these zj are looking good.

"Frank Grimes" (FrankGrimes)
12/16/2015 at 14:39 • Filed to: None

I dont know why but these older grand cherokees are looking nice. maybe I am sick of all the $60k trucks and want something simple and rugged.

Maybe its all the snow on the ground and this has 4x4 and could be had with a solid V8 . Maybe its that todays SUV is actually a bloated fluffy looking crossover and this Zj looks like a small higher station wagon in comparison.

I want to buy one.

I think I want a green one as shown in this wonderful artistic photo with a foreground of junk.

DISCUSSION (31)

jjhats > Frank Grimes
12/16/2015 at 14:44

I never liked these compared to the xj. these were the first fast SUV’s tho if you got the 5.9

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Frank Grimes
12/16/2015 at 14:45

Kinja'd!!!

I think that was a Cavalier, at least until the last time it rained.

MonkeePuzzle > Frank Grimes
12/16/2015 at 14:47

Kinja'd!!!

mine looked exactly like thsi, right down to the essential added lighting because the stock lights were horrendous. Loved it, great car. Unstoppable.... well until it got bent in half at a red light.

HammerheadFistpunch > Frank Grimes
12/16/2015 at 14:50

ZJ - solid mechanically. Interior made of painted cracker boxes.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > HammerheadFistpunch
12/16/2015 at 14:52

Were the V8s as solid as the 6s?

RallyWrench > Frank Grimes
12/16/2015 at 14:54

The thing about a ZJ is, if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Frank Grimes
12/16/2015 at 14:54

Get a Commander, they look even cooler, same suspension, 2 v8 options.

see:

Kinja'd!!!

HammerheadFistpunch > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
12/16/2015 at 14:55

no, but not too bad

Tripper > HammerheadFistpunch
12/16/2015 at 14:56

You are spot on with that, the interiors in those cars literally fall apart.

Justin Hughes > jjhats
12/16/2015 at 15:10

I’m with you - these always seemed like a poor imitation of the (IMHO) superior XJ to me. Though the later availability of a V8 is nice. My dad had a first year ZJ, and it only came with the 4.0. It was cushier than the Cherokee Laredo (top of the line, loaded) that I learned to drive in. But I like the XJ better. Seeing as how I now own an MJ, I’m a little biased.

jjhats > Justin Hughes
12/16/2015 at 15:10

I hate the zj and wj but love all other jeeps

Milky > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
12/16/2015 at 15:13

That guy - not the same suspension as the older Grand cherokees. ZJ’s has solid axles from wranglers/cherokees.

Frank Grimes > HammerheadFistpunch
12/16/2015 at 15:14

haha really? I have been in a freinds a long time ago and I remember lots of of square plastic things for the interior.

Frank Grimes > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
12/16/2015 at 15:20

hmm those do look cool but maybe too huge.

HammerheadFistpunch > Frank Grimes
12/16/2015 at 15:21

I haven’t seen a single ZJ thats not falling apart inside. They are not so good about it.

Milky > Frank Grimes
12/16/2015 at 15:22

Had one for 3 years, was incredibly happy the day it left me. Went through an engine(I-6), front axle diff, $4 piece of plastic in the transfer case, more sensors then I care to count and the transmission never worked right in the cold.

Get an XJ Cherokee, I treated mine twice as worse and it never complained.

*granted I was younger then and didnt know how treat cars.

Kinja'd!!!

AASHOUR6 > Frank Grimes
12/16/2015 at 15:55

wanna buy mine? 1996 150,000 miles. Straight 6 and has an oil leak. $900 local in denver

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Milky
12/16/2015 at 16:11

ahh dammit

CKeffer > Frank Grimes
12/16/2015 at 16:12

Kinja'd!!!

I had one of these as my first car. Dark green, I6, auto, and 2wd, the engine was great, the interior less so, especially the padded section of the rear door cards for some odd reason. It was a great car for a 16 year old, and lasted me through my first year of college, and considering I beat on it, and pretty much neglected it that whole time, I’d say that’s a testament to how mechanically rugged they are.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Frank Grimes
12/16/2015 at 16:12

It’s not that much bigger.

And this has a 2 inch lift kit on it. Which, if you look at stock Commanders you’ll see it REALLY needs. Looks like a wagon until it’s lifted a little bit.

If you get a higher trim level they’ve got a pretty great 4x4 system and even sincere metal skid plates.

Speed > Frank Grimes
12/16/2015 at 16:16

I bought my ‘93 5.2 a little more than 2 years ago for $500 and it is still going strong. It literally leaks everything, but hasn’t needed any more than a few minor fixes along the way. I highly recommend one of these, a WJ or an XJ. Whatever you find!

Kinja'd!!!

Frank Grimes > Speed
12/16/2015 at 16:37

I want that. wwhat a deal! looks good is it lifted and I like the tires.

Frank Grimes > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
12/16/2015 at 16:39

hmm interesting. they need a wood kit!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Frank Grimes
12/16/2015 at 16:47

C’mon now...

http://www.ptwoody.com/jc001.html

lol, not my thing, but it’s available!

You can make crazy trail rigs out of these things if you really want to.

Speed > Frank Grimes
12/16/2015 at 16:52

Thanks! I got drunk and trimmed the front bumper and fenders with a sawsall. What you can see turned out really well, but I biff’d the passenger fender up pretty bad. Dissapointing because the driver’s side was my first attempt! Being a beater I never fixed it and dented it up anyway.

That said there’s no lift. The trim and slight raise from the 31s gave it a little stance. I may do a couple inches next year when I switch daily duties to my long dormant Z28.

I really love Geronimo though. He may be my favorite daily I’ve ever had because 0 fucks are given. New scratches and dents!? Cool! Spills inside!? Great! At this point everything just adds character.

Frank Grimes > Speed
12/16/2015 at 18:14

awesome.

Frank Grimes > HammerheadFistpunch
12/16/2015 at 18:15

I remember a lot of creaking is my memory real?

HammerheadFistpunch > Frank Grimes
12/16/2015 at 18:18

unibody jeep? yeah, this is the real life.

Viggen > Justin Hughes
12/18/2015 at 20:49

XJ is best Cherokee (also biased)

greasemonkey235097 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
12/18/2015 at 22:06

The automatic transmissions are the thing to fear, specially with the v8

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > greasemonkey235097
12/19/2015 at 10:02

That’s what I was half thinking. What about the electrics?