Welcome to the JeepSpecs.com in-depth page of WJ Generation Jeep Grand Cherokee features, options and changes 1999-2001. Did we mis anything? Please get in touch with us and tell us about it!
Chrysler introduced the all-new 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee to a worldwide audience on June 16, 1998, at 1 PM at Cobo Center in Detroit. Production started at the Jefferson North assembly plant on Friday July 17th, with nearly 5,000 workers producing over 1,300 Grand Cherokees per day.
| 1998 ZJ and the new 1999 WJ | 998 ZJ 5.9 Limited | WJ world premiere June 16, 1998 |
|---|
For more information on the 1999 launch, see WJ sales, production dates & milestones
| Limited | 4.7L V-8 | Limited interior | Laredo |
|---|
- New “WJ” series, exterior and interior completely redesigned
- Air bags, next Generation driver and front-passenger
- Braking improvements (approx. 25% larger rear swept area than predecessor, enhanced antilock system, reduced pedal pulsation, dual-piston sliding front calipers, improved fade resistance, quieter operation)
- Engine, new 4.7L Power Tech V8 engine. SOHC, 16-valve, SMPI V-8 (235 horsepower, 295 lb.-ft. of torque)
- Engine, 4.0-liter Power Tech OHV, 12-valve, SMPI I-6 engine upgraded (195 horsepower, 230 lb.-ft. of torque. New cylinder head, new exhaust manifolds, redesigned water pump and other improvements)
- High-strength steel door beams
- HVAC improvements, with new floor ducts, redesigned rear passenger and redesigned rear body/air exhausters (50% improvement in flow through capacity). New defroster system, faster and more uniform coverage. 5° cooler than previous systems. New quieter electric fan. Body sealing greatly improved
- Infrared dual zone climate control (Limited models only)
- NVH improvements (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) (stiffer uniframe body structure to reduce noise transmission into passenger compartment. Undesirable shake eliminated across the full spectrum of vibration frequencies at the mounting points of the seats, instrument panel and steering wheel. Fan noise eliminated by installing a hybrid cooling fan system (on models with V8 or trailer tow package). Redesigned weather-stripping and better body dimensional control. Hydroformed tubular control arms are five times stiffer than on previous models to reduce transmission of axle noise. Expandable beta-foam is used inside the lower structural pillars to reduce road noise. A variety of insulation, seals and other NVH materials used throughout)
- Occupant protection (ribbed mouldings covering body pillars and foam cushions applied to roof rails)
- Overhead console, new with up to 13 programmable features
- Quad-Halogen head lamps (greater range and wider beam pattern, 28% reduction in glare to oncoming drivers, high beam output improved by over 92%)
- Quadra-Drive 4-wheel drive system
- Quadra-Coil suspension (refined front track bar, reduced bump impact harshness, stiffer control arms, new 3-link rear suspension, “lubed for life” componentry)
- Sentry Key® theft-deterrent System
- Smoother quieter more comfortable ride on and off road
- Spare tire, relocated under rear load floor
- Stereo (Infinity), new larger tweeters, front door speakers changed from 6.75″ round to 6×9″ oval, rear door speakers from 6.75″ round to 6.5″ round.
- Steering improvements (all-new recirculating-ball design with better low-speed returnability, crisper response, improved driver control and reduced tire wear)
- Transmission, new 45 RFE (Rear-wheel-drive Fully Electronic multispeed automatic transmission, provides a wide range of gear ratios for more precise shifts, alternate 2nd gear for smoother shifting and a reverse gear ratio that is equal to the 1st gear ration for easier trailer backing).
- Wider interior cargo space
| Limited | Laredo |
|---|
- Engine, 4.7L V8 added as an option for 2WD model
- Selec-Trac® 4WD Transfer case now available with 4.7-liter Power Tech V-8 Engine
- New Laredo cladding and fascia color: Dark Gray Metallic (Medium Driftwood Metallic continues)
- Laredo “D” package dropped, making Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) standard on all models
- New Optional Convenience Group on Laredo E Package includes Protection Group, Remote Keyless Entry System and P225/75R16 OWL tires
- Backlighting added to Homelink controls (running change in late 2000MY production)
- Center console release mechanism improved. Grip also improved on inside pen holder
- Color-keyed sun visor extensions added to all models
- Color-keyed cruise control switch bezels on leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Color-keyed instrument panel top pad & upper door trim panels on Laredo
- Color-keyed outboard instrument panel vents
- Cargo trim panel loops upgraded for improved durability
- Door handles (interior) upgraded from black to chrome (Laredo)
- Fog Lamps now included in Laredo F package
- “Headlamps on” indicator added to instrument cluster
- Interior trim accents – Spartan Burl woodgrain replaces Zebrano
- Redesigned instrument panel air outlets for improved air flow
- Sentry Key Engine Immobilizer now standard on all models (running change from 1999 model year)
- Soft-touch painted instrument panel center bezel, power outlet door, outboard panel outlet knobs & bezels, door trim pull cups & switch bezels
- “Seat belt” indicator in cluster remains on until belt is fastened
- Tip-to-tip instrument pointer lighting (running change from late 1999 production)
- New softer Royal leather seating material, optional
- New Mopar navigation system offered as a dealer installed option
- Exterior badges changed to bright (chrome) on all models
- New Vitro/Bright Limited door badges (black w/silver print)
- Roof rack guide holes added for locking the crossrails evenly
- Spare tire wing nut cheapened
- Sun roof full-open feature eliminated due to wind noise concerns (effective with vehicles built after April 15, 1999 the sun roof stops 4″ ahead of the full open position)
New exterior colors: (added during the second half of 99 model year) - Patriot Blue Pearl Coat
- Silverstone Metallic Clear Coat
- Shale Green MetallicDeleted colors:
- Bright Platinum Metallic and Deep Slate Pearl Coat Deleted items:
- Wheels, 16×7″ Silverblade aluminum with Camel accent
| Laredo SA | Limited | Laredo interior |
|---|
- Automatic transmission, new 545RFE five-speed with 4.7-liter engine provides a second overdrive ratio for increased highway fuel economy and reduced engine noise at highway speeds (Note: A Flash upgrade was introduced on September 15, 2000 which when performed on 1999 and 2000 models adds the new second overdrive ratio to upgrade those transmissions to 5-speeds)
- Small storage net added to left-rear quarter trim panel
- Cargo area upper trim tie-down D-rings added
- Child seat tether, added rear provision
- Chrome color “Jeep” horn cover badge added as standard
- Chrome exterior accents added to Limited model including grill throat
- Cooling fan, industry-first hydraulically driven engine cooling fan on 4.7-liter engine for increased fuel economy and efficiency. Attached to radiator assembly and powered by power steering system for more efficient and quieter operation
- Fuel cap, new 1/4 turn quick-on, tethered
- Gauges, white-faced (Limited models)
- Head restraint shaft bezels, new color-keyed
- Interior (Laredo), new brushed aluminum finish instrument panel bezels above glove box and left of steering column (replaces simulated wood finish trim) and brushed aluminum finish upper center stacks
- Interior, (Limited), new color-keyed door switches and bezels, memory switch bezels, pull-cups, and bright cluster dials
- Laredo Special Appearance Group, new, includes 17×7.5 inch 7-spoke wheels, color-keyed cladding and fascias, body color license brow and liftgate handle, bodyside stripe, fog lamps and leather seats
- Radio, new Alpine AM-FM-Cassette and CD player with CD changer controls (RBP) replaces AM/FM cassette with CD equalizer (RAZ) and AM/FM cassette with CD changer controls (RBN) radios
- Seats, new Euro-style seats with gathered leather on Limited
- Tires, new P235/65R17 – Goodyear Wrangler SR-A Outline White Letter All-Terrian and Michelin LTX BSW All-Season performance
- Trailer brake connector, new aftermarket electric, under instrument panel, packaged with pigtail in trailer tow groups
- Wheels, new 17×7.5 inch 5-spoke replace 16×7 inch on Limited model
New exterior colors: - Steel Blue replaces Everglade.
- Woodland Brown replaces Taupe Frost New interior color:
- Sandstone replaces Camel
Deleted items: - Body-side pinstripe deleted on Limited
- Radio (deleted 3-band equalizer)