WKJeeps.com has posted videos of the 2005 Grand Cherokee on their web site.

The 2005 Grand Cherokee differs from the competition in a few areas...

1.) Many of the "competition" do not offer low-range gearing.

2.) Many of the "competition" not only use IFS but independant rear suspension also.

3.) The DHS system (available in March 2005) will allow the front and rear sway bars to float when the vehicle is not cornering at high speeds. This will allow for better off-road capability.

4.) The HEMI engine option provides more torque than the "competition"

5.) The front, center, and rear electronic limited slip differentials are not available on the "competition".

I saw some videos of the WK rock climbing at Camp Jeep 2004. It looked like a Rubicon going over the obstacles with one tire in the air and the Jeep still moving forward. Everyone has their negative views on IFS, myself included. But the new system is said to have a 10% (somewhere around that figure) increase in front wheel articulation over the WJ with a SFA, plus an upgraded 4WD system. Sure its electronic. But unlike most electronic systems which utilize the ABS brakes to control wheel slippage, this system controls the differential itself. It is Quadradrive in every aspect except that it is electronically controlled rather than hydraulically. Im sure the engineers at Jeep knew what they were getting into with the electronic diffs and not into taking a cheap shortcut with 4WD, especially on a Jeep. And I will never see Hummer as the new Jeep, the H2 has a torsion bar IFS! and the IFS setup on the H1 isnt worth 100k. The new WK is nothing like the competition. Its Jeeps way providing awesome capability with modern road-handling characteristics that are required in todays market.

That is my viewpoint.Then again, "real Jeeps have round headlights" right? Is a YJ not a real Jeep? Or now is it going to be "real Jeeps have SFA"? So does that mean now a YJ is a real Jeep but the WK and KJ are not?

I hope Jeep does well with the new 2005 Grand, but without SFA, the new Grand is not much different than the competition.

Jeep use to be the most affordable and capable off-road line of vehicles compared to any other competition, but slowly Jeep is moving away from this. I know they need to be profitable, and they have/and will expand their line in non-offroad areas, but basically the Liberty and new 2005 Grand are just like the competition. What I don't like is Jeep is losing its uniqueness.

I've sold Jeeps for 13 years. I was on board when the first GC revolutionized the SUV market. Having actually driven the 2005, I want to assure all you old Jeep hands that this is the best Cherokee ever!!

Well we are getting the 2005's on our lot now...

They do not have the standard manual 4x4 gear shift... They are all electronic or there is no shifter period!!!! Like all the techs have said... Chrysler has lost some serious jeep fans over this one.... I didn't realize they would ever go to electronic 4x4... Buy up all the 04's while you can... Independant suspension... It has the same front diff as the liberty! which by the way the liberty's are starting to see some front diff's blowing up.... Now picture a hemi engine with all the torque in the same aluminum housing??
I see a problem here! Hummer is starting to look like the new jeep and choice now.

YJ- I like your thinking!

Has anybody driven the 2005 Grand Cherokee??
How can we come to any conclusions that the 2005 Grand is not as capable as a 2004 Grand.

I just checked out a 2005 Grand Cherokee and it looks great!
This will replace my 2000 in a couple of years.
It looks like a Jeep.

here is my comment

It looks like the all-new Grand Cherokee would have been a great edition to the Dodge or Chrysler line up.

I went from Ford to Jeep (XJ and TJ) just because I had so many problems with IFS.

Although the SFA is a causes the Jeeps to sway side-to-side a bit, it is not uncomfortable. In fact, I prefer feeling the road when I drive on or off road.

Plus, I've never had a problem with the SFA.

Hopefully the new GC will help the Jeep brand but it's too bad that there is no SFA option.

I'll just keep the old Jeeps runin'.

I hope the tid bit on not being able to order 2005 Unlimited Rubi's is wrong. Pricing info was finally released yesterday on the Unlimited Rubicons. (Basically $1000 for a LWB compared to the regular SWB Rubicon)...
Here is the link:


http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-27-2004/0002259051&EDATE=

All the more reason to keep the YJ I have....to find a low-mileage XJ; maybe an '01, and to finish it off...search for that '90-'91 Grand Wagoneer I've always longed for. It's quite obvious that the "new jeep" ain't the "Old Jeep". And this is progress?