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Why would I want the 9'er?

9K views 149 replies 43 participants last post by  PolkaPower 
#1 ·
Is the 9'er really the Holy Grail in the ZJ world?

I've been on the forum for the last couple of years mostly to pick your brains when I have a problem with my rig and I see that the 5.9 is apparently the be all and end all model of the ZJ.Why is that? What really makes it so special?

Please understand,I am in no way knocking it,but to me it it doesn't seem to be worth it.I mean you've got to use premium gas,it's 15 yrs. old,and it's plagued by all the issues that are common to all ZJ's.

So I ask ,What is so special about it for you,and why should be in the market for one?

PS:I've never driven one,but if I did,would all my questions be answered?
 
#3 ·
More power, cool-looking grille and hood, other little trim bits. Not a huge difference but if there's a 5.9 and a 5.2 for the same price, go for the 5.9.

Then again I haven't driven a 5.2 or 4.0, so maybe there's more of a difference than I think.
 
#5 ·
It makes the 5.2 feel sluggish and annoying. You turn the key on an you get a noise that you know means business.
 
#7 ·
The power increase is seriously huge, the better transmission is a big plus, they really should have put the 46RE in all of the v8 zjs.

The louvers are not just cosmetics, they are a big help in cooling the engine, ask anyone who has added them to a non 9er.

The efan is also a big plus, so many people put the taurus fan in the non 9ers because it helps cool better and doesn't rob HP.

Polka is right though, if you have to ask then you're not ready.
 
#9 ·
Yea , I asked the same question when I first got my 5.2 in 08 . I thought that thing had gobs of get up and go , and it does . Then I bought my 1st 5.9 , tossed in a perf PCM , headers , and an = MSD ignition . I now have a jeep with gobs of power . 0-60 in 6 secs , and a top speed I don't have the balls to take it to . 150mph + and it gets there in a hurry . The 5.9 is a much faster reving engine . Liked it so much I have 2 now and my 5.2 , well , I made it into a look alike .
 

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#15 ·
Efan is standard on niners, all others had clutch fans. At least in the US.
 
#16 ·
And the niner doesn't suck more gas than the 5.2, the basic theory is that the engine has to work less because it's more powerful so fuel evens out. Thats why the 4.slow is so bad on gas, it's underpowered for the vehicle.

9er does take premium though.
 
#18 ·
You can get an SCT tuner that will reprogram the PCM to run regular fuel and not lose power. It comes with economy, towing, and performance. The difference between regular and premium around here is 24 cents as far as the "spending more on fuel" argument. If you toss in 15 gallons you would only be paying 3-4 bucks more for the 5.9 and if you can't afford 4 extra bucks for gas then you shouldn't have a Jeep to begin with.:D
 
#23 ·
Unfortunately, I'd have to sell my 5.2 before I could bite the bullet and by the time I do that it'll probably be gone.:(
Any V8 ZJ you buy you will probably have to sink 1000 dollars into it just fixing the worn out parts. Viscous coupler, bushings, plenum gasket, ect. I have almost got mine in tip top shape and I got it in 8/11, just a few more things to fix.
 
#25 ·
It's better looking, better performing (was the fastest SUV made for many years) has a stronger transmission, yeah it's 15 years old, but most other ZJs are older & none are newer. When you do have to dump money into it, it doesn't hurt as bad, because you're keeping a limited production vehicle going.

But yeah, If you have to ask...
 
#26 ·
It's better looking, better performing (was the fastest SUV made for many years) has a stronger transmission, yeah it's 15 years old, but most other ZJs are older & none are newer. When you do have to dump money into it, it doesn't hurt as bad, because you're keeping a limited production vehicle going.

But yeah, If you have to ask...
What is all this BS about having to ask???:laugh:You're about the 5th guy that said that:laugh:
 
#32 ·
I think my wife's Niner will be for sale next week.



Max
 
#34 ·
Its a combo of "it's a Jeep thing... You wouldn't understand" and "if you have to ask, you can't afford it". Put em together & you get "if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand?"

I think... I just made that up. For me, there was no other ZJ I would have bought.
 
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