i used to own a zj and it was my first jeep and i loved it. unfortunatly it had an auto tranny and it blew so i sold it. so now i learned from talking to alot of people that zj auto trannys arent that great. now im looking at getting an xj because ive alwaysed like them better then zj's. so are the auto trannies in xj's not all that great too? im actually looking for an xj with a manual trans but there a little harder to find. also is the interior room of a xj smaller then a zj? i got two kids. thanks.

 

nobody knows?

 

From what I have read so far it sounds like the XJ's auto trannys are pretty solid. As far as interior space goes IMO there is much leg room, but I dont know how it compares to a ZJ since I have never been in one.

 

The ZJ used a Chrysler built A-500, an overdrive version of the old A-904. Unfortunately they are a problematic unit, with a high failure rate. The XJ however, used an Aisin-Warner AW-4, a Toyota built unit. The AW-4 has no performance upgrades available or aftermarket shifters offered like the Chrysler units do, but the AW-4 will normally withstand the abuse for the lifetime of the truck. Trust me, as a professional mechanic, you'll be much happier with a Cherokee than a "Grand"...

 

My 92 XJ has 319,000+ on the original tranny. I wheel it hard too. It's just now starting to slip on me but only from park to drive. As far as room, you have maybe 2-33 inches more leg room in the back seat and a little more cargo space. Interior is alot more comfortable though.

 

The XJ has less interior room compared to the ZJ as far as leg and shoulder room. The XJ transmission is a little more reliable than the 42RE that is in the ZJ. If you really shop around you may be able to find an early 93 ZJ with the AW4 transmission in it, that was the only time the ZJ used the AW4.

 

My XJ's got more than 177,000 miles on it and as far as I know, it's the original transmission. Shifts nice and solid as if it was new.

 

ok thanks. i gave up on trying to find a zj with a manual trannie. im definatly getting a xj. how about the swapability in parts? i know they made xj's for a long time. are transfer case input shafts a problem? like they are with zj's. and is there a better year xj to look for?