L-ucky-S-ix

I've been considering for the past few months an upgrade to a Grand Cherokee. Preferrably the 4.7 V8. (Interior dimensions, mpg, hp/trq, safety features/airbags/abs, possibly lower insurance rates, just to name a few reasons)

I'm having nightmares because my current Cherokee is incredible in all but a few ways and is amazingly clean.

1987 Cherokee Chief with 136k
AW4 mated with the NP242 Selec-Trac
Dana44 rear
UpCountry Package (Tow hooks, hitch, skid plates, no swaybar, lift)
Privacy glass
Auto Dimming mirror with (Temp and Comp.)
Roof Rack
Power Everything
2nd owner





What would all of ya'll do? Or, why wouldn't you make the "upgrade?"

DUDE454

Id say just put more into the XJ. That is possibly the best they came off the showroom floor. Yours seem to have everything that most people here look for. To me thats just an amazing Cherokee

no rdplz

If it's a ZJ, to me, it's not much of an upgrade. You've got a rarer XJ, a D44 rear, and only slightly smaller interior dimensions. If it's comfort you're looking for, snag the seats out of a ZJ/WJ and fab up some mounts. You're really not going to see a change in mpg's between the 5.9 and 4.0.
If you want a 4.7, you're gonna have to go with either a WJ (99-04 grand) or WK/WK2 (05-present) as the ZJ's only came with the 4.0 or the 5.9. The 4.7 isn't bad, but again, you're not gonna get any better mpg's than the 4.0, and although a good engine, they don't have the reliability reputation the 4.0 has. The WJ/WK/WK2's do have a very nice interior though. MUCH roomier than an XJ's. However, I'd be REAL picky as your XJ is a Chief, a rarer model to find. Bottom line, keep your XJ.

mike

the ZJ's came with the 318 not the 360

jeepxj19

id deff keep it, that thing is really nice and the condition its in with that low miles and it being so rare makes it worth even more. keep it

xjmuddigger

just put more into the XJ,its a very nice XJ,and a grand or 2 on that would be better than a few grand on a ZJ

L-ucky-S-ix

Thanks for the replies so far... I actually meant WJ, the 1999-2000 (affordable years). I've been staring at a computer too long that is my excuse.

With it being so rare I think it might benefit someone who will love that a lot more than I do. Don't get me wrong, I do get tickled by the rarity and see a lot of Jeep-heads rubber-neckin at my rig!

I just don't know yet. If I found someone who was interested in a trade I would easily come up to their price with cash as long as it had the right combination of features.

edit...I'm also starting to rack up the miles driving 1750 every month so I would hate to see it join all of the other high-mileage Jeeps and decrease it's uniqueness. And driving 1750miles a month would justfiy a vehicle like the WJ that would probably get me +5mpg.

L-ucky-S-ix

I know this point, but it's also hard to find any competitor to stack up against the 4.0.

OverEasy

Actually some Grand Cherokee limiteds came with the 5.9. It was only in production in 1998 models.
Less than 15,000 that year came with the 5.9.

And OP, I would keep what you have man! Its nice and a rare bird in that condition! I wouldn't let it go.

Tural

you will not be able to get anything substantial for that rare setup... but, a rare setup doesn't mean that you have to drive it and wonder what if... that dana 44 is useless in your case... the smaller interior and slight discomfort is the trademark of most vehicles, designed for performance driving...
if it's WJ you want, just go for it... if you think it will make you happy... just make sure that your XJ doesn't get bought by some uptown accountant, who is trying to get anything on the cheap for the kid getting ready for college... that XJ needs to go to someone who knows and appreciates that package.