Scotty,
Big fan of your channel and big fan of Toyotas, too!
I have a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 4.7 PowerTech V8 and 545RFE tranny. It is just about to turn 186,000 miles on the clock with the original drivetrain, zero rebuilds.
My Dad owned a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 4.7 V8 and 545RFE also, and it had a whoppin 337,596 miles at time of sale!!!
I know you don't like Jeeps - but I think you should reconsider the 4.7 V8. While the 4.7 does get a lot of hate for a number of issues, I have studied this motor in-depth, driven it for years, and have had nothing but success...when maintained. As long as I have used full synthetic motor oil, exchanged the coolant, and flushed the transmission every 30k miles, I have never had an issue with either the 4.7 motor or the 545 transmission.
BTW, the 545RFE is an unusually good transmission because it has zero bands. Instead, it uses three planetary gearsets with electrically-controlled clutches. No wonder it lasts beyond 330,000 miles without rebuilds!
I would like to hear your thoughts on both of these old - but very reliable - powerplants.
Thanks!
P.S. As far as other Chrysler issues are concerned (like electronics), I have had a number but nothing beyond the scope of reasonable repair. Do basically all of my own repairs. But I can definitely agree with you on the overall lack of quality Chrysler has in general. Even back in 2005, they were using way too much plastic. Now, between the stupid electronics and cheap materials, any new Chrysler deserves to go straight to the junk yard! So don't think I am a crazy Chrysler fanatic. 🤣 😀
Initial design work for the PowerTech V8 was done by American Motors prior to the Chrysler buyout. (The first generation "ZJ" Grand Cherokee was also designed by AMC.) The PowerTech was the first really new Chrysler V8 since the 1960s:
https://www.allpar.com/threads/4-7-liter-next-generation-corsair%C2%A0v8-engines-dodge-jeep.229964/
They certainly do not make 'em like that any more.
Jeep has been a problematic brand for decades, maybe due to all the changes in ownership.
But you are on to something about their engines. I agree with you. For the most part, over the years, Jeep has had reasonably good motors. Their old in-line 6 is a true legend. The TJ-era 4-cylinder was solid too. And more recent vintage 5.7 V8 (hemi) and 3.6 V6 (pentastar) motors have had well above average reliability. From personal experience, the hemi in my wife’s GC is over 170,000 miles and going strong.
Current stuff, especially in their less expensive models (Renegade, Compass) is a different story....
Yeah, I agree. I can't say I've seen many good things with the 3.6 Pentastar; had a couple in the shop that flat out didn't sound good, one needed to be replaced. Almost too much technology in the 3.6. But maybe I'm wrong; haven't researched that one much.
As for the 5.7, that is also a great motor - at least the old Eagle HEMI they stuck in them 05-07 WKs. My Dad replaced his ol WJ that had 337k with a 2005 WK 5.7 HEMI. That thing now has 202,000 miles on it and is runnin strong.
But I just don't think there is a more reliable Chrysler V8 than the first gen 4.7 PowerTech. It has just the right amount of technology without being too much. The piston rings were set tighter on the old 4.7s, going against the trends of that time. The fact that neither of the high-mileage 4.7s burned oil testifies to that fact. Those engines were built like tanks and if you did your maintenance, easily compare to the reliability of the 4.0 I6 - which I also agree is an excellent motor.