So maybe its just me... but it seams I've been seeing alot more built up Grand Cherokee's, Both the Zj and Wj but more so the Zj. And when I mean built... Axle swaps, aftermarket bumpers, armor... the whole bit. I've lately thought to myself... Should I build one despite the negativity towards there famous electrical problems and un-reliable transmission. So what are your guy's thoughts? Are you seeing more of them built for wheelin purpose's? If you had the time, money and tools... Would you build one?

 

I also forgot to mention... FOR THE RECORD, I dont discriminate against Grand Cherokee's and / or there owners. I just personally haven't built one because I've been told compared side by side to a same year cherokee, The grand cherokee(Zj) part by part is more expensive to build then a cherokee(xj) and when I bought my cherokee... I couldn't afford to do alot.

 

my holy grail gc is a 5.9

 

Lucky man! I've ALWAYS wanted a 5.9L Grand Cherokee. On my bucket list, Take a ride in one.

 

Ive drove them, pretty peppy.

On that note. I also raced one in my v8 WJ.. *** was handed

 

I should have worded that better. I want one very badly

 

Yah I wouldn't mind one myself... But taking my time to find one with super low miles.

 

I'm building a ZJ now. Honestly most electrical issues can be fixed with a soldering iron and some time researching.

I dont think they are all that much more $$ to build, i had alot of money into my XJ of 16 years and it was some time till i got it the way i wanted it. I expect the same with the ZJ.

I will say that the 42re trans is a weak point and one should expect to shell out a few bucks to have a rebuild done at some point if they keep it long enough. However, i hope i got lucky as mine was rebuilt shortly before i aquired it.

 

I have a 94 with 5.5-6" long arm and have also owned a 01 cherokee lifted up 4.5". With that in mind. My zj would have ran the xj over.. The articulation is insane compared to the xj due to the coils front and rear.. Another plus is the factory lsd i like decent traction on the trail. I like the room and confort it has.. There is alot of things i liked more bout the xj tho too.. Parts and accessories are way easier to come by..

If i bought another i would do a v8 for sure. 5.2 imo is just as good as 5.9. I think the 5.9 is way over rated. I would defenatly go with a 96-98 and look for a 242 tcase option. Hope that helpa when looking to source one down. All in all the tranny is junk but u can always put in a aw4 or even ax15 manual wich i want to do with a 231 tcase and like said above the electrical is not a big issue if maintained. I hate when people with xj's talk **** on zj's and have never owned one nor know anything bout them.. I as a jeep lover admiror them all.. My next jeep will be a tj or a jk

 

buddy has one... just looking for parts for him and well they aren't as common as the xj and when/if you can find them they are pretty expensive

 

Lol

 

Like this guy^^^ lol jk..

 

I loved my zj, it out wheeled my Xj any day of the week but than I also had a lot more money tied up into it! If I had to chose one or the other I would build a Xj again because they feel more rugged which I like!

 

Do grands rust as bad as Cherokee do? And are they framed?

 

everything rusts, no they have unibodies.

Personally i like lifted wjs alot. My sister has one that we lifted and its bad *** AND a luxury ride!!

I bought my wife an 03 wj overland last feb and am building it starting in jan!