Gimmy

I normally stay on the XJ side of this forum but just recently picked up a 94 ZJ.

It has the I6 but I'm not sure what the spec on it is.

Also I searched the web and am assuming it has the 42re. Are they good?

Any info on these would be helpful (as in tricks quirks what's good.)

Here's a pic of the valve cover tag

dave1123

As you probably already know, the 4.0 is virtually indestructible, however the 42re isn't too strong but will last as long as it's taken care of and not abused. IDK what t/case you have, but the 231 and 242 are very good and the 249 is the problem child. Usually problems with the 249 involve the viscous coupling and are expensive to fix.

The rear suspension is coil springs rather then leaves and make lifts a lot easier.

Welcome to the ZJ world. It's just another form of the Jeep sickness.

Gimmy

Yeah I wasn't sure about the trans. Non the less i have plenty of parts lying around from other jeeps. Maybe I'll just do some converting

dave1123

The 46re from the V8s is stronger, but I've been told it won't bolt up to the 4.0.

The intake manifold from the 99 and later flows better and some guys change the injectors for something else, IDK which.

My 42re has about 150K on it and is starting to show it's age. On cold (air temp) startups, it doesn't want to shift right until I warm it up in neutral for a minute or two. Also, don't stop a rearward roll by shifting to drive. It wears out the forward clutch too quickly. It's not designed as a brake.

Bustedback

Yeah, the V8 transmission won't even come close to bolting up. The starter is on the wrong side for one thing, and the crank sensor is in a different location too.

Gimmy

i have the AW4 in my 90 XJ and i have heard awsome thing about it (although the TCM + TPS on mine like to make it suck) would there be any issue with trying to hook one of the AW4s to the ZJ harness?

Bustedback

Not worth the headache, just find the correct transmission and be done with it. This is a case of thinking you're going to save some cash by rigging in a cheap tranny, but you will spend more in time and money.

Gimmy

The tranny in the zj right now is fine. I'm just thinking future with lift and tires. But of course I will be gearing the diff's.