Rusti's91xj

Hey guys I have been a xj guy for the last 5yrs and I need a new rig but I've been finding a bunch of nice zjs for a good price and I'll be honest a v8 does make since I live in Idaho and it's hills everywhere so what's the good bad and ugly on the zj mainly the 5.2 auto looking for a part time but I see full times all day long so what do you guys think

Bustedback

The V8 ZJs all came with the 249 AWD transfercase, but a 231 can be swapped in very easily. The good is that the 5.2 V8 is a very solid engine and just as reliable as the I6. The bad is the transmissions can have issues if they have been abused and not taken care of. The ugly is that up until 1996 even the V8 ZJ had a Turdy 35 rear axle. After 96 the V8 ZJs got the D44a rear axle, not a whole lot better than the 35. No aftermarket support for the D44a and nothing from the regular D44 is interchangeable.
Good is that 95 and newer have rear disc brakes, ZJs have less wind noise than an XJ, the interior is more plush and roomy, they are every bit as good offroad as an XJ is, and you stand a better chance of finding an unmolested ZJ for a good price than you do with an XJ. You won't be dissapointed with an ZJ.
The bad is there is less aftermarket support for the ZJ when it comes to bumpers and stuff like that.
The ugly is that there may be a higher chance of electrical problems with a ZJ.

dnuccio

the 35 rear is fine as long as you dont plan to hang huge tires off it and romp the hell out of it. ive bounced mine off a couple rocks with 30 inch tires on it and its held up fine. i dont exactly drive like a grandma either

Eric1080

check out kevinsoffroad.com if you get a zj. tons of aftermarket parts

Bustedback

True, as long as you don't drive like you have a canned ham for a foot, the 35 will be fine.

basegrinder

Forget about the VIC ever working right.

Rusti's91xj

Hey thanks guys lots offish info. And Iam sure it's been asked or I should already know it but what's the vic referring to? And what axle is commonly swapped in the rear Iam a build it up kinda guy and I don't have the Jeep but I've already track down 3 different yrs 231's for the t case swap. I live in Idaho it's hills and hills just when you thibk its flat another hill.i wanna be able to tow my small little trailer in 2 not all time 4. and also who has a great zj build thread with lots of good info and step by step pics tanks for all the trying to get the best Jeep for the money

Bustedback

You have to remember that ZJs have coils in the rear. That makes an axle swap a little more difficult.

Rusti's91xj

Yes I know that but Iam asking like a tj rear or jk rear maybe a explorer I do already have a set of short adjustable arms for a xj would these work for the rear of a grand

Monkeybutt2000

A Ford 8.8 is probably the best swap candidate. Tons of them out there and aftermarket everything for it. I have a 97 ZJ limited,and love it. I wouldn't even consider a ZJ without the V8,just my opinion so you 4.0 guys don't rag on me. I'm gonna strip mine down to bare bones and make it a pretty much trail only rig.

basegrinder

VIC is vehicle information center....

You will usually have "rear lamp failiure" (check for sure) Service 4wd switch (doesn't matter) Coolant sensor bad (doesnt matter)

Sometimes all 3 at once.

Still OK for telling you when oil or coolant is low or doors are open etc......

annoying because you lose your clock when the errorneous messages show up becuase 9/10 times when you look its a false error message...and you have you keep your eyes off the road for a few more seconds for the clock to come on

Also alarm is wonky...I've found one big thing is that if you alarm is going off when you unlock it--make sure the dome lights come on first---

I've had 2 GCs and there's a lot more problems, just do a search.

Nothing fatal, mostly annoyances.

Eric1080

if your 249 vc is good it is in 2wd (rear). if you spin the tires then the vicious coupling engages the front axle. the 44a is a good axle and should handle your towing needs. i mean its a jeep not a pickup truck so payload is less

Rusti's91xj

Iam not to worried about the rear end I can always fix it if it breaks I've ran 35's and abused the crap outta my little d35 in my xj I mean jumped it and drove it like a damn Nascar and it's still in decent shape. Anyone done a 9 inch swap and have pics