Jeep Grand Cherokee |
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Wikipedia: Jeep Grand Cherokee
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History
The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Jeep Grand Cherokee page on 17 May 2016, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV produced by the American manufacturer Jeep. While some other SUVs were manufactured with body-on-frame construction, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has always used a unibody chassis.
Development
The Grand Cherokee's origins date back to 1983 when American Motors Corporation (AMC) was designing a successor to the smaller Jeep Cherokee (XJ). Three outside (non-AMC) designers—Larry Shinoda, Alain Clenet, and Giorgetto Giugiaro—were also under contract with AMC to create and build a clay model of the Cherokee XJ replacement, then known as the "XJC" project. However, the basic design for the Cherokee's replacement was well under way by AMC's in-house designers and the 1989 Jeep Concept 1 show car foretold the basic design.
As AMC began development of the next Jeep in 1985, management created a business process that is now known as product lifecycle management (PLM). According to François Castaing, Vice President for Product Engineering and Development, the smallest U.S. automaker was looking for a way to speed up its product development process to compete better against its larger competitors. The XJC's development was aided by computer-aided design (CAD) software systems making the engineers more productive while new communication systems allowed potential conflicts to be resolved faster, thus reducing costly engineering changes because all drawings and documents were in a central database. The system was so effective that after Chrysler purchased AMC in 1987, it expanded the system throughout its enterprise, thus connecting everyone involved in designing and building products.
The Grand Cherokee thus became the first Chrysler-badged Jeep product. Development work for the new Jeep model continued and Chrysler's employees (after the 1987 buyout of AMC) were eager for a late-1980s release date; however, CEO Lee Iacocca was pushing for redesigned Chrysler minivans, thus delaying the Grand Cherokee's release until late-1992 as an Explorer competitor. Unlike the Explorer, the Grand Cherokee utilized monocoque (unibody) construction, whereas the Explorer was a derivative of the Ranger pickup with a separate body-on-frame.
The Grand Cherokee debuted in grand fashion at the 1992 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The vehicle that was driven was a Poppy Red Clear Coat 1993 Grand Cherokee ZJ Laredo with a quartz cloth interior and high-back bucket seats. Then Chrysler president Robert Lutz drove Detroit mayor, Coleman Young, from the Jefferson North Assembly Plant on North Jefferson Avenue via a police escort to Cobo Hall, up the steps of Cobo Hall and through a plate glass window to show off the new vehicle. Sales of the 1993 model year Grand Cherokee began in April 1992.
Production of the Grand Cherokee started shortly afterward in the purpose-built Jefferson North Assembly in Detroit, Michigan. European Grand Cherokees are manufactured in Austria by Magna Steyr. The Grand Cherokee "played a significant part in reviving Chrysler's fortunes by moving it into the then nascent market for high-margin sports utility vehicles."
First generation (ZJ; 1993–1998)
The original Grand Cherokee was launched in 1992 as a 1993 model year vehicle in the luxury SUV segment. The "ZJ" models, manufactured from 1992 to 1999, originally came in three trim levels: base (also known as SE), Laredo, and Limited, subsequent trims were added, included Orvis (95–99), TSI (97–99). The base model included features such as full instrumentation, cloth interior, and a standard five-speed manual transmission, while gaining the moniker "SE" name for the 1994 model year. Power windows and locks were not standard equipment on the base trim. The minimal price tag differential resulted in low consumer demand, and as a result, the low-line model was eventually discontinued. Additional standard features included a driver-side air bag and four-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS). The Laredo was the mid-scale model with standard features that included power windows, power door locks, cruise control, and a leather wrapped steering wheel. Exterior features included medium-grey plastic paneling on the lower body and five-spoke alloy wheels. The Limited was the premium model, featuring body color lower body paneling, and gold exterior accents. The Limited also boasted standard features such as leather seating, heated mirrors, front power seats, a keyless entry system, wood grain interior appliqué, lace style alloy wheels, a driver information center with compass, digitized climate control, and electrochromic rearview mirror, and Jensen brand stereo with multi-band equalizer. By 1996 the option list grew to include heated seats. Standard was the 4.0, with the 5.2 V8 (and 5.9 in 1998) being optional. As with other models. Package groups with the various trim levels included: fog lamps, skid plates, as well as convenience, lighting, luxury, power, security, and trailer towing packages.
When it was first introduced in April 1992 as an early 1993 model year vehicle, the Grand Cherokee only had one powertrain choice: the 4.0 L AMC-derived straight-six engine that made 190 horsepower. This became the "volume" engine for the Grand Cherokee. Transmission choices included a four-speed automatic transmission (early production ZJs used the AW4 – the A500SE (later 42RE) replaced the AW4 during the latter half of the 1993 model year) or an Aisin AX15 manual transmission. Low demand for the manual transmission resulted in its discontinuation after 1994, but European-market ZJs retained it when coupled to the diesel engine (which was unavailable in North America). The drive train choices included rear-wheel drive or four-wheel-drive. In 1995, the engine dropped 5 horsepower to 185 due to new EPA regulations imposed on the 1996 model year.
In 1998, a variant of the top-level Grand Cherokee Limited, the "5.9 Limited" was introduced. Jeep ads claimed it to be the "world's fastest sport utility vehicle". The primary improvements in the 5.9 Limited version included a 245-horsepower 5.9L OHV V8 engine, heavy-duty 46RE automatic transmission, functional heat-extracting hood louvers, unique wide-slot body-colored grille with mesh inserts, special rocker moldings, low-restriction exhaust with three-inch chrome tip, a low-profile roof rack, and special 16" Ultra-Star wheels. The 5.9 Limited also received a 150 amp alternator and a 2-speed electric cooling fan. Other features include a standard 180-watt, 10-speaker Infinity Gold sound system with rear roof-mounted sound bar, standard sunroof, and an interior swaddled with unique "calf's nap" soft leather and fake wood trim. The 5.9 Limited was awarded "4x4 of the Year" for 1998 by Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine. Production of this model was 14,286 units.
Export models produced at the plant in Graz, Austria, were given the vehicle designation of "ZG".
Second generation (WJ; 1999–2004)
The redesigned WJ 1999 Grand Cherokee shared just 127 parts with its predecessor (mostly fasteners). The European model was coded WG. The spare tire was relocated from the side of the cargo compartment to under the floor. (Like the 1998 ZJ, the rear tailgate glass opened separately.) The two heavy pushrod V8 engines were replaced by Chrysler's then-new PowerTech. The new V8 engine produced less torque than the old pushrods, but was lighter, offered better fuel economy, and provided similar on road performance figures (the 23-gallon fuel tank was replaced with one of a 20.5-gallon capacity). The straight-six engine was also updated in 1999. A redesign of the intake manifold added 10 horsepower (7.5 kW). While other Jeep vehicles used the Mopar 5 x 4.5 bolt circle, this was the first Jeep following the 1987 Chrysler buyout to receive a wider bolt pattern: – 5 x 5.
Third generation (WK; 2005–2010)
The all-new WK Grand Cherokee debuted in 2004 for the 2005 model year. It was first unveiled at the 2004 New York International Auto Show. Features available for the first time in a Jeep included Quadra-Drive II four-wheel drive, rear-seat DVD player and optional 5.7 L Hemi V8. The 3.7 L V6 engine replaced the 4.0 L Straight-6.
The design still emphasizes power and luxury, with significant work done on improving noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). However, for the first time, Jeep also emphasized on-road performance to a similar extent as the cornerstone of its brand, off-road capability.
This newfound emphasis on on-road refinement led Jeep to replace the XJ-era live-axle with leading-arms front suspension (found in the ZJ and WJ) with a new design: an independent double-wishbone setup like that which debuted in the 2002 Liberty. The new Jeep changed its philosophy due to what it perceived as increasing demand in the SUV marketplace for on-road performance and decreasing demand for off-road capability. Although classed as a truck-based SUV, the WK Grand Cherokee has more luxuries of a crossover especially with NVH.
Fourth generation (WK2; 2011–present)
The fourth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee went on sale in summer 2010 as a 2011 model. It was unveiled at the 2009 New York Auto Show. During development of the WK2 Grand Cherokee, it was used as one of the examples of future products by Chrysler management at the time to convince United States federal regulators in 2009 of Chrysler's future viability in requesting a federal loan, which culminated in the Chrysler Chapter 11 reorganization that same year.
The fourth-generation Grand Cherokee retains its classic Jeep styling combined with a modern and sleek body style. The interior features leather trim and real wood accents, plus Bluetooth and uConnect electronics options. The 2011 Grand Cherokee has won 30 awards for off-road capability, luxury, value, best-in-class, and safety, making it the most awarded SUV ever. Among the awards are: Top Safety Pick for 2011 from the IIHS, listed as a Consumers Digest Best Buy for 2011, Safest SUV in America by MSN Autos, and Truck of the Year for 2011 by The Detroit News.
Like the previous generations, the chassis is a steel unibody. Unlike previous models, the new WK2 features four-wheel independent suspension for better on-road handling. The Grand Cherokee (with the 2011 Durango) WK2 platform uses a Chrylser designed and engineered platform/chassis that Mercedes-Benz later used for the Mercedes-Benz's W166 series. The Chrysler-designed platform/chassis was part of the DaimerChrysler engineering projects that was to launch the new Grand Cherokee with the Mercedes-Benz ML to follow. However, due to the subsequent sale and bankruptcy of Chrysler, the Grand Cherokee launch was delayed and the Mercedes ML launched before the WK2 Grand Cherokee.
| Date | Media or Collection Name & Details | Files |
|---|---|---|
| 28 July 2010 | Detroit Auto Workers Anticipate Obama Visit Carolyn Presutti, VOA News |  Article Page - 6.2MB - 2:46 |
| 29 July 2010 | Obama Tours Auto Plants to Spotlight Industry Recovery Carolyn Presutti, VOA News |  Article Page - 5.9MB - 2:34 |
| 29 August 2017 | 2017 AmericanMuscle Car Show: Make-A-Wish 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turn 5 Inc./AmericanMuscle |  Photo Collection Page - 19 photos |
| Date | Document Name & Details | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| classified date 1994 | In-Depth Accident Investigation 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |  PDF - 9.4MB - 149 pages |
| December 1995 | On-scene Investigation / Vehicle to Vehicle 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 561KB - 15 pages |
| March 1997 | Veridian Remote Air Bag Deployment/Fractured Steering Wheel Assembly Investigation SCI Technical Summary Report Subject Vehicle: 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 212KB - 11 pages |
| July 1997 | Calspan On-Site Air Bag Non-Deployment Investigation Vehicle: 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 185KB - 12 pages |
| July 1997 | On-Scene / Vehicle to Vehicle 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 208KB - 15 pages |
| January 1998 | On-Site Air Bag Investigation Vehicle - 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 1,720KB - 21 pages |
| May 1998 | Calspan Limited On-Site Redesigned Air Bag Investigation Vehicle: 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 113KB - 9 pages |
| October 1998 | Remote, Redesigned Air Bag Special Study 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 363KB - 8 pages |
| classified date 1999 | Special Crash Investigation Report Case Vehicle: 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4 x 4 4-door SUV National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 61.4MB - 128 pages |
| classified date 2001 | Special Crash Investigation Report Case Vehicle: 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4 x 4, 4-door SUV National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 6.9MB - 122 pages |
| March 2002 | Remote Child Safety Seat Crash Investigation SCI Technical Summary Report Vehicle - 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 314KB - 12 pages |
| July 2003 | General Dynamics On-Site Alleged Seat Failure Investigation SCI Technical Summary Report Vehicle - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 513KB - 24 pages |
| 30 July 2003 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 124: Accelerator Control Systems 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5 Door MPV National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 1.7MB - 75 pages |
| 4 August 2003 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 207: Seating Systems 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5 Door SUV National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 11.1MB - 147 pages |
| 9 September 2003 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS No. 110(Indicant): Tire Selection and Rims 2003 Grand Cherokee Laredo, MPV National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 1.6MB - 25 pages |
| classified date 2004 | Special Crash Investigation Report Case Vehicle: 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4x4, 4-door SUV National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 6.4MB - 131 pages |
| May 2004 | Rear Facing Child Safety Seat Air Bag Fatality Investigation/ Vehicle to Object 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 1,592KB - 18 pages |
| July 2004 | SCI/NASS Combination Rear Occupant Protection Program Investigation Vehicle - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 1,325KB - 12 pages |
| 8 April 2005 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 201U: Occupant Protection in Interior Impact, Upper Interior Head Impact Protection 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4-Door MPV National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 13.1MB - 189 pages |
| May 2005 | Calspan On-Site Certified Advanced 208-Compliant Vehicle Crash Investigation Vehicle: 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 255KB - 14 pages |
| 14 September 2005 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 225: "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems" 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 6.9MB - 89 pages |
| classified date 2006 | Special Crash Investigation Report Case Vehicle: 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 4-door SUV National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 5.9MB - 95 pages |
| June 2006 | On-Site Certified Advanced 208-Compliant Vehicle Investigation Vehicle - 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 992KB - 22 pages |
| February 2007 | Rollover/Child Safety Seat Investigation / Vehicle to Object 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 2,854KB - 19 pages |
| August 2007 | Child Safety Seat Investigation 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 1,251KB - 17 pages |
| February 2008 | Child Safety Seat Investigation 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 5,024KB - 30 pages |
| June 2009 | Not-in-Traffic Surveillance Calspan On-Site Back Over Incident Investigation Vehicle: 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 1,418KB - 20 pages |
| December 2009 | Calspan On-Site Child Restraint System Crash Investigation Vehicle: 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4X4 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 498KB - 14 pages |
| 2011 | SAFETY RECALL L33: ENGINE BLOCK DEBRIS Chrysler Group, LLC NHTSA Recall 11V487000 | PDF - 24KB - 1 page |
| 16 May 2011 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 201: Occupant Protection in Interior Impact, Upper Interior Head Impact Protection 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4X4 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 7.9MB - 170 pages |
| 11 July 2011 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 214: Dynamic Side Impact Protection (Rigid Pole) 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4X4 SUV National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 4.8MB - 116 pages |
| 6 September 2011 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS No. 114: Theft Protection 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, MPV National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 7.1MB - 31 pages |
| 26 September 2011 | NHTSA Recall 11V487000 2012 Chrysler 200, 2012 Chrysler Town & Country, 2012 Dodge Charger, 2012 Dodge Durango, 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan, 2012 Dodge Journey, 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | Recall Page - 1 page |
| 26 September 2011 | From: David Dillon, Chrysler To: Claude Harris, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Recall 11V487000 | PDF - 107KB - 4 pages |
| 29 September 2011 | Rod Bearing Failure From: Ric Willard, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration To: David Dillon, Chrysler Group, LLC NHTSA Recall 11V487000 | PDF - 27KB - 3 pages |
| November 2011 | Safety Recall L33 - Engine Block Debris Chrysler Group, LLC NHTSA Recall 11V487000 | PDF - 4.5MB - 41 pages |
| 17 November 2011 | NHTSA Identification Number 11 V-487 From: David Dillon, Chrysler To: Claude Harris, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Recall 11V487000 | PDF - 18KB - 1 page |
| 6 January 2012 | RECALL QUARTERLY REPORT -- QUARTER ENDING 12/31/11 From: David R. Bernier, Chrysler To: Nancy Lummen Lewis, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Recall 11V487000 | PDF - 85KB - 2 pages |
| 4 April 2012 | RECALL QUARTERLY REPORT -- QUARTER ENDING 3/31/12 From: David Dillon, Chrysler To: Nancy Lummen Lewis, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Recall 11V487000 | PDF - 38KB - 2 pages |
| 6 July 2012 | RECALL QUARTERLY REPORT -- QUARTER ENDING 6/30/12 From: David R. Bernier, Chrysler To: Nancy Lummen Lewis, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Recall 11V487000 | PDF - 105KB - 2 pages |
| 5 October 2012 | RECALL QUARTERLY REPORT -- QUARTER ENDING 9/30/12 From: David R. Bernier, Chrysler To: Nancy Lummen Lewis, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Recall 11V487000 | PDF - 39KB - 2 pages |
| 7 January 2013 | RECALL QUARTERLY REPORT -- QUARTER ENDING 12/31/12 From: David R. Bernier, Chrysler To: Nancy Lummen Lewis, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Recall 11V487000 | PDF - 1.1MB - 2 pages |
| 18 April 2013 | RECALL QUARTERLY REPORT -- QUARTER ENDING 3/31/13 From: Kristin J. Kolodge, Chrysler To: Nancy Lummen Lewis, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Recall 11V487000 | PDF - 44KB - 2 pages |
| event May 2017 | Special Crash Investigations On-Site Alleged Unintended Acceleration Investigation Vehicle: 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 6.8MB - 33 pages |
| event May 2017 | Special Crash Investigations On-Site SKT Guardrail End Terminal Crash Investigation Vehicle: 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 30.5MB - 69 pages |
| Post Date | Description | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 October 2017 | 2008 Jeep Cherokee  | GSA Auction | Knoxville, Tennessee  |
| 25 October 2017 | 2008 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4X4 | GSA Auction | Knoxville, Tennessee |
