XJ or WJ

[ADVNOMAD]

I've owned a lot of Jeeps over the years from the CJ3B in high school 30 plus years ago to the most recent sold XJ. Of coarse when your without, your always looking for the next one. I've always been partial to the few XJ's I've owned. Been looking at the XJ market for the next build as probably my last jeep. Take my time, build it with all the "want to's" and "wish I had's" over time.

One thing I've noticed is the abundance of WJ Grand's on the market. So here's what I'm asking. What is your opinion, Pro's & Con's of the XJ or WJ. Would like to find stock unmolested and build to suit.

Here's my need:
UNDER $6k INITIAL INVESTMENT
NOT AFRAID OF ENGINE REPLACEMENT DUE TO MILEAGE
OVERLAND STYLE WEEKEND CAMPING
DEPENDABILITY
4 DOORS FOR GRAND KIDS
DAILY DRIVER
MINOR OME LIFT
TIRE CARRIER/WINCH BUMPERS

 

[TXTrailHawk]

I have owned and loved both. I feel you would be happy with either and either would fit your list of needs.

I would buy either XJ or WJ with the 4.0L engine. It is one of the most reliable and easy to fix engines ever built. It is also darn near bullet proof. The WJ that I had, had the 4.7 V8. I never had many problems out of it, but it is much more expensive to repair.

The WJ is more luxurious, especially the limited or overland. It is also a little bigger.

The XJ is going to cost you less in aftermarket parts and there is a bigger selection.

I currently run a 2000 XJ and It is my favorite so far (I have owned six jeeps, 3-Wranglers, 2-Grands, and the XJ).

 

[Prerunnerin]

I love my 96' XJ, Sure its my first 4x4 and I'm Just starting to steer my build in the direction of Overland. But I've been in off-road retail for 4years now. Off-road literally is my lively hood. I have always been into the 2WD go fast desert truck scene since I was a teen and in comparison LOVE how versatile and capable my 4.0L is! I like to think of myself as somewhat of a Greenhorn/specialist. I am fortunate enough to learn from and collaborate with the best in the industry Being on the retail side of this, I would say the XJ has a much heavier aftermarket support when it comes to Bolt on or performance application parts.

 

[BCobe]

Here was a thread asking the same question.

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=144027

I had a 4.7 WJ and thinking about possibly getting another one.

 

[ADVNOMAD]

Thanks for the opinions (and the link), I tend to lean towards the XJ factor for many reasons. Probably the most important for me is familiarity & the aftermarket support. I never really gave the WJ much of a look until I started researching the market and find many low mileage grocery getters that appear to have not been off road for a good price. Started me thinking...........................

I actually started looking for WJ builds and pics saying "what if".

 

[MTSN]

I love the XJ and have owned several and lifted all of them, but I would go WJ if I was in your position. They're more comfortable, coils all around, larger, sturdier, and even the oldest ones are going to be newer than the vast majority of XJs. Here in Colorado it's next to impossible to find a clean low mile XJ for a decent price, but it's not too hard to get a nice WJ for the same or lower price.

 

[ADVNOMAD]

Funny you say "here in Colorado". Our last jeep xj, sold last year, we lived in Az. and found it in Denver. Probably going to regret getting rid of it. I have a tendency to build and sell. Hope to avoid that on this next maybe last one.

 

[L_Kilkenny]

Never had a WJ but owned an XJ and ZJ at the same time. The extra size and weight of a GC is well worth the price unless you fly solo. XJ's are cheap and easy to mod, great in town, great on trails......... but dang they are small. The XJ is gone, the ZJ is still here and gonna be hauling 4 of us all over Colorado here in a week or so.

 

[anviljk]

I had a 1999 Grand Cherokee Limited. It had over 235,000 miles on the 4.7 V8 before I got rid of it. Never changed the oil and it ran like a champ. Hit a deer going 70mph one night and never knew it. There was a vendor on Jeep forum by the make of Kolak that I got the lift from (OME HD springs, Bilstein 5100's) and had 32's. It's what sold me to by another Jeep because of how much abuse it took. Only downside was that the aftermarket lifts were pricy and to fit a decent size tire under it you would have to spend a good bit. Other then that, the luxury was awesome. Seat were comfy and sound system was better then what I have in my new JKUR. If I had to choose again, I would have went with XJ.

 

[dan0]

I asked the question myself when I had my WJ in the driveway (just got 6 months ago) and an XJ belonging to my cousin that I was fixing up to sell for him (shared profit). Just in moving back and forth in the driveway the comfort of the WJ is king.

Here's my need:
UNDER $6k INITIAL INVESTMENT
NOT AFRAID OF ENGINE REPLACEMENT DUE TO MILEAGE
OVERLAND STYLE WEEKEND CAMPING
DEPENDABILITY
4 DOORS FOR GRAND KIDS
DAILY DRIVER
MINOR OME LIFT
TIRE CARRIER/WINCH BUMPERS

1. Easily find a nice WJ for under 6k
2. For around that price you shouldn't have to worry about replacing the engine. I bought mine for $750 and have had to put a little into it (under $500)
3. Space, much bigger, I've fit a 14.0 cubic fridge in the back of mine, I can slept in the back stretched out, not scrunched up or catty corner, and just up front you have more area for small things in the various trays which an XJ has none of.
4. As dependable as an XJ, don't see a difference there.
5. Again more space than an XJ more comfortable
6. Daily no problem, practically the same gas mileage as an XJ
7. Coil suspension at four corners, nicer ride, nicer to lift.
8. BUMPERS, the one downfall. With an XJ there are many companies to choose from and easy to unbolt and bolt a new one on. WJ less choices, more expensive or start fabricating if you can.

Here was a thread asking the same question.

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=144027

I had a 4.7 WJ and thinking about possibly getting another one.

That was me! Yeah I'm definitely on team WJ now!

 

[Dagostino480]

Pro and cons of both.... I have owned both and can tell you that you will find a huge difference between the xj and the wj as far as comfort. The xj is simple as where the wj can have many different features as far as heated seats, compass, ect. I had a 96 xj that ran like champ but found that my 04 wj was more of a DD.

With that being said my xj was alot cheaper than my wj as far as a build goes. But i was able to find a wj in better shape, lower miles, and original owner alot faster than it was to find a clean xj. Find an old lady on autotrder that stores it in her garage and you will be able to get into a nice wj for 6000 with 30-50000 miles on it.

I had a IRO lift on my wj that i loved

My xj had a rubicon express lift that was just withing 20,000 miles.


Get a wj, 4.0, and try and stay away from the years 2000-2002 due to the 4.0 motor having issues.

 

[gmwelder86]

Wj with a 4.7 and 242 select trac 4wd system. Best of both worlds

 

[BCobe]

Wj with a 4.7 and 242 select trac 4wd system. Best of both worlds

This. If , or when, I were to do a WJ again I would do the NP242 swap with a Clayton 6 inch Long Arm and swap the 44A for a JK 44. Then do some bumpers and all thar jazz.

 

[ADVNOMAD]

Thanks for all the good info , and I value your opinions and the time you took to reply. I think what it comes down to is what level of comfort do I want at this stage. For the kind of wheeling I would do either model would handle quite well with a few inches and a winch for security.
It's more or less the cleanest jeep on the market wins!

 

[K2ZJ]

How old are the grand kids? Depending on the ages, backseat room could be a factor. I have a 4 y.o. and I can put my all the way back and we both have room. I bought a 95 ZJ because my long legs don't fit in the XJ well, and I just bought a V8 WJ to replace it after 15 years. I have a 4.0 ZJ and put in a stoker because I don't think they are enough power to move the Grands around. I didn't even consider a 4.0 when looking for a WJ. Bu,t consider I live in Colorado and pulling these passes loaded with gear is how we go wheeling, so a V8 was a must for me.

Either Jeep you buy, I would look to either of these guys first for your accessories: Iron Rock Offroad or Kevin's Jeep Parts. I have wheeled with both of them and have their products on my Jeeps. Great products and great owners.