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We owned a 99 Grand Cherokee Limited 4.7 for 18mths (only just sold it over Xmas) and found the vehicle in general to be way better than falcons and commodores in the standard equipment, very comfortable and plenty of poke (for a smallish 4WD). approx 13lt/100 Hwy & 17lt/100 City. Towing 1500kg the fuel was around 20-22lt/100 - but then I tend to still drive hard with a trailer on - the vehicle handles really well while towing.

We never had transmission issues while towing, but we did upgrade the rear swap bar to 26mm ($280) which takes alot of the back end shake out that Grands seems to suffer from.

The only negative that I ever had with the vehicle is the cost of repairs - literally every part costs twice as much as a average family vehicle - but I was happy with this because we loved the Jeep. We had no mechanical failures that we haven't had in other vehicles. Just keep it serviced as per the book, keep it cool (had a few heater hose leaks from old hoses) - as increased engine temp will cause side affects like transmission being erratic - mind you I never had the Trans Over Temp Light come on while towing.

Only sold it because of child #3 arriving and not very many off road options/accessories available in Oz, so we sold it to help fund the purchase of a LC100 Sahara (I really miss the auto dimming rear view mirrors & seat memory function :)

Frank M,

I owned the same model grand you are talking about did 130,000k in it not a problem very reliable vehicle. Towed a Jayco Penguin 13 Offroad camper also a 6 metre boat power not an issue BUT do not tow in overdrive if you do the gearbox will search for a lower gear when thereare inclines and you are pushing wind. The manual states to tow out of overdrive, in fact the new 4.7's have a tow facility which essentially locks the transmission from the overdrive facility.

I had the hayman reece hitch and the Tekonsha brake system. I've upgraded to the V6 CRD, 510nm of torque and it is obviously better than the 4.7. If you are looking towards a second hand grand see if you can get hold of one of the earlier 2.7 diesels the reason I'm suggesting that is the torque of a vehicle is the key to towing and the 2.7 has more torque than the V8 4.7.

There is an article in one of the 4x4 mags where they did a tow test and the WH crd killed the opposition. I haven't seen any reviews on the 4.7 as a tow vehicle. My view is the best people to talk to are the ones who drive them. Go to this website www.ausjeepoffroad.com and ask the same question that you have asked here you will get honest replies but I'm not saying they won't be a little bias:) I have owned a Toyota and a Nissan in the past but I never bought a second one I bought a Jeep and now I'm on my second one which speaks for itself I think.

Gents,thank you for your response and advise,as stated,the Grand would be a touring only, not a shopping trolley.The way diesel prices are going along with servicing is getting down right frightening,and I always had a soft spot for V8,s.
We will dwell on it again thank you all,
Frank.M.