Hey guys sorry if this thread is in the wrong location. im going to be picking up another Cherokee. right now I have a 93 Cherokee sport that I love. im thinking about making my second jeep a grand Cherokee. im only looking at snow ice light mudding and light trails. im thinking a older one such as 94-?. what im wanting to know from your guys experience and intuation what are the common problems of the grand Cherokee, pros and cons btween the two, or should I stay away from the GC and get a newer model Cherokee? please help me out. im sure this thread has been covered I did search and didn't find anything.

 

You might want to try Cherokee Chat or even the Grand Cherokee section, most people in this section will just slam it for the looks. Did you use the in-site search or something? There are definitely a pile of threads on this subject!

The Chrysler transmissions used in ZJs behind the 4.0 are junk. Furthermore the ZJ is considerably heavier and the 4.0 isn't what you're used to in an XJ. If you do get a ZJ, find a V8. However one advantage of the 4.0 ZJs is a lot of your knowledge with the XJ will transfer over. Same engine, similar electronics running it. Same CPS problems lol. NP242 is the better of the transmissions, the 249 is always in 4WD Full Time so unless you get free gas (and like replacing broken NP249s) avoid it.

ZJs of course have coil springs in the rear for a softer ride. You can lift them with spacers on all four corners. Plus apparently you can get a free trailer hitch from Chrysler to mitigate that whole exploding thing! Rear axle choices are limited as they come with the D35, which you know, and D44a. The "A" is an aluminum housing. The guts are a D44 but the rest is kinda ****ty. Of course the Grand Cherokees are more luxurious than any XJ ever was.

I'm a big believer in standardization. Parts compatibility is important to me, that's why my herd (which will grow) is all '97+ XJs. Keeps things easy to me - one spare part, one knowledge set.

Perhaps if you shared why you want a ZJ you might get some more useful input? You like the looks, the price (blown transmission lol), the coil-spring ride?

 

I was thinking of a new experience since ive had 2 Cherokees and never had a grand. these things sound like rattle traps/money pits. I think I may just get a newer model xj. the grands may be cheaper but don't seem to be worth in on the long run. im going to go into the grand Cherokee section see what other input there is

 

They're fine with a V8 if you don't go dragging the axle over rocks lol. But yeah talking to the guys that actually wheel em is good

 

The Chrysler tranny scares me.....

 

Ya I don't like Chrysler transmissions. The people at grand section pretty much are saying anything that isn't beat up to bad and the limited with the v8 would be good. MIGHT give it a shot. Idk if I want to jump the boarder

 

Personally I just don't like the GC.