Troglodyte

Guys, sorry for my ignorance. The new WJ's (like the early 2000's i think) did they have a solid front axle and what was it, a Dana 30? I recently got into jeeps and looking to get my wife something like a 2004 WJ, but it has to be 4X4. What are the pros and cons between the I6 and V8?

North_Coast_ZJ

I think the grand cherokee lost the live axle in 2005. The WJ was 99-04. Not sure if the WJ all had dana 30s or not up front. When I was shopping around there was fair amount of them that still had the 4.0L & the 42RE like my ZJ which has been pretty good for me... so far (I think my engine is in better shape than my transmission). WJs can look pretty classy if they're done right. Good luck in the hunt.

Troglodyte

Well it's either one of these:
http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/3607851517.html
http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/3613920325.html

fandroid

Not that buying one "all done up" is bad but I personally would avoid it if and only if it looks like it has been beat on and I wanted to do everything like the lift, bumpers, etc. on my own.

The second one doesn't look like its been beat on from the pictures he shows but a good body and a parts list doesn't necessarily mean the motor, tranny, t case and axles are good as well.

I'm not trying to sway you against the XJ, because lets be honest that thing looks sexy, but like every car, I'd have to see it in person and thoroughly inspect it before I put down the cash for it.

Troglodyte

Oh yeah I get it. I'm not new to build cars just kinda new to jeeps. I'd have to go look it over and drive it. It looks clean and possibily a mall crawler. My main worry about the WJ is they love on the beach.

dave1123

Yes, I own a 2000 WJ with the 4.0, 42RE, 242 transfer and love it. The only thing I wanted that this didn't have was the tow package. That gives me 3.55 gears and no aux tranny cooler. The vehicle was pristine and had been detailed, plus had maintenance records so I couldn't turn it down. It only had 124K miles on it.

The front axle is a Dana 30 with CV's at the wheels and front driveshaft. It also has larger dual piston brakes than the ZJ or XJ single piston. It also needs 16 inch wheels to clear these larger brakes. I had to sell my ZJ with a brand new set of tires because they wouldn't fit my WJ.

I'm running 245/70R16 tires and they fill the wheel wells. I'm thinking about a 2" lift just to clear the snowpack better.

By the way, the WJ in the ad looks exactly like mine. I payed $4200 for mine a year ago.