Newbie

Pro's and Con's of the v-8 i am really new to jeeps, i have had lots of other vehicles but i am looking to get a zj i am new to the forum i have been doing lots of reading but no posting can you guys help me out and tell me what i need to know about the zj im looking for a weekend wheeler nothing too serious maybe down the road but right now just like 3.5 inch lift and some 31's maybe 32's with some coil spacers on top of the lift im not sure tell me whats good and bad......btw im working on a college students budget which means not much haha

djlarroc

zjs are nice. you only need a 2" budget boost (spacers) for $59, and you can mount 31s. You might have to trim the bumper a little, but it will fit.

they ride and flex great because of the 4 coils. only con to zjs really is electrical issues and almost all had bad trannies. also the v8s came w/the 249 transfer case which goes bad, but it's a relatively easy swap to put in the 231/242 cherokee tcase.

Bustedback

The only real con with the V8 is how it fills the engine bay. The inline six is very easy to work with and around. The gas mileage with the V8 is almost the same as the six. I like the six, but thats just me.

southern96zj

i have a 96 zj with 2" spacers and i fit 31s with no problem no rubbing at all and i have done pretty rough stuff to it. i have the 5.2 v8 and im getting 17-19mpg average. the tranny was replaced at about 130k miles and the tcase is stock but ive never had problems.

Newbie

Thanks alot guys ! When you say the tc swap are you saying swap one from an xj ? The lift im thinking about getting is a 3.5 which moves my front coils to the back and i get new front coils and all the other goodies. I am thinking about trying to run 32 KM2's those are my plans if i even get this zj the guy is supposed to sent me some more pics tonight. Its a 97 and it has 174000 miles, do you guys think ill be need a new tranny soon if i do end up getting it ?

djlarroc

With a 3.5" should be able to run 32s..

Ask if the tranny has been replaced. If not, chances are you will have to rebuild/replace soon. For some reason, those trannies just did not come out very good. Just about everyone I know, has had to have the tranny rebuilt/replaced.

Here is all you need to know about the tcase swap (yes, from xj) http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/t...-np242-685644/

robinsonfam1

i have the 5.2....the trade for more power is more gas. most v8 ZJ's run around 12-14 MPG. im always at 12.5 unless extensive one speed hwy driving. most 4.0's run around 14-16.

the v8 is the way to go imo.

Jordan1996 ZJ

VERY TRUE!

but theres no way i would want a I6 in my zj, i have never had any major issues with my motor or tranny and its got over 165K miles

tiwvr1

I got a 94 5.2 with 217k on it, I AVG 14.9 mpg, round 18 on highway. Replacing the 02 sensor did great for milage. love the 5.2. Never had a tranny issue

mtbonia

The ZJ I'm thinking of buying is at a dealer, and as such there's no maintenance records. Is there any way to tell if the transmission has been replaced? The car has 125k which seems like the exact time most of the transmissions go bad...

Bustedback

Ask for a carfax printout

1tonxj

If 93-95 you get the big trans with the V-8 the 46rh (727 with OD) I'd bet it's fine ...All v8 zj's com tow prep I've seem the trans coolers clog up causing trans failures due to limiting return line flow .

You can ask them 2 drop the pan while you're present if no metal shavings of any kind and fluid id is red I'd feel as good as you can

mtbonia

Big trans? Is there a small transmission? Sorry kinda new to Jeeps..

1tonxj

Yes 93-95 46rh...the...6...is the torque rating...96-98 5.2 only has 44re...4...torque rating after 95 only year was 98 with 5.9 to get the 6 torque rated trans again .

mtbonia

So the 46RH is better? Jeep I'm looking at is a 94