Any former WJ owners want to compare to their JTs? (build quality, noise, handling, long-term ownership, etc.)

[AustinLonghorn]

Curious to know if any of y'all have gone from a '99-'04 WJ to a JT, and if you could share general long-term observations for general-purpose / around-town use? I have a 2000 WJ Laredo, RWD, 4.0, bought "used" while still in the warranty period back in 2001.

I had a short test drive of a demo '23 Mojave (hard top, no headliner, 8 speed auto + 4.10 axle) a few weeks back, and observed:

• Excellent steering tracking on the highway versus my October '99-built WJ.
• MUCH better brakes than the WJ.
• Equally boring acceleration. Pentastar needs to wind up a LOT more then the 4.0.
• Probably similar (or slightly less) road noise in the JT? *my WJ (Dana 35C rear axle) has had a mildly annoying differential whine at highway speeds, investigated a few times under warranty and I've just left alone since then (and beyond changing the fluid in the diff, I can't be buggered to investigate further).
• Steering column switchgear is perhaps slightly "chintzier" than the WJ, but more premium than a TJ?

Test drive wasn't really long enough to suss out everything I wanted to compare.

Didn't get a chance to really play with the Alpine premium audio system or UConnect 4C. My wife's TJ has no head unit, and the TJ's roll cage-mounted speakers are absolute trash anyway - hopefully Chrysler has progressed since then? My WJ has a Mopar RB1 (Alpine) head unit with navigation and six speakers (two OEM dash, four Pioneers in doors); sounds "fine", not terrible, not Bowers & Wilkins-level stuff either.

Not sure about FCA/Stellantis build quality versus the DaimlerChrysler days of the two Jeeps in our family now? Other than some minor electrical issues (door locks, window motors, etc.), I'd say the interior of the WJ has held up extremely well.

How hard is it to source factory service manual-level information about the JT? (I have the printed book for the WJ)

It's winter, but how does the JT A/C hold up in the summer with the factory headliner? The WJ has no A/C vents for rear passengers, and so kids in car seats == no fun at all.

Thanks, y'all!

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[ShrimpHappens]

I traded in an '04 WJ Limited 4.7L HO Quadradrive (pretty much every option possible except the rock rails of the Overland and the navigation) for my Gladiator. I still consider it the perfect Jeep: V8 engine, four doors, and solid axles. Too bad the 4.7L engine doesn't last.

Curious to know if any of y'all have gone from a '99-'04 WJ to a JT, and if you could share general long-term observations for general-purpose / around-town use? It's hard to definitively say, as they're very different vehicles, and because the newest WJ is now 20 years old. Things vary: sometimes I wish I had the climate-controlled cargo area of an SUV, but other times the truck bed is indispensable. WJ is a lot more nimble in parking lots and U-turns, but I had to borrow a utility trailer to get big stuff. The V8 in the WJ pulled my boat more easily, but its top and doors aren't removable.

I have a 2000 WJ Laredo, RWD, 4.0, bought "used" while still in the warranty period back in 2001.

I had a short test drive of a demo '23 Mojave (hard top, no headliner, 8 speed auto + 4.10 axle) a few weeks back, and observed:

• Excellent steering tracking on the highway versus my October '99-built WJ. I feel like my WJ tracked better on the highway than my JT.
• MUCH better brakes than the WJ. Agreed.
• Equally boring acceleration. Pentastar needs to wind up a LOT more then the 4.0. Yes, the 3.6L has less low-end torque for sure.
• Probably similar (or slightly less) road noise in the JT? *my WJ (Dana 35C rear axle) has had a mildly annoying differential whine at highway speeds, investigated a few times under warranty and I've just left alone since then (and beyond changing the fluid in the diff, I can't be buggered to investigate further). My WJ rear axle whined a bit, too. My JT has a soft top, so it's far noisier.
• Steering column switchgear is perhaps slightly "chintzier" than the WJ, but more premium than a TJ? I'd say all the steering wheel and steering column switchgear is comparable to anything modern of similar price.

Test drive wasn't really long enough to suss out everything I wanted to compare.

Didn't get a chance to really play with the Alpine premium audio system or UConnect 4C. My wife's TJ has no head unit, and the TJ's roll cage-mounted speakers are absolute trash anyway - hopefully Chrysler has progressed since then? My WJ has a Mopar RB1 (Alpine) head unit with navigation and six speakers (two OEM dash, four Pioneers in doors); sounds "fine", not terrible, not Bowers & Wilkins-level stuff either. My WJ had the high-end stereo, and it was much better than my non-Alpine JT. But the removable top and doors both force compromises that hurt sound quality.

Not sure about FCA/Stellantis build quality versus the DaimlerChrysler days of the two Jeeps in our family now? Other than some minor electrical issues (door locks, window motors, etc.), I'd say the interior of the WJ has held up extremely well. Daimler didn't start its pillage of Chrysler until 1998, so the designs of the TJ and WJ pre-date their influence. But back on topic, I agree the WJ interior held up well. The interior of my JT is holding up fine, but I'm easy on cars (no kids).

How hard is it to source factory service manual-level information about the JT? (I have the printed book for the WJ) Dunno. Haven't had to work on anything.

It's winter, but how does the JT A/C hold up in the summer with the factory headliner? The WJ has no A/C vents for rear passengers, and so kids in car seats == no fun at all. I had the fancy dual-zone climate control in my WJ, and I thought it sucked. A friend of mine had the basic a/c in his WJ Laredo, and it was excellent. The a/c in the JT itself is just as good as any modern vehicle ought to be, but yeah, the top by nature hurts here. Though I have the soft top, I find the a/c totally acceptable.

Thanks, y'all!

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I had a 2002 WJ, but it was quite awhile ago.

The premium audio and 8.4” screen are pretty good. Good sound, easy to navigate menus, nice appearance.

Build quality seems similar. I hand a handful of issues with my WJ, same with the JT.

Getting an FSM isn’t as easy as it used to be. I think you need a subscription now.

Heat and AC in the JT is perfectly fine without a headliner.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Comparing a low slung Grand Cherokee to a small pickup truck based on a truck frame?
I've had 3 WJs, the last was a 2004 (sold in 2020), over 128,000 miles, 4.0
Drove, rode, handled perfectly.
But you really can't compare two extremely different platforms.

It's winter, but how does the JT A/C hold up in the summer with the factory headliner? The WJ has no A/C vents for rear passengers, and so kids in car seats == no fun at all.

The WJ was a thicker-walled vehicle, better sealed, far better insulated with a real steel roof. Ours always warmed up just fine in the winter. Never any issues.
The AC was better as well in part because, again, the WJ was a far better insulated and sealed vehicle. The thin tops of the JT don't lend themselves to great climate control - but the superior modern HVAC systems/electronics to help make up for it.

Never really thought either was that much different from the other in that respect.

 

[AustinLonghorn]

Comparing a low slung Grand Cherokee to a small pickup truck based on a truck frame?

Yeah, sorry that the comparison is a bit odd/unfair: unibody SUV to "body-on-frame pickup with removeable roof".

What led to me to the JT in the first place: we had a '96 XJ Sport with the 5-speed + 4.0 years ago (which was great, super fun to drive), and the JT is the only new product left on the market (SUV or pickup) with a manual transmission.

 

[Farmer Fran]

Nothing is better than a ZJ

 

[Hhjester]

I still have mine. two different animals. 4.0 60s technology versus much newer. I still drive my wj and zj but technology is hard to overcome. My wj is on 4.5 lift 4.88s air lockers front and rear, and 2020 rubicon wheels and tires. Everthing new so it does ride like a new wj. But the stereo seats both leather but the jtr is quicker better mpg and newer

 

[aldo98229]

I owned a 2001 WJ Laredo, albeit many years ago now. It still ranks as one of the best Jeeps I owned.

From what I recall:

WJ Pros:

1. Quiet, smooth highway cruising --it was well isolated from the road and you couldn't hear much wind noise
2. Slow but torquey 4.0L I-6b --a legend in its own right
3. Well put together
4. Handsome styling
5. Capable off-road. Mine had the Selec-Trac; it was an excellent all-weather vehicle

JT Pros:

1. Smooth ride, albeit the wind gets noisy on the highway --like all Wranglers do
2. The 8-speed automatic is an absolute gem --responsive, refined and reliable
3. Well put together. This JT feels much more solid than my JL
4. The 3.6 V6 doesn't get the credit it deserves. This engine is used on millions of Chrysler products since the early 2010s; it is proven and durable. And a LOT stronger than the tepid 3.5 V6 in my 2019 Tacoma
5. UConnect is one of the best infotainment systems in the industry.
6. I am quite impressed with the Alpine sound in my 2023 JT. It sounds a LOT better than the same system in my JL --perhaps due to JT's smaller cabin
7. Rugged handsome looks
8. Capable off-road. It is the Jeep of pickups

I kept that WJ for three years. Never had any issues with it.

 

[AnthonyC]

I recall replacing the front rotors on my WJ often. I had to replace the rear sway bar with a thicker one. Those were the two inherent issues with most WJs.

I had the 4.7 HO as well, and it's fun. Too many other things started to fail on my jeep, so I traded it in.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I recall replacing the front rotors on my WJ often. I had to replace the rear sway bar with a thicker one. Those were the two inherent issues with most WJs.

I had the 4.7 HO as well, and it's fun. Too many other things started to fail on my jeep, so I traded it in.

I think I had all the common WJ issues.

Dropped valve seat (4.7)
Rear axle bearings (D44a)
Blend doors
Blower motor resistor and melted wiring
Heated seat elements
Power steering hose
Hydraulic cooling fan solenoid

 

[AustinLonghorn]

I recall replacing the front rotors on my WJ often. I had to replace the rear sway bar with a thicker one. Those were the two inherent issues with most WJs.

I had the 4.7 HO as well, and it's fun. Too many other things started to fail on my jeep, so I traded it in.

Ahhh yes, the WJ rotor warping thing. I have the upgraded Mopar front caliper kit (factory from '02 onward?) on mine and Wagner rotors that helps.

I suppose given that we're five years into production of the JT, a lot of these type of teething problems are sorted at this point, right?

 

[Chunky White]

I have owned tow WJ's. Both fully loaded limiteds with the 4.7 and quadradrive. The 2001 I owned longer than any other vehicle and drove it over 100k miles. I wish the JT had the 4.7 that was in them but with the 8 speed the JTR has. The WJ was a luxury SUV compared to the JTR but less capable off-road and could not haul as much. The Quadradrive is probably better for driving in snow in my opinion but thats probably not a factor for you since you are in Austin

 

[AnthonyC]

I think I had all the common WJ issues.

Dropped valve seat (4.7)
Rear axle bearings (D44a)
Blend doors
Blower motor resistor and melted wiring
Heated seat elements
Power steering hose
Hydraulic cooling fan solenoid

Haha! I forgot about the rest of it, and yes to all for me as well.

 

[AustinLonghorn]

Thanks for all the replies, folks. I suppose nothing stands out as "NO, DON'T DO IT!", but then I've perhaps prebiased the question by asking on a JT forum I suspect a slightly different answer if I asked on the WJ forum...

@ShrimpHappens - my Laredo has just the basic HVAC controls (and the vacuum-driven dampers, blower, etc., are all still working fine). I'm not sure any manufacturer has gotten the automatic dual-zone stuff entirely right yet, but surely the JT is leagues better than whatever was offered in the up-trim WJ models?

We've never done any real "Jeep" things with either vehicle (WJ/TJ); like 80% (?) of buyers, they're for around-town stuff (but I'm not opposed to giving some of the local beginner Jeep events a crack if the JT ended up replacing the WJ). Highway driving, our WJ and the TJ are probably a wash in terms of cabin noise: that WJ axle whine versus TJ hard top wind noise.

I think the JT probably has a quieter hard-top+headliner than a TJ, and y'all generally aren't hearing axle whine on the highway? Right?

The JT would be my last opportunity for a manual-transmission new SUV/pickup (ie: with warranty, since I don't have the time lately to work on the WJ and TJ, and my local Jeep shop and nearest Chrysler dealer are actually refusing to touch the WJ!?). I know the 6-speed + Pentastar is "hated by teh [sic] Internet", but if I buy an automatic, I'm looking at PHEV/all-electric (and not the Jeep 4xe drivetrain in '25).

Edit: 6MT Toyota Tacoma is also out: you can't actually custom-order a Toyota of any stripe, and I honestly all-around prefer the JT in a choice between the two trucks.

 

[ShrimpHappens]

@ShrimpHappens - my Laredo has just the basic HVAC controls (and the vacuum-driven dampers, blower, etc., are all still working fine). I'm not sure any manufacturer has gotten the automatic dual-zone stuff entirely right yet, but surely the JT is leagues better than whatever was offered in the up-trim WJ models?

Yes, the a/c in the JT is as good as any modern car a/c ought to be. My only complaint is that on full auto in the heat of the summer, I wish it'd keep the fan speed up higher. No biggie, just turn it up manually. Most people don't run it in full auto anyway.

And correct, zero axle whine. The only people here that have whine have re-geared.

And I don't really feel qualified to speak to this, having never had a manual transmission vehicle as my daily driver, but be aware that the general consensus of the manual trans in the JT is that it's not just amazing. It's just there because Jeep knows a significant number of buyers want it to be.

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