ZJ Grand Cherokee, or 2nd gen 4runner?

[BimmerJeff]

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

True. Didn't think about the old 5.2s. Although a 5.9 Limited ZJ wouldn't be bad ;)

[hfabricius]

There is nothing more bullet proof than the xj 4.0 5 speed. I have had two and they are work for everything (with regular maintenance of course).

[e30saam]

I'd Get a 2nd gen 4runner, but only if it has a 22-re 5 speed, if not I'd go for the 4.0 5 speed zj. (prefer the xj but that's not an option). the 3VZ-E V6s of the 2nd gen 4runner are known to blow headgaskets. My Hilux has a 22-r (carbed) and that motor just doesn't want to die, warlock grade. Thats why many militaries and terrorist groups around the world use 22r powered Toyota Hiluxes

[bruner]

2nd gen runner all the way! Better looking and the 22r is unstoppable!

[delatlanta1281]

I love my 4runner. 180k running fine. Did blow up a tranny at 90k, but that's it.

[Vtec?lol]

Did you buy the 4.0 jeep yet?
Keep a spare crank sensor in the glove box.

[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

[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?

[ST1G]

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

[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..

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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?