ZJ or XJ...which is more capable?

TapouT

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2008
Location
Hickory nc
I'm looking at buying another toy. I'm wanting a driver/occasional weekend wheeler. I've narrowed it down to a ZJ or an XJ. Out of the two, which is the more capable rig? Say they both have the same amount of lift, same tires etc..which would be the better option? I'm sure they both have their strong points but which is the best overall?
 
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The ZJ is coil springs at all four corners and the XJ has leafs in the rear. The ZJ is heavier than the XJ, but the ZJ has the 5.2 available (5.9 in 98). I am partial to ZJs of course, but I think that is the way to go.
 
ZJ has a little more wheelbase and a lot more body, and a much better suspension setup in the rear. XJ is stupid light. Both are great starting points. If I were looking for one, I'd want the 4.0 with an NP242 t-case so that you get decent power, decent mileage, and still have the option of 2wd/AWD/4wd. With a ZJ, you're guaranteed to get a sucky rear axle (D35 or D44A), whereas the XJ you might get a Chrysler 8-1/4". If its going to be driven alot, the ZJ is just a bit nicer, quieter, and smoother than an XJ.
 
I've owned both and can tell you in stock axle form, the XJ is a MUCH better option. The ZJ rear axles were terrible. Either a Dana 35 or a Dana 44a, which has a weak aluminum housing. Finding a 96+ XJ with either a Dana 44 or 8.25 is a better platform without having to swap axles out. Granted a lot of older XJ's have 35's too, but ANY XJ rear axle will easily bolt up and can be had in the junkyard without much effort.
 
TapouT said:
That may be the better option for me then. I'm 6'6" so I need all the room
I can get!!
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My buddy that wheeled with me in my ZJs most of the time is 6'4" and he fit just fine in them. @biggoofy is also about your height and he fit in his ZJ just fine too.

Another thing to conisder about both, is there is no cheap way to lift them, and the unibody is known for flexing and cracking under abuse.
 
BigClay said:
Another thing to consider about both, is there is no cheap way to lift them more than 2-3", and the unibody is known for flexing and cracking under abuse.
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Fixed it for you :D . A 2" budget boost is pretty darn cheap, and both have drivelines long enough that you don't have to do a SYE at 2-3" lift. Beyond that, its a matter of how high you want to go and what you want to spend, but thats the case with most any vehicle.
 
jeepinmatt said:
Fixed it for you :D . A 2" budget boost is pretty darn cheap, and both have drivelines long enough that you don't have to do a SYE at 2-3" lift. Beyond that, its a matter of how high you want to go and what you want to spend, but thats the case with most any vehicle.
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True
 
I love both, have owned several of both. Have wheeled a ZJ and rode shotgun on XJs off-road. To start from scratch... I'd be happy with either. The question is, which is more capable. I don't know that either is more capable than the other. I'd say the only thing an XJ would have over the ZJ is the rear axle options. But the ZJ has the 5.2/5.8 option and I love those motors. BUT the ZJ is going to have a POS RE46 transmission and if you get the V8 you'll probably end up with the fawkin NP249 AWD t case. Saved my ass a few times in inclement weather on the road, but the viscous coupler inside is good for about 80-90k miles and then it's $700.

The XJ has a much better slushbox option with the AW4, and that I-6 is pretty bullet proof.

Back to capability.... I'd say they are equal. But it would be a hard choice for me between those two. I'd probably go XJ because in the end it would be cheaper to build and maintain.
 
I thought ZJs with 4.0s had AW4s but I could be wrong.
 
'93 was the first year of the ZJ and early in production they had the AW4. But those are rare birds now. I had one. Anything prior to '93 was the Grand Waggy with the same body style as the Grand Cherokee. Don't know if was same designation of ZJ or not.

Thanks for the correction on 42RE. That's what I meant. That makes it even worse. Still crappy and weaker. :D
 
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