There was a lot for Jeep homeowners to be enthusiastic about as the brand new millennium grew close to. Both the Wrangler and Cherokee had been using a continued wave of recognition, which might spur continued progress through the years to return. However, maybe most evident, was the excitement that surrounded the continued growth of Jeep’s latest wagon, the Grand Cherokee. Though the Jeep Grand Cherokee had formally entered the market in 1992, numerous subsequent enhancements and revisions had solely bolstered the SUV’s popularity.
The 1998 mannequin 12 months served as the top of an period, because the solar started to set upon the Grand Cherokee’s first technology of manufacturing. Consumers waited anxiously to witness the Grand Cherokee’s transformation, set to happen within the 12 months to return. However, the 1998 Grand Cherokee itself proved to be fairly interesting and provided vital worth to uncompromising customers the world over.
A Generational Divide
By 1998, these on the helm of Chrysler’s engineering division had been already quick at work, designing what would finally debut because the second-generation Grand Cherokee. However, a consensus of kinds had additionally been reached, pertaining to the outgoing first-generation Grand Cherokee. If the unique Grand Cherokee had been to be put out to pasture, it might solely be becoming to take action with a bang.
Though the Jeep Grand Cherokee had already achieved substantial notoriety for its stellar efficiency, the groundwork was laid to additional construct upon these qualities. In its ultimate 12 months of manufacturing, the Jeep ZJ would boast way more horsepower than any SUV to have been marketed on the time of its launch. However, the main points surrounding tips on how to accomplish such a feat had been nonetheless up within the air.
Credit: jeepexperts.comThe Baddest Of The Bunch
When the smoke cleared, a definitive judgment was reached. The most rational approach to pack extra energy beneath the Grand Cherokee’s hood was by the use of Mopar’s formidable 5.9-liter V8. This powerplant not solely produced the horsepower and torque that Chrysler’s engineering division had been in the hunt for, however had additionally confirmed itself dependable throughout prior use throughout the Dodge RAM 1500 pickup.
The 5.9-liter V8 produced 245 horsepower and 345 lb.-ft. of torque, thereby propelling the Grand Cherokee to a prime pace of roughly 130 MPH. This stage of efficiency was additionally potent sufficient to supply 0-60 MPH occasions of simply over 7-seconds. At the time, the 5.9-liter V8 geared up Grand Cherokee, stood as essentially the most highly effective manufacturing Sport Utility Vehicle to have ever been provided.
Grand Cherokee’s fitted with this powerplant additionally got here geared up with a strong four-speed automated transmission, higher geared up at dealing with the highly effective V8’s punishment. A set of Mopar Performance exhaust manifolds additionally got here customary, giving the Grand Cherokee an unmistakably aggressive exhaust tone.
Additional modifications for the 1998 mannequin 12 months had been fairly minimal. However, noticeably absent from the 12 months’s lineup was the Orvis-Edition Grand Cherokee, which had first been provided in 1995. Instead, the TSi mannequin launched a 12 months earlier in 1997, continued to be provided at a average value level. Grand Cherokees of 1998 classic additionally obtained Chrysler’s new “Next-Generation” airbags.
Change Upon The Horizon
As the 1998 Grand Cherokee’s tail lights pale into the sundown, a wave of change awaited simply over the horizon. The 1999 mannequin 12 months would start a brand new period of Grand Cherokee manufacturing, resulting in a rebirth of kinds for Chrysler’s almost decade-old luxurious wagon. As a end result, gross sales would quickly flourish, far past the expectations of even essentially the most studious of automotive critics.
Credit: jeepexperts.com1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Specifications
| Engine | 4.0L Inline 6
5.9L V8 |
| Horsepower | 185/245 horsepower |
| Torque | 220/345 lb-ft torque |
| 0-60 MPH | 7.9 sec |
| Quarter Mile Time | 14.3 sec |
| Weight | 3,582-3,740 lbs |
| Price | $25,945/$27,915 Laredo/4WD
$31,460/$33,890 Limited/4WD $38,275 Limited 5.9L V8
|
| Production Numbers | 271,841 |
Available Exterior Colors
The 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee was obtainable in Deep Amethyst, Dark Rosewood, Driftwood, Forest Green, Chargold 2 Satin Glow, Flame Red, Bright Platinum, Stone White, Dark Slate, and Black.
Credit: jeepexperts.comAvailable Interior Colors
The 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee inside was obtainable in Light Slate, Dark Slate, Camel, Agate, and Camel/Moss Green, and Light Slate/Dark Slate Two Tone.
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Video
We discovered an awesome video in regards to the ’98 Jeep Grand Cherokee.