Either XJ or a V8 WJ.
I would say ZJ V8, but fuel milage is the worst from the 318. I would not consider any 4.0 ZJ/WJ. High transmission failure rates, underpowered, and Crummy D35 axle.

My ladies WJ has been a solid vehicle with the bullet proof 545RFE trans and 242 transfer case

 

so the 4.0 ZJ are not worth the time considering tranny issues? What other issues to look at in a ZJ 4.0

 

Look under it for rust and check all the fluids if they look new its been taken care of,If they look nasty its probably been abused.And look at a few see whats the nicest one you can find in your budget.

 

He said the fluids were all changed, maybe in an attempt to hide something.

 

Rear axle is crap.

 

I have an 01 WJ Laredo, but it has the 17" wheels and all the bells and whistles like a Limited. I also have a 97 XJ with a 4.0. The GC has the 4.7 V8 and lots of power, yet gets as good, and maybe better, gas mileage than the 6 cylinder. As said before, it just depends on what you plan to do with it. I fabricate Cherokee bumpers so my XJ is many times used as a "jig" to fit bumpers onto. I may eventually start making GC stuff but they will use more material than the little XJ's. I like them both but if I had to choose.....it would always be the XJ. It doesn't make a lot of sense but I just prefer the light "feel" of the XJ on bumpy roads.

 

You could look for an early 93 with the bulletproof AW-4 automatic trans, or a 94-95 5 speed manual. Both a better trans than the 42re offered in later models with the 4.0L. In the event you did need a replacement with either of those they are plentiful from other Jeep models.

There are plenty of guys who have bad luck with their trans in the V8's also.. it's tough to keep your foot out of it.

The electrical issues can usually be fixed with a lil searching the forums and a soldering iron..

After 15 years in an XJ i'm close to hitting the road with my ZJ build. Lookin forward to it..

 

With the ZJ V8 trans. Not the 5 speed auto in the 4.7 WJ.