While we've been going throught the 1999 Jeep brochure recently and have noticed some interesting quotes within the brochure. From Autoweek:

Mechanically speading, the big news is the 4.7-liter V8 ... designed and developed in concert with the new four-speed 45 RFE transmission. The gearbox actually has five ratios - second gear has two, at 1.5 and 1.67:1, with the transmission choosing the ratio based on speed and throttle position

From Automotive Industries:

The introduction of the Quadra-Drive System on the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee changes the rules of four-wheel drive so dramatically, it may never be the same.