The Best ZJ Produced

[wikun]

I know the title is misleading, but I noticed that there wasn't a thread on the portal that really dove into this topic. So I wanted to start a thread on the venerable ZJ. I am in the market for a Jeep (read never owned one and am now looking) and would like to know everything that you guys wished you would have done or did or just whatever. Also Jeep porn is graciously appreciated to support your opinions. I am sure that everyone has their favorite likes and dislikes and pro's and con's, so let's hear 'em. Thank you all ahead of time

 

[Root Moose]

I like the `95-`98 ZJs for the slightly revised front clip and dash.

I also like the first half of `93 model run because they used the AW4 transmission behind the 4.0.

Big fan of the NV242 transfer case in these Jeeps.

If I bought a ZJ it would be as a collector vehicle and I'd go for a pristine 5.9 and only do a BB and other simple (i.e. reversible) bolt ons.

$0.02

EDIT: Come to think of it - I don't think there is a bad year of ZJ. They are all pretty much the same from a features and reliability point of view.

 

[FishPOET]

98 5.9 is the king of ZJs

96-98 5.2 are next in line

The best single piece of advice is to know what you want out of your vehicle. I built my ZJ to recreate in the local mountains and deserts and it has worked out great.

You can put up to 2" spacer pucks on all 4 springs for an inexpensive lift.

You can swap the front springs to the rear and buy new 3-1/2" front springs and 4 shocks for a relatively inexpensive lift. The F>R lift should clear 31" tires. You can use 1" or 2" pucks as needed to lift or level. IMHO 4-1/2" is about as high as you want to go on short arms in a ZJ.

Although the 249 transfer case is an excellent AWD tc for pavement it is the least desirable tc off pavement. If the viscous coupler goes bad it is an expensive repair.

Aluminum 44 in the rear only has one locker option. (Aussie) For mild offroading the 44A is not a problem. Beyond mild it needs to be trussed.

CV driveshafts and CV axles cannot be fixed in the field. Ujoint driveshafts and axles are an easy swap.

Unibodies need support beyond mild offorading.

 

[IZVERG]

My little brother has an insane build on his '95 ZJ. Check him out over on MallCrawlin.com, s/n "zj95maxx".

 

[Booner]

We bought our 98 ZJ in 2000 w 20K on the clock. It now has 189K on it, and is still running strong. It's a 4.0 auto with the stock Dana 30/35 combo with Detroit TrueTracs. Currently riding on a BDS 3.5 kit w/ 1" spacers with Hankook 31-10.50 MTs. I have an 8.8 out of a 98 Exploder sitting in the garage and a bracket kit on order for it. The 8.8 will be locked :smiley_drive:.

 

[smbisig]

My wife has a 1995 with a 4.0 auto, stock suspension on 30 BFG ATs, stock 3.73 gears and she gets an average of 22 MPG on the highway!

I am thinking of buying her a another car and making her Jeep into a expo righ because of the sheer reliability of the 4.0 and the fact that it get awesome fuel milage.

I already have a RE 3.5 short arm kit and OME long travel shots sitting in my garage waiting to be installed.

Steven b~

 

[smbisig]

Oh and a Safari Snorkel ready to go as well :sombrero:

Steven b~

 

[wikun]

Thanks for all of the replies so far. As far as what I want to get out of the rig : I live in san diego and as such love to do mild offroading and overlanding with the family in Ocotilla Wells and Truck Haven in that order. I am looking for years that have good front and rear axle combos. Did any of the ZJ's come with the high pinion setup and 242? I have heard about the 249, upgrading difficulty as well as part location ease? I have heard alot of yall talking about the inline 6. What about the V8? Any good? Thanks everyone for the responses I am catalouging them. Keep em coming.

BTW (off topic) I am trying to get pictures up of my current rig. Anyone know why I keep getting database errors?

 

[Scott Brady]

That latest year of the 4.0L powered Overland model IMO.

I owned two ZJs.

 

[OverlandZJ]

I like the `95-`98 ZJs for the slightly revised front clip and dash.

I also like the first half of `93 model run because they used the AW4 transmission behind the 4.0.

Big fan of the NV242 transfer case in these Jeeps.

If I bought a ZJ it would be as a collector vehicle and I'd go for a pristine 5.9 and only do a BB and other simple (i.e. reversible) bolt ons.

$0.02

EDIT: Come to think of it - I don't think there is a bad year of ZJ. They are all pretty much the same from a features and reliability point of view.

Some good points here.

I remember reading the front grill opening on the later models was done for more airflow, how true that is i'm unsure.

I'd like to see someone pull off a "complete" AW-4 conversion for the 93.5+ 4.0L equipped ZJ's. The few i saw had to be shifted manually.

 

[wikun]

BTW IZVERG Your brother has an awesome build up. Aside from the vulgarity of the site (no offense) it is awesome and I highly recommend viewing it!!!!:smiley_drive:

 

[OverlandZJ]

Thanks for all of the replies so far. As far as what I want to get out of the rig : I live in san diego and as such love to do mild offroading and overlanding with the family in Ocotilla Wells and Truck Haven in that order. I am looking for years that have good front and rear axle combos. Did any of the ZJ's come with the high pinion setup and 242? I have heard about the 249, upgrading difficulty as well as part location ease? I have heard alot of yall talking about the inline 6. What about the V8? Any good? Thanks everyone for the responses I am catalouging them. Keep em coming.

BTW (off topic) I am trying to get pictures up of my current rig. Anyone know why I keep getting database errors?

No ZJ's were available with the HP D30, an XJ housing would be a direct swap.

The 249 to 242 conversion wont be that bad with some research, theres an input gear length and internal gear cut change to be considered. Most often the 249 itself will provide the correct parts donor.

I read alot of the ZJ owners complaints of being underpowered with a 4.0L. Maybe those guys are just in a hurry.. :sombrero: My wife's current ZJ has the 5.2L.. and it's a kick to drive. So much so that i'm making it my next rig. Currently rebuilding another ZJ for the wife with 4.0l, 242 and Leather. :sombrero:

The fuel consumption of the V8 isnt too far off the 4.0L if you can keep your foot out of it.

 

[FishPOET]

I am looking for years that have good front and rear axle combos. Did any of the ZJ's come with the high pinion setup and 242? I have heard about the 249, upgrading difficulty as well as part location ease? I have heard alot of yall talking about the inline 6. What about the V8? Any good?

AFAIK all the 96-98 V8s came with 249tc, CV joints in the driveshaft and axles, low pinion 30 up front and 44a in the rear.

The 242s and 231s were the options in the 4.0.

The 4.0 had the LP30 up front and the 35 in the rear.

The 5.2 and the 4.0 are both good engines. Stock I never got better than 15 mpg with my 5.2.....but I was never concerned with mpg. Reports had the 5.2 as high as 19-20 mpg.

OverlandXJ is correct about the HP30 being a direct swap, the 249, 242, 231 swap being relatively easy and the 5.2 being a kick to drive.

 

[Root Moose]

I'd like to see someone pull off a "complete" AW-4 conversion for the 93.5+ 4.0L equipped ZJ's. The few i saw had to be shifted manually.

I think the problem here lies with the type of electronics. I may be mis-remembering but the ZJ uses the Dodge truck data bus system while the XJ used the Jeep data bus system.

From what I've read, the only way to swap in a AW4 into the later ZJs is to swap the bus at the same time (say XJ 4.0, AW4 and electronics). the issue becomes that the gauges are not compatible between the truck bus and the Jeep bus.

Kinda silly when you think about it.

I wonder if using a Dodge truck harness meant for a 5.2 and a manual transmission (Dakota/Durango/Ram?) coupled with a OBD-I era AW4 (stand alone TCU) could be a work around?

Hmmm...

Seems like a big PITA. I'd be more inclined to get the ChryCo transmission properly rebuilt with good parts if it fails. I hear that they live a normal length lifetime if rebuilt.

 

[Root Moose]

The 242s and 231s were the options in the 4.0.

I didn't think Command-Trac (NV231) was an option on the ZJ?

EDIT: yes it was