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ZJ vs WJ: which would you buy to make a combo DD/trail rig?

TurboMinivan

TurboMinivan

Still plays with cars
Location
Lehi, UT
My co-worker went with us to Forest Lake yesterday, but his Scout Traveler had a few issues and couldn't make the entire trip. We ended up parking it along the trail, then he rode the rest of the way up with me. Long story short, he thought my TJ was amazing--it has lots of flex, a very smooth and comfortable ride, no rattles, it does very well traversing rocky trails... in short, it is everything his Scout is not (his words, not mine).

And now he wants a coil-sprung Jeep of his own. He needs a useable rear seat plus some cargo room, so a TJ is out. Instead, he thinks a 4.0L Grand Cherokee would make him happy. He started asking me what he should buy. We take in a good number of high-mileage (read: in his budget) WJs on trade, but I wondered if there are any significant advantages to going with a ZJ instead.

This would not become a trailer queen rock buggy. Yes, he wants to modify it and stuff taller tires under it (probably 33s) but it must still be useable on the street year-round. Taking that into account, what do you guys think? Based on your experiences, would you suggest one over the other? If so, why?

The floor is open.
 
jeepin4x4james

jeepin4x4james

WAAAAA
Location
Bluffdale, UT
I've wheeled both built ZJ's and WJ's... As far as wheeling goes there's no noticeable difference when similarly equipped.... Only difference I see in a wheeling rig is esthetics in and out.
Long arms, 4" lift, 33-35's (with trimming), lockers an they'll both do amazing. The wheelbase is perfect and they flex more than most people would believe.

There was a '99 WJ on KSL not too long ago for $2k on long arms
 
TurboMinivan

TurboMinivan

Still plays with cars
Location
Lehi, UT
jeepin4x4james said:
I've wheeled both built ZJ's and WJ's... As far as wheeling goes there's no noticeable difference when similarly equipped.... Only difference I see in a wheeling rig is esthetics in and out.
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Did you build both rigs? I'm curious if there are any disadvantages of one compared to the other. For example, maybe one requires more fender trimming than the other to fix a particular tire.
 
jeepin4x4james

jeepin4x4james

WAAAAA
Location
Bluffdale, UT
Built a couple zj's... Helped on wj's... If you're keeping stock axles the wj has better knuckles for high steer. Both have unibodies that actually aren't too bad, stronger than xj's.

Personally I would pick a wj.... Partially because I like the look better, and just cuz they're newer... Both can be had cheap.

Start browsing grand Cherokee forums: NAGCA and mallcrawlin
 
blznnp

blznnp

Well-Known Member
Location
Herriman
TurboMinivan said:
a very smooth and comfortable ride, no rattles
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Now whats wrong with a not so smooth, squeaks and rattles type of ride? Probably the only thing her heard then was my blazer behind you

I know that you talked to him about the vehicles that you take in on trade, but if he looks on ksl, make sure you look in the rockcralwer section as well, I just looked and it has a couple cherokee's with the 4.0 in them, one with a lift already for fairly low price.
 
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Cody

Cody

Random Quote Generator
Supporting Member
Location
Gastown
WJ's are more solidly built, and have better steering and stronger unibody from the factory. Just talk him out of the 4.0. Worthless.
 
Z

Zombie

Random Dead Guy
Location
Sandy Utah
If I had to do it over again, which I kind of hope to at some point, I'd build a WJ. I had a 98 5.9 limited, and I miss the hell out of that thing, every single day. In all honesty, selling it will go down as one of my biggest regrets. That said, whatever you choose, I'll list some things that I learned.

I would have saved a ton of money if I'd saved up and put a real longarm kit on it for the first suspension lift. Granted, I was only into my patchwork and front/rear swap lift about $200, but that's still $200, and rode like ass... The second lift was $1000, and wasn't much better than the first. I should have waited until I could do the full longarm kit and I would have saved quite a bit of money.

Loud exhaust is cool, but sometimes it gets annoying. I should have paid a shop to make my flowmaster fit after my longarms, and then added a magnaflow resonator as a tip. That would have sounded nice, and was what I always wanted to do.

Address the rear driveline. Either a shortshaft kit, or a hack and tap, just do it.

Enjoy it. I didin't use mine after I built it, and that's most of why I sold it. I had the time, I just didn't take the time.

Wow... I sound really old sometimes.
 
I Lean

I Lean

Mbryson's hairdresser
Vendor
Location
Utah
Cody said:
WJ's are more solidly built, and have better steering and stronger unibody from the factory. Just talk him out of the 4.0. Worthless.
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I would like to agree with you here, but I can't. As far as I know, the only other option in a WJ is the 4.7 V8....which is even more worthless. Get a 4.0 WJ. :eek:

The 4.0 may be gutless, but at least it's a solid engine in general.
 
corbin.black

corbin.black

Active Member
Location
West Jordan, Utah
I say go for a WJ for the same reasons the Cody said. The WJ has slightly less after market support but there is enough to make a nice DD/trail rig. I have 2 WJ's, an 04 V8 limited and an 04 I6 laredo and I will say that I wish I built the 4.0 instead of the 4.7. I love the power of my 4.7 but once you overheat them once, you are done since it has aluminum heads. If you have any WJ specific questions, feel free to ask. Mine is 6.5" of lift on 35's with JK 44 rubi axles and it has plenty of room for 37's and I love it haha
 
S

skeptic

Registered User
I'd go for a V8, not the I6. I used to have and wheel a ZJ years ago, and they have a well deserved reputation for tranny and transfer case issues (with the V8). For that reason alone I'd go with a WJ, just get one that doesn't have blend doors (Limited only?).

Honestly though, if I go back to Jeep it will most likely be an Unlimited Rubicon - probably not in his price range though if he is trying to keep the price way down.
 
Rock Taco

Rock Taco

Well-Known Member
Location
Sandy
Maybe something to negotiate a lower price.

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/06/18/chrysler-agrees-to-recall-jeeps-at-risk-fire/

DETROIT – Chrysler avoided a showdown with government safety regulators Tuesday, agreeing to recall 2.7 million older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire.
Earlier this month the company defiantly refused the government's request to recall the Jeeps. But Chrysler now says it will go ahead with the recall after getting calls from concerned customers.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration contended that the Jeep's gas tank could rupture if hit from the rear, causing a fire. NHTSA said 51 people had died in fiery crashes in Jeeps with gas tanks positioned behind the rear axle.
The recall covers Jeep Grand Cherokees from model years 1993 through 2004 and Jeep Libertys from 2002 through 2007.
Chrysler said Tuesday that dealers will inspect the vehicles and install trailer hitches to protect the gas tanks. The company said vehicles without hitches will get them, as will those with broken hitches or hitches that aren't from Chrysler.
In a statement, Chrysler maintained that the vehicles aren't defective, despite prior statements to the contrary from NHTSA.
Chrysler wouldn't say how much the trailer hitches would cost.


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013...s-to-recall-jeeps-at-risk-fire/#ixzz2WbRAz0qH
 
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