Hi all, I'm considering buying a grand cherokee (3.1 diesel)2001, and would be really grateful for any info on the car.I tow a twin axle (1640 kg)and was wondering how the auto box will fair.having read lots of negitive stuff about the car I thought it would be good to get a better insight into the car.many thanks.............Mark
Jeep Grand Cherokee
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- Nov 23, 2006
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Mark, I tow an ace supreme sunstar - twin axle at 1792Kg with my 04 plate 2.7 CDR Grand Cherokee auto. The car handles the tow very well although on rare occasions does feel a little underpowered on steep inclines. On long towes the cruise control is a god send. Fuel consumption is reasonable and the handling is assured. When using the car around town it is a pleasure to drive.
Overall I would not hesitate to purchase another cherokee!
Good Luck, Colin
Overall I would not hesitate to purchase another cherokee!
Good Luck, Colin
I have recently changed my 4 litre Grand Cherokee for an ML. The Jeep is, to be fair, an excellent towcar. Very stable, more than powerful enough, and supremely comfortable.
Downside is as Bazza says, the auto kicks down to 3rd when the car easily has the power to maintain O/D.
Most of the negative stuff you've heard is probably true. The electronics in the Jeeps seem to have a mind of their own. The rear slipper diffs tend to slip less and less until the crown wheel strips the teeth from the pinion wheel. Gearbox torque converters tend to drain during long spells in O/D then rattle like a bag of nails at kickdown. And I've had one throw a piston through the block for no other reason than being badly cast.
Every car can have its problems but there is a saying in America that "(whatever the subject matter) is almost as unreliable as a Jeep".
Having said that, I loved mine. Would I have another?
No.
Downside is as Bazza says, the auto kicks down to 3rd when the car easily has the power to maintain O/D.
Most of the negative stuff you've heard is probably true. The electronics in the Jeeps seem to have a mind of their own. The rear slipper diffs tend to slip less and less until the crown wheel strips the teeth from the pinion wheel. Gearbox torque converters tend to drain during long spells in O/D then rattle like a bag of nails at kickdown. And I've had one throw a piston through the block for no other reason than being badly cast.
Every car can have its problems but there is a saying in America that "(whatever the subject matter) is almost as unreliable as a Jeep".
Having said that, I loved mine. Would I have another?
No.
Forgot to say I used mine to tow a 2 tonne Hobby.I have recently changed my 4 litre Grand Cherokee for an ML. The Jeep is, to be fair, an excellent towcar. Very stable, more than powerful enough, and supremely comfortable.
Downside is as Bazza says, the auto kicks down to 3rd when the car easily has the power to maintain O/D.
Most of the negative stuff you've heard is probably true. The electronics in the Jeeps seem to have a mind of their own. The rear slipper diffs tend to slip less and less until the crown wheel strips the teeth from the pinion wheel. Gearbox torque converters tend to drain during long spells in O/D then rattle like a bag of nails at kickdown. And I've had one throw a piston through the block for no other reason than being badly cast.
Every car can have its problems but there is a saying in America that "(whatever the subject matter) is almost as unreliable as a Jeep".
Having said that, I loved mine. Would I have another?
No.
Hi Mark like colin we have an 04 Grand Cherokee 2.7 CRD towing a super sirocco at 1900 kg and it is an excellent tow vehicle and have had no problems up to press but I would recomend the 2.7 to the 3.1 as it is a much better engine with more power and we find once into 5th it generally stays there and if you look at the current 3.0 is even better still.
- Dec 27, 2006
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As Colin says the 2.7 is prefereable to the 3.1 a lot smoother and the 3.0 is the finest. we tow a 1700kg Delta with our 3.0V6 CRD and it will happilly hold 60 towing with no effort. i know swveral others with the 2.7 and they are very capable towers. Running costs can be high though.
- Feb 15, 2006
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- Dec 27, 2006
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Hi Roy
Glad you like the V6, as you say it is a completely different beast especially when towing. You have to drive it to fully appreciate it, especially with the van on the back.
by the way is yours a silver V6?
Glad you like the V6, as you say it is a completely different beast especially when towing. You have to drive it to fully appreciate it, especially with the van on the back.
by the way is yours a silver V6?
del,
Its magnesium,so they say.I had a silver 3.7 v6 petrol with all the extras (side bars front bars light protectors etc/etc)so went for a change.I think the silver one does not quite look such a lump,dark colours seem larger.
The petrol was ok but 12 mpg towing and only 18.5 max solo,it just had to go as I do 25+k per year.
Previously had the mk2 4ltr 6cyl.no complaints at all.Must be a jEEP NUT.
Roy
Its magnesium,so they say.I had a silver 3.7 v6 petrol with all the extras (side bars front bars light protectors etc/etc)so went for a change.I think the silver one does not quite look such a lump,dark colours seem larger.
The petrol was ok but 12 mpg towing and only 18.5 max solo,it just had to go as I do 25+k per year.
Previously had the mk2 4ltr 6cyl.no complaints at all.Must be a jEEP NUT.
Roy
- Dec 27, 2006
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Roy
Reason I ask is I have only seen about 4 other of the current Grand Cherokees towing and all have been silver, and all but 1 has been towing twin axles. Cant understand why more people dont tow with them.
Reason I ask is I have only seen about 4 other of the current Grand Cherokees towing and all have been silver, and all but 1 has been towing twin axles. Cant understand why more people dont tow with them.
- Nov 2, 2007
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Hi Mark,
The 3.1 can be a bit thirsty especialy if you run the air con, there are alot of electrics to go wrong "windows" and I had a devil of a time with the bonnet support, and an air bag light that kept comming on. I had mine for towing Bailey Pagent at the time until it fell to bits ! I must say ive got a motorhome now and its a far better option, hope this is of help.
The 3.1 can be a bit thirsty especialy if you run the air con, there are alot of electrics to go wrong "windows" and I had a devil of a time with the bonnet support, and an air bag light that kept comming on. I had mine for towing Bailey Pagent at the time until it fell to bits ! I must say ive got a motorhome now and its a far better option, hope this is of help.
- Jun 26, 2006
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Hi Mark
I had a 3.1 Grand Cherokee for about 2 1/2 months and slung it back at the Dealer just before the 3 months warranty was up. He had the car for a longer time than me! Ended up he had to replace the engine before he could sell it on and then couldn't get one! The heart ruled the head when I bought it - lovely motor, so luxurious but completely unreliable power unit. I used to get 18mpg when towing a Lunar Lexon EW. I was afraid to touch the throttle. Very good tow car especially for a big caravan. Apparently the 2.7 is a much better bet with more power, torque & better fuel consumption
I had a 3.1 Grand Cherokee for about 2 1/2 months and slung it back at the Dealer just before the 3 months warranty was up. He had the car for a longer time than me! Ended up he had to replace the engine before he could sell it on and then couldn't get one! The heart ruled the head when I bought it - lovely motor, so luxurious but completely unreliable power unit. I used to get 18mpg when towing a Lunar Lexon EW. I was afraid to touch the throttle. Very good tow car especially for a big caravan. Apparently the 2.7 is a much better bet with more power, torque & better fuel consumption
- Mar 14, 2005
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Don't buy a Jeep without trying a Toyota Landcruiser, the Toyota could change your mind - it certainly changed mine.I have now had 4 years of trouble free Landcruiser motoring [3.0 D4-D 5 speed Auto]and enjoyed every mile.
- Nov 17, 2007
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Hi Mike, funny you should say that as it is a landcruiser that I have just parted with,It was a lovely and reliable car.I owned it for 5 years with minimal trouble until it reached 120,000 mile then it started to overheat,but only when towing!Don't buy a Jeep without trying a Toyota Landcruiser, the Toyota could change your mind - it certainly changed mine.I have now had 4 years of trouble free Landcruiser motoring [3.0 D4-D 5 speed Auto]and enjoyed every mile.
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