So i was talking to my new neighbor today who is an awesome guy today and in his driveway sits a 5.9 grand cherokee. Naturally as he walks in to grab a beer i gravitate towards this thing, not a single scratch, dent, rip, or tear. 125000 miles, leather, the typical package for that jeep (loaded). Thing is from georgia so no rust at all, looks brand new. So as were drinking a beer, i tell him this thing is sweet, so he tells me he bought it for his daughter as she went to college BRAND NEW. Then he says its gonna be for sale soon and for me hed do $3500. I nearly poop my britches as i have 2 kids so never any money, but i do have my 98 xj i could sell and get the remainder. No real emotional attachment except time spent turning wrenches and its my first jeep. Love the xj cause its tough and common enough i could get another if funds were there, just looking for other opinions as if i should jump on it. I know its something that would be best unmolested for the rarity of it, but i love tinkering and thats whats great about the xj. Enough rambling, what do others think?

I'd say absolutely buy it. It's the predecessor of the srt8. Hang on to it for a few years and pin some people to the seats.

Do it! The 5.9 ZJ is rare, only 14k made. Low miles and clean for 3500 bucks? That is a bargain!

I can only say two bad things about it,Its going to be hard on gas and if you go off road on it be easy on the rear diff,The dana 44a is a aluminum housing that can break.

Do it yesterday. What color is it?

Its the platinum color. Great looking jeep and if i can get it i wouldnt plan on doing any real wheeling with it, just a dirt road every now and then. Its too nice to risk battle scars in my eyes. Now i just have to see if i can get this thing before it gets scooped up by someone else.

What year is it?

98...the only year the 5.9 was available in the ZJ.

Wrong answer. The 98 5.9 limited actually doesn't use the 44a but a Super 44, even more rare. It doesn't have the aluminum center section or c clip axles like the 44a and is actually a decent axle and will hold the power the 360 makes even with 35-37s on it. Still has a LP D30 up front but that's not a big deal unless you actually want 37s.

That being said, ****** that thing up. Never cared for the hood loovers but that's how you know it's a real 5.9 I guess.

Buy it. Love it. Make people jealous, like me.

I beg to differ. The 59's do have the d44a. I have one with over 200 k and still running strong.
They are full time 4 wheel drive so all the pressure is not on the rear. It is also alum center section. Now as we all know jeep was good at using whatever they could find at the time so I guess there could be some variation. But every 5.9 I have looked at or been around has had the 44a.
I love mine. If I found one for 3500 around here in that shape I would have 2 of them in my driveway.




By the way I rip on mine pretty hard too.

Yes the front is a LP just like the tj front d30. So parts are easy to find.

I think your mixing things up,The dana 44a used a hd44 diff in it same thing was used in the c4 corvettes.The hd44 is bigger then a normal 44 so aftermarket is lacking.

God I love the 5.9s. but know, 93 octane fuel+less than 10 mpgs might get expensive.

Do it, I've never owned a GC but plenty of friends have and that one sounds good. I also have a laundry list of great cars I passed up for various reasons over the years and wish I had bought them. I say make the switch and enjoy the luxury.