ZJ vs. XJ - General Opinions and advice wanted
 

I'm a long time YJ owner, and need something bigger. I've been looking
around at 4.0L ZJs and XJs . Most everything in my price range has higher
miles, which doesn't necessarily bother me. I've had 2 YJs with over 150K
each and the 4.0 is probably the most reliable engine I've ever been around.

Basically I'm getting a mixed bag of opinions regarding the ZJ. A few people
say they are plenty reliable, but I'm hearing a lot of stories of transfer
case/transmission problems & electrical gremlins galore. Also what is a
typical MPG for a 4.0L ZJ. I'm hearing of reports of 12mpg to 18mpg.

Pretty much everything I'm hearing from XJ owners is that they are basically
bulletproof and pretty much rock solid. Take care of it and you can drive it
forever. Weighs less than the ZJ, so better power and better mileage.

So in additions to general opinions, is there anything specific in a ZJ that
I should look for. Is it the quadratrac transfer case that is the bad one?
How do you identify whether you've got this case?

Re: ZJ vs. XJ - General Opinions and advice wanted
 

The problems come with the doo dads, gee gaw, and bling bling on the upscale
ZJ models.

The NP249 AWD transfer case is a troublesource, restrict your search to the
nv242 SelecTrac

That being said the ZJ offer superior ride and handling to the XJ

If you get an XJ look for a model with the NV242 SelecTrac transfer case.
While it is a bit inferior to the nv231 (when in part time 4WD) its ability
to use full time 4WD make it a better choice in my poor opinion.

Both models can be customized for off-road use, the XJ has a far better
choice of options and would be superior too boot.

The later XJs with the 4 liter engine are stronger and, perhaps, easier to
maintain the older 4.2 liters.

What do you plan to do with it?





"Les" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:C15944BE.AC5E%nospam@nospam.com...
> I'm a long time YJ owner, and need something bigger. I've been looking
> around at 4.0L ZJs and XJs . Most everything in my price range has higher
> miles, which doesn't necessarily bother me. I've had 2 YJs with over 150K
> each and the 4.0 is probably the most reliable engine I've ever been
> around.
>
> Basically I'm getting a mixed bag of opinions regarding the ZJ. A few
> people
> say they are plenty reliable, but I'm hearing a lot of stories of transfer
> case/transmission problems & electrical gremlins galore. Also what is a
> typical MPG for a 4.0L ZJ. I'm hearing of reports of 12mpg to 18mpg.
>
> Pretty much everything I'm hearing from XJ owners is that they are
> basically
> bulletproof and pretty much rock solid. Take care of it and you can drive
> it
> forever. Weighs less than the ZJ, so better power and better mileage.
>
> So in additions to general opinions, is there anything specific in a ZJ
> that
> I should look for. Is it the quadratrac transfer case that is the bad one?
> How do you identify whether you've got this case?
>
>

Re: ZJ vs. XJ - General Opinions and advice wanted
 

The problems come with the doo dads, gee gaw, and bling bling on the upscale
ZJ models.

The NP249 AWD transfer case is a troublesource, restrict your search to the
nv242 SelecTrac

That being said the ZJ offer superior ride and handling to the XJ

If you get an XJ look for a model with the NV242 SelecTrac transfer case.
While it is a bit inferior to the nv231 (when in part time 4WD) its ability
to use full time 4WD make it a better choice in my poor opinion.

Both models can be customized for off-road use, the XJ has a far better
choice of options and would be superior too boot.

The later XJs with the 4 liter engine are stronger and, perhaps, easier to
maintain the older 4.2 liters.

What do you plan to do with it?





"Les" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:C15944BE.AC5E%nospam@nospam.com...
> I'm a long time YJ owner, and need something bigger. I've been looking
> around at 4.0L ZJs and XJs . Most everything in my price range has higher
> miles, which doesn't necessarily bother me. I've had 2 YJs with over 150K
> each and the 4.0 is probably the most reliable engine I've ever been
> around.
>
> Basically I'm getting a mixed bag of opinions regarding the ZJ. A few
> people
> say they are plenty reliable, but I'm hearing a lot of stories of transfer
> case/transmission problems & electrical gremlins galore. Also what is a
> typical MPG for a 4.0L ZJ. I'm hearing of reports of 12mpg to 18mpg.
>
> Pretty much everything I'm hearing from XJ owners is that they are
> basically
> bulletproof and pretty much rock solid. Take care of it and you can drive
> it
> forever. Weighs less than the ZJ, so better power and better mileage.
>
> So in additions to general opinions, is there anything specific in a ZJ
> that
> I should look for. Is it the quadratrac transfer case that is the bad one?
> How do you identify whether you've got this case?
>
>

Re: ZJ vs. XJ - General Opinions and advice wanted
 

The problems come with the doo dads, gee gaw, and bling bling on the upscale
ZJ models.

The NP249 AWD transfer case is a troublesource, restrict your search to the
nv242 SelecTrac

That being said the ZJ offer superior ride and handling to the XJ

If you get an XJ look for a model with the NV242 SelecTrac transfer case.
While it is a bit inferior to the nv231 (when in part time 4WD) its ability
to use full time 4WD make it a better choice in my poor opinion.

Both models can be customized for off-road use, the XJ has a far better
choice of options and would be superior too boot.

The later XJs with the 4 liter engine are stronger and, perhaps, easier to
maintain the older 4.2 liters.

What do you plan to do with it?





"Les" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:C15944BE.AC5E%nospam@nospam.com...
> I'm a long time YJ owner, and need something bigger. I've been looking
> around at 4.0L ZJs and XJs . Most everything in my price range has higher
> miles, which doesn't necessarily bother me. I've had 2 YJs with over 150K
> each and the 4.0 is probably the most reliable engine I've ever been
> around.
>
> Basically I'm getting a mixed bag of opinions regarding the ZJ. A few
> people
> say they are plenty reliable, but I'm hearing a lot of stories of transfer
> case/transmission problems & electrical gremlins galore. Also what is a
> typical MPG for a 4.0L ZJ. I'm hearing of reports of 12mpg to 18mpg.
>
> Pretty much everything I'm hearing from XJ owners is that they are
> basically
> bulletproof and pretty much rock solid. Take care of it and you can drive
> it
> forever. Weighs less than the ZJ, so better power and better mileage.
>
> So in additions to general opinions, is there anything specific in a ZJ
> that
> I should look for. Is it the quadratrac transfer case that is the bad one?
> How do you identify whether you've got this case?
>
>

Re: ZJ vs. XJ - General Opinions and advice wanted
 

The ZJ sometimes came with the aluminum cased "Dana 44". These are a
total POS, not suited to speed bumps at the mall, let alone anything
resembling off road.

--
jeff




Les wrote:
> I'm a long time YJ owner, and need something bigger. I've been looking
> around at 4.0L ZJs and XJs . Most everything in my price range has higher
> miles, which doesn't necessarily bother me. I've had 2 YJs with over 150K
> each and the 4.0 is probably the most reliable engine I've ever been around.
>
> Basically I'm getting a mixed bag of opinions regarding the ZJ. A few people
> say they are plenty reliable, but I'm hearing a lot of stories of transfer
> case/transmission problems & electrical gremlins galore. Also what is a
> typical MPG for a 4.0L ZJ. I'm hearing of reports of 12mpg to 18mpg.
>
> Pretty much everything I'm hearing from XJ owners is that they are basically
> bulletproof and pretty much rock solid. Take care of it and you can drive it
> forever. Weighs less than the ZJ, so better power and better mileage.
>
> So in additions to general opinions, is there anything specific in a ZJ that
> I should look for. Is it the quadratrac transfer case that is the bad one?
> How do you identify whether you've got this case?
>
>

Re: ZJ vs. XJ - General Opinions and advice wanted
 

The ZJ sometimes came with the aluminum cased "Dana 44". These are a
total POS, not suited to speed bumps at the mall, let alone anything
resembling off road.

--
jeff




Les wrote:
> I'm a long time YJ owner, and need something bigger. I've been looking
> around at 4.0L ZJs and XJs . Most everything in my price range has higher
> miles, which doesn't necessarily bother me. I've had 2 YJs with over 150K
> each and the 4.0 is probably the most reliable engine I've ever been around.
>
> Basically I'm getting a mixed bag of opinions regarding the ZJ. A few people
> say they are plenty reliable, but I'm hearing a lot of stories of transfer
> case/transmission problems & electrical gremlins galore. Also what is a
> typical MPG for a 4.0L ZJ. I'm hearing of reports of 12mpg to 18mpg.
>
> Pretty much everything I'm hearing from XJ owners is that they are basically
> bulletproof and pretty much rock solid. Take care of it and you can drive it
> forever. Weighs less than the ZJ, so better power and better mileage.
>
> So in additions to general opinions, is there anything specific in a ZJ that
> I should look for. Is it the quadratrac transfer case that is the bad one?
> How do you identify whether you've got this case?
>
>

Re: ZJ vs. XJ - General Opinions and advice wanted
 

The ZJ sometimes came with the aluminum cased "Dana 44". These are a
total POS, not suited to speed bumps at the mall, let alone anything
resembling off road.

--
jeff




Les wrote:
> I'm a long time YJ owner, and need something bigger. I've been looking
> around at 4.0L ZJs and XJs . Most everything in my price range has higher
> miles, which doesn't necessarily bother me. I've had 2 YJs with over 150K
> each and the 4.0 is probably the most reliable engine I've ever been around.
>
> Basically I'm getting a mixed bag of opinions regarding the ZJ. A few people
> say they are plenty reliable, but I'm hearing a lot of stories of transfer
> case/transmission problems & electrical gremlins galore. Also what is a
> typical MPG for a 4.0L ZJ. I'm hearing of reports of 12mpg to 18mpg.
>
> Pretty much everything I'm hearing from XJ owners is that they are basically
> bulletproof and pretty much rock solid. Take care of it and you can drive it
> forever. Weighs less than the ZJ, so better power and better mileage.
>
> So in additions to general opinions, is there anything specific in a ZJ that
> I should look for. Is it the quadratrac transfer case that is the bad one?
> How do you identify whether you've got this case?
>
>

Re: ZJ vs. XJ - General Opinions and advice wanted
 

On 10/16/06 3:30 PM, in article 742a1$4533ec40$422afc51$1825@FUSE.NET,
"billy ray" <billy_ray@SPAMfuse.net> wrote:

> The problems come with the doo dads, gee gaw, and bling bling on the upscale
> ZJ models.

Basically bells and whistle issues. Electric windows and what not?

>
> The NP249 AWD transfer case is a troublesource, restrict your search to the
> nv242 SelecTrac

Is there an easy way to identify the 2?

>
> That being said the ZJ offer superior ride and handling to the XJ
>
> If you get an XJ look for a model with the NV242 SelecTrac transfer case.
> While it is a bit inferior to the nv231 (when in part time 4WD) its ability
> to use full time 4WD make it a better choice in my poor opinion.

Gee I feel kinda dumb now, but could you embellish a bit more. I read
something about that on a different site, and was a little confused. What is
the difference between the part time and full time selections on the 242? It
still has a 2wd selection, right? When I hear the term full time 4wd I think
all wheel drive, with no 2wd setting.
>
> Both models can be customized for off-road use, the XJ has a far better
> choice of options and would be superior too boot.
>
> The later XJs with the 4 liter engine are stronger and, perhaps, easier to
> maintain the older 4.2 liters.

I will only be looking at 97 and up XJs, so the 4.2 need not apply.
>
> What do you plan to do with it?
>
Daily Driver. Maybe a 2" Budget Boost to accommodate some 31s that I have in
my garage. Not much wheeling. I'll be keeping the YJ for all that jazz.

Re: ZJ vs. XJ - General Opinions and advice wanted
 

On 10/16/06 3:30 PM, in article 742a1$4533ec40$422afc51$1825@FUSE.NET,
"billy ray" <billy_ray@SPAMfuse.net> wrote:

> The problems come with the doo dads, gee gaw, and bling bling on the upscale
> ZJ models.

Basically bells and whistle issues. Electric windows and what not?

>
> The NP249 AWD transfer case is a troublesource, restrict your search to the
> nv242 SelecTrac

Is there an easy way to identify the 2?

>
> That being said the ZJ offer superior ride and handling to the XJ
>
> If you get an XJ look for a model with the NV242 SelecTrac transfer case.
> While it is a bit inferior to the nv231 (when in part time 4WD) its ability
> to use full time 4WD make it a better choice in my poor opinion.

Gee I feel kinda dumb now, but could you embellish a bit more. I read
something about that on a different site, and was a little confused. What is
the difference between the part time and full time selections on the 242? It
still has a 2wd selection, right? When I hear the term full time 4wd I think
all wheel drive, with no 2wd setting.
>
> Both models can be customized for off-road use, the XJ has a far better
> choice of options and would be superior too boot.
>
> The later XJs with the 4 liter engine are stronger and, perhaps, easier to
> maintain the older 4.2 liters.

I will only be looking at 97 and up XJs, so the 4.2 need not apply.
>
> What do you plan to do with it?
>
Daily Driver. Maybe a 2" Budget Boost to accommodate some 31s that I have in
my garage. Not much wheeling. I'll be keeping the YJ for all that jazz.

Re: ZJ vs. XJ - General Opinions and advice wanted
 

On 10/16/06 3:30 PM, in article 742a1$4533ec40$422afc51$1825@FUSE.NET,
"billy ray" <billy_ray@SPAMfuse.net> wrote:

> The problems come with the doo dads, gee gaw, and bling bling on the upscale
> ZJ models.

Basically bells and whistle issues. Electric windows and what not?

>
> The NP249 AWD transfer case is a troublesource, restrict your search to the
> nv242 SelecTrac

Is there an easy way to identify the 2?

>
> That being said the ZJ offer superior ride and handling to the XJ
>
> If you get an XJ look for a model with the NV242 SelecTrac transfer case.
> While it is a bit inferior to the nv231 (when in part time 4WD) its ability
> to use full time 4WD make it a better choice in my poor opinion.

Gee I feel kinda dumb now, but could you embellish a bit more. I read
something about that on a different site, and was a little confused. What is
the difference between the part time and full time selections on the 242? It
still has a 2wd selection, right? When I hear the term full time 4wd I think
all wheel drive, with no 2wd setting.
>
> Both models can be customized for off-road use, the XJ has a far better
> choice of options and would be superior too boot.
>
> The later XJs with the 4 liter engine are stronger and, perhaps, easier to
> maintain the older 4.2 liters.

I will only be looking at 97 and up XJs, so the 4.2 need not apply.
>
> What do you plan to do with it?
>
Daily Driver. Maybe a 2" Budget Boost to accommodate some 31s that I have in
my garage. Not much wheeling. I'll be keeping the YJ for all that jazz.