a 231 or 242 swap is cheap, 93-95's have 46RH's which are pretty good trannys actually, not like any auto in an XJ is anything to write home about anyways

my 5.2 gets the same mpg as my XJ give or take a couple mpg, but who buys a jeep for the gas mileage anyways?

I guess it comes down to how much daily driving it will see and how much time it will actually see on the trail....

 

Whaaaat? the AW4 isn't anything to write home about? compared to the 46RH? good lord....

as far as swapping transfer cases, it's easier just to buy a vehicle that already has the right one in it. Personally I don't think that 5.2 comes close to the durability of the 4.0 either, though you can get a 4.0 in a gc. Just too many negatives in the grand for me, but I know that's a never ending debate... lol. I'll just keep pulling em out with my XJ like I have been...

 

It's the "up country" package your talking about, the country package is the same hight as all others. I have a country myself

 

lol an AW4 isnt all that bud

and people getting stuck has nothing to do with XJ vs ZJ

cant go wrong with either one IMO

 

have to agree w/e-rok.

i've had 3 xjs and 2 gcs..

2 of my xjs had aw4s w/headaches. the gcs (94, 96) surprisingly did not have tranny issues, but the 96 had a 5.2 that blew up on me at 225k. i think it was run hard, but imo the 5.2 is just as good as the 4.0. gets just as good mpg. ride and comfort in zj is much better, but it is a heavier rig, and has it's pros/cons.

the 46rh is a decent tranny. my 94 had 225k miles on stock tranny w/no issues, but they are a lot more to fix/replace than an aw4.

after buying 2 xjs w/aw4 problems, my faith is not as great as most in that tranny.

ultimately, i went back to an xj for its better off-road capabilities and simpler design.