cashmoney

So as the title states, I'm starting to look for my first cherokee. I have zero knowledge on these things. From the little reading I've done, the ZJ would be the better model year to get as they seem to be more robust and capable off road than the later years. My uses for this thing are mainly on road but I will go rock crawling with some of the jeep clubs down here and then take it to the deer lease. Reason I want a ZJ over an XJ is since I will be driving it more than wheeling it I want it comfortable and I'll be hauling the family in it every now and again and they seem to be a bit bigger so that'll be nice.

With that being said, what should I be looking for in my search? I'd like a V8 because I'm a power guy and I love the sound but I've heard the 8's in the cherokee's aren't all that great so I'm uncertain if I should go that way. I'm fairly handy with turning wrenches and I'm not worried about fixing things but I also don't want a maintenance headache on my hands either. Are there specific issues I should check in to when I go and look at these things? I'm still searching the forums but not knowing what to search for I wanted to get started off in the right direction hence the thread.

Thank you for any and all help on this.

dave1123

Welcome to CF and the world of Jeepin'!

First of all, the V8's are good as long as you stick to '98 or older. They are Dodge 318 (5.2) and 360 (5.9) engines and are strong. The '99 and newer (WJ) uses the 4.7 OHC engine with aluminum heads and are prone to overheating problems.

The transfer cases are where the sticking points are. The V8's usually came with the NP/NV249 constant 4WD and sometimes have problems with their viscous clutch which is expensive to replace. The 4.0's (I6) usually came with the NP/NV242 which usually doesn't have problems and gives you the 2WD option.

I say "usually came with" because the original owner could have ordered it with whatever he wanted, although a V8 with a 242 is rare.

There are also "tow package" jeeps that have a trailer hitch, 3.73 axle gearing, an aux trans cooler, and a trailer lighting module. The standard axle ratio is 3.55.

As far as ZJ's go, I personally think a '98 5.9 Limited with a 242 and tow package would be a killer jeep.

cashmoney

Thanks!

I'm assuming swapping the transfer case out isn't any more difficult than swapping one out in any other vehicle? Not to worried about needing AWD down here.

watertrucker

I have a 96 ZJ with the V8 and the 249 TC(full time 4 wheel drive) 142k miles. Love it. Also had a 96 XJ with the 4.0. The ZJ is a lot more comfortable and the V8 with full time 4x4 will take you anywhere. The only issue I had with mine was with the radiator fan. A blade broke off. I installed a 10 blade fan & fan clutch for a 98 Ford Xploder. Cools better and is much quieter.

dave1123

The 249 is a good unit UNTIL it goes bad. Then it becomes a costly repair. The swap is a little complicated because of changes in the input shaft on different years. Just for a little info, check out this link; jeepforum.com/forum/f13/transfer-case-swap-info-np249-np231-np242-685644

You will find that nothing is simple when it comes to jeeps.

cashmoney

Is there anything really bad with a WJ? I can find tons of these all day long but coming up a little short on a ZJ that I want (V8, leather, auto, not wrecked). Like I said, this thing will be a street pounder more than a trail rig but I will wheel it and put probably a 2-3" lift, 31-33's, and a locker or two on it.

dave1123

Until recently, there hasn't been much aftermarket support for the WJ, but things are getting better. You can now find steel bumpers and other parts for them. They are a little heavier (mine weighs 3980 lbs) and the wheelwells are small compared to the ZJ. I'm running 245/70R16's (29.5") and they are just about the limit with stock suspension. The 4.0 is naturally practically indestructible but the 4.7 needs TLC. The '99-'01 4.0's had a cylinder head cracking problem, but '02-'04's are okay.

The rear suspension is a 3 point link setup and if you want to get serious off-road, you should switch to a 4 link setup.

Check out this link for more info on the WJ; wjjeeps.com

cashmoney

What kinda tlc does it need?

Bustedback

The 4.7 will not take the abuse that the 4.0 I6 and 5.2 V8 will. You can't run it low on oil or overheat the 4.7, it won't survive. If you're the kind of person that is a stickler about maintaining your vehicles, you'll be fine. If you're kind of lax on maintenance, or a mechanic, the 4.7 may not be the best choice. I'm a mechanic for a living, I know of what I speak.

cashmoney

I'm pretty good at keeping up on maintenance but I don't need a problem child. I've got a 350z for that :doh

dave1123

Okay. here we go. The 4.7 is a bi-metal engine, by that I mean iron block with aluminum heads. Because of differences in heat expansion, this type of engine naturally has problems with head gaskets. The overhead camshafts run in aluminum bearings, so oil is important for the bearings. If overheated, the heads tend to warp and if warped enough, wipe out the cam bearings. These cams are driven by two chains on the front and are very intense to re-assemble correctly. That's about all the bad stuff.

The engine is strong on power, but like we said, it is critical to keep the cooling system maintained and the oil changed. One of the major reasons for overheating is failure of the cooling fan. Some of these are hydraulically driven off the power steering pump. You can see where THAT might be a problem. The hydraulic fan motor is expensive to replace. Many people have replaced them with electric fans.

I'm not trying to turn you away from the 4.7 but I am warning you about potential problems, PLUS the fact that you're buying a used vehicle that you don't know the history of.

Chrysler (or Fiat) seems to have enough faith in this engine to build the 3.7 V6, which is this same engine minus 2 cylinders. The 4.0 is heavy, hard to build around, and just about reached it's performance limits. After all, it was introduced by AMC in the 50's. But I will say, when I went looking for my jeeps, that engine was what I was looking for because if it's reliability.

But I'm an old fart and set in my ways. I used to go nuts with Chevy small blocks and had lots of fun doing that. Now I'm retired and just want a vehicle that's good in snow and starts anytime I want to go somewhere. BTW, you can trust Bustedback's word. He's been messing around with jeeps longer than I have.

cashmoney

Nope. Don't want that headache. How hard is it to drop a 5.2 or 5.9 in it? Probably a 5.2 so I don't have to worry about over heating so much.

Bustedback

Not worth the money and headaches to swap in the older v8.

cashmoney

I've got 3 I'm looking at. Thoughts//comments//criticisms?

http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/4985801087.html

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/snw/4967122366.html

http://beaumont.craigslist.org/cto/4984325995.html This one is a 98 model year according to the text I got from the seller.

Bustedback

The one in Austin looks the best to me.