OverlandZJ

Looking for your opinion... if you own or owned a ZJ.

I have two ZJ's available to me, a 93 Limited with 5.2/249 and a 98 Laredo with 4.0/242.

The 93 is the wifes current daily, the 98 was given to me 1.5 years ago by my BIL. They both have their issues and both the wife and i prefer the ZJ to our XJ's. Wife also had an XJ.

The Mrs is reluctant to give up hers with the V8, i feel i want it for interstate travel pulling an Overlanding trailer. I'm reading too many people refer to their 4.0 ZJ as a 4slow, is it really that bad or is it because they really crave the V8?

I'm looking to build one of these next fall/winter to be my new rig. It will sit around 5" lift on 33x10.5's, my XJ axles with 4:56 gearing, Longarm front suspension. As i'm looking to keep weight down and maximize MPG i'm considering stock bumpers and making a winch mount somehow.

I'd like input on realistic MPG numbers for both drivetrane combo's. I know they wont vary by much, i'm hoping 18mpg interstate would be a possibility.

What's your similar modified ZJ getting?

whowey

I have a 5.2l/249 ZJ.. The power compared the 4L is VERY noticeable when pulling anything. BUT... have you addressed the viscous coupler in the 249?? Once it locks itself up.. my MPG drops to about 12mpg... but I normally drive about 15 miles a day.

cobb

I got the 4.0 and its a terd on the interstate. My mileage was 18, but just put 31's on it and now its 14.

OverlandZJ

If i built the V8 ZJ i'd swap in my 242.. after the input gear swap.

I have a 242 bezel for it already knowing it's coming one day.

whowey, what are getting from a tank in city driving? IIRC all ZJ's are a 22 gallon tank?

whowey

I can't really answer that. I live in a rural town, and do 90+% of my driving in the country.

xjmarc

If you put 4.56s in it you should be fine. Don't remember mileage on my old ZJ but my XJ has 4.56s and 35s and when it actually saw some pavement I averaged 16 mpg and that's city and highway and the ZJ is a lot more aerodynamic and should do better.

country_boy454

It may be more aerodynamic but they weigh more. Motor has to work harder to get going and keep it at a steady speed. When my 96 XJ was first lifted I was running 31s and I could out accelerate my 97 ZJ that is stock except for a drop in K&N and free flowing exhaust. Both are the 4.0, both running 3.55s.

The 97 4.0 ZJ gets about 20-22 mpg on the highway. My 96 5.2 ZJ gets 19-22 mpg on the highway.

Also the ZJs have a 23 gallon tank not 22.