I'm looking to buy a new jeep and I. Ran across a 95 jeep grand cherokee with 140k on it with a 6cly my question is how good is the 6 cly in a grand cherokee? Also are they hard to lift?

 

Its the same motor thats in the XJ.They run forever.They are pretty easy to lift also.

 

ya i figured it was the same motor but i also heard that the v8 it better for a zj. correct me if im wrong. and s there any DIY budget lifts for a zj like there is with a xj?

 

How high do you wanna go?You can do a 2in spacer lift and fit 31s on it for around $100.

 

ZJs are very nice trucks. easy to lift also, spacers are super cheap. i would still have one if some dumb chick didn't total it one beautiful day while the wife and i were out driving.

 

the 6 cyl is the same thats in the 4.0L. The 5.2L is also a pretty good motor as well. The biggest issue with ZJs are the trannies. The trans behind the 4.0 isn't known for its reliability. I believe its the 42RE. The Transfer cases in the V8 ZJs are also not so reliable.

 

You can use the front springs in the rear and get new springs for the front and get 2" or 3"s of lift. Someone said you can use F150 front springs to do the same. I don't remember the thread. Sorry.
Dan

 

The V8 in the ZJ get's better gas mileage than the 4.0L And the 4.0L has the 42re "Junk" box of a trany in it..

If and When I get another ZJ it will only be a V8.

Also with a 2" BB and 31's the ZJ is a very capable platform for wheeling..

 

my zj had the auto and it was a fine tranny. i didn't know it wasn't the same thing we have in the xj. i had the crappy full time 4x4 though and i swapped that sucker out to one from a wrangler real quick.

the issue with the zj tranny is the bands need to be adjusted regularly for some reason. it makes your tranny slip when shifting gears but is an easy fix.

my zj got way better mileage on the highway then the xj but got hte same in town mileage, 14 to 16. lots of interior room. replace your headlight covers, they fog up and make your headlights real crappy at night

 

ZJ is a good rig. The 4.0 is the same but the tranny is weaker, after 1993. 93 and some 94's have the aw4. Lifts to 3" cost about the same as a XJ. Above that it can get more expensive to lift. V8 is a good motor But they usually come with the crappy 247 AWD Transfer case, see Viscous Clutch. The ZJ can be Flexier and better ride, due to all coils suspension, and ability to Long arm both ends. But the it has 2 track bars and 2 sets of control arms to deal with. Requires more trimming for big tires. Bumpers, if you can call them bumpers, are even weaker than the XJ's. I'm not refering to the plastic cover but the metal parts.

 

ive had a few of each. ZJ's V8 and 4.0, and XJs.....
I wouldnt shy away from a ZJ with a 4.0. As stated above 2" BB are very cheap and easy to do on a ZJ.
When you get into the 4" and larger lifts things get more expensive.
The ZJ 4.0 tranny is not as strong as the V8 tranny but its not a total failure. Ive had 2 with over 200k on the original tranny and no problems.
Properly maintaining one with regular servicing and a tranny cooler and it should last quite a while.
I do not like the full time transfer case behind the V8's, but thats a $100 swap to a 231.

In a ZJ i try to stay away from the limited models with the electric/auto AC/heat controls..... had one of those before and it was a nightmare.

 

wow thanks guys for all the replys. i just looked at a 93 wrangler. he wants my 96 vw gti for it and i found the rear diff was leaking at the driveshaft, the valve cover was leaking and the speedometer didnt work. i asked about check engine lights so he pulled the map sensor and no codes popped up so im thinking that rig was a little bugged

 

you said something about adjusting the bands ona 42re? could u explain that please i noticed and adjuster lookin thing on mine and was curious

 

Ive noticed that they have drivetrain problems as well. We have one with 198k and it had the tansmission problems as well.

 

There are two adjustments. The front band (kick-down) which is done on the outside of the case, and the rear band (low-reverse) which requires pan removal. Do you need more info as to procedure?