My 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.9L 360ci V8

[PAFirefighter11]

So I've had 7 prior Jeeps: YJ, XJ, YJ, XJ, TJ, ZJ, ZJ in that order. For those that don't know, that's: Wrangler, Cherokee, Wrangler, Cherokee, Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Grand Cherokee. Got it?

I sold my last ZJ on Saturday and was going to pick this thing up that day as well, but the notary was closed. So, my buddy gave me a ride out to Waynesboro, PA today (Out past Gettysburg) to pick up the Jeep.

Here's a crappy cell phone photo I took after the title transfer:


I'll take some real shots shortly.

It has a 5.9L, 360ci V8 which produces 245hp at 4000 RPM and 345 lb. ft. of torque at 3200 RPM (Underrated). This Jeep, at the time of production, was the fastest SUV in the world. They only made these in 1998. They made less than 14,286 total, with around 12,000 being the federal emissions ones and the rest being California.

Weight: 5000 lbs
Acceleration (0-60 mph): 7.1 sec.
1/4 mile time: 15.2
Braking Distance: 135 ft.
Road Holding Index: .75 g
Drive: Full Time 4WD

With minor mods these trucks can get into the low 14's and high 13's.

Some photos from today (12/2/12) at Ringing Rock Park:

[jjm4life]

Great jeep. I've always loved these

[Intercooled T]

Don't know how they were the fastest SUV in the world when the GMC Typhoon put down better numbers in 1992, but still a nice grab

Post more pics!

[yellow2000S/R]

Originally Posted by Intercooled T

Don't know how they were the fastest SUV in the world when the GMC Typhoon put down better numbers in 1992, but still a nice grab

Post more pics!

He read it on the internet. Everybody knows you can't post something that's not true on the internet!
_

I'd take one.

[VETTE_50_TH]

[PAFirefighter11]

FWIW: Motor Trend stated that the 1998 Grand Cherokee 5.9L was the fastest PRODUCTION SUV in 1998. They said the Cyclone/Typhone's were fastest PRODUCTION SUV/Trucks when they were built.

[schaffer]

best year by far simply for the 360, they are pretty rare. Being that a few were wrecked, and i saw a few bite the dust during that cash for clunkers business.

[PAFirefighter11]

Definitely the most fun Jeep I've driven. My buddy has a 6.1L SRT8 Grand Cherokee which runs 10's. Have not driven it but obviously that's a ton faster than this is.

[PAFirefighter11]

Okay, so I ended up doing a headlight retrofit project, just like with my past Jeeps. I ordered a Stage III Morimoto MH1 Projector conversion kit from The Retrofit Source. 4300K in color since I like factory white light and the highest lumens as well. All photos are with my POS cell phone, so I apologize for the lacking quality.

At lunch yesterday:


I'm slightly pissed as I got some melted glue from the lens/housing on the chrome portion of the housing. But, whatever, this is my beater anyway so I'm not too concerned:


After 4 hours of work today I am finally finished. I JB welded the spring clips higher as recommended:



Also somewhat hard to see here but the wires for the solenoid were easily visible. With the need/want to finish this project TODAY, I decided to take extreme measures lol... tinfoil wrapped around the wires so it blends a bit nicer:


Final product while the RTV was drying:


Ran the wiring harness, got the ballasts hooked up:


And here they are installed:


I'll grab some DSLR shots later, as well as output and cutoff shots. I'm incredibly happy with this setup and want to thank The Retrofit Source and specifically Nate for sending me the parts

[deb38]

5.9 tits.

[OutToWinPAHC]

eww those headlamps

and as for the Typhoon so I dont know how they say the jeep was fastest when it clearly wasn't when this was early 90's
280hp @4400
360ft lbs @3600
0-60 in 5.3 seconds
1/4 mile 14.1 @95mph

[mcperson2k]

Maybe it means like "Currently the fastest SUV in production".

[schaffer]

Headlights look awesome! How much did you pay in materials. I'd love a set if you are willing to make some for other vehicles.

[Shipman]

Stock headlights look better imo

[PAFirefighter11]

Originally Posted by OutToWinPAHC

eww those headlamps

and as for the Typhoon so I dont know how they say the jeep was fastest when it clearly wasn't when this was early 90's
280hp @4400
360ft lbs @3600
0-60 in 5.3 seconds
1/4 mile 14.1 @95mph

Like I said earlier: "FWIW: Motor Trend stated that the 1998 Grand Cherokee 5.9L was the fastest PRODUCTION SUV in 1998. They said the Cyclone/Typhone's were fastest PRODUCTION SUV/Trucks when they were built." So Motor Trend was referring to them as different categories I guess? I dunno, I'm just going off their quote lol.

Originally Posted by schaffer

Headlights look awesome! How much did you pay in materials. I'd love a set if you are willing to make some for other vehicles.

Thanks man!

The projectors, shrouds and HID kit (Ballasts, bulbs, relay harness, etc.) are $300 retail shipped. The housings are $65 shipped. It took me 4 hours of work from start to finish, but I've done several prior retros which definitely makes things far, far easier.

If I had the room I'd definitely make you a set. I'll let ya know if I get around to it.

Originally Posted by Shipman

Stock headlights look better imo

Performance > aesthetics, this counts for headlights as well.

Stock Grand Cherokee headlight output:


MH1 output (Crap photo):

[PAFirefighter11]

Here's a quick vid I took a little bit ago. Just to show the setup at night including cutoff and highs. For some reason it seems the driver side high is had a slight hiccup on the one activation. You'll see it in the vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7jRBHHYAXM

[laser92dsm]

That's a mint looking 5.9. My dad would love that, we had a 96 Zj with the 4.0 loved that jeep, bought it with 15k sold it with 200k on the same motor, trans, and t-case never rebuilt. A friend I had in high school, his dad has a 5.9 that he goes off roading with all the time. Maybe when I finish my Tj project I should go explore PA never been off roading there. Good luck with it, looks like it will be fun.

[PAFirefighter11]

Originally Posted by laser92dsm

That's a mint looking 5.9. My dad would love that, we had a 96 Zj with the 4.0 loved that jeep, bought it with 15k sold it with 200k on the same motor, trans, and t-case never rebuilt. A friend I had in high school, his dad has a 5.9 that he goes off roading with all the time. Maybe when I finish my Tj project I should go explore PA never been off roading there. Good luck with it, looks like it will be fun.

Thanks - it needs some paint and minor body work but it's a beater so I am not concerned. If you head out here to PA check out Rausch Creek Off-road Park. Best place in Eastern PA to wheel at the moment. Reading Anthracite also sells yearly permits for wheeling. Pretty cool.

Video I just took at lunch here at work. Daylight, so it's easier to see the setup:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrSRQocTI7s

I took DSLR shots as well so I'll upload those this week.

[DPancoast]

How's the gas mileage on that bish

[PAFirefighter11]

Originally Posted by DPancoast

How's the gas mileage on that bish

How do you think it is? haha... When not beating on it it's around 14.5 average. When beating on it, it's 12.5 average. Just changed out the rear axle fluid.

I went to my buddies shop today and borrowed one of his lifts. Had to change the rear diff. fluid from the OE Mopar stuff in there (Since Day 1 it seems) to some Royal Purple Max Gear 75w140:


I drained the D44a diff fluid:


Inside looks clean. No bad wear marks or anything:


I used some RTV to make a new seal, put the cover back on, and torqued it all down. Drove home and the clunking (Issue I've had since I got the Jeep) is GONE! The Jeep even drives better. It feels like it's on ice (in a good way). Less rolling resistance I guess you can say. Can't wait to do the front now too.