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XJ vs WJ for daily driver?

12K views 22 replies 18 participants last post by  XJH-007 
#1 ·
Don't know where to put this so it's here. Mods feel free to move it.

So I had an XJ and it was great until 2 weeks ago when I was involved in a pretty bad car accident on my way to work. An empty school bus failed to yield right of way at a stop sign and I plowed into the side of it at around 40 mph. Needless to say my XJ is now scrap metal.

I have been informed me that I will be receiving a check from the other driver's insurance company for the replacement value of my XJ so I'm in the market for another truck. I've been looking around at private sales and have found a few early WJ's with 4.0s in my price range. How do these trucks compare to the XJ's? Do they have the same acceleration as the 4.0 XJ's or are they pigs without the V8?

I don't care about wheeling it and I don't need it to tow or haul anything. I am mainly looking for something 4WD and not V8 that is simple and comfortable for daily driving in very crowded city/suburb areas, and going fishing on mild fire roads or beaches on the weekends. I'm driving my 2500 crewcab longbed diesel everywhere right now and it sucks!

Any input from anyone who has owned both would be appreciated.
 
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#2 ·
I haven't owned both, so take my comment for what it's worth.

I think that the WJ would be a great DD. I personally think that they're much more comfortable for driving to work and back, and such.

But, I don't think the WJ is available without a V8, you'd have to get a ZJ to get the AMC engine. I might be wrong, though.
 
#4 ·
The 4.0 powered WJ is a bit weaker than the XJ, but is still a great vehicle. You will lose a small amount of MPG's but the creature comforts will more than make up for it. I have one with the 4.7L and it is great as far as performance, but the gas mileage sucks with the fulltime 4x4. The 4.0L should come with the 242 t-case and it will get better mileage than my limited. I would jump on the WJ if you don't plan to offroad or tow too much. I think the XJ is a much better ride for offroading, but for a DD the WJ is great.
 
#5 ·
WJ for a DD. Get the 4.7 and you will never be happier.

the mpg difference between the wj 4.0 and 4.7 is minimal compared to the performance difference.
 
#7 ·
I get to drive both, and I can say this.

Xj- Feels more rugged, more jeep like, and it looks awesome. Really stands out in a crowd of econoboxes. Really good power. (stock, haha)

wj- Interior is perfect. So quiet, and really comfortable. Makes a great dd, and I can say that the wj with a 4.7 is a rocket, but the mileage sucks on ours because it's too fun. But stay off the pedal, and it wins as a dd.

If you use your jeep as a designated driver machine like I do-(not only a daily driver) it's much easier to fit 5 people in the wj.

Either way, you're getting a sweet looking body, and the timeless capability of solid axles. The wj is the only other jeep I'd keep forever.
 
#8 ·
I would agree with the majority of the comments above, I had a WJ before the XJ, not with the 4.0 although I have driven many with the 4.0, it is no racecar however it gets the job done. The smooth ride and quiet comfortable cabin are a big plus. If I were to choose a Jeep, or any car for a dd, that did not need major offroad capabilities, I would choose the WJ.
 
#9 ·
My gf just recently bought a 2002 Overland Edition GC with the high output 4.7L engine. That thing definitely has some power and torque, plus the interior is extremely nice. 1000 times more comfortable than my XJ, but then again I've never ridden in a stock XJ to compare. Like was said before, there is hardly a difference in gas mileage between the I6 and the V8, so I'd go for the 4.7L, even without the HO engine.

Try to find a limited with heated leather seats, definitely worth it. :tea:
 
#11 ·
My girlfriend just bought a 2004 WJ Special Edition with the 4.0. We'd actually been looking at XJs all day and had one picked out, until she tried out one Grand Cherokee at the end of the day and wound up buying it. It's ridiculously nice and it's got all kinds of creature comforts that make it great for running around town or going on road trips. She said it handled roughly the same as the XJs we looked at.

But the interior just felt too... big. Reminded me of a minivan. Not the Jeep for me, but she loves the damn thing, so I'd say they're worth checking out.
 
#13 ·
One more vote for the WJ. Even though you can't go wrong with either, the WJ is a little more comfortable for a DD with just a tad less power.
 
#14 ·
Yeah my family just picked up a 2004 limited 4.7 with 60,000 for just over 10k. These things go so cheap its unbelievable! I love my DD XJ, but the WJ is just AWSOME.

Get a 2000 or so 4.7 and spend all the money you'll save on gas. haha. you seem like a good candidate for the 242 swap, since its a DD and not just a winter car.
 
#15 ·
X......4? 5? ah who cares......WJ :thumbsup:

I too just bought an 02 Overland (V8 4.7L HO). Rediculous power, uber comfy to drive, and if you can keep your foot out of the 265 HP's around town BETTER mileage then the 4.0 XJ on 33's and I6 WJ.

When I flatland drive (to and from my airport 2,000 ft vert. in 50 miles each way) that sucker averages 22 MPG. Fricken awesome. I towed my snowmobiles 200 miles through the mountains 2 weeks ago and got 18.2 round trip. The lowest I've seen it drop in town (average) is 16.4.

I6's in WJ are a dime a dozen out here in CO.......everyone want's the V8's.

The big difference in the I-6 vs the V8 is the transmission, two totally different transmissions. The I6 runs a tranny better suited for the lower output and gear requirements for it. The V8 is coupled to a 5-Speed (yes 5-speed) auto tranny that uses 2 different 2nd gears depending on loading and driving conditions.

Cruise this site...everything you wanted to know and more.

Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ - WJ Four-Wheel Drive Systems
 
#19 ·
My Uncle had one leased for him as a company vehicle a few year ago, was a 2002 maybe? Anyhow, it was loaded leather etc, really nice vehicle. It was the 4.0L 6 and had decent power, drove great on the highway. He put like 150,000 KM on it in 2 years, and it drove like new. This was on Ontario highways, winter etc.

If I were going to buy a new Jeep today, it would be a 4.7L WJ with a towing package. I LOVE my Cherokee, but it is small inside and is a little tight for the whole family.
 
#20 ·
I've daily driven a WJ for the past 7 years with an I6. Good motor (as usual) but a little under powered for the 4,000+lbs. (stock). If I had to buy again I'd look for a 4.7 and Selec-Trac 4wd...however the 4.7 is known for some engine troubles and usually when looking you'll notice they're all rebuilt around 70-80,000 miles. Limited's have blend door issues but aside from that they're just more "comfy" if you like leather.

I haven't driven an XJ for every day use but I plan on using the 87' 5 speed for my DD so not sure if that says anything or not...just need a change after so long I guess.
 
#21 ·
wow, old thread. I wound up with another 2000 xj early last year. Got it from a friend when he bought a diesel pickup. Ive put almost 40k on it daily driving and going fishing down the shore 2-3x a week.

What a nightmare it was fighting with the insurance co to get paid for my old one. I had to higher a lawyer and take them to court. They would not admit they were at fault even though the police report said they were. You'd think it was a $100k benz I was driving that they wrecked, considering how hard they were being on the payout. Not a 10 year old $4000 truck.
 
#23 ·
What a nightmare it was fighting with the insurance co to get paid for my old one. I had to higher a lawyer and take them to court. They would not admit they were at fault even though the police report said they were. You'd think it was a $100k benz I was driving that they wrecked, considering how hard they were being on the payout. Not a 10 year old $4000 truck.
:nuts: Thanks for that riveting story.
 
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