[3Fort]

I just joined and it said i needed to post something. So here goes (sorry if long-winded. I'm new):

In the last 9 months, I've spent about 1/4 the price of a new Grand Cherokee fixing my '01 Limited. I've kept it in mint condition but had some fluke issues (cracked engine head, warped brake rotors, etc). But it's paid off and i just thought it made sense to keep fixing it.

Last Winter, we got caught in a blizzard that made a 3 hour drive into 7. SUVs were off the road everywhere, but my Jeep never wavered. So I drink the coolaid.

i'm planning to keep the '01 for my better half, ditch her Equinox (POS IMO), and get the new Overland. Seemed simple enough until the 4WD system came up.

As I'm clearly sold on my current QuadraDrive, I simply wanted the current equivalent. But the only V8 Overlands anyone has are QTII not QDII. Never thought I'd buy a brand new vehicle but the depreciation on '13s does not seem to be enough to offset some of the additional features in a '14.

In any case, it looks like I'm going to order one from the factory w/ QDII. Since I'm a designer for a living, looks matter. So I'm curious about the wheel size (18 vs 20) if I add the ORA pkg for the $200 more. Also, am I losing MPG or highway horsepower with this setup? My brother had an 07 Trail Rated GC Limited Hemi that he said he had to get rid of because his gas mileage was so bad with the added weight and drag of the skid plates. Etc.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JeepGCOverland]

The gas mileage will not be significantly affected with the addition of the ORAII package. You also will not lose HP. However, the GC will feel less sporty with the 18" rims (vs. the 20" rims). The 18" rims will be better off-roading than the 20" rims due to their larger sidewall. The look is purely personal preference, so don't be swayed by anything anyone says regarding the appearance of the wheels.

 

[3Fort]

LMAO!!! I think it's hilarious that, of all the people who could possibly have replied to me, it was you. Thanks so much for the reply. I was literally JUST looking at your pictures as I'm ordering the same jeep and color you have. Have never done anything aftermarket and a little disappointed in the dealer and Mopar's offerings. But I'm dying to get this thing purchased and delivered. I'll have to admire your photography until I can shoot some of my own.

Incidentally, how much worse would the street performance be? I'm getting the Hemi because it makes my size 14 Lead Foot smile! So I drive fast and mostly on road. But in winter and camping I'm up in Northern Minnesota off the beaten path.

 

[lstowell]

LMAO!!! I think it's hilarious that, of all the people who could possibly have replied to me, it was you. Thanks so much for the reply. I was literally JUST looking at your pictures as I'm ordering the same jeep and color you have. Have never done anything aftermarket and a little disappointed in the dealer and Mopar's offerings. But I'm dying to get this thing purchased and delivered. I'll have to admire your photography until I can shoot some of my own.

Incidentally, how much worse would the street performance be? I'm getting the Hemi because it makes my size 14 Lead Foot smile! So I drive fast and mostly on road. But in winter and camping I'm up in Northern Minnesota off the beaten path.

I've got a 2014 Overland with the Hemi, off road II, advanced tech group, etc.

I've actually been pleasantly surprised with the Hemi's mileage. I burn midgrade and sometimes sorta "pass in a hurry" but at about 3600 miles am running in the 17-18 range, where thats a lot of commute and a lot more mountain driving in sport mode.

Using the instant mpg display, once you are more or less level driving, I honestly don't see a difference in sport vs eco mode and the aero mode makes it drive almost like a sports sedan. The sport mode does suck more gas on uphills in particular, but for two lane mountain road passing, it does get rid of the "hold on bubba, I'm taking a break" syndrome of the eco mode when you stomp on it.

I don't think you can get the Hemi with anything but the top level 4wd and electronic LSD. I wouldn't recommend it if you plan to stomp on it on wet roads with those godawful Michelin Latitudes unless you like wheel spin.

The 8 speed may have a lot to do with the ability to squeal tires and yet not take out a loan for a tank of gas.

 

[3Fort]

are the michelline latitudes what come with the 20" or the ORAII with the 18's?

 

[JeepGCOverland]

LMAO!!! I think it's hilarious that, of all the people who could possibly have replied to me, it was you. Thanks so much for the reply. I was literally JUST looking at your pictures as I'm ordering the same jeep and color you have. Have never done anything aftermarket and a little disappointed in the dealer and Mopar's offerings. But I'm dying to get this thing purchased and delivered. I'll have to admire your photography until I can shoot some of my own.

Incidentally, how much worse would the street performance be? I'm getting the Hemi because it makes my size 14 Lead Foot smile! So I drive fast and mostly on road. But in winter and camping I'm up in Northern Minnesota off the beaten path.

Hahahaha that's an amazing coincidence! I replied because I was having hard time making the same decision. In my opinion, the 20" wheels are definitely better for on road performance. The 18" wheels feel floatier and don't give back as much feedback, in addition to not handling as well.

The 20" wheels should be fine for what you are doing. After all, it is a Jeep. If you decide to do some more heavy-duty off-roading, you can always buy some 18" wheels later, whether they are aftermarket or OEM. I also am not a fan of aftermarket stuff.

As for the pictures, thanks for your compliments. I will be home in a week and will be taking some more pictures that are better than the ones I have posted. Also, check out Copefree's threads. He has 2 threads that include a lot of photos of his Granite Overland with 20" wheels. He also gave an off-road review of the 20" wheels that I found helpful when I was making my decision on what to order.

 

[JeepGCOverland]

are the michelline latitudes what come with the 20" or the ORAII with the 18's?

Latitudes come with the 18" wheels, GY Forteras come with the 20" wheels.

 

[saltriverfolk]

LMAO!!! I think it's hilarious that, of all the people who could possibly have replied to me, it was you. Thanks so much for the reply. I was literally JUST looking at your pictures as I'm ordering the same jeep and color you have. Have never done anything aftermarket and a little disappointed in the dealer and Mopar's offerings. But I'm dying to get this thing purchased and delivered. I'll have to admire your photography until I can shoot some of my own.

Incidentally, how much worse would the street performance be? I'm getting the Hemi because it makes my size 14 Lead Foot smile! So I drive fast and mostly on road. But in winter and camping I'm up in Northern Minnesota off the beaten path.

My 2013 with the ORII package began getting better gas mileage about 8k.
I also learned on 2 recent treks to Fl and Nc that you can load the truck up with 100s of pounds of gear and even a canoe on top and there is not much difference in gas mileage, or performance! What does fort3 stand for?

 

[3Fort]

Really glad I joined this forum. Dealership couldn't get me the ORAii package with 20s, so it looks like I'm stuck with the 18s. But it seemed more cost effective to order it with the skid plates at $200 more vs. $800 if I do it later. May just buy some aftermarket street wheels and, from what I'm reading here, it looks like I'll need better tires on the 18s too.

3 is my first name (Trey) and Fort is part of my last name.

Ordering my GC tomorrow. the next 6-8 weeks are going to be VERY long.

 

[saltriverfolk]

Really glad I joined this forum. Dealership couldn't get me the ORAii package with 20s, so it looks like I'm stuck with the 18s. But it seemed more cost effective to order it with the skid plates at $200 more vs. $800 if I do it later. May just buy some aftermarket street wheels and, from what I'm reading here, it looks like I'll need better tires on the 18s too.

3 is my first name (Trey) and Fort is part of my last name.

Ordering my GC tomorrow. the next 6-8 weeks are going to be VERY long.

I like the 18" look much better and the Michelin latitudes that came on it are a fine tire for alabama roads although some day I will get some ATs, maybe on some mopar steelies.

 

[3Fort]

Thanks, Salt. Feeling better about it. Where in Bama? That's home for me when not in minnesota. War Eagle!

 

[mrjaydeeone]

Welcome to JeepGarage|

 

[studio1930]

I just joined and it said i needed to post something. So here goes (sorry if long-winded. I'm new):

In the last 9 months, I've spent about 1/4 the price of a new Grand Cherokee fixing my '01 Limited. I've kept it in mint condition but had some fluke issues (cracked engine head, warped brake rotors, etc). But it's paid off and i just thought it made sense to keep fixing it.

Last Winter, we got caught in a blizzard that made a 3 hour drive into 7. SUVs were off the road everywhere, but my Jeep never wavered. So I drink the coolaid.

i'm planning to keep the '01 for my better half, ditch her Equinox (POS IMO), and get the new Overland. Seemed simple enough until the 4WD system came up.

As I'm clearly sold on my current QuadraDrive, I simply wanted the current equivalent. But the only V8 Overlands anyone has are QTII not QDII. Never thought I'd buy a brand new vehicle but the depreciation on '13s does not seem to be enough to offset some of the additional features in a '14.

In any case, it looks like I'm going to order one from the factory w/ QDII. Since I'm a designer for a living, looks matter. So I'm curious about the wheel size (18 vs 20) if I add the ORA pkg for the $200 more. Also, am I losing MPG or highway horsepower with this setup? My brother had an 07 Trail Rated GC Limited Hemi that he said he had to get rid of because his gas mileage was so bad with the added weight and drag of the skid plates. Etc.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

I had a similar issue as I wanted the QDII but didn't want or need the V8. I ended up buying the V6 with the QTII but I have not had a chance to put it to use. I'm sure the V8 with the QDII is very nice but I'm not sure how much that affect your gas mileage. Gas mileage is the main reason I ordered the V6 based on reports of gas mileage from other V8 owners.

 

[3Fort]

I've been worried about that too, but the numbers are only showing a 1 mpg difference. Guess only time will tell. I'm committed now. Ordered it today.

 

[tomk]

the ORAII 18's are "just fine" ..

IIRC the outside tire diameter is the same with the 18's and the 20's, so it isn't going to make much difference mileage-wise.. just the rolling resistance which might go either way.

Got a lot of positive comments on my '14 Overland 5.7L with ORAII/18's at Carlisle, enough to walk away with third in class. And got 23.5MPG on the way home to boot

(the Carlisle pose is in OR2 ride height)

...tom

 

[saltriverfolk]

Thanks, Salt. Feeling better about it. Where in Bama? That's home for me when not in minnesota. War Eagle!

HooHooHoover WarEagle92!

 

[tomk]

I've been worried about that too, but the numbers are only showing a 1 mpg difference. Guess only time will tell. I'm committed now. Ordered it today.

My gut says you're gonna love it.

Just got back from a one-day 350mi roadtrip in my '14, just awesome.

 

[saltriverfolk]

Womb of Cherokee

And ye Jeep shall be born of the 3,000,000 SF North Jefferson Assembly plant in Detriot, the only remaining automobile manufacturing facility remaining in Detriot.
Jefferson North Assembly - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

:thumbsup:

 

[3Fort]

That thing is beautiful!! I'm still new so I don't know what Carlisle is but looks like something I'd love to attend.

 

[3Fort]

Salt, I put up a profile shot of my current jeep just for you. WarEagle95! Tom, can't wait for that first road trip!