ZJ Grand Cherokee, or 2nd gen 4runner?

[Ratbastage]

3.0 is marginally better powerwise than a 2.4 22re. Add in the aggravation of working on it and its not worth the trouble.

The 3.4 is mucho better.

The 4.0 ZJ is not a bad truck. I had 2, first one went 180K with no real issues and would return 20 driven mildly. Then it got killed by a drunk driver. The replacement was a 4.0 that went 220K without issues on the original dodge trans and one set of rear gears/bearings.

I also own the Zombie, first gen runner with a 22re, 365K and still going.

Unless I was going 3.4 or first gen I'd buy the ZJ.

[BimmerJeff]

Thanks for that! How reliable are the 5.9 V8's relative to the 4.0?

The 4.0 is a proven engine so its hard to beat the reliability. But most of Dodge V8s are reliable as well. With any of them the various sensors will need replacing as they age. But none of my Jeeps were any worse than my BMW maintenance wise.

[dreamchasin]

Fiance had a 4.0, gas hog like a mofo. My aunt had (had because she is currently in a tiny box in ash form) a 94? 4runner, refuses to die, automatic, and is a monster in the snow. On a side note my mom has an 03 4runner and its a million times better in the snow than the several pickup trucks my step dad has had. And he had a few silverados and a 08 tundra. With all that being said, my choice is the 4runner.

[quikveedb2]

The transfer case selector lever will list 2wd, 4 Hi, Neutral, and 4Lo for the NP231 transfer case (add Full time 4wd for the 242 tc). The AWD ones just have Full time 4wd, Neutral, and 4 Lo. My WJ had the 242HD transfer case which is the only way I'd buy a WJ.

Thanks for that! How reliable are the 5.9 V8's relative to the 4.0?

[BimmerJeff]

I've read that the AWD Grands can be more problematic than the ones with true 4x4, but I thought only the WJ's came in AWD? How does one identify the 231/242 transfer case?

The transfer case selector lever will list 2wd, 4 Hi, Neutral, and 4Lo for the NP231 transfer case (add Full time 4wd for the 242 tc). The AWD ones just have Full time 4wd, Neutral, and 4 Lo. My WJ had the 242HD transfer case which is the only way I'd buy a WJ.

[Ether-D]

Toyota. If you like stuff that never breaks.

[quikveedb2]

That combined with the fact that most, if not all 5.2 Grand Cherokees that are 4wd have the 249 all-time t-case, which is plagued by viscous coupler issues makes it less desirable than the 4.0. IMO, of course.

OP, if you do get a jeep, make sure it has a 231 or 242 part time transfer case

I've read that the AWD Grands can be more problematic than the ones with true 4x4, but I thought only the WJ's came in AWD? How does one identify the 231/242 transfer case?

[JasonC]

I guess calling them shit was a little harsh. I've driven a lot of jeeps/trucks/durangos with the 5.2 and while they are really torquey they just aren't very impressive to me. Terrible mpgs like you said, headgaskets seem to blow more than normal and they always seem to have cracked manifolds. That combined with the fact that most, if not all 5.2 Grand Cherokees that are 4wd have the 249 all-time t-case, which is plagued by viscous coupler issues makes it less desirable than the 4.0. IMO, of course.

OP, if you do get a jeep, make sure it has a 231 or 242 part time transfer case

They are a little under powered... But it is a 318 after all. Never heard of the headgaskets blowing on them, have though about the manifolds cracking. My last 318 magnum has 245,000 on it when I sold it. engine was never touched, minus the water pump and a few maint. things. My buddy has it back now with 260,000 on it I think. He did have to replace a few sensors.

[Vtec?lol]

When did the 318 Magnum become shit? I've always seen them to run a long time and be very reliable. But on the flip side, they tend to guzzle the gas..

Honestly they aren't even that bad on gas. They are simple and extremely reliable! Love me some 318

Thanks for the suspension info on the ZJ, I was wondering why it's regarded by some to be a lesser truck, but why no love for the 22re? All I've found is that it's generally regerded as one of the go-to motors for bullet-proof reliability?




This thread is certainly making me lean that way. Cheap parts, relaibility, and decent power/mpg are all on it's side. Are the crank sensors a common problem part, ala the M20 CPS?

The CPS are very problematic but are a simple diagnose and fix. Just be sure to buy quality parts.


I honestly wouldn't even consider a 4runner. Not only are they a premium but parts are very expensive.
The 4.0 HO is a simple big six that has tons of torque and will run laps around a 4runner.

[Pac1373]

When did the 318 Magnum become shit? I've always seen them to run a long time and be very reliable. But on the flip side, they tend to guzzle the gas..

Yea...
My 1998 ZJ with the 5.2/318 was and is the absolute most reliable vehicle I ever owned, it dragged me through 5 brain melting (freezing?) winters in the northern Canadian oilfield, ferried my first 3 kids everywhere, was an amazing machine for light off-road (was my daily didn't get crazy with it, but have since seen them do anything a Yj/Tj have the ability to do) and would pass anything but a gas station. DD service for 6 years.
hell I froze the coolant/block/rad cock-stiff at the rig camp one year, hit it with open flame from a tiger torch on the pan for a while, and the thing fired right up...could hear ice smashing through the heater core for a 1/2 hour...a couple of drops of coolant wept from the rad for a few minutes till it warmed up, healed itself and never had another issue. drove it for 3 more years after that...

only ever changed a water pump and a wheel bearing in the 6 years I had it.

Love the older Jeep product.

[Jb325is]

When did the 318 Magnum become shit? I've always seen them to run a long time and be very reliable. But on the flip side, they tend to guzzle the gas..

I guess calling them shit was a little harsh. I've driven a lot of jeeps/trucks/durangos with the 5.2 and while they are really torquey they just aren't very impressive to me. Terrible mpgs like you said, headgaskets seem to blow more than normal and they always seem to have cracked manifolds. That combined with the fact that most, if not all 5.2 Grand Cherokees that are 4wd have the 249 all-time t-case, which is plagued by viscous coupler issues makes it less desirable than the 4.0. IMO, of course.

OP, if you do get a jeep, make sure it has a 231 or 242 part time transfer case

[JasonC]

ZJ's got the 5.2 though, which is shit. The 4.7 is a great motor.

When did the 318 Magnum become shit? I've always seen them to run a long time and be very reliable. But on the flip side, they tend to guzzle the gas..

[ST1G]

Toyota 4runner. Motor swap to the 3.4L V6 and you'll be golden ;)

[quikveedb2]

There is absolutely no reason to buy an XJ over a ZJ... They're basically the same thing except the XJ has shitty leafs in the rear and ZJ has a 5 link (coil springs). Just make sure you buy a 4.0. I would stay away from that era 4Runner

Thanks for the suspension info on the ZJ, I was wondering why it's regarded by some to be a lesser truck, but why no love for the 22re? All I've found is that it's generally regerded as one of the go-to motors for bullet-proof reliability?

Did you buy the 4.0 jeep yet?

Keep a spare crank sensor in the glove box.

This thread is certainly making me lean that way. Cheap parts, relaibility, and decent power/mpg are all on it's side. Are the crank sensors a common problem part, ala the M20 CPS?

[dirty30]

I love my 2nd gen 4runner. The 3VZE is very slow and gets meh gas mileage but don't let people tell you they blow head gaskets every 10k miles yadda yadda. Most of them have been updated by now and the newer style gaskets aren't problematic. I used to daily drive mine about two years ago but now I just keep it around to have fun with.

33X10.50 BFG AT's
Detroit Truetrac
4.88s
ARB bumper
Smitty winch