Jeep Cherokee XJ vs Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ: Which is Better?
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 24 июл 2024
- This film is a comparison between my Jeep Cherokee XJ and Grand Cherokee ZJ
00:00 intro
1:30 Inside XJ
2:44 Inside ZJ
5:37 XJ Engine
9:14 ZJ Engine
11:15 Sum before driving
18:10 Driving The ZJ
23:23 Driving the XJ
33:00 Sum up
#jeepxj #jeepzj #KimAlexander #jeep 
Авто/Мото
I love the ZJ so much. I started driving recently, and my parents gifted me their old 1996 grand Cherokee with the 5.2 v8. They have taken great care of it over the years and it only has 90k miles.I love the power on it. My friends underestimate how powerful the thing is, it really is a beast.
i can only agree, i sold my XJ and only have the ZJ. It grows on me every day..
i have 310 000 Km (192625miles) on mine.
But it runs well never been roughly driven.
@@Kim_Alexander I'm sorry to hear that.. You were my motivation to get one of each... lol. I'm keeping both of mine, 99XJ and 98 ZJ.... Life's GOOD in a Jeep... lol..✌🤙
Hi, you are very lucky! Here in the UK V8 ZGs are very rare indeed and if we want a V8 we have to look at later models of the Jeep. Having said that, the far more common 4.0 is still a good engine and is plenty powerful for our little roads and the very imited access we have to unpaved tracks in this country.
Just bought a ZJ with the 4.0. Feels and drives like a tank.
I got a 94 zj limited with the 5.2 318 look up my jeep ig @jeeplifejesus
@@pvmwarchief I got the same one 94 5.2 mines white
@@wyatwilson2334 pp
@@wyatwilson2334 ppppp
@@wyatwilson2334 pppp
I love both cars. Love the reference to Doug too lol
I never plan on selling my Zj. It's such a solid vehicle
I have had both, and now have just the ZJ - a 95 Laredo.
I lifted both the XJ and ZJ 3" and installed 30x9.50 x 15 tires on both. These are 2"-3" taller than stock, but the same stock width. IMO, the best combo for the gearing and weight of these rigs. Keeps the tire line even with the body drip line for a cleaner running vehicle and a practical utility look.
XJ is 700lbs lighter than the ZJ, so the 4L is very responsive and has more than adequate power. AW4 transission is excellent for the weight of the vehicle. Basically, you have a fully enclosed Jeep YJ, using ter same axle set. The entrance can be tight and low for anyont over 5'10" tall because they designed the floor pan to be much lower then the door threshold. Thus, you step up and then down into the seating position. This keeps the seating , pan, and roofline low while giving the appearance of a higher ground clearance. The XJ was never accused of being an easy roll-over.
ZJ is a more traditional design for easier entry, with a normal floor pan height. It is slightly larger than the XJ, with higher headroom and slightly wider hip and shoulder room. Vastly better seats. It is 700lbs heavier, so the 4L is rather weak, but still a good choice for reliablilty. Far better ride quality in all conditions - including on un-paved surfaces. ZJ Laredo has the same axle set as the XJ, which is fine for general use and moderate off-roading, but is inadequate for supporting large tires over time. The Chrysler A-500 Torque-Flite (42RE) transmission is rather weak for the weight of the vehicle, but can last a long time if properly maintained. Technical off-roading WILL greatly shorten the life of this transmission and the transfer case. I recommend tires no bigger than 30x9.50x15 for maximum life of stock axles and other driveline gear.
Both ZJ Laredo 4L and XJ have open differentials. ZJ Limited has the Quadr drive and related "better" rear axle and transfer case in the V8.
Both XJ and ZJ Laredo are very adequate off road in moderate use, and excellent in bad weather. For more aggressive use, you need to build them or break them.
I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ 1998 Orvis edition with a petrol 4.0 V6 and these cars just never die. I am planning on doing a restoration on it 😎
I remember when the ZJ Grand Cherokee was first introduced.
I'm a fan of the '93-'95 ZJs myself. Kept the older XJs flat angular retro 80s interior but with more room.
I like that you did the comparison in this format. Most of my searches resulted in competitions off road. I'm up to 4 XJs and one ZJ. 3 trips to Denmark one trip to Sweden. Maybe next trip will be to turn wrench with you.
I have a '96 ZJ. It is a project vehicle, with 270kmiles. I got it for free. It had a bad rear axle housing. So I put a Dana 44 with the Trutrac differential. I rebuilt the suspension front and rear. Put some 255/70-15 General AT2 tires on. In the California desert, my ZJ is a dream to drive. I am tempted to swap in a Cummins R2.8 and the ZF 8-sp. We have a couple of diesel Ram pickups that are awesome offroad. But the ZJ fits in more places.
My favorite two Jeeps!
LoL Have the same problem. Detroit born. It sounds like CJ.
Love these wagons. Had three xjs.
On my second ZJ.318.. I can't sell. People offer decent for it. They're not many zjs left 👍
Got a 97 Jeep ZJ 4.0. with 250k miles... those engines run forever
97 4.0 is a good year. I had a 01 with the week block. Though it was never driven off-road and well main taibd so it held up.
But it's not unusual to find broken piston skirts and stuffs like that. Itt feels though that it's more common in country's where they don't have yearly inspections. Good engine, but the 5.2 are pretty good to and they sounds wonderful.
Did your 97 zj came with the Dana 30 or 44a in the back?
93 with 385,000 km here.....runs like new.....replaced the transmission once, one differential....and I blew up a transfer case this Spring.....we found one locally from a Cherokee, swapped the input shaft and it still runs like new....every bit the Jeep my old YJ was.
Great video man, I had 4 xj with four different engines: 2.5 , 4.0 like yours, 2.5 diesel VM and 2.1 diesel Renault. Me too I like the box style of the xj, now I'm meditating to buy a zj 4.0 because I like that engine, then it looks to me more simple to lift it because of coil springs also in the rear. The other option is the Commander, always a box but probably a bit bigger even if here in the north of Italy it is very rare to see one of them. Great video, really!
cool, I was looking for one with a stick shift for awhile but ended up getting a Suzuki Jimny. But sooner or. later I'll get a jeep again..the 5.2 v8 is really nice. but mostly because v8s sounds good. but also because the rear axle is a d44a
93 grand cheteokees are cool. to some of them have np231 transfer case and drums in the back.. kind of is a luxury version of the xj
@@Kim_Alexander well man I don't know about the Suzuki but I've seen many they have it here, also I have no experience of the v8 with the exception of the 5.3 Chevrolet Avalanche I had. But you know there are two reasons for this: one is for what I need a 4.0 6 cylinders is enough and second here there is an absurd taxation and the state tries to steal money in every possible way, till 5 years ago when we had a 20 years old car we did a procedure to make it historical and we had no more any owning tax, now we have it with the exception of the region Lombardia (the one of Milan) where unfortunately I don't live in so... you know a no sense expensive tax simply for owning a car even if you don't use it , not to be greedy of course😃. I don't know the situation in Sweden but for sure you have not 160.000 laws like here.
I love the ZJ with the V8, awesome Jeep,
Great comparison review. Interesting how the XJ has grown in popularity, 4 years ago the opinions i was picking up on the american forums generally favoured the ZJ. I guess though as most won't be using theses cars as daily drivers, i can see many people might take the view that the XJ gives a more back to basics experience. These are still relatively cheap and accessible cars for the enthusiadt and i just hope they dont go the way of the Defender and become the automotive equivalent of the beach hut.
Very useful thank you
Nice comparison and nice narration! Thank you. I use a WJ with 4,7 engine, and before I had a ZJ with straight 6. Never drove XJ. I would suspect there is as much difference between XJ and ZJ as between ZJ and WJ.
There is very little difference between the ZJ and WJ if they have the same engines. The difference between the WJ/ZJ and the XJ is very noticeable if all three models have the six. The weight difference is significant at about 600lbs. or, a full passenger count.
Zj 4.0 is a better Jeep in my opinion. Coil springs all the way around, HD cooling for engine. Np242 transfer which is a 231 and a 249 combined. Only thing i would like is the the HP dana 30. 42re trans is good if you upgrade the valve body. And ZJ you can find them very very cheap compared to the XJ.
What upgrades for the valve body would you recommend?
Look into the sonnax sure cure kit but I don't think you need all the parts on this kit. You can buy the parts individually. My trans shifts like butter. Even better if you install a mountain Vista shift kit for your np242 transfer case you would be able to shift into your 4wd easier. Get rid of your oem linkage.
ZJs IMO are full of electrical gremlins. The later XJs have an np242 shifting on the fly and they mostly all have the indestructible AW4. Only killer to watch out for as with anything of this age is rust. Cavity oil spray is your friend!
Planing on buying a jeep got few options XJ with either 2.5TD or 4.0i and ZJ 5.2, wich one should i get, im planing on putting 33inch tires, planing on using it for trail, bit mudding, going with my friends, doing pulling with my friends pajero 3.5 v6 and terrano II 2.7TD. So wich on should i get, should i go for XJ cuse its lighter and more relaible, or go with ZJ for comfort and power?
I have a 93 grand cherokee with the np231 and rear drum brakes, the earlier zjs were essentially luxury xjs and were even more similar before the 96 redesign
that's a nice combo, that had a stronger transmission as well. But they all came with the 4.0 right?
@@Kim_Alexander not all, they had a 5.2l v8 as well, and you could get a 5 speed manual in the grand cherokee, but only for the 93 to 95 year models, after that it was strictly automatic
Awesome video, great production. Explanation of XJ & ZJ Was perfect I was trying to figure out which model I inherited I have a 94 Jeep grand Cherokee Limited ZJ in near mint condition. I wish I could figure out the constant dinging and the problem with keyless entry alarm but I really appreciate you explaining the difference .....
Thanks 🙏
Thanks for your kind word, I'm glad that you appreciateed the video. Fortunately I don't have any problems with the keyless entry. But it's quite common with these kind of problems so I think there is a lot of information out there. Looks for jeep groups on Facebook that's always a good place to start when trying to solve problems
That zj sounds amazing.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Got the ugly pipe showed in the film fixed, and put a race cat on it since the film was done. Sounds better now :D
Did the same mods on my mustang, that sounds totally brutal..
ruclips.net/video/LYzqHA2QYCA/видео.html
00:40
11:20
17:40
I got two 97 zjs and I love em
Double the 97 zj love, double the fun! You're living the dream!
I took your first suggestion a step further, I own a XJ, a ZJ, and 2 MJ's, it's a sickness.
Lol but in reality it's because they are good vehicles, cheap to acquire a whole spare vehicle for parts(for a little bit longer) and they will go up in value, they are good investments in my opinion
I Like ZJ
96 zj 5.2 is the best jeep ever made. Change my mind
CJ-5
WHich is better? Depends on what you like - period. I have had both, and now have the ZJ.
No going back for me. The ZJ gets me anywhere the XJ did, and in much more comfort. The build quality of the ZJ is very good, with nicely aligned body panels and no squeaks or shimmies.
All I ever did to modify them was a 3" puck lift and all terrain tires. Took me anywhere I wanted to camp.
What muffler is in there?
Currently looking at a 96 zj Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L. Should I avoid this year because of the electrical problems you mentioned?
I'm not sure when it comes to the ZJ.
@@Kim_Alexander oh okay, you were talking about the xj. Thank you for your response!
@@Kim_Alexander great review!
@@rrthomas86 Thanks ! :D
I like DRIVING THE "V-J ?".. ( With seat clamps, And sport trim) ... A LOT !!
I'm confused how from the front they sound whisspy and weak but from the back they sound very beefy? that makes no sense to me? am I crazy??
the exhaust noise travels with the pipe, ans sound where the pipe ends.. What you hear from the exhaust is basically the sound from en explotion that goes on inside of the engine. While staying upfront you will basically only hear moving parts and the fan from the engine.
That’s funny you said they sound different you’re ZJ Sounds like a beast my ZJ doesn’t sound like that. I would really like it to sound that way I think it sounds so cool…….
Thanks 🙏
I had a race cat and muffler removed on that zj :)
Just got a 96 Laredo straight 6 with 98k on it. I’m so nervous to mess with it because I feel like I’ll break it as jeeps are notorious for that. I just want it to last like everyone is saying they do
that straight 6 in those jeeps tends to run for ever and when tmyhing do break the parts are relatively cheep and easy to replace by yourself.
I change my transfer case ZJ to XJ...same engine 4.0ltr
im going to do that down the road, dit you had to swap the output shaft?
This is exactly the video I was looking for, comparing the Mk1 GC to the XJ. Thank you. Most other comparison videos are of new models that I don't care for
The Mk2 WJ Grand Cherokee is my favorite Jeep SUV and the best modern Jeep imo. But the Mk1 is also very good
The wj is very nice especially a 4.0 and those without the hydralic cooling fan.
Had a 4.7 before, I enjoyed it a lot, and the one I had was well taken care of as well. I but it always feels like a small gamble with the 4.7.
"The Doug Score!" lol
4.0 5.2 and 5.9 motors are all very reliable powerful motors. I love a grand Cherokee zj i hate the transmission. The aw4 in the xj is incredibly better feeling and more reliable. Otherwise both great trucks love em both love the xj more good vid👍
I have an zj with the 4.0 now would want to swap the transmission don't know if that's possible but I suppose it should be to complicated
❤❤
so if the XJ is in 2WD it powers the rear wheels? I didn’t know that and I’m an XJ owner- oops!
Thats right, fun on snow and gravel :D
I think you have a great opportunity to som new fun use of you XJ :)
@@Kim_Alexander Thanks- snows over so heading off to find some gravel... ha!
Hallo på dig jag har kommit över en zj 5.9 från 1998 ska jag slå till
Jag ska sälja min vita
Jag vill tipsa om en annons på Blocket: Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 4WD Automat www.blocket.se/annons/skane/jeep_grand_cherokee_4_0_4wd_automat/99581214
The XJ looks SOO much better
Previously I thought they same but nowadays I have some doubts. I have the look of the zj have been growing on me
Can you do xj vs wj plz
Would love to though I don't have any of those jeeps atm.
But I would say the wj and the zj a simular, wj are just more refined and stable on the road..
2:14 the vj eh?
Was thinking about my old wj I guess, ment just to say the v8 engine..
Hear me out man....A Jeep XJ, Five speed, WITH a 5.2 ....
Someday I'll build one
why do people cover up license plates?
You cover up the license plate 😂
Yeap there is only one Jeep. And you understand it, good
He said XJ with V8 engine. Yeah me too. Let's build one.
Simple, WJ 😎👍
Wj is nice to, but in my opinion the zj is softer, and I'm not a big fan of the backbof the Wj. It hangs out to much. Though transfer case and rear axle is good. But it's in many ways the best of them all.
But the xj still looks best :)
@@Kim_Alexander All of them are excellent, blessings
@@felipeiturreyes3385 they sure are, I wouldn't mind to have one of each.
I,m also curious on the KJ I think that's quite underrated as well.
@@Kim_Alexander got Liberty, 3.7 with manual gear transmission and a NP-231 with 200 millage and still going good. Lifted 2" with Ironman and bigger tires. I think it's last moment you still can effort one in not bad price. :)
I'm going to suggest jeepforum dot com cherokeeforum dot com and naxja dot org for anyone wishing to know more. Putting a CAI will do nothing just as putting other "after market toys" on an engine will do nothing as the computer controls the fuel|air mixture which the engineers designed them for. I've seen these with varying lifts depending on their intended use. Generally the ZJ has a limitation due to the rear wheel wells compared to the XJ. Ambient noise will change with the type and size of tire on road type as will changes to the exhaust. I know this as I took off the P235/70R15 which slipped on the grass in my yard, and put on my old LT245/75R16's from my 5.2 '97 ZJ LTD onto the 4.0 '89 XJ Pioneer without slip on the same grassy spot. I don't want to even start on how bad the XJ was neglected, while my ZJ was well taken care of. XJ currently has a "cherry bomb" on it, while the ZJ had it's catalytic converter replaced with a Magnaflow unit and the muffler replaced with a Flowmaster 50. And my French girlfriend gets a kick out of the sound of the Magnum V8. The XJ is a project vehicle and 90% of it's brake system has been replaced, the front seats have been cleaned and rebuilt, the back seat is gone as the back end cargo area will be redone for overland use. Interior floor has received a "bed liner" coating and some noise dampening material will be installed. i.e. "Dynamat" And aftermarket rear bumper will replace the stock one to hold the spare tire as it will no longer be stored in the vehicle. And it will get a "Built, not bought" sticker for amusement as am doing all the work myself, except for the windshield which was "farmed out" to a reputable local glass shop.
I agree, the "cold" air intake came with the jeep, putting it on is quite pointless unless moving it to a place to avoid dust or water..
I am selling my Jeep Renegade to buy one of these babys
ZJ is better imo... bigger inside, roomier, better interior on thee 96+ not so dated like the xjs... Xj just looks too old to much and i prefer my 5.9 limited
It’s NOT a CJ!
British English Z is pronuns Zed American English Zee
dictionary.cambridge.org/pronunciation/english/z