I have no problems with ZJ's. Hell, if I didn't get an XJ, a ZJ would be my second choice! Plus, ZJ's are so much better than the WJ's and WK's - yuck.

I think both have their pros and cons. Like, I love that the ZJ has all coils, and as someone earlier said, the V8 option was pretty sick

 

I also have a YJ & an XJ. Got the XJ recently for a family truckster to replace an old minivan. I always wanted an XJ & didn't care care for the grands much.

About a week after I got the XJ, some dude rode past me in a lifted red ZJ & now I want one. I want a Comanche now too. Gonna need two more full time jobs soon.

 

Think the reason is, GENERALLY, they are more expensive to buy, and more expensive to mod, from what I've seen. I would DD a ZJ before I ever wheeled it, I think the XJ just fits to well into the wheelable Jeep role.

 

I have owned both XJ's & ZJ's, and currently own, yet another set, a 96 ZJ & a 90 XJ. lol. They should have been shrunk wrapped & sold in pairs.

I miss my old ZJ, first thing I had when I got my license. When a Dodge Ram 3500 ran a light and I t-boned him at 65mph, that ZJ saved my effin' life.

And the reason I'm building another XJ, simply it was in my price range when I had the money and was ready to buy. Would have picked up a ZJ to mod, but my current one is just my heavy duty/tow vehicle, being only 2wd.

Out of the two IMHO, the ZJ is better. You basically get an XJ, but with coils & disc brakes out back, can't really beat that. The ONLY thing I don't like about the ZJ is the 42RE. I'll take a AW4 any day of the week.

I consider myself an XJ builder, but still got plenty of love for the ZJ's.

 

When I was shopping for a Jeep I really wanted an XJ, but I never seemed to be able to find a clean unmolested XJ in my price range. I found a metric butt load of clean ZJs for what I was willing to pay. I picked up a super clean 95 ZJ with a lot of extra goodies for a nice price. I did put some time and money into it making it a perfect daily driver, it runs great and is very comfortable for my 150 mile round trip to and from work every day. 18mpg sucks, but it is cheaper than a new car payment. I love my ZJ. The only thing I don't like about it is the aftermarket sunroof.

 

I own an XJ, a ZJ (and a MJ and FSJ, story for another day). But I like both of them.

The XJ is fairly simple and rugged, but the ride is no comparison to the ZJ. Better springs, better seats, a V-8 to move the heavy vehicle. No tranny problems(weak trannies were a 4.0l thing). Plenty of mojo to pull my trailer around. But I have drum brakes on the ZJ.

The main thing the XJ has over the ZJ is a complete lack of interior electronics. Chrysler's are known for their crappy interior electronics and the ZJ is no different.

 

had a 97...or 98 ZJ don't remember because of a salvage title...

Anyway thing was probably stolen. 4wd just locked up my wheels and did not work at all. The tranny would doubleshift all the time. (BTW this thing had 80,000 on it.)





I've had 2 XJs. My first went straight thru to 180xxx with no problems and I beat the crap out of it.



My dad used to throw his hammer at the frame when he was bored in the front yard.



He also fell asleep at the wheel twice with it.

I sold it at 180xxx to a friend for $500 (help her out b/c her ZJ also hit the crapper)

She ran it till 260xxx then sold it to a friend upstate for $600.

Her friend still has it at 280xxx NO PROBLEMS. (Chick drivers too, we all know how they maintain cars (typically speaking))

New XJ. Same as the first. Accept dad doesn't drive it, and he doesn't throw crap at it now.



Personally, I like the square look and the Heavy Duty style of the XJ over the ZJ too.

 

That black XJ is awesome.

I prefer XJs a hundred times over YJs. That unchanging distinguishable squared look and just everything about them.

 

IMO I think its kinda splitting hairs about which one is better because the pros and cons are almost like tradeoffs. I have a 99 XJ but owned a 94 ZJ 4.0. It gets a bad wrap for the whole soccer mom thing, but they are very capable. Electricals happen on both varieties...
ZJ likes:
Yes, I like the 5.2 and 5.9 option just because....
Like the rear discs (small as they are) and rear coils
Like the roominess and more creature comforts (interior is nicer) than the XJ
Even thought they are CVs, still has solid front axle
Relatively cheap in the Southeast
ZJ dislikes:
Not a HP Dana 30 (can be swapped though)
Command trac NP 249 TC....All wheel drive all the time (relatively easy to mod)
Aluminum Center section D44 rear...Swap it!!!! (depends on preference and driving style, but breaking it is, well...)
Not as many aftermarket options as XJ (bumpers, lifts, etc)
As Said, Plastic molding

Both the XJ and ZJ 4.0...tie
Tranny- XJ's AW4 over the ZJ's

I actually wanted a ZJ before getting my Jeep and a good place to watch what you can do to resolve some of the ZJ issues is to get the DVD of the "5 Grand Cherokee" from Trucks! TV show. Gives a good run down of the stuff I talked about. Still waiting for their "Cheap Cherokee" DVD build just to have something else to watch, but also to get an idea about Stroker motors, and other stuff.

Bottomline: Can't go wrong with either if you build it smart for YOUR driving style and wheeling preferences...Hell, they're both Jeeps right!

 

Mine is an xj love it but I would love having one of each. The xj for modding and working on and taking to the beach and such but have the ZJ for more "creature comforts" nicer seats, cruise control (i know you can get that with some xj's too) better road manners. I don't hate the zj at all, I just see it as being for a different use for me.

 

I like the extra room I have in the ZJ, I am a tight fit for the XJ. Since the XJ I have is for my daughter, its offroading time is limited. But my ZJ gets me everywhere my friends go with their XJs...

 

See, I love how the 2.5L guys are always wanting a 4.0L, and us 4.0L guys are always wanting a 5.2L or 5.9L. It's a never ending struggle to see who can get the worst gas mileage

Honestly, the ZJ's are great vehicle, with the exception of the interior wiring. That can kinda suck if you are purchasing a used vehicle sight-unseen. The D44a isn't too big of a deal; I mean, the XJ guys put up with the D35. Everything is breakable if you try hard enough. The rear coils ride great, and are really nice except whenever you lift and have to replace all of the fun stuff that goes with keeping coil'ed axles in alignment.

Leather seats and the creature comforts of the interior are a nice plus as well. The ZJ is a great platform, same as the XJ. I would own one in a heart beat. Plus, the 5.2 and the 5.9 are both great motors that have a great aftermarket.

 

I like them both I have an 89 XJ, but I wouldn't think twice about getting a ZJ I like the styling and comfort and they can still wheel. Each one has its pros and cons it's all about personal preference.

 

Sig worthy materiel.

 

Meh, I think the ZJ coils are overrated. In my old zj the rear coils were shot, every time I hit a little bump it would bottom out on the bump stops and it was a very unpleasant ride. My XJ is older and has more miles and still rides like a cadillac over bumps.