I own a 2001 xj with a 4.5" lift and 33s. But the body is pretty beaten. Thinking of maybe buying another xj soon or buying a zj and just swap everything. I know if I bought a zj I'd have to buy the lift for the rear. I used to have a 95 zj and loved it. Just trying to pick up more pros and cons about each. I know the trannys in the zjs aren't great because that's what happened to mine but how bad are they really? Thanks for checking out this thread and just give your Input of xj vs. zj. Thank you.

 

Off topic but where in wv are you located? lol

 

I love the Grands & owned a ZJ & WJ. Only Con that I can really think of is they all came with the D35 rear axle (as far as I know). with the coil rear suspension you're kinda stuck with that rear axle unless you can figure out a way to upgrade to a better axle.

I say if you can deal with the axle or do a swap go to the Grand, I'd suggest going with a WJ though, they aren't much more than our XJ's these days.

let us know how you do...

 

WJs are pretty legit. THe more and more I see em the more id like to to build one.
Linked rear already, pretty comfortable..just all the electrical things to go wrong.

I wouldnt get a v8 though.
i6 or nothing

 

NP249 transfer case is always full-time, NP242 can swap though from other Grands

Both weigh more than an XJ

Crap rear axles (D35 and D44a), not sure if an axle set up for a TJ will be a direct swap

WJs start the 5x5 bolt pattern, need adapters or new rims

ZJs are close cousins to the XJ, the drivetrain and electronics are quite similar. A 4.0 ZJ will mean parts and knowledge carry over easily. Plop an AW4 in and they're almost the same.

Crap Chrysler transmissions

WJ has nicer interior

Better road manners

I think the V8 gets better fuel economy than some XJs. At any rate 4.0 Grands suck back a LOT of fuel due to weight.

EDIT: Larger front brakes on WJ, discs on all 4 wheels

 

I would only do a ZJ with a 4.0 and AW4. Too expensive to rebuild the crappo chrysler trannies.

 

Weston. Lewis county

 

Well I have a 8.25 in my xj i could swap over, I would just need to get new brackets. And how hard is it to put an aw4 in place of a 42re? And what all would you need.

 

Only difference is the rear seats are spilt so you can carry a treadmill and a toddler,the low pinion dana 30's and rear coils

 

We had two XJ's, 95 and 96 and one ZJ 98 Laredo.

Totaled the 96 XJ and was able to pick up a 98 ZJ Limited for less thant what the Ins Co gave for the XJ.

Six months later a kid rear ends the 98 Limited damaging the bumper cover, inner steel bumper, and mounts and scratched the rear hatch.

Ins co gave me $1650 for that damage and now I am looking to put a custom bumper on that will take the place of all the damaged parts.


I'd go for the XJ, but with the I6.

 

Here was my first jeep. (95 zj, 323k miles, 5 3/4inch lift and 31s)

My second jeep (98 xj limited, 127k miles, all stock)

And my current xj (2001 sport, 71k miles, 4.5 inch lift, 33s, and a bunch of other goodies)

I love zjs and xjs both, I have a great setup now but just looking to get something alittle cleaner. Because mines been beat bad. Haha. I know looks aren't everything, but I like a clean but Capable look.

 

Even thinking about a wj if the funds are right..

 

Only the fist half year of 93 had AW4 bro. Everything afterwards was Cryco tranny. All 4.0 trans were insanly weak for both ZJ and WJ. WJ V8 has one of Cryco's strongest transmissions. the 5 speed 545RFE. The V8 ZJ 44RE and 46RE were pretty ok too, 46RE certainly being the best between the two.

I would not bother with a 4.0 grand to wheel on a fair budget unless I got it for really cheap. My buy bought his nice 98 ZJ for $1 lol

I own a 02 V8 WJ with the rare 242 select-trac option and standard u-joint front driveshaft

 

Is that like "extremely sufficient" or "highly adequate"? Lol

Excellent point I and others forgot... Stay away from the CV shaft junk.

 

I personally hate 42re's because the one in my zj was junk. We pulled it out atleast 5 times to try to fix it. (Didnt have the funds to buy another)