"jps" wrote in message
...


Bought a new Grand Cherokee with the 6 cyl in 1995 that I sold to a
family member last year, still running strong. Awesome in winter
where snow lasts for months. Dropped a transmission at around 50K
miles but it was still under warranty.

Not saying I'd buy another but it wasn't a horrible experience.



I am not sure that Jeep really qualifies as a MoPar designed product. The
Jeep line was purchased by MoPar from American Motors (remember the
"Rambler"?)

But, during the 50's and 60's, MoPar built some tanks of cars. They
weren't exactly refined when compared to GM and even some Ford products but
they were tough as hell. The legendary A727 transmission introduced in the
early 60's is still considered to be one of the best automatic transmissions
ever designed and built. They were (are) virtually bullet proof and are
just as happy in a high performance muscle car as they are in a mild
mannered family sedan. The '69 "General Lee" Dodge Charger I had for a
while had a 727 transmission mated to a high output 440 ci engine. Both
the engine and transmission were slightly modified. The engine had high
compression pistons, a mild cam and was electronically tweaked for high
horsepower. The only modification made to the transmission was the
addition of a shift kit. I never really pushed the car to it's potential,
but it had brute power, as long as you were going in a straight line.

It's a bit ironic that the more modern MoPar transmissions used in the
Caravan and in the early Ram trucks didn't share the same robust design and
reputation.

Eisboch

On Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:33:20 -0400, "Eisboch"
wrote:


"jps" wrote in message
.. .


Bought a new Grand Cherokee with the 6 cyl in 1995 that I sold to a
family member last year, still running strong. Awesome in winter
where snow lasts for months. Dropped a transmission at around 50K
miles but it was still under warranty.

Not saying I'd buy another but it wasn't a horrible experience.



I am not sure that Jeep really qualifies as a MoPar designed product. The
Jeep line was purchased by MoPar from American Motors (remember the
"Rambler"?)

Oh boy, do I ever. Nash Rambler through the super hot Pacer.

I had a Dodge Dart for several years in my early twenties. Jacked up
with giant chrome American Racing wheels. Finally totaled it one
night by driving over a 3 ft. boulder that had rolled onto Hwy 101
outside of Malibu. It was an ugly demise, eviscerated from below.

But, during the 50's and 60's, MoPar built some tanks of cars. They
weren't exactly refined when compared to GM and even some Ford products but
they were tough as hell. The legendary A727 transmission introduced in the
early 60's is still considered to be one of the best automatic transmissions
ever designed and built. They were (are) virtually bullet proof and are
just as happy in a high performance muscle car as they are in a mild
mannered family sedan. The '69 "General Lee" Dodge Charger I had for a
while had a 727 transmission mated to a high output 440 ci engine. Both
the engine and transmission were slightly modified. The engine had high
compression pistons, a mild cam and was electronically tweaked for high
horsepower. The only modification made to the transmission was the
addition of a shift kit. I never really pushed the car to it's potential,
but it had brute power, as long as you were going in a straight line.

It's a bit ironic that the more modern MoPar transmissions used in the
Caravan and in the early Ram trucks didn't share the same robust design and
reputation.

Eisboch

The second transmission is still going strong as is the straight six.
The Jeep replaced the BMW I brought back from S. Cal in '93. First
snow and that BMW made it all of 15 ft on a 2% grade. Parked it and
used it two days later as a down payment.