need some advice

[spc15t]

Since I am new to the jeep thing, I could use some help. I have decided (have to) to sell my XJ, but to replace it I am looking for a ZJ or WJ. Is there any thing I should avoid engine wise?

[SavageSun4x4]

I would pass on the models with the 6 cyl and stay with the V8's. They are a lot heavier and need the extra juice. Some back at one time had a D 44 rear, but it used and Aluminum housing, they are OK as long as you stay with OEM size tires and no locker otherwise the housing was prone to stress cracks under hard loading, like OR.

That is about all I know, some of the long term owners may have some more TIPS...

[Ricky Booby]

I would personally avoid the 4.7L V8, found in WJs. I have heard from a reputable mechanic that they have had oiling issues. If you are going for a ZJ, I would suggest looking for a 98 GC with the 5.9L V8. you can't really go wrong with a 4.0L in either, but why not go for more power?

My .02

Bobby

[spc15t]

thanks that kind of info was exactly what i was looking for

[stangfather]

the 5.9 was absolute monster, if you can find one that been taken care of, go for it

[jackhammer]

I have the 5.2l and trans out of 93zj in my wrangler and love that combo with the overdrive. Plenty of torque in 4low and cruise 70mph on hiwat at 1700 rpm on 35s

[Navydoc8778]

I have a 95 ZJ. It is the Limited so it has the 5.2L/46RH combo. Awesome power for a stock rig, good feel from the trans. I did rebuild the trans about 6 months ago and added a kit to it (DO NOT USE A B&M shift kit in the jeep!) I will find a link for the place I went through. I usually get around 18 mpg on the freeway, 16 or so in town. 245/75/16 on the stock 30/35. I do have an 8.8 that is being built for it with better gears, but for the money, a 5.2 ZJ is about awesome. The 5.9's are amazing, but if you buy it from someone who took care of it, they will more thanm likely know it is a 2 year only fairly rare Jeep and you will pay for that. As far as the 4x4 aspect, the 249 transfer case is a little sucky, but you can swap a 231 in it with VERY little work. If you have any other questions, let me know!

[HillBillE]

If you plan on wheeling it, stay away from the D44 rear axle w/aluminum center section, or plan on swapping it out.

Like Don said, they don't take to off roading/big tires/etc.

Some of the 2000 and after 4.0L had bad heads, do some googly work and you should be able to find the casting #'s of the bad ones.

They (the 4.0L) also had some piston skirt problems, but I don't recall the years of motors.

[91YEEPER]

i "think" the 0631 heads were the bad ones. my 03 tj with the 4.0 has one and its bad.

[SGM O]

The ZJ with the 4.0L is fine, the WJ is a bigger and heavier vehicle and a little underpowered with the detuned 4.0L in later models. The 4.7L V-8 in the WJ won't give you the peroformance of a 5.2L V-8 equipped ZJ, plus the 5.2L is the 318 cid V-8 that Dodge sold for years and there are a lot of them available now for cheap and more and more on the trails.