I'm ready to buy but can't decide whether this engine is worth the extra money or not. Anyone know how it might compare to the '98 5.9's performance? The new one doesn't seem as "torquee" at the low end (for good reason) but it seeems a lot more willing to rev well past the 4600RPM performance cut-off of the 5.9.
We have the non H.O. version of the 4.7L in my wife's 2002 JGC (we had a '99 too) and it's truly one of the best engines I've ever owned. Even the spark plugs are easily changed, they're on top of the engine and they have easy access. However, I wouldn't go with the H.O. version... it needs premium fuel for the added HP otherwise it runs the same as our non-H.O. 4.7L engine. It's an awesome engine even in the non-H.O. version and has so much power that I can't imagine needing the much more expensive H.O. version... really.
Jerry
performance?
Hi Jerry; Thanx for the input. Also wondering about reliability in general. Consumer Reports seems to think the GC is just about the worst SUV on wheels. And I'll have to admit that my '98 has had a bunch of recalls. I've just got to think that after five years of making the same basic truck, they should have all the bugs worked out of the 04s by now. I sure don't want one of the first "all new" 05s to hit the streets!
Hi, I'm Jerry, too. I have an '01 GC Laredo 4.7 which has been superb. I've seen the CR reports on the vehicle and frankly feel they're just biased against SUVs in general, and Jeep in particular. They seem to dismiss Jeep products off-road capabilities as somehow irrelevant and always find rigs I wouldn't drive up a dirt driveway to be superior to anything Jeep has to offer.
At 17.5k miles the only issue with my GC was that the front brakes started to judder at rather low miles. My dealer upgraded them yesterday under warranty to what look like '04 spec calipers & rotors. Otherwise it's one of the best all around 4x4s I've owned, great for on highway cruising and off roading. It's gone on 800 mile highway trips, with some significant off roading thrown in at the same time without incident. CD player, AC, comfy seats, cruise, hey!
I use mine as a company car for my nature photography business, so it's been all over many of the Jeep trails here in SW Colorado. I have two SWB Jeeps as well, including a very well set up YJ, but it's very clumsy to work out of when I'm doing photography so in those cases I always take the GC. I'd buy another one in an instant.
As for the '05, Jeep better not put IFS under it!
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