Jeep Grand Cherokee

A version of the Grand Cherokee with DaimlerChrysler's BlueTec Diesel V6 from the E320 is expected in 2006. Glass which has not been annealed will usually at least crack, and can shatter due to a seemingly minor temperature change or other shock. Powered by a 415 hp (310 kW) version of the 6.1 L Hemi, it also features upgraded Brembo brakes, a special transfer case, and interior and exterior updates. This relieves the internal stresses, resulting in a piece which should last for many years. An SRT-8 version of the Grand Cherokee debuted at the 2005 New York International Auto Show. The piece is then slowly cooled at a predetermined rate until its temperature is below a critical point, at which it can no longer generate internal stresses, and then the temperature can safely be dropped to room temperature. Notable features are a GPS navigation system, rear seat DVD player (both available on Limited and Overland trims), and Quadra-Drive II AWD (std on 5.7 L Hemi available on 4.7 L). The piece is then allowed to heat-soak until its temperature is even throughout; the time necessary for this varies depending on the type of glass and thickness of the thickest section.

The exterior is a slight departure from the other Grand Cherokees, but maintains a luxurious feel of the interior. Annealing, in glass terms, is heating a piece until its temperature reaches a stress-relief point, that is, a temperature at which the glass is still too hard to deform, but is soft enough for internal stresses to ease. An all-new WK Grand Cherokee debuted in 2004 for the 2005 model year. Once finished, the piece must be annealed in an oven, or else it will eventually crack or shatter. V8 as well as a wealth of standard features such as front and side-curtain airbags, an Infinity sound system with 10-disc changer, heated/power front seats, sidestep rails, power sunroof, wood/leather steering wheel and 17-inch alloy wheels. All parts of the workpiece must be kept hot, at similar temperatures, or else they can crack or shatter. The Overland (appropriated after the former Jeep parent, Willys-Overland) is top-of-the-line of the WJ brand boasting the 4.7 L H.O. The glass is heated until molten, merged with other pieces, and shaped with various tools.

The Special Edition was introduced offering the same quality of the Limited, differences include 4.7 L V8 engine and slightly revised front grille were standard issue on the Special Edition. Once ready to begin, the lampworker slowly introduces glass rod and tubing into the flame so that the pieces won't shatter from thermal shock. These specialty models appeared for a brief time, The Sport was slightly more equipped than the Laredo and offered a two-tone black trim interior for style. After designing a piece, a lampworker must carefully plan how to construct it. Specialty models:. Steel jacks, usually coated with beeswax, are used to neck down or cut off a piece. The Laredo and luxurious Limited trim levels were standard models. Tungsten picks can be used to drag glass around on the surface, or to bore a hole through a piece.

Although five of the six ratios were used, Chrysler decided to call it a "4-speed automatic". Brass, graphite, or wooden molds (usually of apple or cherry wood) can be used to mold the hot glass. Four were used for upshifts, with a different second gear for downshifts. Graphite or steel pads, rods, and other shapes are used for marvering the glass. This gave it six theoretical speeds, and it would have been the first six-speed transmission ever produced in volume, but it was programmed to only use five of these ratios. Tools for lampworking are similar to those used in glassblowing. It included 3 planetary gearsets rather than the two normally used in a 4-speed automatic. In addition to producing a hotter flame, the use of pure oxygen allows more control over the flame's oxidizing or reducing properties, which is necessary because some coloring chemicals in borosilicate glass react with any remaining oxygen in the flame either to produce the desired final color or to discolor if extra oxygen is present.

The 45RFE automatic transmission in the WJ cherokee was notable. Also, its working range is at higher temperatures than Moretti, requiring larger torches and the use of oxygen instead of air. With three viscous clutches, it was the only truck all wheel drive system on the time with triple difs, as Toyota had removed the front locker from their Land Cruiser. However, it has a narrower working temperature range than Moretti, has fewer available colors, and is considerably more expensive. A notable feature that was available this generation is the automatic AWD option called Quadra-Drive. Borosilicate glass is considered more forgiving to work with, as its lower COE makes it less apt to crack than Moretti. Although this engine produced less torque than both previous V8s, it was lighter and got much better fuel economy. Chemically, some colors can react with each other when melted together, usually causing undesirable effects such as discoloration, bubbling, or devitrification.

The two heavy pushrod V8 engines were replaced by a single aluminum SOHC unit, Chrysler's new PowerTech. Different major types of glass, e.g., borosilicate and Moretti, are not compatible with each other. The spare tire was relocated from the side of the cargo compartment to under the floor to great relief of owners. Glass with incompatible COE, mixed together, can create powerful stresses within a finished piece as it cools, cracking or even violently shattering the piece. The structure was stiffened (by Porsche Engineering) for sharper steering and lighter weight. Different colors of glass must be carefully selected for compatibility with each other, both chemically and in terms of coefficient of thermal expansion (COE). The redesigned WJ 1999 Grand Cherokee shared just 127 parts with its predecessor. Leaded glass tubing was commonly used in the manufacture of neon signs, although its use has been fading due to environmental concerns and health risks.

The Grand Cherokee V8 was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list and was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 1993. Lampworking can be done with many types of glass, but the most common are soda-lime glass, sometimes called "soft glass", or Moretti after an early Italian manufacturer; and borosilicate glass, particularly Pyrex. Two-wheel-drive models were sold though only for "Laredo" trims in late 1993, it wasn't until 1994 when 2WD was available for Limited; and in 1997 5.2 L V8 engines were sold along with 2WD. . Exclusive to the Grand Cherokee was the introduction of Quadra-Trac having all-time four-wheel assistance only, this was standard on all Limited and specialty trims and optional for Laredo models alike. Most artists today use torches that burn either propane or natural gas for the fuel gas, with either air or pure oxygen as the oxidizer. Select-Trac had the option of either full-time or part-time operation; Both shift-on-the-fly Command-Trac and Select-Trac were already avaliable for the Cherokee XJ lineup, and were adopted to the ZJ platform. Early lampworking was done in the flame of an oil lamp, with the artist blowing air into the flame through a pipe.

4WD systems included Command-Trac, a part-time unit offering temporary 4-wheel asistance; Command-Trac was dropped from lineup in conjunction with the SE trim in 1996. In addition to artwork, lampworking is used to create scientific tools, particularly for chemistry. For 1993 alone, Jeep resurrected the Grand Wagoneer name for a special luxury version of the Grand Cherokee with the 5.2 L V8, this marked the last appearance for the Grand Wagoneer from the Jeep lineup. Some well-known lampworkers include Roger Parramore, sometimes called "the human lathe" due to his peerless ability to create smoothly turned vessels, Bandhu Scott Dunham, author of several lampworking textbooks and artistic compilations, and Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka, who created sea-life and botanic models in glass for Harvard. Other features separated the 5.9 from the standard Limited model, such as mesh grille insert, unique five-spoke alloy wheels, improved premium stereo, and softer leather trim. Although the art form has been practiced since ancient times, it flowered in Murano, Italy in the 1300s, and spread from there to the rest of Europe. It housed a powerful 5.9 L V8 engine with an output of 245 hp and 345 foot-pounds of torque, going from zero to 60 mph in only 7.3 seconds, making it the quickest SUV available that year. It is also known as flameworking or torchworking, as the modern practice no longer uses oil fuled lamps.

The 5.9 Limited was produced only for the 1998 model year, having more luxury than that of the regular Limited. Lampworking is glassworking using a torch to melt and shape the glass. TSi packages came equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, 225/70R16 tires, leather seats and premium sound system. A sporty TSi model (1997-1998) briefly debuted, exterior features included single color body paneling, with a light blue striping accent. Specialty models included the Orvis (1995-1997); a Grand Cherokee Limited package that featured a exterior color scheme of deep hunter green with red and gold strip accents (1995), 96-97 Orvis exteriors were of hunter green tone with basic gold striping; the interior was a two-tone green and champagne seats complimented with red accents and "Orvis" company badging.

Limited models that year and on had more luxury items such as driver placement memory, remote radio control from the steering wheel, and varible assist while driving and parking. The AMC 4.0 L I6 engine was also refined, though receiving slightly less horsepower but gained more torque and presented quieter operation. 1996 brought cosmetic changes ranging from improved body modeling (grille, bumpers), better wind aerodynamics, and intergrated foglights; Interior features added dual-airbags and increased farbic quality for seating. The Limited also boasts features such as leather seating, optional power sunroof, mirrors, seats, and remote keyless entry system; a basic onboard computer; and waffle-like cast aluminum wheels.

The Limited is the premium model, with the lower body paneling being the same color as the vehicle color. The Laredo is the mid-scale model, features included added body cladding, fancier seats, power windows, power door locks, and cruise control; exterior features display a medium grey plastic lower body paneling and five star spoke aluminum wheels. The Base model (also known as SE) offered basic features such as full instruments, cloth interior, and a five-speed manual transmission; The SE model was dropped in 1996 in favor of the Laredo. The ZJ models, manufactured from 1993 to 1998, originally came in 3 general trims, the Base, Laredo, and the Limited.

Production of the Grand Cherokee started shortly afterward in the purpose-built Jefferson North Assembly in Detroit, Michigan and has remained there since. Then-Chrysler president Robert Lutz drove Detroit mayor, Coleman Young up the steps of Cobo Hall and through a plate glass window to show off the new vehicle. The Grand Cherokee debuted in grand fashion at the 1992 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The first generation (ZJ) was the first Chrysler-badged Jeep product since AMC came up with the concept; the AMC engineers/designers behind the project, later Chrysler employees (after the 1987 buyout) were pushing for a late 1980s release date; however, then-CEO Lee Iacocca was pushing for redesigned Chrysler minivans, delaying the ZJ's release until late 1992.

Based on the Jeep Concept 1 (1989), the Grand Cherokee's origins date back to 1983 when American Motors engineers were designing an XJ Cherokee successor. The Grand Cherokee was a spinoff of the notably smaller Jeep Cherokee. . European Grand Cherokees are manufactured in Austria by Magna Steyr.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a midsize SUV made by Jeep, a division of Daimler-Chrysler. Car and Driver (August 1998): 69–70.. Jeep Grand Cherokee Preview. Phil Berg.

2006–present – SRT-8. 2006–present – Overland. 2005–present – Limited. 2005–present – Laredo.

2002–2004 — Overland. 2002–2004 — Special Edition. 2002–2003 — Sport. 1993 – Grand Wagoneer.

1998 – 5.9 Limited. 1997–1998 – TSi. 1995–1997 – Orvis "Limited Edition". 1993–1998 – Limited.

1993–1998 – Laredo. 1993–1996 – Base "SE".