I might be looking for a GC... '93-'96 or so...
Besides getting one with a 4.0 what do I need to look for?
Do they come with a NP242?

It will be a DD.... And mostly a mall crawler.... I'd like to lift it 4" and put it on maybe 33's.

Is this year called a ZJ?

 

93-98 Grand Cherokees are ZJs. Some have the NP231J transfercase, and most of the V8 equiped ZJs came with the NP249 all wheel drive transfercase. The 249 is not a very good case and has only two ranges, 4hi and 4lo. The early 93 models with the 4.0 had the AW4 transmission behind the 4.0, 93&1/2 and newer had the 42RE transmission behind the 4.0 and the 44RE behind the 5.2 v8 models. The axle choices for the rear were the D35 until 1996, then the D44a was used on V8 models. The only front axle was the low pinion D30. Things to look for are no different from any other vehicle, things like rust and leaks should be a red flag. If you plan on a 4" lift, go with a quality lift that inclueds longer front the rear lower control arms and adjustable track bars. Going the cheap route will only make the handling bad and you have a good chance of having death wobble.

 

Went and sat in my xj.... Decided to just get another one instead after doing some research. I like my power train combo... Plus I'll have lots of parts... Lol

 

Ok, I take that back.... We may still be looking for a GC.... The only thing I can't live without off of my XJ is the np242... Which I see is a doable swap...
Can I use the np242 out of my '88 in a '93-'96 ZJ? Or do I need a different year?

 

Lots of ZJ's came from the factory with a 242..

 

Really?...... That might make it easier to decide. I like the option to run 2wd or 4wd. I was under the impression that the ZJ's were 4wd all the time.

 

most V8 ZJs I've seen were 242
the 4.0s mostly got the 231
the 249 were full-time awd and problematic, but easily swapped for the 242

 

I know for sure I'm not going to get a V8... I'm impressed with the 4.0... So maybe I will be doing the TC swap..... But I'll end up buying one anyway so I can sell my XJ whole.

 

A 4.0 in a ZJ will not feel as peppy as it does in an XJ, there is some extra weight and the 42RE sucks some of the power away. The AW4 in the XJs do not rob as much power from the engine.

 

Yeah, that's my understanding too. I drive like a grandma anyway... Lol
Is it true that some of the '93's have the AW4? That would be perfect for me.
If I had my way about it I would have a 4.0/AW4/NP242/D44/D30hp... That would be sweet.

 

Early 93s had the AW4.

 

Ok, guess I'll be looking for a (less than) 1 year only ZJ... Wish me luck.... Lol

Ok, I guess I can get whatever I (she) wants now... I wrestled with my XJ an now I can keep it.

I'll still be buying her a ZJ, but now it dosen't matter as much. It will be hers,... She dosen't care what kind of trans or TC is in it.... But will want it lifted someday.... And pink camo...