Does the 4.0 provide enough power for the moderate off-roading and light towing? Which drive is best for moderate off-roading?

I would email Jeep for the best possible answer. Here is a link that will allow you to email them directly: http://www-5.jeep.com/webselfservice/jeep/index.jsp?screenName=customer&country=us&emailUrl=goToEmailForm%28%27R%27%29

I owned a 4.7 V8 with Quadratrac (full-time 4WD). A real gas hog but had good power and was a real workhorse. I have driven 4.0's and feel that they can do about 90% of what the 4.7 does. Both are very durable engines. The 4.0 is ancient - dating back to the days that Jeep was part of American Motors. If I were to purchase a Grand Cherokee again I think I'd buy the smaller engine and part-time 4wd. Better on gas milage. Especially if you aren't hauling/towing heavy loads and needing 4wd all the time.

this is my kind of question...The 4.0 is a great motor. GREAT. GREAT. GREAT. It can handle anything that you throw at it. If you go with bigger tires, you should regear so not to lose you torque. I'm on 36" tires and it is faster than a stock jeep with a 4.0L, but I'm running 4.56 gears.

Have no fear im on my second Jeep ...both having the 4.0 no shortage of power and performance in moderate off roading and even plenty for when your in those places that you just know you shouldnt have gone.Always... and i do mean always taken me home.

I pulled 5200 Pounds ( dual axle trailer and 1 1/2 ton dually truck on trailer 1000 miles from NW Kanas to Hillsboro Ohio with a 002 Grand Cherokee Laredo 4X4 , with no towing package . It Brought it back with no double (leaving over drive locked out ) . Had 25,000 miles on it at the time, still have it with 187,000 + on it now, motor and trans have had only regular maintenance .

I love my 2001 laredo 4.0. As to the above mention of part time 4x4 being better on gas... Let's be a little clearer, the Quadra track is a system tht, in my understanding, is on 4x4 all the time, with neutral and low, and ... i dont know... a part time option? I have, on my Selec-trac, a less capeable 4x4 system for all surfaces : Full- time, which means power is gradually sent to the front as the back wheels slip. Part time locks the front and rear wheels to turn AT THE SAME SPEED, so you should NEVER drive on pavement in part time in any cherokee. Part time is for ice, mud, climbing icy hills.

I have 98 grand cherokee laredo jeep with 4.0 straight six motor as far running doesn't let me down even with normal two wheel drive i can take it off roading does pretty good on gas would do better if kept my foot off accelerater I've only replaced few thing's on it so far brake pads water pump belt tentioner and serpentine belt runs good an plenty of pep for it be old got over 3000 thousand miles on it=bobby