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Jeep - Wading Depth

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Richard of Centurion, Gautend, South Africa (6/1/04):
I saw what was advertised on the Jeep "trail-rated" web site. They show the Grand Cherokee 4.7 v8 traversing extremely deep water. I have always liked the Jeep and I bought the 2000 model Grand Cherokee 4.7 v8 LTD. I am a 4x4 enthusiast and have being doing off-roading for in excess of 13 years.

When I tried to do a simple low-level stream crossing, (which I had done several times before in my standard Nissan 4X4 without any problems), the Jeep's engine sucked in water and caused massive engine failure. On approaching DaimlerChrysler for help, I was informed that this vehicle was only speced at a wading depth of 480mm (not even knee hieght!). This wading depth is NOT listed anywhere in my owners manual (I mean NOWHERE).

The 1999 Leisure Wheels magazine (2nd edition) specs this vehicle to have a wading depth of 910mm (test done at Gerotek testing facility). On further investigation, we also discovered the air-intake to be in the grill opening next to the RHS headlight (for an off-road vehicle?) Not a good idea. The newer models have been changed... why? was there a common problem?

As far as the "Trail-Rating"? Jeep SA stated in their final letter of refusal, that only the 2004 Models are "trail-rated" and not any models prior to this. This is also not stated anywhere in on the Jeep website, and I'm sure that current jeep owners of 2000-2003 models with be very disapointed in this statement.

This absolute misrepresentation and bad advertising on DaimlerChryslrer Jeep's behalf has cost me R41000-00 in engine damage and R3000-00 in car hire and lift arrangements. I was without my Jeep for an entire month.

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