Jeep Cherokee KJ turbo diesel - towcar?

[260BC]

Thanks K, yeh a aftermarket trans cooler is a must for towing. LOST forum looks good. I drove a KJ recently but only in the burbs, front seats look a bit basic but other than that I could easily live with one. Decisions, the Asian contenders may be cheaper to maintain but I like the inside and outside look of the KJ, nice and simple. The one I drove had low K's but obviously had been used for towing, electric brake controller, so who knows.

[MRMOPARMAN]

Oh check all the interior plastics for signs of breakage. Jeep plastics are reallly fucking strong and brittle, and hence very difficult to remove without breaking.. And they cost a bomb to replace.. So look for signs of someone removing door trims, dash plastics etc for movement, like a clip has broken.

[260BC]

Thanks M, I'm getting keen. They are priced several K less than the diesel Santa Fe so I'm thinking that could be spent on a timing belt, w pump etc service and an auto service too. Anyway, see how we go.

[Kris]

Timing belt and water pump are cheap as if you buy OS. I did the timing belt on mine, $350 in parts from VM Diesel. Water pump you dont really need to do until 200,000km.

I broke 1 door plastic lug removing the trim to fix the window, still very secure. I find the interior functional and comfortable. I ripped out the headunit and installed a pioneer TV with reversing camera. Much better! The stock speakers are good and there are amplifiers too

[MRMOPARMAN]

Oh yeah. Jeep stereos are really good from the factory. Should hear the grand cherokee bose stezzas..

[260BC]

With the one I drove the auto shift was a bit inconsistent, probably nothing wrong with it but sometimes it would shift smooth as, other times it was a bit slow and flarey although the kick down was consistently quick. I see some talk on modding the auto to improve shifts, worthwhile?

[Kris]

With the one I drove the auto shift was a bit inconsistent, probably nothing wrong with it but sometimes it would shift smooth as, other times it was a bit slow and flarey although the kick down was consistently quick. I see some talk on modding the auto to improve shifts, worthwhile?

No real issues Ive experienced. It hunts around 80km/hr but the chip fixes that (yet to do it). Its basically a truck , so with that I expect truck like behaviour...I find the auto fine

[260BC]

Maybe the ripper Falcon six speed auto has spoilt me a bit.

[Kris]

Yeah, think more truck auto.

[260BC]

Forgot to ask, does the KJ auto have a sequential shift option? Handy for manual shifting when towing. If it does not have one is there an aftermarket one?

[MRMOPARMAN]

Not from the factory. No idea if there is one aftermarket. Cant you just shift 1,2,3,D like everyone else?

[Asteroid]

They were voted Caravaners tow car of the year at one point i seem to recall.

How would you know this? :huh:

[260BC]

Not from the factory. No idea if there is one aftermarket. Cant you just shift 1,2,3,D like everyone else?

Do I have to?