Gotta tow and go...buy a 5.9 ZJ or a 4.7 WJ

[GPNDave]

I bought too much camper for my 99 TJ to tow so it must go (I put it on the 4 sale board today). I have my eye on a 5.9 ZJ or a 01 WJ with a 4.7. I've had CJs/YJs/XJs and TJs. I figure it is time to go large but am concerned about future mods (mild lift, HD bumpers, winch, etc) on the ZJ/WJ. What are some of the Quadra Trac T-case & front drive shaft concerns I will have with adding a 2.5 inch lift that I might not have seen on the lifted XJ and TJ? I figure the WJ is better on road. More toys are available now for the ZJ as well.
GPNDave
99 TJ, OME, Safari Snorkel, lots of toys that must go.

[matts96zj]

from what i've heard @ 2-2.5" you should have little or no problems at all. I'd suggest a BB w/some 30's or 245/75-16's should be good for towin' & no rubbing 31's w/minimal trimming

[ScottZJ]

I would go for the newer WJ instead of the ZJ. I have seen problems with the ZJ with that engine. Mainly it gets really hot and over heats. My 97 ZJ had problems with that also. Its cuz its a huge engine in too small of an area. I think they were able to fix those bugs in the newer WJ. Plus they look smooth lifted too........peace

[xjnick]

that and the mopar 318/350(5.2/5.9) has a rather short lifespan!.
go with the iline 6!

[pitdogXJ]

I've heard alot about these motors having short life spans but i had a 318 in my cuda that i beat the living piss out of for 165k and never had problems. it ran perfect till i swaped it for a 5.9/360. Personally i would go for the 5.9 you can make those engines put out some serious power with little work.

[xjnick]

just beacause it has the same cubic inches dosent mean its the same engine.

[pitdogXJ]

the internals are pretty much the same though right? the big changes are pretty much computer and smog controls on the outside of the block.

[ZJMark]

Originally posted by xjnick:
that and the mopar 318/350(5.2/5.9) has a rather short lifespan!.
go with the iline 6!Yeah Amen!! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: I got 255K on my 318 (5.2) now and it has never been overhauled nor does it burn a drop of oil!!

[ZJMark]

Originally posted by ScottZJ:
I would go for the newer WJ instead of the ZJ. I have seen problems with the ZJ with that engine. Mainly it gets really hot and over heats. My 97 ZJ had problems with that also. Its cuz its a huge engine in too small of an area. I think they were able to fix those bugs in the newer WJ. Plus they look smooth lifted too........peaceHey Scott Ol Buddy!! Longtime huh?
Hey the 5.9 NEVER overheated...it has the bigass electric fan remember?? He's comparing the WJ to the 5.9 not the 5.2.

[xjnick]

Originally posted by pitdogXJ:
the internals are pretty much the same though right? the big changes are pretty much computer and smog controls on the outside of the block.not really, pistons are dished differently, _slightly_ different crank, different cam,

different company, different design
hell even chevy was dumb enough to redesign the 350, yeah it doesnt leak as easy anymore.... but.. that the only upside

[wsuxjer]

5.9 ZJ's are only rated to tow 5,000. 5.2 ZJ's are rated for 6,250. The 5.9 uses an electric fan to help free up some HP, but at the expense of tow capacity. That being said, I tow my trail XJ with a 5.9. icon_smile_big.gif No problems yet and I've got 103K on the 5.9 icon_smile_big.gif

[ZJMark]

Originally posted by wsuxjer:
5.9 ZJ's are only rated to tow 5,000. 5.2 ZJ's are rated for 6,250. The 5.9 uses an electric fan to help free up some HP, but at the expense of tow capacity. That being said, I tow my trail XJ with a 5.9. icon_smile_big.gif No problems yet and I've got 103K on the 5.9 icon_smile_big.gif The 5.9 is rated at 5000 or 5500 (can't remember which) not cuz it doesn't have the power...it's got more towing power than the 5.2 but they don't want you to utilize it cuz the electric fan can't keep up with towed loads very well...but it does better otherwise...the ZJ 5.2 is rated at 6500 from the factory but if it came with the 3.73 gearing and the towing option then it's actually 6700 lbs.

[Cotter_v2.0]

Just want to bring to light the problems WJ's are having running aftermarket front bumpers....(specifically the ARB).....tend to overheat when new bumpers are added....

I saw this occur on my ZJ as well, though the problem with ZJ's is not as severe as it is with WJ's......I replaced my stock fan with the electrc set-up used in WJ's......super cool now.....I plan on pulling my CJ with it when the time comes....

P-

[GPNDave]

Great dialog ...thanks guys. What about the 1998 and later Quadra Trac. I only remember the late 70's Quadra Trac experiment which failed and I saw JTE test a 1993 ZJ with Quarda Trac in Tellico. During the test, all power went to the rear when they got on some verticle stuff. I mean it turned into a 2wd right in front of their eyes. I hope the new Quadra Trac locks up completely when in 4 Lo. I think the best case they have is the Selec Trac...you get what you select! 2WD, Full time, 4 Hi or 4Lo.

[wsuxjer]

The 96-up ZJ's have lo-loc on the quadra-trac t-cases. 50/50 split in low-range.