I bought mine because it was in my price range and I do like the body style. The more I drive and look at it, the more I actually love this body style compared to some of the others! What and why were you motivated to buy a ZJ model Jeep?

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My first ZJ was bought back in 96. I was looking around at SUVs and I test drove a 4 Runner first. They weren't totally invested in making a sale so I went over to the Jeep dealer and test drove the 95 5.2 limited and was immediately sold. It was less expensive and came fully loaded with a v8. Way more comfortable than the 4 runner. Had around 35k miles on it and was leased previously.
4 runner was a 94 too.


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parents bought it in 94. got my drivers license in this thing!

back in 2009, i was looking for a medium size 4wd.

tested a range rover p38, some 4runners and so on.

i wasn't even looking for v8 zj due to high gas consumption. in italy gas price is super high.

in the end, when i stared the 5.2 (now 5.9) and heard the roar, i simply signed the check lol.

I had always liked the styling of the ZJ, and the size vs the XJ. Add in the coil springs at both ends and how inexpensive they have become I started casually looking. I needed to scratch my Jeep itch after selling my YJ, my wife was pregnant, and while a lowered BMW and a lowered VW went through the snow alright with snow tires, they weren't going to handle the deep stuff. The ZJ would do that, especially because I knew it wouldn't stay stock. After a few months of not looking very hard my 94 fell into my lap as a trade in at work. It had everything I wanted for durable and simple components: the 4.0L and the NP231 transfer case. No sunroof was a bonus. That was over 6 years ago and I've, fortunately, not had to make an emergency run through the snow in it. Just had fun in the snow!

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ZJ has the best body style in my opinion. Looks even better with a lift and big tires!

There's a small part of me that wants to do this to mine but, money wise, it's just not feasible right now. Plus, I'm just going to enjoy it for a while stock.

Was originally looking at XJs, but wanted a V8. So the ZJ was the one.

I wanted a 5.9, so the choice was pretty obvious

Saw it at an auction sitting between an '89 SJ and a '97 Explorer. Nobody was hardly bidding on it, so I made a bid and to my surprise I won the Zeej.

Picked up a ‘96 5.2 a few years back and loved it. Later gave it to my son, but always kinda missed it. 2 1/2 years ago picked up a ‘98 with the 4.0 and 242 TC. Awesome truck. Keeping this one forever.

Every Jeep needs at least a 2" lift and 31"-ish tire to look proper, IMO. Budget boosts are cheap enough and maintain a factory ride, especially with good shocks.

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I've owned ours for 23 years this May. Bought it new off the lot. Looked at:
Explorer, liked size did not like electronic 4x4 and didn't trust new chain drive for the SOHC V6 (time proved I was right on both)
Blazer, liked size, torquey 4.3 V6, didn't like electronic 4x4 and loose/rattly body (time proved I was right on not wanting electronic 4x4)
Toyota 4 Runner and Nissan Pathfinder, liked Japanese assembly quality and basic nature, didn't like underpowered V6s and part time only 4x4 (time proved that the 4 Runners were prone to blown head gaskets on the 3.0 V6)

so the ZJ had:
Simple rugged inline cast iron 6 or rugged cast iron 5.2 V8
availability of 2 4x4 systems, one totally automatic (Quadratrac) one manual (Selectrac) that had option of part time + full time and manual shifter (preferred)
smaller inside than others (tire in cargo area) but this wasn't really a draw back.

I owned a 1994 Nissan Pathfinder for a while and agree on the underpowered V6 comment. It always felt sluggish to me even with the manual tranny. This ZJ will be staying for as long as I can keep it going!

Would you mind PM'ing me some ideas and links to a budget lift job?