2007 Jeep Commander Overland

2007 Jeep Commander Overland Badging

3/29/07

4X4 ICON 2000 - 2008 The DVD! - Click here for details!

4X4 ICON 2000 - 2008 The DVD!

 

 

We had put off for some time the purchase of a replacement vehicle for the Volvo V90.  The lack of a car payment felt good and we were very reluctant to have another one.  In the time following our move to West Virginia, we did purchase the Cherokee Limited to relieve the problem of driving the Volvo in the winter on slippery roads.  Maria liked the features of the Cherokee and in many ways it was quite similar to the Volvo.

1997 Volvo V90 - Front 2007 Jeep Commander Overland - Click to Enlarge
Volvo V90 Jeep Commander

As a family, we have developed a preference for a large station wagon.  It handles all our "stuff" on family trips, provides a way to bring home things from the home and furniture stores.  We find we are less dependent on delivery arrangements because we can just "throw it in the back of the car" and drive home.

We also like the amenities we got used to having in both the Volvo and the Cherokee.  Both are equipped with leather, power "everything", the latest in electronic options, and reliable, powerful engines (for their respective displacements).  In replacing our everyday family car, we knew we'd eventually be up against the wall in terms of what it would take to make us happy.  It was going to be a "take no prisoners" build sheet, so we put it off while we watched the field of contenders to see if we developed a preference from among the many choices we had.

1997 Volvo V90 - Rear 2007 Jeep Commander Overland
Volvo V90 Jeep Commander

Meanwhile we reached some conclusions regarding practical considerations.  Our town does not have a Volvo dealer.  The nearest ones are roughly 1-2 hours away.  This meant that buying a Volvo would result in a protracted relationship with one or another Volvo dealer.  We didn't really want to be in a position where we needed to travel a long time to get service.  It would not work with our schedules.  So we reluctantly realized that our dream of owning a XC-90 would have to wait.

Not Gonna Happen.... (this year...)

It bears mention at this point that we have never been and probably never will be a "mini-van" family.  I have my own personal sentiment about the genre, it's just not me.  Maria does not see herself a mini-van driver.  While we both recognize the benefits of such vehicles, they're just not for us.  We considered a sedan but could not overcome our "need" to have something like a Mercedes S-class, or Jaguar XJ-R.

Mercedes Benz S65 AMGJaguar XJ-R

And truthfully, our budget really prevents us from even pretending we could act on our needs in this area.  Anyway, the problems of local dealers would again be the next issue, so the sedan idea quickly comes to an end.  And we won't even talk about coupes... 

Wiesmann Roadster GT ConceptWiesmann Roadster GT Concept

Come back to this site in 15 years when I'm retired and the kids school bills are behind us...I'll probably have a good deal for you on a used Jeep Commander Overland...

Update: 9/14/07

OK, so that promise didn't take 15 years.  I had been watching the Jeep dealer and a car had been on the used lot for quite a while.  What can I say?  I was weak...  More here...

So one lunch hour last year, Maria came down and we went and took a test drive in the 2006 Jeep Commander.  We weren't really serious about buying it then, but we were both curious.  It was the closest thing at the time to the Jeep Rescue prototype, and we wanted to see what it was all about.  We enjoyed the ride and in the process found a vehicle that had all the same properties that we enjoyed about the Volvo V90.  And there was more.  The available electronics options were some 10 years more recent and naturally had no equivalent in the 1997 Volvo we owned.  And the Commander had some things that the Volvo didn't have.

1997 Volvo V90 - Side 2007 Jeep Commander Overland with Roof Box
Volvo V90 Jeep Commander

Like four-wheel drive, for example.  I have been driving a Jeep Wrangler since 2000, and Maria a Jeep Cherokee since 2005.  We both have a preference for different reasons.  I like the recreational aspects.  Maria likes the "go when I want to go, safely" part.  So in considering a replacement for the Volvo we both agreed that 4WD was not negotiable.  My expectations of a 4WD vehicle are such that I could not tolerate a vehicle that did not have low-range and at least some form of axle locking.  I clearly would not put full lockers on a vehicle that Maria drives on the street, but I did want something more aggressive than "open" differentials.

The rest of the requirements basically consisted of matching 1:1 all of the amenities currently in the Volvo V90, and some other things we've come to like since.  For example Maria has always wished we got third-row seats for the Volvo.  We never did, even though they were an available option.  We also have different ideas about what a comfortable temperature, so climate control was another item we were interested in exploring.  On long trips we equip the kids with DVD movies.  We have strictly avoided leaving the unit in the car for around-town use, but always found the in-and-out routine to be cumbersome.  Also the unit took some space and power that was not always convenient to supply.  The kids have grown and need more space in the back, and also sometimes need power for things like the games they play (again, on trips).  So we wanted to provide for them a space that worked.

So we put the Volvo up for sale.  The photos, incidentally, demonstrate the interesting parallels between the car we were leaving behind and the one we were getting.

1997 Volvo V90 - Overhead 2007 Jeep Commander Overland - Click to Enlarge
Volvo V90 Jeep Commander

 

1997 Volvo V90 - Interior
Volvo V90
 


Jeep Commander

 

1997 Volvo V90 - Interior
Volvo V90
 


Jeep Commander - Rear

Jeep Commander

In deciding which Jeep Commander we would get, we quickly eliminated the entry-level vehicles.  That left us to choose between the Limited and the newly introduced Overland.  A side-by-side comparison of features showed that we'd still want options added that came standard on the Overland.  And there were some new things that were not available in the Limited.  The discussion of the engine choice didn't take too long.  Maria had driven the new Jeep Wrangler 4-Door and when flooring it, commented, "this sucks", referring to the lack of "get up and go" from the 3.7 liter, 6-cylinder. 

But when we were starting to look at the Commander she didn't seem to mind that it came with the 3.7.  I had to remind her about the experience with the engine in the Wrangler, some 2000 pounds lighter.  Then we discussed the relative merits of the 4.7 versus 5.7 liter engines.  She wanted to go with the 4.7 but again I reminded that the engine would produce more power than the 3.7, but might haul up short if we decided to get a camping trailer or something like that.  So I managed to convince her that the HEMI was a good choice.  I think in terms of the size and weight of the vehicle, the HEMI produces the kind of power necessary for the vehicle to be nimble and efficient to drive.  Now we both need to be sure we don't abuse that extra power... 

2007 Jeep Commander Overland HEMI Badge

It didn't take long for us to realize we wanted the Overland.  All that was left was to decide if we wanted things like the navigation system/stereo/rear parking assist (yes), DVD entertainment package (yes), and 18-inch wheels (no).  We chose the slate interior over the khaki, and for Maria's third car running, we both agreed there was only one color - Black.

2007 Jeep Commander Overland with Roof Box

So that was it.  It wasn't really hard to decide.  We wanted to preserve all the highway cruising comforts we had, make sure the vehicle was well outfitted for long distance travel, taking anything we threw at it.  In the end, we incorporated all that we had in the Volvo, merged that with the extras we liked about the Cherokee Limited, and the upgrades available because of the inevitable advances in electronics and automotive engineering.

We're looking forward to road trips with this vehicle.  It should allow us to spread out a little bit and relax more on the road than we have lately.  It also makes it possible to bring along a couple other people without too much crowding.  There will be more when we return from our first long ride...

In anticipation of a week-long road-trip, I did something similar to what I did with my Wrangler and purchased the 28 x 91 Roof Box

Mopar 82207341 28 x 91 Roof Box

We learned with the Wrangler that having everything out of the passenger cabin made for a much better travel experience.  Even with the larger interior capacity of the Commander, we wanted to leave the rear area as unburdened as possible.  All the stuff needed only at night when we stop to make camp would be in the overhead.  So here's what fits in the roof box with a little room to spare:

Loading the Roof Box on the 2007 Jeep Commander Overland - Mission Impossible?
Loading the Roof Box on the 2007 Jeep Commander Overland - Mission Impossible?

That's one very large roll-away duffle bag (too large for airline carry-on), one carry-on roll-away, two kid-sized roll-aways, one over-stuffed suit bag, two athletic duffels, and one tote bag.  Enough clothing for a clothes-horse family of four for eight days.

Loading the Roof Box on the 2007 Jeep Commander Overland - No Problem!Loading the Roof Box on the 2007 Jeep Commander Overland - No Problem!
Loading the Roof Box on the 2007 Jeep Commander Overland - No Problem!Loading the Roof Box on the 2007 Jeep Commander Overland - No Problem!

 Now I do realize that getting it all up there without a step ladder is not going to be much fun, but that's where teamwork comes in.

Inside, it's worlds away from the Wrangler (of course) but really just a nice update to what we're used to in the Volvo and for that matter, the '98 Cherokee Limited.

2007 Jeep Commander Overland Interior

2007 Jeep Commander Overland Interior2007 Jeep Commander Overland with Boston Acoustics2007 Jeep Commander Overland with Boston Acoustics2007 Jeep Commander Overland smart rear-view mirror2007 Jeep Commander Overland Dash2007 Jeep Commander Overland Dash2007 Jeep Commander Overland with Boston Acoustics2007 Jeep Commander Overland smart rear-view mirror

I did not miss the opportunity to equip the chassis for mild to moderate off-road driving.  We took all the skid plate options from the factory.  No rock crawling for sure, but it will definitely provide some protection from "rough dirt road" type of driving.

2007 Jeep Corporate Rear and Skid Plates
2007 Jeep Corporate Rear and Skid Plates2007 Jeep Commander Overland Skid Plates2007 Jeep Commander Overland Corporate Rear and Skid Plates2007 Jeep Commander Overland Corporate Rear and Skid Plates

2007 Jeep Commander Overland Front Tow Hooks
2007 Jeep Commander Overland Front Tow Hooks

 

Here it is after I drilled four holes in the cross-bars to accommodate the factory u-bolts that hold the roof box to the Jeep...

2007 Jeep Commander Overland with Roof Box
2007 Jeep Commander Overland with Roof Box2007 Jeep Commander Overland with Roof Box2007 Jeep Commander Overland with Roof Box2007 Jeep Commander Overland with Roof Box2007 Jeep Commander Overland with Roof Box2007 Jeep Commander Overland with Roof Box2007 Jeep Commander Overland with Roof Box
2007 Jeep Commander Overland

Here it is with Uncle Cherokee Limited...

2007 Jeep Commander Overland with 1998 Cherokee Limited
2007 Jeep Commander Overland with 1998 Cherokee Limited

2007 Jeep Commander Overland2007 Jeep Commander Overland
2007 Jeep Commander Overland

The rear camera:

2007 Jeep Commander Overland Rear Camera
Maria's Plate for Life

Yes, it is ready to hit the trail.  No, we're not going to Rausch Creek and Paragon is closing, but it will probably see some mild action once the mint luster is gone...

2007 Jeep Commander Overland Trail Rated

2007 Jeep Commander Overland Badging2007 Jeep Commander Overland Badging2007 Jeep Commander Overland BadgingRoof Box LabelsRoof Box Labels2007 Jeep Commander Overland

Some Toys...

MotorMax Jeep Commander with Suntory Coffee promo Jeep Commander and U.S. Quarter

1997 Volvo V90 - So Long Old Friend
So Long, Old Friend...

 

Personal Note:  Jeep Commander Overland Oil Type

 
Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W-20
Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W-20 fully synthetic motor oil is designed for today's longer service intervals. It provides guaranteed performance and protection for 15,000 miles or one year. Mobil 1 Extended Performance products with the Advanced SuperSyn System contain extra performance additives to help deliver outstanding engine protection.

9/1/09 - Acquired the Factory Service Manual.  Great material if you own this vehicle!

9/6/2011 - 90,000 mile service - brakes, rotors, axle fluids, transfer case, transmission, oil and filter, new tires

 

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