[kgihemp]

We have been an XJ family for years. Now that we are jeepless we are buying another jeep this weekend. We are looking at a 96 country, no rust, no problems 167K or a ZJ (year unknown) with 120K and a limited. Both will be daily drivers with the someday wheeler. Any help would be great.

Hemp

[Sextiva]

What's your question? Which is better? A lot of that is opinion and a lot to do with what are your plans for it. DD, camping trails, full on kawwllrrr?

[kgihemp]

DD/camping trails. and which is better. How is the 5.2. I know the strength and reliability of the 4.0, its a monster. How is the 5.2. Stock, how is the gas in the 5.2, and is ZJ full time 4x4 or selectable. Lots of ques. The main thing is i don't know much about the ZJ.

[wickerham]

318 is almost as bullet proof as the inline 6, IMO.
for the trade off in MPG, just go V8....won't be enough of a difference to justify the lack of power the 4.0 has, again......IMO.

[kgihemp]

What are some good lift set ups. Does rubicon make anything? Like I said, DD and some off roading.

[Sextiva]

Yea I've had the 4.0 and 5.2 and I loveee my 5.2. I couldn't use 5th gear with the 4.0 and that killed my gas even more than the v8. And my 5.2 has 265k miles 4 wheel all-time. But as I understand it, its not truely in 4wd, more lide a lsd or somethin and fully engages when you need it. Plus the axles and such with the 5.2 are pretty sweet factory. I have the 44a rear and 35 or 30 front?

Go with a subtle lift and some decent tires. It will do more than you probably will need

[kgihemp]

I was just looking around at lifts. I have always been a fan of rubicon. I see lots of IRO posts. Found a site where Tera Flex 3" lift and track bar for about 650. What is the better lift. Not wanting to go over 3.5". Found the rubicon lift RE8003 super flex with OME shocks for 915 and it seemed very inclusive. No track bar. Any thoughts.

[Warhawk77]

While on the topic of the 4.0 or 5.2 is it just me or do a lot of builds here have the 4.0?

I was starting to think the 4.0 was better

[Kruzin]

IMO, the 4.0 is better for wheeling, as it has a stronger, flatter torque curve. It will crawl over things 5.2 have to rev up for (spinning tires) or get a run at. My 4.0 has gotten over many obsticles with less effort than 5.2s I've wheeled with.

But on the pavement, the 5.2 leaves the 4.0 in the dust. It's great on the highway, and great between stoplights. It flat out hauls arse.

I have both, and the fuel milage is near the same, so that isn't a factor.
I love em both, they are both great engines.
You just need to decide which aspect is more important to you.

[Sextiva]

Kruzin sure it isn't the gearing? I'm new to the cherokees and I figured the gearing is prolly a lot different between the 4.0 and 5.2

[kgihemp]

I have had 3 4.0's and have loved all of them. None the less, easy to work on and the cost of a new engine is fairly cheap. The torque of the 4.0 is best for wheeling. I don't have the plans to do a tone of wheeling, work and family don't provide all the time in the world. Now that we are back living in the states, we would like to take a trip out to the rubicon. Not to do the extreme things, just to say we took a jeep there and drove the trail.

[Mike97ZJ]

Originally Posted by Sextiva

Kruzin sure it isn't the gearing? I'm new to the cherokees and I figured the gearing is prolly a lot different between the 4.0 and 5.2

Actually, the 5.2 has better gearing. All 5.2's came with 3.73's, while the 4.0's came standard with 3.55's. If the tow package was ordered, you got 3.73's with your 4.0 (what I have).

I've never driven an XJ, so I really can't comment too much on them, but generally speaking, I'd say the ZJ is roomier and more comfortable, with more luxo features (esp. in the LTD version). Then again, with all those features there are just more things to stop working. (Although with 146k on mine, everything works except the A/C. Power seats, cruise, sunroof, etc still work great)

While there is a big aftermarket for the ZJ, the XJ's is bigger, and parts like bumpers and armor are cheaper and more plentiful for the XJ than the ZJ.
Also, the rear leaves on the XJ make it easier/cheaper to lift than the ZJ, as you only have control arms and track bars at one end to deal with, as opposed to BOTH ends in the ZJ. But then again, the coils on the ZJ may cause it to ride better and have more flex.

Depends what you want to do with it I guess.

If you want somehting a little bigger than your old XJ, or want V8 power, then you really can't go wrong with the ZJ. But if you only want it to build, I'd say go XJ, it'll be cheaper/easier.

[Sextiva]

Very nice reply. Id like to add that nobodys heated seats work I don't think. I'm fallin in love with my GC, I think I might take it over my 99 wrangler even. Regardless of your decision I'm sure we can help ya with what you need to accomplish, keep us posted.

[SnowLeopard]

If you really baby the 4.0, having good plugs and wires and cap and rotor and a well serviced tranny, use an aftermarket CAI(the Amsoil filter is a major win in my book, much better than their oiled counterparts), and if you have the 3.73 gearing and stock tires, it'll do pretty good. It won't be a V8, but it WILL get BETTER mileage than a V8. Come on people. Stock the 4.0 gets 20-22mpg on the highway in flat country like where I am. 15-16mpg in the city. In my small town I get 12mpg, and that's just because I can't go 3 blocks without having to stop, and that's just horrid for mileage. I can go cross-country for about 450 miles, actually went 480 once, and still had around a gallon of gas.

I reiterate, this was all stock. Add a lift and bigger tires, and the mileage advantage of the 4.0 will go out the window. That's what everyone tells me anyway, and I've no choice but believe them. I have no lift and bigger tires yet myself.

I've owned a Country and 2 ZJ's. My first ZJ was a '94. So I come from all perspectives but that of owning a ZJ with the 5.2 V8. If you're going to get a V8, you might as well wait and find a 5.9. If you're going to really want family comfort and room though, get a WJ. It'll wheel well, especially those with Quadradrive, and it will be more comfortable. They're plush as all get out. And seeing as you spend most of your time driving from the inside and not watching from the outside, the interior is really more important than people give it credit for.

Breaking it down, the 4.0 with 3.73 gearing on a stock ZJ with all the options but leather(I actually like the cloth but have all the other but for a sunroof), will be great for just getting around town and better on the wallet when you go to the pump. The V8 in a Limited will be better for power, mountain grades, and the inside will likely have a bit more comfortable amenities(sunroof, heated leather seats). Though you can find Laredo's that have had those items as options from the factory. Special orders or whatnot. WJ's, well, they're classier, more comfortable, but seem to have more irksome little issues. Then again, they are newer, so might have less irksome things wear out. It's all the luck of the draw.

The thing about the V8 in either situation is that it almost always comes with a version of Full-time 4wd. This is a sort of LSD type system on the ZJ's. It's bound to wear out and almost always is nearing its end when new owners purchase their new to them Grand Cherokees. Replacing it with a 242-full-time transfer case is easy in the eyes of some, but if it sounds like too much for you, look for a 4.0 to have it standard. The WJ with a V8 will have the 4.7 with the 247(full time again, can wear out, though less likely than the 249), and I'm guessing this is more than you'd want to spend. You didn't list WJ, so I'm probably just barking up the wrong tree entirely.

We've a couple recent threads about what's best, WJ or ZJ. You might wanna look them up if the WJ is in your price range. I'd get a WJ with the 4.7 and 242 transfer case if I could find/afford one. They're rare though. You won't find a stock V8 ZJ that has the 242 transfer case. So swapping will be necessary. It's almost a common daily occurance to have people posting about doing it here on JF. I think they just weren't intended to last forever. What car company expects people to be driving their vehicles 10+ years after they're sold? They want them to fall apart anyway so you can buy new. And so the cycle continues.

Whatever you choose, I wish you the best of luck. ZJ's are definitely worth getting over another XJ though. I'd never go back.

[Inavacuum]

If I could do it again, I would have chosen an XJ.

They made this design for so long, it was perfected. Parts are plentiful, after market is solid and affordable. XJ is a staple in Jeep history, and for a good reason. Honestly, I think the whole V8 thing is totally over rated. Unless you're going to be towing something its just unnecessary. XJ's are like mountain goats, and V8 ZJ's are like sophisticated overweight mountain goats on steroids.

XJ FTW!!!