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

Les proclaimed:

> 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.

One problem with the ZJ is the auto climate controls and associated
stuff...if that ever goes out, the labor costs are horrid. Some folks
never have trouble, some do.

>
> 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.

The ZJ is more aero than the YJ, but kinda like comparing s sloped brick
to a brick. I've never gotten as bad as 12 mpg unless I am offroad in
lower range for long. Around town with fairly moderate hotrodding I get
in the 14 range. This is on streets and mixed expressways where you can
run it up to 45-50 and get the torque converter locked up nicely. For
freeway cruising at speeds from 65-80, I get about 20-22 depending on
gas brand, heat, and time of year [lower in winter]. Only non-factory
mod is a cat back.

>
> 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.

Except as the speed goes up the better body shape of the ZJ helps. A
bit. The ZJ is pretty light as well.
>
> 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?

Depends on what you plan to do with it.
You can get the part time 4 wheel drive which is arguably better for
mileage and still available when you need it. This one has 2 hi, 4 hi,
4lo positions. Or you can get the full time which has only 4 high and 4
low. I get the 14-22 mpg with the full time.

The ZJ can be turned into a good dual use machine, put some Edelbrock or
Ranch adjustables on it and you have a fairly decent highway machine
that still can go offroad to a good portion of the trails that the more
capable wranglers can go--and get back to the road at the end.

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

> The name of the transfer case is usually on plate attached to the shifter
> bezel. There are others, I haven't uploaded them recently.
>
> http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2118160341

On my '93 ZJ the bezel doesn't mention the name of the t-case. However, the
sun visor does. ;)

> For general intents and purposes* the part time of the Command Trac
(nv231)
> and the part time of the SelecTrac (nv242) is the same.
>
> *The part time on the nv231 is a bit superior in limited applications, my
> opinion is I would rather have the ability to have a true 4WD anytime than
> the slight off-road edge. (I've had both TCs)

The part time on the 231 should behave exactly like the part time on the
242. It may be slightly beefier but the performance should be identical.

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

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

SBlackfoot wrote:
>> The name of the transfer case is usually on plate attached to the
>> shifter bezel. There are others, I haven't uploaded them recently.
>>
>> http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2118160341
>
>
> On my '93 ZJ the bezel doesn't mention the name of the t-case.
> However, the sun visor does. ;)
>
>
>> For general intents and purposes* the part time of the Command Trac
>> (nv231) and the part time of the SelecTrac (nv242) is the same.
>>
>> *The part time on the nv231 is a bit superior in limited
>> applications, my opinion is I would rather have the ability to have
>> a true 4WD anytime than the slight off-road edge. (I've had both TCs)
>
>
> The part time on the 231 should behave exactly like the part time on
> the 242. It may be slightly beefier but the performance should be
> identical.

FWIW, I've beaten the daylights out of my Quadratrack (249) and found
it quite capable on loose dirt and switchbacks. Lack of proper ground
clearance (and skid plates) keeps me off the rocky bits. Later models
(I think) have a low range lock. Mine is limited slip in both high
and low.

--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://revbeergoggles.com
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

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

> FWIW, I've beaten the daylights out of my Quadratrack (249) and found
> it quite capable on loose dirt and switchbacks. Lack of proper ground
> clearance (and skid plates) keeps me off the rocky bits. Later models
> (I think) have a low range lock. Mine is limited slip in both high
> and low.

'96 and up 249s lock up in 4 low.

They'd be a good transfer case if it wasn't for the viscous coupler. When
they go out it's an expensive repair.

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

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