Thanks again for all the input everyone. Think I will go ahead and get it. I mean seems like so long as its maintained i shouldn't have any big issues with it (knock on wood). My XJ is babied and it runs strong for a 94 with over 220k miles on it.

 

Should be fine, I think Chrysler transmissions are junk in general but the one behind the V8 is certainly stronger. I wouldn't buy a WJ with a 4.0, they're just so heavy, your trail rig might get better mileage lol. V8 for sure.

 

If it's the 5.2L Magnum V8 i can vouch for that being one tough motor. My 97 and my 98 Ram 1500 both have 318s in them and ive had water in my 97 so many times the connecting rods should look like string cheese by now but it doesn't complain. 300k miles 1 plenum repair 0 engine rebuilds 4 trans rebuilds and just about everything suspension in the front end.
The ZJ's have coils and track bars in the rear I believe so they handle a little different than our xjs.

 

...4 trans rebuilds in 300k miles?! Most AW4s make it to 300k with 0

 

211k on my original 42re and counting.

 

The 46re is a really bad trans they put in these trucks. Funny thing is one of the upgrades for these full size truck transmissions are the clutch packs from the jeep variant the 44rh or 44re I forget which one but my trans shop recommended it and so far this is the longest Ive gone without a trans rebuild even with the beating I give it on a weekend bassis. It's my beater truck so I'll go WOT and just throw the gear selector from D to R then back to D without letting off the gas lol

 

Now we know the cause of the 4 tranny rebuilds hahaha. The one I was looking at has a v8. I didn't even know jeep made v8s (I'm new to jeeps) until I seen this. At first I was thinking it was a typo. According to all the mpg sites I checked the v8 gets 20 mpg on hwy. my XJ gets about 19mpg hwy if I don't have the spare on the roof. Otherwise I get about 16ish hwy.

my only concern really at this point is the Transfer case. It has the quadra trac 2. Not sure if I want this or not. I kinda of like having the option of being able to put into 4x4 when needed. Idk maybe the quadra trac is a good thing....idk just haven't made up my mind about it...

 

You could always swap the transfer case for a selectable one out of a XJ. my friend did it on his ZJ, and said it wasn't too difficult. If you think the 5.2 is fancy, a few Grand Cherokee's were made with 5.9's. they're pretty difficult to find in good condition though.

 

The 5.9 cherokee hauls ***

 

My wife and I bought a 02 WJ Limited with 4.7L after we got married. We had it for about a year. I installed a BB, OME shocks , 31's , Kolak Exhaust . Then the Head gasket blew when it overheated one day she shut it off to cool down and She my wife kept bumping the starter got it to start when it cooled the #8 cylinder filled with coolant and bent a rod when it started . We sold it for $4500 then Bought my mother in laws 02 Mustang Gt with 40K on it off them since it just sat in the garage for years

 

The t-case uses a viscous coupling clutch though and Iv'e heard they wear out but my buddy beats on his 98 limited with 213k miles wheeling and what not and it works pretty well and ill tell you what that 5.9 hauls *** but sure likes to snap cv shafts when wheeling