sportrider

I have a ZJ my wife has an XJ. the ZJ has an easier time getting through some spots on the trail. but either way you can't go wrong. besides I kinda like being the rare one on the trails, you'll see a lot more XJ's off road. as far as looks go I originally thought an XJ looked more rugged, but once you start to set up a ZJ they transform into a pretty stout looking rig quickly.

Rockstar_Tendencies

Its all about personal preference look at the pros and cons of each and decide what would fit you better. Personally I prefer XJ's.

dejong1004

Well i have made up my mind! Going with the Grand Cherokee after all! Thanks for the advice and information from everybody tho. I just have to track down one in decent condition with reasonable miles on it now...

Bustedback

Easier to find a clean unmolested Grand Cherokee than it is a Cherokee classic. The Grands tended to be owned by older folks that hardly, if ever, took them off road. A lot of the Classics were used a bit more for fun and off roading, they also were owned by younger people that may not have always treated them as well as they could have.

DUDE454

Now im not bassin on the ZJ, but I had the chance to get one and i turned it down. Some of them have transmission and i rear drivetrain problemsPlus is that they are a front and rear coil design which is great off road. Id look for a ZJ with under 100K or an XJ under 150K

Now i perfer the XJ for the power to weight ratio, ive taken out my front anti sway bars and i have a ton of flex even at stock height. And a XJ to me at least looks better.

Bustedback

True, the XJ does have a better transmission and power to weight ratio, but I like the creature comforts of the Grand, and it is easier for me to get into because of the larger doors up front. I have a 95 ZJ and love it, if it only had the XJ transmission it would be perfect.

nationskater28

like the guys say xj mods are a lot cheaper but im more of a zj guy...thats prolly cause i own one lol im at 142xxx miles and had no ajor problems...IMO zjs look a lot meaner when lifted then xjs and you also rarly seen em done up like that


heres my zj it has a rc 4.5in lift (i would highly reccomend it) and it sits on 32s

Tural

my buddy has a ZJ, i have an XJ. we trade back and forth every now and then. same lift, same axles, same tranny, same tc, same size tires. he gets 18 mpg at best, i get 19-20 at worst. he usually doesn't like giving mine back, i usually can't wait to get mine back after a few days.
although i do admit, stepping into an XJ after sitting in a ZJ is a sigh. ZJ seats feel like pillows compared to XJ seats. and one of my fat friends always lets one rip trying to get out of my back seat

ct67_72

I know Im late but I like this thread.
I have had a couple xj's and one zj
I really liked the zj creature comforts. my 2000 xj does have a couple, but as far as interior the zj owns is hands down. There seems to be more room inside for rear passengers also. I used to fit 4 comfortably and now its hard to get in the back of the xj.
like said before also, having all 4corners coil sprung is a great advantage.
I dont see as many zj's really done up like xj's though. and i think its too bad because they can look as good as the xj.

xj



zj

GreenClassic

You can always swap out the XJ front seats with ZJ seats. I have the seats from a '94 ZJ Limited in mine. They sure are comfortable! They are a direct bolt-on to the XJ rails.

buckshot500

Being a YJ guy to begin with, I made this choice a month or two ago.

For me it was easy, I always thought the XJ was very sexy with it's awesome "aerodynamic" (just kidding) body lines. Drove past a car lot & saw my 98 black one. The dealer drove it to my house for me.

That said, since that day I have come to also fall for the ZJ's looks. I may just get (a red V8) one soon if I can somehow afford the extra insurance.

zorotacoz

If you want automatic get a ZJ
If you want manual get an XJ
Both look badass as he'll when u put the love.

I have been an idiot multiple times and ran out of money and had to sell my beloved XJ twice lol I know I know .... but I think my zj looks pretty mean right now and I'll make it manual eventually I hope.

andrewmp6

The 93 zj came with a stick but its a rare option.

soon to be ex subie owner

I know this is an older thread but was wondering if there is a "best year' and "worst year" for grand Cherokees? Looking for up to 2010 or so models. Anything specific to avoid? Thanks.

Joshua White

Grand cherokee stopped getting a front solid axle in 2005, so up to 2004 (1999-2004 was the WJ) and you're dealing with a "traditional" solid axle setup.

I personally prefer the 96-98 ZJ followed by the 2002-2004 WJ for lack of issues in the WJ and better interior in the ZJ.

As for the OP ZJ vs XJ...

The 1997 - 1999(ish) XJ hands down is the better platform to build from if you're on a budget and need to do it with minimal fab work/heavy modification. Strong and reliable 4.0, strong AW4 tranny, strong NP231 in the majority of them, strong Chry 8.25 rear axle with 29 spline shafts. From there body lines and bumper placement make it relatively easy to add home made armor with a little youtube knowledge and a HF welder, and the rear leafs provide better off camber stability than a completely coil sprung rig.

I've owned both, loved them both, the ZJ is a great DD and can hold it's own on the trial, however a clean late model XJ drives just as nice as a ZJ if it's been maintained. With the popularity of the XJ though the ZJ is becoming the "cheaper" rig to purchase most times (at least in my area of central FL and where I'm from in the PNW)