From owner-fsj-digest-at-digest.net Sun Jan 8 16:54:48 2006 From: fsj-digest fsj-digest Monday, January 9 2006 Volume 01 : Number 2565 Forum for Discussion of Full Sized SJ Series Jeeps Brian Colucci Digest Coordinator Contents: fsj: Re: FW: [JGC] WJ fall aparts after 100k? fsj: Re: [WJ-Grand] Re: FW: [JGC] WJ fall aparts after 100k? fsj: WJ transmissions: 42RE (4.0) 45RFE (4.7) - manual sez... fsj: projects update fsj: the willys, and other parts left over from other projects FSJ Digest Home Page: http://www.digest.net/jeeps/fsj/ Send submissions to fsj-digest-at-digest.net Send administrative requests to fsj-digest-request-at-digest.net To unsubscribe, include the word unsubscribe by itself in the body of the message, unless you are sending the request from a different address than the one that appears on the list. Include the word help in a message to fsj-digest-request to get a list of other majordomo commands. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2006 01:02:32 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: fsj: Re: FW: [JGC] WJ fall aparts after 100k? I'm going to take a wild guess and say that what josh smiley has heard from his friends was related to the piece-o-crap ZJ Grand Cherokee and NOT a WJ. I have a doctor friend that owned a ZJ and bad mouthed Grand Cherokees, but his was a '96. To be a WJ it must be 1999 to 2005. In 2006 they (the folks at DC) deviated from the normal Jeep designators and call it the WK. Anyway, the 4.7L V8 is the smoothest, most economical, sweetest V8 I've ever owned... the 5.2 and 5.9L V8's that went into the ZJ were old technology and inefficient, and only slightly better than the AMC 5.9L V8's used in the SJ. Other than some rear end setup issues on the WJ's with Quadradrive and the brake rotors, WJ's are sweet machines... I know, I've had three WJ's, two with V8's. Currently own two WJs, 1 XJ, 1 48 CJ-2A, 1 67 J100 and 1 83 J10 stepside... My WJ's right now have a 4.0L and a 4.7L WJ. my 4.0L has over 80k, no problems, my 4.7L has over 130,000 miles, no problems. My first WJ had an unknown number of miles on it when I got it (theft recovery) but I put over 40,000 on it without problems... the problems encountered to date on all three: - incorrect preload on pinion bearing (1st V8 quadradrive WJ) - brake rotors warp (common to many cars - replaced with power slotted rotors) I currently have a few leaking seals on my V8 WJ - pinion seals and possibly the rear seal on the transmission... haven't looked. - I've had one coil fail (most likely self induced after I tuned it). - ignition lock replaced at 75k on the 4.0L. otherwise they've been the most trouble free Jeeps I've ever owned... I've owned 22 SJs, 11 XJs, 3 Willys, 1 Jeepster and 3 WJs http://JohnMeister.com/johns-vehicles.html The XJs of course are also excellent, but I had more issues with XJs than with WJ's. All three of my WJs have been 1999 models. I suspect we're dealing with misinformation and it's the ZJ they disliked and not the WJ. john On Sat, 7 Jan 2006, Jim Blair wrote: > -->From: "josh smiley" > -->Reply-To: Jeep_Grand_Cherokee-at-yahoogroups.com > -->To: > -->Subject: [JGC] WJ fall aparts after 100k? > -->I have a few friends (2 doctors and a accountant. Not like jobs matter). Who > -->say that they have had more problems with their WJ V8's then any other car > -->they havwe ever owned. Everytime I talk to them they are complaining about > -->something on tbhe WJs. I like the WJs and in general the Jeep product. I > -->have a XJ and have never had any problem with it for the last 3 years. > -->My question is what are the trouble spots with these jeeps,what is your > -->experience? I plan to take it on trips this summer to Mexicali, Sundance, > -->Utah and maybe Vancover (all for atv riding, so I will be pulling 2 atvs.) > -->Please give me your feedback. PS. I live in Denver. > -->Thanks ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://JohnMeister.com **** http://wagoneers.com ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold ** http://freegift.net *** http://greatcom.org/laws/languages.html ** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 07 Jan 2006 10:22:27 -0800 From: "Jim Blair" Subject: fsj: Re: [WJ-Grand] Re: FW: [JGC] WJ fall aparts after 100k? A: Actually, all years of 4.0L ZJ (and WJ) with the weak Mopar automatic. Early '93 was the only year with AW4. The seal failures are often due to poor ventilation mainrtenance. The CCV system clogs (should be cleaned once a year per Jeep's own maintenance instructions) and pressure inside builds up. This presses the seals even tighter against the crank, which in turn wears them out prematurely. The 45RE (RFE is front wheel drive I found out) is weak, but not as bad as the 42RE used behind the 4.0L. That said, for under $1,000 it can be beefed up to take the abuse. (I'd sooner put the money into an AW4 buildup with Lexus V8 trans parts. One of the AMC list guys is building a 6 speed AW auto for his car!) build your truck right the first time! I agree with John that the 4.7 is a fine motor. I believe the first year ZJ (1993) had severe transmission issues and following years they put in a different part (I heard AW4...not sure). The AW4 in my 88 XJ took unbelieveable abuse and never wimpered even at 135K miles when I sold it. The 4.0 is a great motor but sufferes from poor crank case ventilation and oil seal failures. Later models seem to be better. As for my 99 WJ, well I think I just got a bad 45-RFE transmission from the factory (replaced at 62K after normal street use). It happens. Although, I am suspect of the 45-RFE since the shop that replaced mine had a line of WJs and Durangos there for transmission problems. A friend of mine just bought a clean 5.2 V8 ZJ with 125K miles on it and we are going to do a build up on it. This will be my first experience with that model. I'll let you know my thoughts as we get in to it. David J - --- _________________________________________________________________ Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee. Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2006 10:57:52 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: fsj: WJ transmissions: 42RE (4.0) 45RFE (4.7) - manual sez... just looked at my WJ manual. Jim, I think you're getting incorrect information from someplace. I'm not going to address the ZJ issues, but only the WJ. They use the 42RE with the 4.0L (have one) and the 45RFE (have one, and had another) with the 4.7L V8. I do agree with you though that the AW4 is awesome. Interesting info on the 4.0L, wish I'd realized that 260,000 miles ago, might have saved replacing the rear main seal and having that oily mess. ANYWAY, here's, we were talking about transmissions in the WJ: Someone said that the 42RE was a 3speed, this is what the manual says: 42RE TRANSMISSION The 42RE is a four speed fully automatic transmission (Fig. 1) with an electronic governor. First through third gear... TRANSMISSION GEAR RATIOS Gear ratios are: B2 1st 2.74:1 B2 2nd 1.54:1 B2 3rd 1.00:1 B2 4th 0.69:1 B2 Rev. 2.21 45RFE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (also a 4speed) The 45RFE automatic transmission is a sophisti TRANSMISSION GEAR RATIOS Gear ratios are: 1st . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.00:1 2nd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.67:1 2nd Prime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.50:1 3rd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00:1 4th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.75:1 Reverse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.00:1 john On Sat, 7 Jan 2006, Jim Blair wrote: > -->A: Actually, all years of 4.0L ZJ (and WJ) with the weak Mopar automatic. > -->Early '93 was the only year with AW4. The seal failures are often due to > -->poor ventilation mainrtenance. The CCV system clogs (should be cleaned once > -->a year per Jeep's own maintenance instructions) and pressure inside builds > -->up. This presses the seals even tighter against the crank, which in turn > -->wears them out prematurely. The 45RE (RFE is front wheel drive I found out) > -->is weak, but not as bad as the 42RE used behind the 4.0L. That said, for > -->under $1,000 it can be beefed up to take the abuse. (I'd sooner put the > -->money into an AW4 buildup with Lexus V8 trans parts. One of the AMC list > -->guys is building a 6 speed AW auto for his car!) ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://JohnMeister.com **** http://wagoneers.com ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold ** http://freegift.net *** http://greatcom.org/laws/languages.html ** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2006 22:30:36 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: fsj: projects update actually got something done today... - - giving my son's '87 xj to my friend who is giving me a T-90/Dana 18 for my Willys. He's pulling the tranny so I'll swing over to the peninsula, pick it and him up and run him over here and he'll attempt to drive the windowless xj home. :) - - need to finish mounting a tire for the xj - going to attempt to do it manually. :) - - got the windshield to fold down on the '48 Willys CJ-2A (prepping it for painting (Maaco is having a sale right now, their $549 special combined with their prep pkg of $149 both together for $399.95...) - - am becoming more aware of the seal leak(s) on my '99 WJ, will get it fixed asap... smells real bad. ;) it's either the xfr case or the pinion seals. - - am digging out the 123, XJ and FSJ parts as I clean up the carport... anyone need a grille from a '76? :) - - looked at an '80 or '81 240D today... it's been sitting unprotected in snohomish for about five years... yes, it's moldy... and green... with 200,000 miles on it... body is straight and since it came from CA it has some hope. It was too muddy in the drive and raining so I didn't try to measure the transmission to see if it'd fit the willys or not. :) tomorrow I hope to finish cleaning up the shop and have the willys ready for painting... if I have time I'll finish prepping the XJ for delivery too... john ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://JohnMeister.com **** http://wagoneers.com ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold ** http://freegift.net *** http://greatcom.org/laws/languages.html ** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2006 16:53:49 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: fsj: the willys, and other parts left over from other projects On Sun, 8 Jan 2006, Nelson wrote: >-->I didn't hear your plans for the Willy's. Is it mostly like a restoration deal (except for drivetrain), or one of those ones where the only thing left original is part of the body? Either way is cool, I'm just curious... >--> >-->Nelson prepping it for painting... then I'm trading my son's '87 xj to my friend for a rebuilt t-90... will drag the willys into town to get painted and repaired, top installed... it'll be mostly stock, only mod really is the engine, minor change really, using a Ford 2.0L engine instead of the original flathead, same size, etc. it'll be tan with a good paint job, good engine, good trans, good tires... new top and ready to go... not sure what I'll do with it when done... ;) also going to add original hood blocks, wipers and fix the heater. :) IN OTHER NEWS, my trailer just left filled to the brim with Mercedes and Jeep parts to be sold by a ministry at our church on ebay. They'll be selling all of these items I haven't had time to put up on ebay to raise money for ministry purposes. I guess I'm happy with 15 cents on the dollar as opposed to dealing with all the efforts of selling/shipping the stuff on ebay. I'll post a complete list of what is coming, but I've got three 123 tail lights, a pair of complete 123 headlights, full set of six lug SJ rims three with the original jeep hubs, a GMC 6.2L Diesel Radiator, cruise module for an SJ, ignition module for a 360, the air injection system for a 360 and so on... oh yeah, also a 123 sunroof deflector, luggage rack for a GW and a '76 Wagoneer grille... I will try to get the list up and give folks an opportunity to make an offer before they get it on ebay... good stuff... john >--> ----- Original Message ----- >--> From: john >--> To: full size jeep list ; xj-list ; diesel-benz list ; WJ-Grand-at-yahoogroups.com >--> Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2006 11:30 PM >--> Subject: [WJ-Grand] projects update >--> ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://JohnMeister.com **** http://wagoneers.com ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold ** http://freegift.net *** http://greatcom.org/laws/languages.html ** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ End of fsj-digest V1 #2565 **************************