Jeep ZJ or WJ?

Which Jeep is the better Jeep?

  • Jeep WJ

    Votes: 6 46.2%

  • Jeep ZJ

    Votes: 7 53.8%
  • Total voters
    13

TapouT

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2008
Location
Hickory nc
Which is the better Jeep and why?! I was really hoping to find an XJ but I can't seem to find one reasonably priced that hasn't had the snot beat out of it. I'm just looking for a nice daily driver to use through the winter. I've narrowed it down to either a ZJ or a WJ. I've found a 1998 Grand Cherokee limited (155,000 miles) with the 5.2 V8 and a 2004 Grand Cherokee Laredo (131,000 miles) with the 4.0 inline 6. The '98 has just had a recent transmission rebuild with receipt and warranty. It's lifted 2" (budget boost) with brand new 31" tires. The '04 has a 3" IRO lift kit with a few other goodies. 15x8 steel wheels with 1/2 tread 31" tires. Both Jeeps seem to be in great shape. I've owned several ZJ's but never a WJ. Should I stick with what I know or venture out and get the WJ? I figured I'd ask the experts their opinion. $1,000 price difference between the two with the WJ being more expensive. Thanks for the help!

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I'm partial to ZJs. About a month ago I bought a '98 with the 5.2 with 235k on the clock. It was a one owner and the trans was resently rebuilt as well. (actually I bought a '98XJ and a '98 ZJ off the same guy in one transaction, he was meticulous about his maintainence and it showed). I've had a few ZJs and WJs and like any of their stuff that has the RE transmissions, that's the weak link. Sure wish they could've put the AW4 behind all their stuff.

The 4.0 is a great engine, but I like the 318, with some minor stuff you can a lot more out of it and increase the MPGs.
 
I've owned both, wish I never would have sold the WJ. It had 212k miles on it and still purred. The WJ was more comfortable in my opinion.
 
WJ all day. Better brakes/steering, stronger unibody, quieter interior, and you get the 4.0

Yeah the frame hangs low compared to a ZJ. WJ and ZJ are going to have crappy rear axles so that's a draw. You can upgrade WJ Dana 30 CVs to U-joints.

For a DD a WJ takes the cake. Strictly offroad the ZJ might have better ground clearances and better flex.
 
How much are you wanting to spend for an XJ? Do you have any mechanical skills? Are you willing to do your own mechanical work?
I have a nice stock XJ with 240k that I'm fixing the head gasket on now. This is probably the cleanest XJ with the miles I've seen ever, not even a hole in the seat! I picked it up to flip so if you haven't found anything by the first of the year hit me up about this one.
 
The only hangup for me would be that the trans in the WJ hasn't been rebuilt. Being an 04 the WJ has the better brakes and better cylinder head too. The transmissions in the ZJ and WJ suck. We get SO many in with bad transmissions.
 
When I read the title I was hands down "ZJ", but then reading that you wanted a DD and the WJ had the 4.0 and not the horrible 4.7, I would say WJ.
 
My vote is for the ZJ. I have mine and love it. I dont care for the looks of the WJ.
 
Bare bones 4.0 powered WJs are terrific vehicles.
I made a ton of money at the dealership repairing all of the fancy gizmos on both ZJs and WJs.
Give me an underpowered WJ 4.0 Laredo, manual AC, Selec-Trac, manual seats, all day long.

My wife DDs a 98 ZJ. It's been a great Jeep, but we are the 2nd owners and the first was the daughter of the owner of the Jeep dealer it came from.
 
i was a big fan of my WJ. not the best trail rigs but they make great daily drivers.
i only owned a ZJ briefly but was happy with it as well.

the upgrades that make them better than a Zj are backwards compatible, so the knuckles and brakes can be swapped in to a ZJ.

the WJ isnt a very good trail rig because it takes a lot to upgrade them. The speed sensors are tone rings in the differentials, so if you want to do an axle swap, and have the ECM function properly, you'll need to also to a T case swap with the speed sensor in the tail shaft housing.

WJ aftermarket support is pretty narrow. bumpers and armor are much more available for the Zj than the WJ.

the drivers side seat on the WJ will need attention, they all get the "WJ lean" basically the weld breaks on the frame where the back meets the seat. i fixed my by making a bracket that bolted the frame together, for what ever reason i couldnt ever get it to take a weld (disclaimer, my welding knowledge is nil to zero)


Ultimately i got rid of my WJ because i saw little trail potential in it.


Most of the above isnt going to matter to you if you only DD it. i think the interior of the ZJs are much better made. The Wj interior seemed like it was deteriotating and my Zj seemed to be in great shape, despite its age. in the end if i had to go back, i'd probably choose a base model 4.0L ZJ

the gas mileage on the 4.0L WJ was a lot better than i expected, even with a budget boost and 31s. so, there's that.
 
Thanks for all the input! I've done a lot of reading on MallCrawlin, NAGCA, JeepForum etc and most all seem to love their WJ with the 4.0 in it. This one already has a slight lift and 31's so I feel sure it'll do the job I need it to do.
 
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