5.2 vs 4.0
08-03-2010, 12:52 PM
#1
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5.2 vs 4.0
Hey All!
I'm going to be soon purchasing a Jeep Grand Cherokee and am wondering what kind of feedback people have on their powerplants. I have heard endless talk of the good old 6 cyl 4.0 being a very nice engine and long lasting but i havent heard so much about the 5.2 v8.
Anybody have any serious complaints about either engine or do they both seem reliable and powerful enuf to get the job done?
All i plan on with the ZJ is a 4 inch lift and up to 33 inch tires max... nothing too crazy. Just building a decent trail machine for weekend getaways but i also do quite a bit of highway driving.
Thanks!
I'm going to be soon purchasing a Jeep Grand Cherokee and am wondering what kind of feedback people have on their powerplants. I have heard endless talk of the good old 6 cyl 4.0 being a very nice engine and long lasting but i havent heard so much about the 5.2 v8.
Anybody have any serious complaints about either engine or do they both seem reliable and powerful enuf to get the job done?
All i plan on with the ZJ is a 4 inch lift and up to 33 inch tires max... nothing too crazy. Just building a decent trail machine for weekend getaways but i also do quite a bit of highway driving.
Thanks!
08-03-2010, 02:18 PM
#2
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Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
I like the six, but the 5.2 is a great engine too. They both last forever and prove to be very reliable. Shop by what you like and can afford, it seems like there are more V8 Grand Cherokees out there to choose from though.
08-03-2010, 02:26 PM
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was looking at your other thread and noticed something that was left unsaid. If you're main reason for the ZJ is the comfort aspect, don't get it. Get the XJ ('95+) and put ZJ seats in it. They bolt in using the XJ's tracks. This way, you get the ruggedness of the XJ - a point you liked I might add - with the comfort of the ZJ. Plus, a 4" XJ lift will be much cheaper than a 4" ZJ lift.
If you're still going to get the ZJ, go with the 4.0. Sure, the 5.2 has a little more power and torque, but the 4.0 has a longer reputation - a very good one - for a reason. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! As far as power upgrades to the 4.0, you'll find a bunch, quite easily in fact. Pull the intake from a '00-'01 XJ, the alternator from a 5.2 ZJ, K&N or AIRAID intake, header bank, and high flow exhaust and you'll see a big difference without much MPG loss.
If you're still going to get the ZJ, go with the 4.0. Sure, the 5.2 has a little more power and torque, but the 4.0 has a longer reputation - a very good one - for a reason. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! As far as power upgrades to the 4.0, you'll find a bunch, quite easily in fact. Pull the intake from a '00-'01 XJ, the alternator from a 5.2 ZJ, K&N or AIRAID intake, header bank, and high flow exhaust and you'll see a big difference without much MPG loss.
08-03-2010, 02:28 PM
#4
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my opinion is go for the 4.0L. it's tough and very reliable.
all v8 grands came with the full time all wheel drive transfer case. there is no 2 wheel drive option. it uses more fuel and feels very heavy when steering. (take note, some 4.0L also had this t-case).
but there's nothing like having a v8 for that deep tone under acceleration. on that note, i would look for a 5.9 and swap out the rear axle and t-case.
all v8 grands came with the full time all wheel drive transfer case. there is no 2 wheel drive option. it uses more fuel and feels very heavy when steering. (take note, some 4.0L also had this t-case).
but there's nothing like having a v8 for that deep tone under acceleration. on that note, i would look for a 5.9 and swap out the rear axle and t-case.
08-03-2010, 02:48 PM
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Year: 1993, 1994
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Engine: 4.0L HO
My brother has a '94 ZJ 5.2L. It's a beast of a vehicle, feels much larger than the XJ does (well, I suppose it is). Performance wise, the ZJ's V8 sounds a lot stronger, but I'm willing to bet if we lined up at the track we'd be pretty much neck and neck.
As mentioned previous, the ZJ V8s (at least my brother's, not sure if all do) have the always-on full-time 4wd, there is no 2wd mode. Between that, the vehicle's larger size, and the 2 extra cylinders he gets between 6 and 4mpg less on average than my XJ (City 12/18, Highway 18/22).
As for reliability, well, he overheated the hell out of that old 5.2L. We're talking 'blew the radiator hose at 90mph on the highway and drove 15 miles with no coolant', overheating. TWO YEARS AGO. Results? Burned valves on Cylinder 1, low compression on Cylinder 1. Engine is now a 7.5 cylinder, but he's put maybe 15k on it since then as well. Drove it cross country. Does not use oil, although it does leak a bit.
As for the 4.0L, mine has 194k miles on it and runs like a top. It does use oil, though, about a quart between oil changes. My parts Jeep has 124k miles on it and also runs like a top, when I bought it there was no oil showing on the dipstick. It took 3 quarts to put it to the 'add 1 quart' level. I guess we'll see if any real damage was done when I pull it apart, but it's got good compression and makes no funny noises.
The big issue with the 5.2L ZJs is the transmission. Mine, afaik, has only had the tailshaft seals done on it in it's 193k miles of life. He's got 90k and just spent $800 on getting the transmission rebuilt. He was really depressed since it's apparently a common failure point.
As mentioned previous, the ZJ V8s (at least my brother's, not sure if all do) have the always-on full-time 4wd, there is no 2wd mode. Between that, the vehicle's larger size, and the 2 extra cylinders he gets between 6 and 4mpg less on average than my XJ (City 12/18, Highway 18/22).
As for reliability, well, he overheated the hell out of that old 5.2L. We're talking 'blew the radiator hose at 90mph on the highway and drove 15 miles with no coolant', overheating. TWO YEARS AGO. Results? Burned valves on Cylinder 1, low compression on Cylinder 1. Engine is now a 7.5 cylinder, but he's put maybe 15k on it since then as well. Drove it cross country. Does not use oil, although it does leak a bit.
As for the 4.0L, mine has 194k miles on it and runs like a top. It does use oil, though, about a quart between oil changes. My parts Jeep has 124k miles on it and also runs like a top, when I bought it there was no oil showing on the dipstick. It took 3 quarts to put it to the 'add 1 quart' level. I guess we'll see if any real damage was done when I pull it apart, but it's got good compression and makes no funny noises.
The big issue with the 5.2L ZJs is the transmission. Mine, afaik, has only had the tailshaft seals done on it in it's 193k miles of life. He's got 90k and just spent $800 on getting the transmission rebuilt. He was really depressed since it's apparently a common failure point.
Last edited by CodeXJ; 08-03-2010 at 02:54 PM.
08-03-2010, 03:17 PM
#6
Senior Member
x2 on the transmission issues of the ZJ, ive also herd about rear drivtrain problems. My dad has had both cause his has 201k miles. Now he has owned XJ's lifted 6.5 with 35's and with 235k miles and they still run great. But if its 5.2 vs 4.0 id go 4.0 because the 5.2 only has 30-40 more horse power than the 4.0.
08-03-2010, 04:19 PM
#7
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nice posts, very good descriptions. the only thing i can add is that, a 4.6L stroker makes more horsepower and torque that a 5.2L. it's a common upgrade. little pricey (crate about $3000), but not too much more than buying an AWD 5.2L ZJ, paying more for gas, and dealing with transmission issues.
in day to day driving, you will not tell a difference between a 4.0 and 5.2, mainly because ZJ is already heavy, so 40 ponies do not make that much of a difference, and both axles using power doesn't help compensate for the extra motor.
but just like someone already said, if you're buying a ZJ just for the comfort, just get an XJ and put ZJ seats in it. XJ is quite a bit lighter than ZJ, (at least mine is, compared to my buddy's ZJ) cheaper to lift and steers just a little more comfortable in tight spots. just my two cents.
in day to day driving, you will not tell a difference between a 4.0 and 5.2, mainly because ZJ is already heavy, so 40 ponies do not make that much of a difference, and both axles using power doesn't help compensate for the extra motor.
but just like someone already said, if you're buying a ZJ just for the comfort, just get an XJ and put ZJ seats in it. XJ is quite a bit lighter than ZJ, (at least mine is, compared to my buddy's ZJ) cheaper to lift and steers just a little more comfortable in tight spots. just my two cents.
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08-08-2010, 09:18 PM
#8
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was looking at your other thread and noticed something that was left unsaid. If you're main reason for the ZJ is the comfort aspect, don't get it. Get the XJ ('95+) and put ZJ seats in it. They bolt in using the XJ's tracks. This way, you get the ruggedness of the XJ - a point you liked I might add - with the comfort of the ZJ. Plus, a 4" XJ lift will be much cheaper than a 4" ZJ lift.
If you're still going to get the ZJ, go with the 4.0. Sure, the 5.2 has a little more power and torque, but the 4.0 has a longer reputation - a very good one - for a reason. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! As far as power upgrades to the 4.0, you'll find a bunch, quite easily in fact. Pull the intake from a '00-'01 XJ, the alternator from a 5.2 ZJ, K&N or AIRAID intake, header bank, and high flow exhaust and you'll see a big difference without much MPG loss.
If you're still going to get the ZJ, go with the 4.0. Sure, the 5.2 has a little more power and torque, but the 4.0 has a longer reputation - a very good one - for a reason. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! As far as power upgrades to the 4.0, you'll find a bunch, quite easily in fact. Pull the intake from a '00-'01 XJ, the alternator from a 5.2 ZJ, K&N or AIRAID intake, header bank, and high flow exhaust and you'll see a big difference without much MPG loss.
08-08-2010, 09:21 PM
#9
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Year: 1998
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My brother has a '94 ZJ 5.2L. It's a beast of a vehicle, feels much larger than the XJ does (well, I suppose it is). Performance wise, the ZJ's V8 sounds a lot stronger, but I'm willing to bet if we lined up at the track we'd be pretty much neck and neck.
As mentioned previous, the ZJ V8s (at least my brother's, not sure if all do) have the always-on full-time 4wd, there is no 2wd mode. Between that, the vehicle's larger size, and the 2 extra cylinders he gets between 6 and 4mpg less on average than my XJ (City 12/18, Highway 18/22).
As for reliability, well, he overheated the hell out of that old 5.2L. We're talking 'blew the radiator hose at 90mph on the highway and drove 15 miles with no coolant', overheating. TWO YEARS AGO. Results? Burned valves on Cylinder 1, low compression on Cylinder 1. Engine is now a 7.5 cylinder, but he's put maybe 15k on it since then as well. Drove it cross country. Does not use oil, although it does leak a bit.
As for the 4.0L, mine has 194k miles on it and runs like a top. It does use oil, though, about a quart between oil changes. My parts Jeep has 124k miles on it and also runs like a top, when I bought it there was no oil showing on the dipstick. It took 3 quarts to put it to the 'add 1 quart' level. I guess we'll see if any real damage was done when I pull it apart, but it's got good compression and makes no funny noises.
The big issue with the 5.2L ZJs is the transmission. Mine, afaik, has only had the tailshaft seals done on it in it's 193k miles of life. He's got 90k and just spent $800 on getting the transmission rebuilt. He was really depressed since it's apparently a common failure point.
As mentioned previous, the ZJ V8s (at least my brother's, not sure if all do) have the always-on full-time 4wd, there is no 2wd mode. Between that, the vehicle's larger size, and the 2 extra cylinders he gets between 6 and 4mpg less on average than my XJ (City 12/18, Highway 18/22).
As for reliability, well, he overheated the hell out of that old 5.2L. We're talking 'blew the radiator hose at 90mph on the highway and drove 15 miles with no coolant', overheating. TWO YEARS AGO. Results? Burned valves on Cylinder 1, low compression on Cylinder 1. Engine is now a 7.5 cylinder, but he's put maybe 15k on it since then as well. Drove it cross country. Does not use oil, although it does leak a bit.
As for the 4.0L, mine has 194k miles on it and runs like a top. It does use oil, though, about a quart between oil changes. My parts Jeep has 124k miles on it and also runs like a top, when I bought it there was no oil showing on the dipstick. It took 3 quarts to put it to the 'add 1 quart' level. I guess we'll see if any real damage was done when I pull it apart, but it's got good compression and makes no funny noises.
The big issue with the 5.2L ZJs is the transmission. Mine, afaik, has only had the tailshaft seals done on it in it's 193k miles of life. He's got 90k and just spent $800 on getting the transmission rebuilt. He was really depressed since it's apparently a common failure point.
08-08-2010, 09:25 PM
#10
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Thanks to all for the replies! Maybe XJ will be the way to go after all with the seats swapped out. I dont like transmission problems and from the sounds of things the XJ seems to have a lot less of those. The 4.6 Stroker sounds pretty mean too... and crate for round $3000 isnt half bad. Also looks like the 4.0 is the heavy favorite... Which is good because i'm not sure if i the XJ offered the V8. I havent seen or heard of one but sometimes you never know!
Thanks again to everybody!
This forum is an incredible wealth of knowledge from experienced owners!
Thanks again to everybody!
This forum is an incredible wealth of knowledge from experienced owners!
02-27-2018, 03:09 AM
#11
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So many are saying all v8 ZJ's are full time awd with no low range. That is not factual. I just purchased a 95 grand cherokee with the 5.2l v8 and low range selectable 4x4. As far as I can tell it is the same transfer case in my 97 XJ.
02-27-2018, 06:54 AM
#12
CF Veteran
The most common transfer case behind the 5.2 zj is the np249 which isn't that good in my opinion, it is full time 4wd with a viscous coupler that wears out, it does have a low range. Its best to look for one with the np242 transfer case or if you get a good deal on one with the np249 you can swap it to a 242.
02-27-2018, 07:04 AM
#13
CF Veteran
my comment was that all v8 grands came with a full time awd t-case. i didn't mention that they all had a low range option, i thought that was a given.
you can swap out the 249 with any other jeep case, or aftermarket for that matter. i like 231 just for the aftermarket support, but an atlas would be nice.
you can swap out the 249 with any other jeep case, or aftermarket for that matter. i like 231 just for the aftermarket support, but an atlas would be nice.
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