meatXJ

I been trying to find a nice 4 door jeep Cherokee with no luck the past few weeks.Today I spotted a nice 97 tan ZJ one owner with 122k.Are there any issues I need to lookout for.I know certain XJ have the head issue do the ZJ have it also??

Cherryokee

Hello and Welcome to the forum where there is no such thing as a stupid question, except for the following ... What's a ZJ?

Cherryokee

But seriously, I've been wanting something even older, like I've seen there's this sweet looking (on the outside) old navy-blue and woodgrain Wagoneer Limited around town. It's probably dissolving from the frame out as we speak. Despite being large, heavy, and with it's big 'ol V8... I dream that someday I'll find an unmolested cream-puff one buried in a lil' old lady's garage. For now dude, if it stokes your fires, then get the one you like. The rest is just J.E.E.P.

zjhomme

if i i've been reading it right later xjs and wjs had the head issue.97 zj you should be o.k.,mine has just shy of 266k.

dave1123

The 0331 head issue came up in 99-02 with the modifications done for the WJ with carryover to the XJ. All of the 0331 heads used a coil pack instead of spark plug wires and distributor. They enlarged the valve passages for better air flow creating weak spots in the casting. Chrysler never admitted there was a problem, however they recast the head for 02 using more nickle in the steel. These had a "TUPY" stamped into the head.

The point is the ZJs were not involved with this fiasco at all. I know this because I had to replace the head on my 2000 WJ.

andrewmp6

The trans they used in the grands is a chrysler and can cause problems if not taken care of.The rust spots are kinda the same of a xj the floors/rockers but the rear control arm brackets on the body can rust out and the rear part of the frame where the hitch would bolt on also can rust out.And any power option it has like windows locks etc etc always test all of them.Now the aftermarket parts is about pair with the xj but some stuff cost a little more.As a daily driver i rather have a zj/wj over a xj the grands ride a lot smoother to me.

dave1123

The WJs ride a lot smoother than even the ZJs do because they are just a tiny bit wider, longer, and heavier than the ZJ. Curb weight of my 2000 WJ is 3980 lbs.

The ZJ and WJ also have 4 point coil springs whereas the XJ has rear leaf springs and are a little stiffer.