I am in the market for a ZJ, and I dont know whether to go with a 4.0 or 5.2 model. I found a deal on a 5.2 with the tow package, which I understand has a D44 out back. Is this true? I know the 4.0 is legendary as far as longevity, my brothers runs like a top at 280k. How about the 5.2? Or 4.7 for that matter? I like bulletproof!
4.0 vs. 5.2
betard_foosier
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I am in the market for a ZJ, and I dont know whether to go with a 4.0 or 5.2 model. I found a deal on a 5.2 with the tow package, which I understand has a D44 out back. Is this true? I know the 4.0 is legendary as far as longevity, my brothers runs like a top at 280k. How about the 5.2? Or 4.7 for that matter? I like bulletproof!
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1,502 Posts
I have the 5.2l with 207,XXX and it is running strong. Not all ZJs with the 5.2l have the d44. If you ever plan on lifting your jeep and getting bigger tires or towing you will want the 5.2l. I am not sure about the 4.7 in longevity. Hopefully some one else will chime in but the 4.7 in the the WJs. Only down fall of the 5.2l is it is usually paired with the 249 t-case which is easy fixed by swapping in a 242. In my opinion I would get the 5.2l. Gas mileage is roughly the same between the 4.0 and 5.2.
Gotta give my 4.0 props at 170k runs like a caddy, but if you do towing or driving across mountains (which I guess not because you live in Kansas) then the 5.2 is probably a better option. Of course a little more power could never hurt in any situation. But like I said my '93 4.0 pulls my 12 ft. trailer loaded with little struggle, and that's with two mowers on it, but could stand a little more power when it comes to the hills here in TN.
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If you found a good deal on a 5.2 then go for it. Most guys on here with the 5.2 have reported good reliability as long as you maintain it like you should. Personally, the 4.0's power isn't bothersome at all to me, even with 31s; however the d35 out back kinda sucks lol.
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try 3.55s with 33s its fun. my 4.0 runs pretty good for 177xxx miles
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Seriously? Do a search. This topic gets covered once a week.
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5.2 for sure, both engines go for ever, and the mpg is pretty much the same, but the 5.2 has so much more power, and torque, plus if you plan on lifting or bigger tires, they are 3.73's instead of 3.55's with a v8.
and with tow package, you get a d44A
and with tow package, you get a d44A
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i say go with the 5.2 its a great motor no problems and im at 135,000
I have a 93 4.0 with around 180K on it. My ZJ came with a tow package and therefore has 3.73 axle ratios. I have plenty of power and last summer when i checked my mileage i was getting 22. Personally i love the 4.0. I have the 4.7 abd 3.55s in my dakota and i get around 18 combined city/hwy. The truck has good power, but not excessively more then the 4.0. just my 2 cents
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96+ 5.2s had the D44a rear. All 5.2s had 3.73 rear gears (except a rare few 93s with 3.55). All 93-95 had the D35 rear end. Most 96+ 4.0 had the D35, some tow packages got the D44a. 4.0 has 3.55 gearing, 3.73 with tow package.
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3,384 Posts
100% right!
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If you're going to get a 10+ year old Jeep, it's going to be a long-term investment anyway. So you might as well go all out and find yourself a 5.9. If I could go back in time... Be patient, and one will crop up. It'll be worth it. I finally saw one in person recently, and I was salivating. My 4.0's never looked as good since. LOL The 5.9 is refinement and brute force, like a Mustang crossed with a Wrangler with the trim of a Cadillac.
Now I'm getting Niner envy again.
Now I'm getting Niner envy again.
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3,384 Posts
At the very least get a 5.2, if not a niner. I have a 4.0 and I thought it was great until my buddy got his 5.2. Every time I drive it I consider a V8 swap into mine.
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In my eyes, both the 5.2 and 4.0 are slow as hell, the 4.0 is a little slower, but I honestly can't tell much of a difference. Then again, I barely ever get on it in my ZJ, I have a fast car for when I want to do that.
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402 Posts
I had a 93 4.slow and now that I have my 5.9 I wish I had never bought the 4.0 in the first place. I do like to tow my toys with my Jeep so a V8 is definately something I wanted when I was looking to buy my second one. I towed the biggest U-haul I could rent from Colorado to Virginia when I graduated college and it was fully loaded. It proved how much power is lacking in the 4.0. I think my niner would whip that dual axled trailer around now, even through the west Virginia mountains! The 5.2's are a great motor and can be found for a great deal! 5.9's are getting harder and harder to find, I got lucky and found mine on accident. It really comes down to what you use it for. Don't discount a well maintained 4.0, it'll serve you well. But if you like the skinny pedal and want to tow a trailer then either V8 would be a better choice. Happy Hunting!!
Go with a V8, if you don't you'll eventually wish you did.
My 4.0 runs like a dream at 146k, but I wish on a daily basis that I had gone V8.
A 5.2 LTD is fine too, don't go crazy looking for a Niner. I don't think they're all that, and as far as I know you have to run premium in them.
If you don't mind a slow vehicle, or never tow or tackle much hilly terrain, the 4.0 will do you fine. Other than that tHough, or if you ever decide to go larger than a 30-31" tire, you'll sadly remember you coulda had a V8.
My 4.0 runs like a dream at 146k, but I wish on a daily basis that I had gone V8.
A 5.2 LTD is fine too, don't go crazy looking for a Niner. I don't think they're all that, and as far as I know you have to run premium in them.
If you don't mind a slow vehicle, or never tow or tackle much hilly terrain, the 4.0 will do you fine. Other than that tHough, or if you ever decide to go larger than a 30-31" tire, you'll sadly remember you coulda had a V8.
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177 Posts
They're both amazing, buletproof, etc. It really boils down to little things like torque preferences and the options that came with each engine. As long as you maintain them, they'll pay you back. I've seen 5.2 and 4.0s passing well over the 250,xxx mark. As far as gas mileage goes, the less efficient the engine is, the less stress/ heat buildup, the longer the engine lasts and Jeep certainly made 2 inefficient engines. Some question getting a Jeep due to things like bad gas mileage and would rather get something like a suzuki fujitzu or something jappy and all I can say... It's a Jeep thing.
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