Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
As if the 220hp 5.2L V-8-powered Grand Cherokees weren't good enough, Jeep went and offered the healthier 5.9L in the new-for-'98 Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited. In fact, they weren't satisfied with the regular ol' Dodge-version mill, and stepped it up a bit with a new computer, a requirement for premium fuel, and the healthiest 4x4 exhaust note in recent memory. A beefier 46 RE trans swallows the grunt instead of the 44 RE unit used on 5.2L Grands.
So it's all you could want, right? Well, not really. First of all, the 5.9L engine comes only in the swanky 5.9 Limited, which includes new body cladding, a full-dress leather interior with a rear-seat armrest, a sunroof, trick tunes, fake wood, and a minimum $38,175 wallet knocker; with few options not netted with the 5.9L, ours ran $38,900. Standard equipment includes 3.73-geared axles and a rear Dana 44 with a Trac-Lok, but you're stuck with pavement-priority Goodyear Wrangler HP VSB treads on one-off 16x7 wheels. Not only that, the Up Country suspension is an option-list no-go. We found the lack of ground clearance and the rookie racer treads significantly diminished off-road performance versus the taller, meatier Grand that took the honors in 1996.
However, that's not to say that the Jeep didn't still oust all comers in this year's driving contest. Even hampered by street shoes, the Jeep scored tops in the Urban, Highway, Sand, and Rockcrawling portions of the ride and drive. Other top scores fell under Engine's Available Power, Drivetrain Performance, Interior Appointments, and Four-wheeling Attributes. Score! Even so, we know the basic platform is capable of more.
Other complaints included an interior that's starting to wear on us (too many digital displays), a shifter that's a bit gummy, and a CV joint on the axle end of the front driveshaft that scattered during full-derby sand abuse. Witnesses claim the breakage was the result of excess throttle; the driver, of course, denies it. Could there be just too much power?
Specifications
General
Manufacturer: Jeep
Model: Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
Base Price: $38,175
Price as Tested: $38,900
Options as Tested: Skidplate/Tow Hook Group (front suspension, transfer case, fuel tank skidplates; three tow hooks).
Engine
Type: OHV V-8
Displacement (liters/cubic inches): 5.9/360
Bore & Stroke (inches): 4.00x3.48
Compression Ratio: 8.7:1
Induction Type: Sequential, multiport fuel injection
Fuel Requirement/Capacity (gallons): 91 Octane Unleaded Premium/23
SAE Peak Horsepower: 245 @ 4,000 rpm
SAE Peak Torque (lb-ft): 345 @ 3,200 rpm
Transmission
Type: Four-speed automatic overdrive
Model: 46RE
Ratios: First: 2.45:1; Second: 1.45:1; Third: 1.00:1; Fourth: 0.69:1; Reverse: 2.20:1
Transfer Case
Type: Quadra-Trac (on demand)
Model: NV249
Low-Range Ratio: 2.72:1
Axles
Front Type: Dana 30
Rear Type: Spicer 44
Hubs: N/A
Ratio: 3.73:1
Suspension
Front: Live axle, Quadra-Link leading arms, coil springs, track bar
Rear: Live axle, Quadra-Link trailing arms, coil springs, track bar
Steering
Type: Power recirculating ball with damper
Turns Lock-to-Lock/Ratio: 2.94/12.7:1
Turning Radius (feet): 36.75
Wheels
Size (inches): 16x7
Material: Cast-aluminum
Tires
Size: P225/70R16 BSW/VSB A/T
Brand: Goodyear Wrangler HP
Brake System
Front: 11-inch discs with ABS
Rear: 11.2-inch discs with ABS
Weight
Measured Weight (pounds): 4,300
Advertised GVWR (pounds): 5,500
Mileage
EPA Estimate (city/hwy mpg): 13/16
As Tested (mpg): 12.36
Acceleration
Standing 1/4-mile (seconds @ mph): 16.34 @ 81.76
Braking
60-0 mph (feet): 135.49
Dimensions (inches)
Wheelbase: 105.9
Overall Length: 177.2
Overall Width: 70.7
Overall Height: 64.9
Front/Rear Track: 58.5/58.8
Front/Rear Overhang: 32.0/37.25
Minimum Front Ground Clearance: 8.25
Likes
*Serious engine power
*Best off-road performance
*Comfy interior
Dislikes
*Really lame tires
*Scattered driveshaft
*Oodles of money