Why XJ over ZJ?
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 1
From: colorado
Year: 1996
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: v8 5.2L
Why XJ over ZJ?
I love my zj with a passion, every time i look at it it just looks so sexy and its decent off road (for a stock 96). I got nothing against an xj but why xj owners no like zj's? not as good off road or do xj owners just hate zj's cuz they wish they had one?
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#8
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,004
Likes: 40
From: corpus christi, texas
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 I6
the only problem i had with mine was a lady hit it at 65mph when i was stopped at a light, or i would still have it. it never gave me any issues and we drove it across country
#9
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
From: Mineral Ridge, Ohio
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
#11
ZJs cost more to mod, the trannys are weaker than the AW-4. I had a ZJ and it did well, but I would not take it where I take my XJ, because I felt it was more fragile, and it wasn't built like my XJ is. I personally love the way ZJs look, and really have NEVER heard XJ guys bash on them too much, especially after wheeling with one!! ZJs, XJs, it really shouldn't matter, the both very similar, and they are JEEPS!!! It's like the elitist attitude some of the Wrangler guys have about their rides, I mean come on, it's still a Jeep!! I guess I just don't get it...
#12
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Vermont
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: L-6 4.0L MPI H.O.
I've had a few XJ's in my teen years then while I was overseas my wife was choosing our next vehicle and I told her it had to be a 4.0L jeep of any kind and I'd be okay with it. So she picked up a '95 ZJ. Compared to all the XJ's I owned (and the XJ I bought recently which is a '91 and older obviously) it was a piece of junk. The transmission was weak and started slipping, I flushed the transmission and added additive and it seemed to behave a little better. Also the ZJ was GUTLESS. You could literally floor the jeep and it would take you days to get above 60 mph. Also for being gutless and guzzled gas a bit worse than any XJ I've owned. Even though it gave me all these issues, it never left me broke down and it never failed to start in the morning. The current XJ I own which is much older runs 10x better than my ZJ and it cost me 4x less than the ZJ. The XJ is faster and more responsive too due to it being lighter. Also, my ZJ had front CV joints (ewww...). So does this answer the reason why I like XJ's more than ZJ's? I don't hate them I think they're still a real jeep and it performed pretty decently offroad but in my honest opinion the XJ is a better jeep for less money.
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Port Orange, FL
Year: 1993, 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
ZJs cost more to mod, the trannys are weaker than the AW-4. I had a ZJ and it did well, but I would not take it where I take my XJ, because I felt it was more fragile, and it wasn't built like my XJ is. I personally love the way ZJs look, and really have NEVER heard XJ guys bash on them too much, especially after wheeling with one!! ZJs, XJs, it really shouldn't matter, the both very similar, and they are JEEPS!!! It's like the elitist attitude some of the Wrangler guys have about their rides, I mean come on, it's still a Jeep!! I guess I just don't get it...
My brother has a ZJ, a '93 with the Command-Trac and 5.2L. I, personally, don't think I'd buy one. He lived with me a while and we were constantly tracking down electrical problems (you should see the rear light wiring he has now), including one electrical fire that started in the overhead console. The main issue I have with it is the plastic body trim parts and bumpers. Since we lived near the ocean, the trim ended up trapping salt air near the body panels, causing it to rust. He's also had a ton of transmission problems with it, which are finally addressed.
That said, even with a burned valve on #4 causing it to not fire all the time, it's a beast. It goes straight down the road, is comfortable to ride in (except for the lack of AC), and the only time he got it stuck was when he buried it up to the frame rails in the mud. He loves that Jeep, and now that I have an XJ, I know how he feels.
#14
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,004
Likes: 40
From: corpus christi, texas
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 I6
zj are so inexpensive here. must be opposite of every where else. you can usually find a zj with working ac for less then 2k here. i couldn't find any xj for less then the 2k i paid when i bought mine about 2 hours from here
#15
Well I have an XJ and a YJ- and I personally have always wanted a ZJ for a family truckster. Some day I may pick one up if the price is right-
I have no first hand experience with a ZJ, other than I like the way they look and the V8 option.
~K
I have no first hand experience with a ZJ, other than I like the way they look and the V8 option.
~K