Carlos Brenes

which one do you think it’s better for off road the v8 or the i6 I kinda like more the selectrack 4x4 system than the Quadra drive because in selectrack I can choose if I want to be in 2wd or 4wd but I don’t know

Rob440

I only own the 4.0L and tried the 5.2 GC, While the latter is certainly more fun (I tested it only on the road) the former is smoother obviously. I don't know about the long term reliability but (at least in Italy where I live) I can confirm that is way easier and cheaper to repair and to run. No idea about the MPG, with my inline 6 wj on LPG I average 16 MPG. On petrol is a little more than 17. I never use it for long haul but only for short commuting and city so it ain't bad I guess. the car is a '99 with 160k miles. Personally I'd go for a v8 if presented the opportunity but just beacuse we owned this 4.0 for 20 years and it seems fun to drive.

Muddz

If you're towing quite a bit or just need additional power get the V8, otherwise I find the 4.0L in a ZJ to be a better option.

I guess I may be bios as I only driven and currently own two Cherkees both have a 4.0. 95 ZJ (~227,000 miles) and 98 XJ (
~203,00 miles) and not familiar with or driven Jeeps's V8 such as the 5.2 and 5.9.

The 4.0L is based an older engine design from the late 60s and uses a cast iron block. Cast iron blocks imo are more durable under certain conditions, such as when overheating, etc. The 4.0L has been proven to be a reliable engine. Used in the XJ for 18 years.

The 4.0L normally is able to achieve over 300,000 miles, many reported running well with a current ~350,000 (+/-) miles. One XJ, original owner, claims more than 450,000 miles on his XJ 4.0L without any overhauls. The 4.0L fairly simple to rebuild, Jeep owners reporting more the 600,000+ miles with some sort of rebuild.

I'm uncertain how this mileage life compares to a V8 but may be something to consider depending on the number of miles a vehicle has.

Some Jeep owners prefer the 4.0L inline 6 over Jeep's V8s. For myself I have many spare parts for the 4.0L and have worked on one for more than 12 years. Since I don't tow regularly and don't really require additional power the 4.0L works for me.

If I had a choice of an engine would likely go with a diesel as the fuel mileage is much better and diesels normally are capable of higher mileage than gas engines.

wingless

FWIW, this is a nine-year old topic.

The OP has probably decided by now...

Carlos Brenes, welcome to the forum. In the future, please create a new / fresh topic for your questions instead of resurrecting an old / dead topic.

00t444e

The design of the 5.2 and 5.9 date back as far as the 4.0 does, they are all pushrod engines, with cast iron block and heads. The 4.0 has a slight edge for reliability but the magnum v8s have proven to be reliable as well, I have seen several over 200K that still run perfect. The big disadvantage of the V8s is most of them come with the crappy NP249 transfer case, but they can be swapped out for an NP242.

Kymasabe

I think you should get an XJ Cherokee instead, but that's that me. 95, 97, 98, or 99. Easier, simpler, AW4 transmission is far better than the 42re used in grand cherokees, and it's old school cool.
Plus, the tech assist you get on the XJ section of this forum is far better than what you find here in the ZJ/WJ section.