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did they ever make a ZJ like this?

2K views 26 replies 18 participants last post by  MiNeS 
#1 ·
Just wondering cuz I might be in the market for one very soon....

Leather interior, sunroof, 4.0, NP242

The only ones I seem to be able to find with leather and a sunroof are Limited models, all of which don't have an NP242. Some of the earlier Laredos seem to have leather + sunroof....but only on the V8.

Is the fulltime transfercase no good? I don't really know, I'm coming from an XJ with a 231 which I like a lot....or at least I like having options!
 
#2 ·
My '96 Laredo came with leather, a 242 and U-jointed D30/front driveshaft, but no sunroof (but is listed as an option). I don't know if you'll be able to find one though.

Personally, after having previous vehicles with sunroofs, I prefer not to have one again, especially on a used vehicle where the previous owner probably did not perform any preventative maintenance.
 
#3 ·
I know a lot of people feel that way about sunroofs, but I've been through about 7 different cars with them and not one gave me any sorts of problems. Only time they ever really seem to act up are aftermarket setups where water doesn't drain out properly or the seals aren't too tight.

Thanks for the info though, I figured the sunroof was an option but there probably weren't too many made that way. Anybody know if the 242 was ever available in the Limited trim?
 
#4 ·
The 242 was not offered in Limited trim except for a factory special order.

I've seen two that folks tried to tell me came from the factory like that, per the vin that is incorrect and someone swapped the 242 in.


If you really want those options and a 242, find a Limited with a bad 249 and use that as a barganing chip to get them to lower the price substantially. It only costs the price of a 242 ($300 or less) to swap. It's pretty straightforward and you can search and find info on it here as quite a few folks have done this swap.

I felt the same way when looking for a ZJ. I went with a factory special ordered one that had pretty much all the options (sunroof wasn't an option in 94) with the exception of leather, V8, and the 249. It took me forever to find the one I wanted, but I'm glad I went with this one even though it had many more miles than most of the ones I looked at. It's been a real workhorse and now I've modded it to the point where I'll keep it till the unibody completely falls apart. Then I'll make a custom frame and turn it into a buggy.


Find something close to what you want, and customize it to make it yours. Me, I made mine a 5-speed, and have other mods which make it special. It's quite fun to me.
 
#7 ·
Haha, I figured I'd have a hard time finding the exact one I want. Modifying it is definintely an option, though. If anything I'd buy the Jeep and just start stockpiling the parts until I eventually find a way to destroy the 249.

I actually read your write up on swapping in the AX-15 not too long ago, doesn't seem too bad. Would it be possible on the newer 4.0 motors? I'm really leaning towards a 96-98 Limited model since they basically come exactly the way I want (aside from junk drivetrain parts) but I dunno what kind of mess I'd be getting myself into with that....mostly worried that I wouldn't be able to get the right driveshafts if I switched it over to AX15/242 and that the OBDII computer might bug out if it's auto tranny disappears.
 
#8 ·
That would be the only thing that concerns me about the 96+ GC's as well. The PCM used in them might not know what to think. 93-95's had an ECM and a TCM and if you disconnected the TCM it doesn't care and will still run great.

The 4.0L engine itself wouldn't have a problem with it, just the computer could be a problem.

I don't know if it would be possible to get an OBD I computer to use or not. It's an idea though.
 
#9 ·
CurtP said:
My '96 Laredo came with leather, a 242 and U-jointed D30/front driveshaft, but no sunroof (but is listed as an option). I don't know if you'll be able to find one though.

Personally, after having previous vehicles with sunroofs, I prefer not to have one again, especially on a used vehicle where the previous owner probably did not perform any preventative maintenance.
I have a '96 Laredo with leather and sunroof. I'm not sure on the driveshaft though. :-/
 
#11 ·
My Laredo has about every option, but since it has the V-8 it has the Quadra-Trac (249) case. Other than mine I haven't seen any Laredo's with leather and a sunroof though. Just keep looking, there's got to be one out there:thumbsup:
 
#13 ·
My Laredo has a sunroof. Although I'm not sure if it's an aftermarket or not since I haven't seen another Laredo with one to make a comparision. I've never had a leakage or problem of any kind with my sunroof.

-DrumBoy
 
#14 ·
In '98 you could get a Laredo with what was called the Z package. It was like a dealer option group package that looked exactly like a limited. I believe the only difference outside is the actual emblem and black door handles.
 
#19 ·
I check with a few of my contacts, and they explained that in 93 there were a few special orders that didn't get registered in their system the way most of them do. Yeah, 93 was a good year. AW-4 and the AX-15, ability to get a 242 or 231 in Limited trim. Hmmm...
 
#20 ·
sean87xj said:
Just wondering cuz I might be in the market for one very soon....

Leather interior, sunroof, 4.0, NP242

The only ones I seem to be able to find with leather and a sunroof are Limited models, all of which don't have an NP242. Some of the earlier Laredos seem to have leather + sunroof....but only on the V8.

Is the fulltime transfercase no good? I don't really know, I'm coming from an XJ with a 231 which I like a lot....or at least I like having options!
i have that exact jeep
 
#21 ·
Change Computer?

I agree that the original Computer might bug out if the Tranny gets changed out with an AX-15, but what about using a computer module from a late 90's OBDII XJ? I don't know how similar the computer modules are but those jeeps did have an option for AX-15 transmissions with the 4.0L engine. The main thing would be seeing how compatible the two computers are with all the electronic sensors. They should be very similar if not the same since both jeep models had options for the same 4.0L engine. If I were a smart engineer at Chrysler (which unfortunately, I don't think they are :p ), I would have probably tried to use the same type of computer in all the Jeep models to save costs, just change the programming based on which model, engine, and transmission was in it. I know from experience that many electronic sensors were the same between my former 99TJ and my wifes 98ZJ, which both had the same 4.0L engine. Anyways, that my opinion on a way to get an AX-15 transmission to play with a 98ZJ.

BTW, I agree the "Z" option package is very similar to the limited and I believe my dad's jeep is one. My father has a very late model 98 ZJ Laredo with the "Limited" like trim option and extras not normally in the normal model Laredos (it was bought in late september 98 and was the last of two ZJs on the lot prior to the arrival of the WJs). The only difference between his trim and the limited trim was that the limited trim uses gold pinstripes and badges where as the Laredo version uses silver pinstripes and badges.
 
#26 ·
My Jeep has the 242 and leather but no sunroof. Probably the easiest way to get what you want is to find a limited and swap out the Tcase. The 249 is not that bad really though. Either that or get a Laredo and have an aftermarket sunroof put on.

I have had a couple of sunroofs and do not really care for them. I did not have leaking issues but they do cut down on headroom.
 
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