Asking the experts. What are the pro and cons of the ZJ vs the XJ???

Excluding the Cup holders

My thoughts are that since I am not a hard core, rockclimbing, mud bogging person, my interests are now prospecting, metal detecting for precious metals and meteorites finding and photographing ghost towns, off road camping, general exploring unknown areas. that both vehicles would be about equal. The ZJ already has the things I was going to do to the Xj without the additional cost. Being retired limits by free money somewhat.

I have the opportunity to trade my half finished xj for a finished, in my mind, ZJ.

Both vehicles are in the same shape, Excellance. No rust, dents ETC, interior no tears ETC and the milage is within 4,000 miles, both have AC. The ZJ has the most milage--- XJ 129,000 ZJ 133,00


A very very good friend of mine has the ZJ he just gotten in a trade, He is trading/buying/selling vehicles all the time. It is his part time hobby. I ask him if he would be interested in a trading straight across and he hasn't a problem with that. He isn't interested keeping either vehicle.

Both vehicles seem to be mechanicaly equal as far as operation goes.

The major differences are:

ZJ 1993
3 inch lift kit installed. no spring spacers, Unknown manufacture
BGF AT tires 31X10.50 (tires 90% ) on custom wheels No wheel spacers
K&N Filter & air intake
Performance chip



XJ 1988
Kelly's #4 wiring upgrade
Injector upgrade to 703's
Bored TB
No lift kit yet- was going to install 3 inch lift from Rusty's
Cooper 235's on Stock steel wheels Tires 50% ( I was going to upgrade to 31X10.50 BFG A/T on Soft 8's)

 

What motor is in the ZJ

 

is the zj full time awd?

 

I would say zj, but my opinion is biased....

 

X2
The zj is more comfortable with a little more cargo room but weights more. For what your going to do I would go with the zj.

 

It is the 4.0

97kotais the zj full time awd?

 

The ZJ is quieter with less wind noise than the XJ, has more room inside, rides better, the cooling system is slightly better, and is easier to get into the back seat than the XJ. The ZJ can do anything an XJ can, it's just more refined.

 

Well said. And if the zj has the 4.0 then it has either the np242 or np231 which are both desired t-cases. That's usually the biggest thing that a cherokee has on a V8 zj in my opinion.

 

The zj has a ton of photos at the top of the screen for winning Cherokee of the month..... oh wait

 

It is also possible to have the 249 t-case with the 4.0 in the zj. My moms '93 is a 4.0 w/ the quadratrac 4wd.

Also, i've found that parts on xj's are cheaper and easier to replace. And there is more aftermarket support for the xj. But the zj is more roomy, more luxurious, and probably a little better looking.

 

xj are great but ide go with a zj

 

Aluminum D44 in rear on a ZJ...

 

zj is v8 while xj has I6

 

Only on the 96 and later V8 ZJs.

 

I look at it this way:

The more luxurious, the more parts, the more doodads and seat heaters, the more stuff you're going to have to fix down the road. ZJs are nice, but they have more to go wrong.

Also, just think about how much money you would save buying 6 spark plugs vs. 8 lol