I had a 97 ZJ that I loved. It was pretty nimble off-road. Now that a have a 00 WJ, I feel like I'm driving a whale. It's not that much bigger, but it feels that way. Is it still okay to thrash in the woods or am I kidding myself?

 

Hey Dave. I had a '97 ZJ that I sold to my son, and still have an '04 WJ that we bought new. I used to park them side by side in my garage for years, so I can tell you they're virtually identical in size. They do have their differences in handling and steering though. To me, the ZJ was more like a truck, while the WJ is more carlike. Both had/have the V8, AWD, & trailer package, but the ZJ had the Up Country suspension option. I know the WJ has the odd upper control arm set up w/no rear trac bar, so it might not look like it would do as good off road as the ZJ, but there are lots of them driven that way.
I've never driven either of mine off road, so I can't offer personal experience on this.

 

Ol Blue is right, same wheel base as the zj. Wj bodies are a little bigger. Take it off road, they didn't win four wheeler of the year in 99 and 2002 for nothing.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I wasn't very aggressive with the ZJ, but it just felt like I was in control. I've only had the WJ a month and haven't taken it deer hunting yet, so haven't had the oppurtunity to go into the woods yet. I did notice the three-point rear suspension, however. Also the 16's are actually 29.5 in dia, the front doors are thicker, and the seats have kidney supports. I't just a whole different "feel" to the car. It's also white and my buddy calls it "Moby Dick"! I quess I'll have to get more experience driving it. I also am concerned about the tires it came with. They are Goodyear Wrangler SR/A's that don't seem to have very much wet traction. I can spin them with just a little too much throttle off a stop in the rain, course that's in 2WD.

I'll have to wait a while for new boots, I'm still paying for it!

 

Yep your tires suck,lol. Mine did to when I got it. Give it a little time. We have grown to love our wj.

 

Does it have 4wd? If yes.... Then thrash it!

 

They sorta did. It's not like the automotive industry makes 4x4 vehicles for that purpose anymore aside from the Wrangler, and even that has gone more soccer mom in the last few years.

 

Yea , I know. Everyone dogs the quadra drive to. I have kept mine maintained and it does extemely well off road. I have a locked Xj and Tj so I have some basis for comparison.

 

Ram Power Wagon and Ford Raptor

 

Update on the tires. I broke down and went to buy some General Grabber AT2s and found they are on National Back-order until the end of October! Well, that sucks. I quess I'll have to wait. I looked at some other winter tires, but the Generals are actually rated as an All-Season tire. Pretty aggresive tread pattern for an All-Season. Nice!

You know what it is about the WJ? It's taller than the ZJ. Doing my newspapers, I found some of my paper tubes are too low now. Not so easy to reach. I don't think it's just the tires, either. The ZJ had 75/15's on it and the WJ has 70/16's. Not that much of a difference. Can't wait 'til I'm up on snowbanks!

Keep the faith, pass the word! JEEPS FOREVER!!

 

I went from a lifted 2 door 99 jimmy to my wj and it feels like a bus. So much bigger....and soon to be even bigger. The jimmy was tough but this one almost seems to nice to try to wheel.

 

I have 245/70/17 grabber AT2s, They will be worth the wait.

 

Its a Jeep...Wheel It!

 

Well, I went and prepurchased the AT2's. Also, the more I drive my WJ, the more I trust it. I took it on a cowpath road, youknow one of those thru the woods with grass in the middle, and it felt solid. Can't wait till I get tires I can trust for traction.

 

I hope you enjoy your WJ as much as I've enjoyed mine Dave. It really has a solid feeling, even when you've got a big trailer hooked behind it.