Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ: is the legendary SUV of the nineties worth buying in 2022 

The first Jeep Grand Cherokee proved that SUVs, while offering a luxurious and comfortable interior, are able to provide their owner with outstanding off-road and dynamic qualities. While the Jeep Grand Wagoneer and its only competitor, the Range Rover, had a frame structure, the ZJ generation developed a monocoque body for the Grand Cherokee, and a transmission with permanent all-wheel drive. This combination resulted in the new Grand Cherokee being great on both asphalt and off-road. 


The introduction of the Grand Cherokee ZJ in 1993 marked a turning point for Jeep. The new model, being larger than the Cherokee XJ, had better handling and economy than the Grand Wagoneer.



At the same time, the Big Cherokee looked much more modern, and provided the opportunity to use all-wheel drive without sacrificing comfort. ZJ has become a revelation for motorists around the world!  

The birth of "ZJ"

The challenge faced by the designers of the Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ was simple: to enlarge the existing Cherokee by creating a larger body. Yes - the Grand Cherokee was originally intended to replace the Cherokee, and only strong sales allowed this compact SUV to remain on the market for another ten years. And this Jeep also had a unique layout: a load-bearing body was combined with a fully dependent wheel suspension: the ZJ used continuous axles front and rear. 

Engines

The base engine for the ZJ was the AMC 242 inline six-cylinder 4,0-liter engine with power from 170 to 184 horsepower. This cast-iron engine has practically no weak points, except that the intake manifold can burst on pre-styling machines. But this engine can withstand any bullying, “drinks” any gasoline and agrees to any, including mineral oil. Another disadvantage is the wear of the valve stem seals, after which the engine will start to smoke. And these are the only problems with this motor. 





The Magnum is somewhat more problematic than the AMC. For example, sometimes his intake manifold gasket burns out, which leads to unpleasant consequences: power decreases, idling becomes unstable. The biggest problem is that they are difficult to replace. Another disadvantage, compared with the six-cylinder version, is the high thermal stress of this unit, and due to overheating of the cylinder head on the V8, cracks appear in the cooling jacket, between the intake and exhaust valves. 

The most powerful of the first generation Jeep Grand Cherokee was equipped with a 5,9-liter engine, and power from 241 to 248 horses. This is not the best choice for the economical owner: a "charged" Grand Cherokee requires the use of gasoline with an octane rating of at least 98 units. However, with any of the options, the future owner should prepare for fuel consumption of at least 20 liters per 100 kilometers. The most economical version of the ZJ, with the Italian VM-Motori diesel engine, is not the best option for the Grand. Even when it was new, it was often replaced entirely under warranty, to say nothing of cars at such a respectable age. In addition, he is corny weak for the "legend of the dashing nineties."

Трансмиссия

The Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ was equipped with an automatic four-speed gearbox and subject to timely maintenance, that is, oil changes every 30 thousand kilometers, these units are reliable. Rare Aisin five-speed gearboxes were usually installed on junior R6 engines and diesel engines, and then only until 1995. There were several options for "automatic": 

✅ 4-speed automatic transmission "Chrysler A500", they are also 40RH, 42RE, 44RE, originally from the sixties. 
✅ "Chrysler A518" (46RE, 46RH), also four-speed.

The “46th” boxes are more durable than the previous ones, because they were even used on eight-liter Dodge pickups with V10 engines.



There were also several distribution boxes. The simplest option was without a transfer case, with rear-wheel drive, so when buying a Grand Cherokee, it is important to at least look into the cabin and make sure that the lever is in place. There were also several all-wheel drive options. 



The basic version of the all-wheel drive, "Command-Trac" (NP-321), was not equipped with a center differential, so you can only drive on such a "transfer case" on hard surfaces in rear-wheel drive, and connect the full drive only off-road or on slippery surfaces. Like on our UAZ-469. 

The next option, with a five-position selector lever, meant that the machine was equipped with "Selec-Trac". This "razdatka" is similar to the "Super Select" system from Mitsubishi. With such a transmission, the movement took place both on the rear and on permanent all-wheel drive, connected through a center differential, with the possibility of blocking the “center”. 

The last version was called "Quadra-Trac", equipped with an NV249 transfer case with three modes of operation: 

✅ 4 All Time - permanent all-wheel drive
✅ N - neutral position
✅ 4 Lo - four-wheel drive, with downshift.

In the latest version, the center differential was blocked by a viscous coupling, which included a lock when any of the wheels slipped on the front or rear axle of the car. In the “razdatka” NV249OD, a viscous coupling was already installed instead of a center differential. Perhaps this is the most unfortunate option for an all-wheel drive transmission for a used ZJ, since in the event of a failure, the viscous coupling is rigidly blocked, which leads to increased wear on the chain, universal joints and their joints. With such a "razdatka" it is impossible to install tires of different dimensions on the front and rear axles of the car, as this leads to its failure. 

All variants of the all-wheel drive transmission were equipped with a demultiplier.

Price issue

Observed specimens with mileage, capable of independent movement, are estimated by sellers at 150 thousand rubles. Taking such a car, you will most likely put it “to the fence” a month after purchase. Also, there is still a high chance of running into a stolen car with broken numbers: in the nineties, the Grand Cherokee was a tasty morsel for car thieves! 

"Ideal" copies are sold for a million rubles - a considerable price for at least a twenty-five-year-old car! The golden mean will be the purchase of "ZJ" in the middle price range, followed by restoration. This is not cheap, and of course there are other pitfalls here: the model is corny old, and finding spare parts for them at dismantling sites is already more difficult than before. And ordering from the USA, taking into account recent events, is a risky and expensive option.

Is it worth buying a Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ

In this case, the advice will be banal: if you know what you need the Grand Cherokee ZJ for, and most importantly, if you can find a live copy, then it’s probably worth it. In any other case, you will be disappointed: after all, by today's standards, the only thing that can attract the casual driver of the Grand is the omnivorous suspension. And the rest, including fuel consumption, will soon become a cause for frustration.