The Best ZJ Produced

[wikun]

Wow that is interesting. The V8 fuel consumption isn't the best, but fuel isn't a concern (well it is a little one i guess). What I am looking for is engine problems experienced? The differences between one year to another. Overall, once acquired, anything that you all would do (ie put it in the shop and swap...oh say bearings...just an example). And while we are on power train, can we talk trannies? Weak years in the trannies, differences, viable rebuild options? Oh and if you guys have any pictures of broken stuff and fixed stuff, that would be cool to see what the references are. Just trying to learn...Thanks so much guys. Keep em' coming please.

:coffeedrink::wings::coffeedrink:

 

[Amauri]

Pron

 

[FishPOET]

What I am looking for is engine problems experienced?

I have almost 150,000 miles on mine with mostly regular maintenance. The rear main is just starting to leak. The 5.2 has a good reputation.

And while we are on power train, can we talk trannies? Weak years in the trannies, differences, viable rebuild options?

The 46RE four speed automatic transmission was used in 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokees with 5.9L engines.

The 44RE four speed automatic transmission was used in 1996 to 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee's with 5.2L engines.

The 42RE four speed automatic transmission was used in 1993.3 to 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokees with 4.0L engines.

The 46RH four speed automatic transmission was used in 1993 to 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokees with 5.2L engines.

I have the original 44re in mine with no trouble.

Overall, once acquired, anything that you all would do (ie put it in the shop and swap...oh say bearings...just an example)

Swap all the fluids. Give it a grease job. Typical newly acquired vehicle stuff.

The 30 has unit bearings. No need to switch them out until they start giving you trouble.

First thing I did was lift it to fit 31's. I tried the 2" budget boost (pucks) and 31x10.50 rubbed on the control arms and fenders. I cut the fenders and adjusted the steering stops. Not long after I went up to the F>R swap and the 31's fit and flexed real nice. The Jeep was never my daily driver and I put over 20,000 miles on the 31's. A ZJ on 31s can have a lot of fun at Ocotillo Wells, Truckhaven, Big Bear, etc.

 

[Amauri]

I have a 4.0 and I love it, damn thing is bullet proof. But sometimes it lacks in the power department. I drive pretty slow but sometimes you just have to goose it and a lot of the times when I do nothing happens unless I hit it just right. I need a 5 speed... :smiley_drive:

 

[wikun]

So what you are saying Amauri is that if I buy the ZJ those three chicks come standard? I don't know how my wife will feel about that, but on the other hand, they are SMOKIN'. j/k FishPOET i did the info. I would like to hear more opinions about years and stock gear combinations. Thanks for so much interest. It is turning out to be very informative and I just want to say I don't want to play the what if game so I am assembling all of this information. Thanks again everyone!!!!!!

 

[Root Moose]

You will find this book worth getting:

Jeep Cherokee & Grand Cherokee 4x4 1992-98 Performance Portfolio [Motorbooks]

It is basically reprints of Jeep Grand Cherokee articles from the car and 4x4 magazines of the time. I have my copy here in front of me and count about 24 or so articles on the ZJ out of the ~44 articles in the book.

I always liked the funky interiors in the Orvis edition. The red and green kinda clash but also work in a way. It certainly is unique and kind of looks "upmarket" in a way.

I'd be inclined to find a V8 for a 4x4 that will get used off pavement. The extra power should offset the weight of heavier tires, armour and equipment nicely. I haven't heard any bad things about any of the engines offered. I have a soft spot for the old Rambler tractor engine though (the 4.0).

 

[Amauri]

If they did zj's would be a lot more popular

I think the best thing to do is go test drive a few, see if you can deal with the 4.0 or need the extra power. They are both good engines if properly maintained both will last a long time. I'd suggest 96+ they are refined(interior and exterior are nicer) and the V8's have a d44a in the back.

93-95 4.0 and 5.2 have lpd30/d35 3.55 gear ratio
96-98 4.0 lpd30/d35 3.55 gears unless they are tow package then the have 3.75 gears
96-98 5.2 lp30/d44a 3.75 the rear is limited slip
98 5.9 if you find one for a reasonable price get it

oh and get a limited.

 

[Haggis]

We had two different ZJs. The first was a '94 4.0 with the 242, the second a '98 5.2. We got as good or slightly better gas mileage with the V8 over the 4.0 but with a huge increase in the fun factor. Both were very reliable for the most part. Problems we had was with the Y-collector on the '94 4.0 header cracking (a common problem) at around 95,000 miles and we had the tranny let go around the same mileage in the '98.

 

[FishPOET]

96-98 5.2 lp30/d44a 3.75 the rear is limited slip

The Aussie locker needs an open carrier not a posi. Mine was open from the factory.

 

[Amauri]

The Aussie locker needs an open carrier not a posi. Mine was open from the factory.

Might just be the 5.9's. I have a d35 in mine so I don't know first hand. I'm going to look into it I have been wanting to put in a d44a.

 

[Xjaddiction]

Ahh the ZJ....

I've owned three of them, and also three XJ's, as well as a YJ and a Jeep Scrambler... I love my latest and last Jeep build, the venerable 5.9L... I love the V-8 Grands, the 5.2L is plenty of power, but the 5.9L not only is rare, with about 15,000 made for only one year, (11,000 without Ca. emissions), but just a blast to drive. With the part-time case (stock had the full-time case) the thing is just absolutley rediculous in the power dept. The stock weight is only 3600 lbs.... !!!!! Add a 360 V-8 to that stiff uni-body and you have a fun four wheeler...

1st '94 ZJ with 2" lift, 5.2L and some 31's. This went to a friend of mine, and he still has it.

Here is a ZJ I owned for about 1 year, the 5.9L came along and I traded this one for the 5.9L, I kept most of the parts from the '96 to put on the 5.9L.;

'96, 6"es of lift, 35's, lockers front and rear (had the aussie locker in the Dana44HD which they have since ceased production), ARB bumper, etc.

Here is the 5.9L as she sits today, though not perfect as PO had an accident that left a dent in the d-side door, and fender, it only had 120,000 miles on the clock when I bought it. I'm going to put some Icelandic flares on it this summer, so the fender dent won't be a problem;

Baselined, then; 2" lift, ARB bumper, MM 8000 remote controlled winch, Dana 30 HP 4:11's, rebuilt Dana 44 4:11's, and factory LS, Tereflex HD 231 t-case, Tom Woods shafts, Kevin'd rad support, K and N Cold Air Intake, BFG AT KO 245x75x16 (30" tire). I have all the parts now for a 6" lift, and 33" SS TRXUS MT's on Trail Ready Beadlocks, will be applied soon...

Here is a little more candy of IOR's Platinim 5.9L....

Here is one with the BW flares

 

[Scotsmanspride]

I ran a 97 5.2L for 3 years. Had a 4" RE short arm lift with 33x12.50 BFG M/T's with an ARB front winch bumper and kevins jeep parts rear bumper. Swapped out to a true dana 44 rear with arb. Was in the process of ditching the 242 but lost it in a divorce. oh well. Now im back with a TJ so it is all good. the other mod i did was to pull the plastic bottom cladding off and sprayed it with bedliner on the bottom. It was red with black liner. looked awesome!