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4.0 vs.4.7

59K views 22 replies 15 participants last post by  imagelost 
#1 ·
We all know how rock solid a good 4.0 is.

How does a 4.7 compare ?

reliability wise and maintenance are they a timing belt or chain ...interface or no.
 
#3 · (Edited)
I put 281k miles on my 2000 4.7 and never had any mechanical problems with it. In fact it was still running good and passed CA smog inspection when I sold it.

The 4.7 has timing chains NOT belts.

Also the 45/545RFE transmission that is used with the 4.7 is very reliable too. I never had any problems with it in 281k miles.

I now have 160k on my 2004 4.7HO and the only mechanical problem has been the exhaust manifold bolt.

If you keep the oil changed and don't let it ever overheat, I think the 4.7 engine is an excellent choice for reliability.

I have never had the 4.0 engine, but I did have the 42RE transmisssion in a 97 Dakota, it failed at around 90k miles so I am not too impressed with that transmission.
 
#4 ·
My wj has the 4.0 and 212000 kms no issues. My brother in law has the 4.7 HO in his overland 200000 ish also no problems. But he has a lot more power and the same mileage. If I had the choice again I would choose the 4.7. Why not have the extra power if there is no extra cost? Just my two cents
 
#6 ·
I've had a couple of 4.7s(one in my WJ 59,000,one in a Durango102,000)A 318(in my
old ZJ 205,000)and a 4.0(wifes WJ 222,000)and I just think that the newer motors require alot more TLC than the old 5.2 or 4.0. I guess time will tell but I,ve had some
problems with 4.7s that shouldn't of happened at 30 or 40.000 mi. Dont get me wrong I wouldn't trade my HO for anything 'cept maybe a Hemi but they just seem higher strung than the old motors.
 
#8 ·
One thing I have noticed though is I almost always get better gas mi
in my 4.7 over my wife's 4.0. She has a rough time with that.:lol::lol:
14 to 15 mpg avg 4.0 vs 15 to 16 mpg avg HO. What do you guys get?
 
#9 ·
The 4.0 in my '93 ZJ was as dependable as a rock. 150,000 miles on it and no troubles at all. Never burned oil nothing. Great engine. So far my 4.7 with 51,000 miles has been fine. I've been lucky with the manifold bolts so far but here's hoping on that one! My buddy had a Durango with the 4.7 and overheated with about 120,000 miles on it. It was never the same after that and had constant head gasket problems even after getting a new head. Keep it cool!
 
#11 ·
The 4.0 is a rock solid engine, ive had 6 jeeps with them and they are all solid engines. The biggest down fall is they are a gas hog, my 05 4.7 gets better gas mileage then any of my 4.0s did. I miss my 4.0, i wish the wk came with it.

If i had it my way i would buy a good used 4.0HO WJ and give my wife my 4.7 Wk and never look back, but i am and always will be a die hard 4.0 fan. To me nothing compares because of the reliability, torque and available market for repair/upgrades. Yea its only 190 hp stock but its not all about HP. I loved my 4.0s, I like my 4.7.
 
#13 ·
Like said earlier...with proper maintenance...both are excellent runners.

I had 2 4.0L's and now a 4.7L HO.

As for fuel economy...the 4.7L HO gets me about 17 average in city/suburb driving. 4.0L got 15, period...highway, city, didn't matter.

Lots more power, and better gas mileage? I like my HO....
 
#14 ·
What rear gears are in the average 4.0?

Could that be a difference

i'm thinking about getting 2wd grand cherokee so a change to highway gears wouldn't bother me as there is no interest to go off road.

Could the 4.7 have different gears ?
 
#19 ·
I believe it was to give them a better advantage and torque because they were 2wd so obviously they dont have a low range either.

I believe some automatic 4.0L Grand Cherokee's had 3.55s.

Yes, i think you are right i forgot about that. There are also a handful of 93/95 ZJs with the 4.0 and a 5 speed manual and 3:07 gears.
 
#18 ·
Love my 4.7/545rfe tranny combo. Just plain out fun to drive. I find myself shooting out of stop signs and lights just to feel the acceleration and sound. My 5.2's just never had that kind of power.

I've never had a 4.0.
I've got a couple of 4.0's that I'm in the process of building and can't wait to join that club. If anything I just want the reliability for my wife's daily driver.
 
#20 ·
i had a 89 cherokee 4.0 and have a 99 WJ 4.7, love both, the WJ gets better gas mileage, seems to have only a barely noticeable increase in power, but is definitely not quite as responsive throttle or transmission wise. The 89 was unkillable. Had to put in a manual clutch fan at about 180K, and was even in a situation where it was ran out of tranny fluid, till it wouldn't drive any more, patched the hole, filled it up and it was like nothing was ever wrong. I'm even thinking of buying my neighbor's (only has 80k) for 2000 because it was such a killer truck... sigh* i miss that truck... as much as I love my WJ
 
#22 ·
Ive had 2 cherokees,1 wrangler,and now my WJ and all have had the 4.0,i just love this motor,yeah it's down on hp compared to 4.7 it's a straight six and you are comparing it to v-8 but for me that's not what's it about for me,these motors RUN forever.I would have liked to try the 4.7HO (no subsitute for v-8 sound) but i wanted select trac 4wd and those are hard to find (at least around here) so i got 4.0 with select trac (2wd,part time 4wd) witch are a lot easier to find
 
#23 ·
Here is my thing. I never had the 4.7. But i do have the 4.0 I6 and i am rather upset about it. I bought the jeep with 60,000 on it. It cost me 14,000 after tax title and all that crap.
After 123,000 miles, my #1 cy. exhaust lifter collapsed. following that it then actually worn the #1 lobe on the cam almost to a perfect circle. The valve would not open since the lifter had died. $1900.00 later, my water pump went! $300.00 later I just found out that my right brake light bulb holder has melted. So now i have to purchase a new plug for that tail light.
But with all this, I love my jeep. call me foolish but its a damn sexy ride. o yea, its a 04 Laredo.
 
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