.7L "Power-Tech" V8 engine's 45RFE four-speed automatic transmission was replaced by the 545RFE five-speed automatic transmission. Finally, the base Laredo "D" Package was discontinued, which meant that the Laredo model now included the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) with an overhead console as standard equipment. 2001 - For 2001, a 60th Anniversary Edition Jeep Grand Cherokee, based on the Limited model, celebrated the Brand's sixtieth anniversary. A new New England Edition Package for the base Laredo added seventeen-inch tires and "Silverblade" aluminum-alloy wheels, a combination A/M-F/M stereo radio with cassette and CD players, and a power-adjustable front driver's seat to the base model. Another new package for the Laredo included the same feature content, but also added "Roy

Models

The Laredo served as the base Grand Cherokee trim level from August 1998 to 2004, and still continues to be the base Grand Cherokee trim level to this day. The Laredo offered these features as standard equipment: the 4.0L Power-Tech I6 engine, a four-speed automatic transmission, sixteen-inch alloy wheels, an AM/FM stereo with cassette and CD player (1998-2001) or CD players (2001-2004), wood interior trim (1998-2000) or aluminum interior trim (2000-2004), keyless entry, power windows and door locks, cloth seating surfaces, air conditioning, a split-folding 60/40 rear bench seat, gray-painted front and rear bumpers and body-side cladding trim panels, and more. After MY1999, the Laredo 26D Package was dropped, leaving the Laredo 26E/28E Packages as the base Grand Cherokee packages, and adding a standard overhead Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC/VIC) and overhead console. Many features that were available on the luxurious Limited trim could also be optioned on the base Laredo trim. For 2001 only, a New England Special Group was available for Grand Cherokees equipped with the 26E Package. The package, which was indicated by the sales code ACJ, added features to the base model Grand Cherokee such as P235/65R17 BSW all-season performance tires, seventeen-inch sport alloy wheels (both options of which were also available with the 26S and 28S Packages), an AM/FM stereo with cassette and CD players with integrated remote CD changer controls, and a 3.73 rear axle ratio. The New England Special Group was available exclusively in select Northeastern states. The Limited served as the top-of-the-line Grand Cherokee trim level from 1998 to 2001, and the more "luxurious" Grand Cherokee trim level from 2001 to 2004. It added these features: color-keyed body-side trim claddin

Chinese production

Beijing Jeep Corporation, Ltd. produced the XJ classic Cherokee from 1984 to 2005. Beijing Jeep bought the old tooling for the WJ Grand Cherokee when the WK was introduced for the U.S. as a 2005 model. The WJ was introduced at the end of 2004 for the Chinese market as the Jeep 4000 and 4700 Grand Cherokee and carries differing engine names compared to their foreign counterparts, known as C698QA1 for the 6 cylinder and C8V93Q for the V8. A 4-speed automatic gearbox was standard on the 6-cylinder, while the V8 had a 5-speed automatic gearbox. Pricing ranges from 358,000 and 496,000 yuan (53,480 to US$74,090) with four trim levels. It was their flagship model and nearly identical to the 2004 Grand Cherokee Limited in looks and equipment, including the solid axle suspension, choice of 4WD systems, body color cladding, alloy wheels, Chrysler sound systems, and Chrysler automatic climate controls. This is unlike the XJ Cherokee, which was significantly modified by Beijing Jeep for the Chinese market.

Engines

=== Detroit Diesel/VM Motori === The 3.1 liter turbo-diesel on the 1999 Grand Cherokee was developed in conjunction with Detroit Diesel/VM Motori. It has an electronic injection pump, electronically controlled, vacuum-actuated exhaust gas recirculation and a special catalyst to control oxides of nitrogen (NOx). It was manufactured in Cento, Italy, at 13,000 units per year. It was available in European models and met the European stage III emissions. Displacement: 3,124 cc (191 cu in) Power: 104 kW (141 PS; 139 bhp) Torque: 367 N⋅m (271 lb⋅ft) Transmission: Four-speed electronically controlled automatic

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ)

Manufacturer

Jeep (DaimlerChrysler)

Production

July 17, 1998–May 21, 2004 (North America), 1999–2005 (Europe), 2004–2005 (China)

Model years

1999–2004 (North America), 2000–2005 (Europe)

Assembly

Detroit, Michigan, United States (JNAP), Graz, Austria (Magna Steyr), Córdoba, Argentina, Valencia, Venezuela (Carabobo Assembly), Beijing, China (Beijing Jeep)

Designer

Tom Gale, Brandon Faroute (1995)

Engine

4.0 L AMC 242 I6, 4.7 L Chrysler PowerTech V8 , 4.7 L Chrysler PowerTech HO V8, 3.1 L VM Motori 531 OHV TD I5, 2.7 L Mercedes-Benz OM612 Turbo CRD I5, China, 4.0 L C698QA1 I6, 4.7 L C8V93Q V8

Transmission

4-speed 42RE automatic, 4-speed 45RFE automatic, 5-speed 545RFE automatic

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive

Wheelbase

105.9 in

Length

1999–2000: 181.5 in, 2001-03: 181.6 in, 2004: 181.3 in

Width

1999–2000 & 2004: 72.3 in , 2001–03: 72.6 in

Height

1999–2000 & 2004: 69.4 in , 2001–03: 70.3 in

Kerb weight

Laredo 2WD (4.0) 3786 lb , Laredo 2WD (4.7) 3863 lb , Limited 2WD (4.0) 3895 lb , Limited 2WD (4.7) 3964 lb , Limited 2WD (4.7 H.O.) 3999 lb , Laredo 4WD (4.0) 3970 lb , Laredo 4WD (4.7) 4041 lb , Limited 4WD (4.0) 4072 lb , Limited 4WD (4.7) 4147 lb , Limited 4WD (4.7 H.O.) 4206 lb , Overland 4WD (4.7 H.O.) 4364 lb

Related

Jeep Liberty, Jeep Wrangler

Predecessor

Grand Cherokee ZJ

Successor

Grand Cherokee WK, Jeep Commander (XK)

aka

Beijing Jeep 4000 (4.0 L I6) or Beijing Jeep 4700 (4.7 L V8) (in China)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15977233CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Grand_Cherokee_(WJ)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1353397512 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jeep_Grand_Cherokee_WJ_34h.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: see file page · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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