[torchd]

I've always wanted a 5.9 sooo bad, jsut bc well its a big V8, all my cars have been V8s with the expection of my first car.. A 1986 Comanche I4 lol..

But I don't think I can jsutify in buying a 5.9, not after all of the maintence and what not that I have in my 4.SLOW.. My Jeep after all is like new with 149k miles on it.

With the 5.9 the only bad thing are the 249 TC, VIC and the viscous coupler. And the fact of knowing the history of the vehicle and how much money I would have to dump in it.

From now on, I'm gonna post my findings in my thread, then you guys be the judge an let me know if it is a good one to pick up, or if I need to pass on it!!

Here is a lits of what I've done to my Jeep since I picked it up in 1/2010:

New Sylvania Silver Star Headlights (1/2010)
Replaced Struts For Rear Hatch (2/2010)
New Front/Rear Sway Bar Bushings (2/2010)
New Front Sway Bar Endlinks (2/2010)
Transmission Flush With New Trans Filter (2/2010)
Coolant Flush (2/2010)
T-stat and Gasket (2/2010)
New OEM Standard Exhaust From The Cat To the Back f the Tail Pipe (2/2010)
New Shocks (when I did my 2" BB lift (3/2010)
Drained and Filled Both Front/Rear Diffs (4/2010)
Drained and Filled TC (4/2010)
Replaced EVERY Light on the Exterior (5/2010)
Replace all 5 U-Joints (6/2010)
New Brake Pads Front/Rear (6/2010)
New Rotors Front/Rear (6/2010)
New Duralast "GOLD" Battery (10/2010)
Kolak Ign Tune-up (Plugs, Wires, Cap/Rotor MSD Ign Coil and Ign Wire) (11/2010)


Replaced Front U-Joints and DC. Re-Balanced Front Drive Shaft (8/2011)
New Bosch Rear O2 Sensor (10/2011)
New Goodyear DuraTracs (10/2011)
Rear Wiper Motor (12/2011)
New Curt Rear Trailer Hitch (12/2011)


New Power Steering Pump, Pulley and Belt (3/2012)
Installed WJ Intake (7/2012)
Installed “703” Injectors (7/2012)
New Header (7/2012)
New MagnaFlow Muffler (7/2012)
New MagnaFlow Hi-Flo Cat (7/2012)

[PolkaPower]

Na they suck. Where is the one you are looking at located?

The 5.9 is a beast. My last ZJ was a 5.2 with headers, Mopar PCM, exhaust, intake yadda yadda. The 5.9 whips your head back.
Anytime you buy an older vehicle like these there are hidden costs. It depends on whether you feel up to the task and how keen you are with inspection when you buy it.

When I got mine it was almost mint inside and out. I replaced the radiator, front CV DS with u-joint, speakers, alternator, front lower control arms, SS, Addco sway bar in front, shocks, gov trans solenoid and sensor, tie rod ends, lift gate and glass hatch struts, IRO track bar, VC, tires, door lock actuator, brakes, 2" BB, JKS discos, headlights, ect.

I still have to do the plenum, valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket, fix a vacuum leak on top of the fuel tank, replace ac control module, steering box needs replacement or service soon, rear lower control arms, and a bunch of other stuff I'm forgetting probably. It takes time to refurbish a vehicle.

[torchd]

Originally Posted by PolkaPower

Na they suck. Where is the one you are looking at located?

In IL.. There are a couple for sale..

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/3104925153.html

[PolkaPower]

3500 and if he isn't willing to play ball just find another. Unless you are comfortable with 4000 but for that price he better have replaced a lot of the aging parts. I paid 4500 for mine with 127k miles and I think that was steep but prices of ZJ's are inflated out here. He wanted 5 and before that he had it listed at 5500 I think.

[NewtoZJ]

I skipped my young boy racer phase and went straight for the dependable 4.0l. But part of me still yearns for that power, as I go WOT on my 4.0 on certain roads. I can only imagine how much more thrilling it would be with a V8.

I'm going to probably get a Kolak exhaust here soon to make up for the lack of noise.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/3144211391.html

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/3152786831.html

REMOVE THE TEMPTATION PLEASE

[DeejayZeejay]

I had a 98 4.0 zj and I thought it wasnt that bad at first... Got my 94 5.2 now and yea. Night and day. Nothing like the rumble of a v8. Now the 5.9..... Gotta get one : )

[Cameleer]

You can still find some low mileages ones (niners) out there, here are a few in California.

Here’s one with only 74k miles on it for $5200
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb...165894838.html

And this one has 96k miles for $4200
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...166452407.html

[PolkaPower]

Aren't the California ZJ's neutered with emissions?

[torchd]

Originally Posted by NewtoZJ

I skipped my young boy racer phase and went straight for the dependable 4.0l. But part of me still yearns for that power, as I go WOT on my 4.0 on certain roads. I can only imagine how much more thrilling it would be with a V8.

I'm going to probably get a Kolak exhaust here soon to make up for the lack of noise.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/3144211391.html

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/3152786831.html

REMOVE THE TEMPTATION PLEASE

I already had my race cars. Had a 97 Mustang GT, and I jsut sold my 420 RWHP Trans Am beginning of July. I guess I'm out of that phase..

I just like a big V8 Jeep.. But with the amount of money I've spent on maintenance of my Jeep, I know it will run FOREVER..

[SchizophrenicMC]

I'm almost tempted to try and swap a 5.9 in, after driving my old Pathfinder again. The Pathfinder has a 3-liter V6, but it just picks up and goes, because that 3-liter V6 happens to be pulled out of a 300ZX and dropped into the truck, with longer intake runners. The ZJ's a nicer ride, but it's just SLOW in comparison. Scott had it floored in 2nd and he couldn't keep up to the Pathfinder in 4th, which wasn't even WOT.

I've never been in a 5.9 Limited, but if it's as fast as it claims to be, it's probably worth it. All this talk about speed and now I want a Typhoon. And a Z.

[torchd]

Originally Posted by SchizophrenicMC

I'm almost tempted to try and swap a 5.9 in, after driving my old Pathfinder again. The Pathfinder has a 3-liter V6, but it just picks up and goes, because that 3-liter V6 happens to be pulled out of a 300ZX and dropped into the truck, with longer intake runners. The ZJ's a nicer ride, but it's just SLOW in comparison. Scott had it floored in 2nd and he couldn't keep up to the Pathfinder in 4th, which wasn't even WOT.

I've never been in a 5.9 Limited, but if it's as fast as it claims to be, it's probably worth it. All this talk about speed and now I want a Typhoon. And a Z.

I made my 4.SLOW faster by adding a WJ intake, "703" injectors and a header.

I have my Magnaflow Cat, MagnaFlow muffler coming Friday.

My ENTIRE exhaust system from the header collector to the tail pipe will be 2.5" vs. the 2.25" stock.. Little more CFM flwoing should equate to more HP....

[Foundrydude]

If want one and can afford one, get it. Personally though if I had a good ZJ instead of blowing money on a 5.9 I'd probably buy some other completely different vehicle as a second car/truck. There's way too many cars out there to be able to own em all, so spread your efforts around!

[SchizophrenicMC]

Originally Posted by torchd

I made my 4.SLOW faster by adding a WJ intake, "703" injectors and a header.

I have my Magnaflow Cat, MagnaFlow muffler coming Friday.

My ENTIRE exhaust system from the header collector to the tail pipe will be 2.5" vs. the 2.25" stock.. Little more CFM flwoing should equate to more HP....

Given, the Pathfinder had the advantage of 30,000 fewer miles (only 218k), long intake runners, and taller final gears (4.36:1 vs 3.55:1) but when you look at torque, the ZJ still beats it by 40lbft from stock. And the 5.9 ZJ beats it by 160lbft.

While I love undertakings to improve the power of existing engines (and generally just don't like V8s) I have to admit the 5.9 seems a cheaper way to achieve better results. Of course, if I had unlimited money, I'd stroke the 4.0 and supercharge it, but that's more expensive than a 5.9 swap. That's more expensive, actually, than just buying a 5.9 Limited.

I still want a Typhoon.

[Snap-on]

Do not get offended but to me the price is not worth the horse power not to mention the gas or are you plannin on towing?

[PolkaPower]

It's not about the HP, it's about the torque! The 5.9 responds really well to mods as well. The mileage isn't great but it's not terrible compared to the 4.0 or 5.2. It's a blast to drive.