Looking at buying a ZJ jeep

[mlowe76]

hey guys

I dont know anything about jeeps however my wife wants to get herself a 4x4.

We're looking at a 1998 ZJ Jeep (I believe thats the model)

I've always been a landcruiser guy, but I'm happy to try a jeep for the wifes first 4x4 (a little nicer than my old cruiser, so its easier to convince her to buy it)

What should I look for with it, as far as problems?

What can i expect to be average fuel usage?

Anything else I should think about?

This is the shape of the model she likes, I beleive its the ZJ



thanks
matt

[sir_camel]

Yea it is a ZJ. I would love to build one. There is a guy selling a pretty well built one in Brisbane at the moment. Seriously considered selling my TJ for it. Check out the for sale section on www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum for details.

[mlowe76]

Hi there

Thanks I tought it was a ZJ

Well I took one for a drive today - and I ended up buying it.

It drove so nice (compared to my 1985 midi cruiser)

I'm surprised with all the electrics it has - I cant figure out how to use half of it

I'll put up a pic for you all its pretty small as it was taken on my phone.



I hope its a good one

matt

[Wooders]

Dang I was trying to find an article I wrote for 4wdM on the ZJ (Offically a ZG in aust BTW)...Can't find the danged thing....So I'll just rattle off what I can recall (it was yonks ago)...

Some of the problems are:
* Headlight glass prone to falling out - No real fix other than replacement. Apparently the local glass is too heavy for the glue used or something like that.
* Chewing out the front inside tyres - early ZJ's didn't have the correct setings - this can be fixed at the stealership if you are having the problem - was fixed (more like improved) after the first year.
* Seals - especially the pinion seals.....not a biggie - just relatively common.
* Immobiliser.....Sometimes they don't like certain places - and can not disarm....I think it was some carparks that were more suseptable than others.....Stealer can give different frequencies if this is a problem......often can be fixed at the time by rolling the vehicle about 1m......

Not a problem but also worth checking out - I beleive there is a transmission "chip" available from the dealer to give better tranny performance....

Anyhow overall they are IMHO a top unit and great buying these days....Well done!!!

[mlowe76]

Still sounds better than my old cruiser
and a lot better than the camry I traded in to buy this.

I'm glad I finally came outa the closet and bought the 4x4 I have always wanted hehe..

Now to convice the wife it needs a lift and bigger tyres.

[andy_noble]

They dude, where in Brisbane are you? My wife has a Grand also.

Stay away from Chermside westfield as the immobiliser doesn't work there, or so I have been told.

[mlowe76]

andy,

I am at kedron we go to chermside all the time

Lets hope it doesnt work there

I'll drive it there, and let the wife try to start it again hehe

I still have a few questions about my ZJ

can I fit 15inch rims? so i can buy some cheap steal rims and cheap tyres for offroad use.

I want to keep the 16's with the road tread for purely road work.


I also would like to know who/where in bris I can find the following

side steps
rear bar with tyre carrier.
head light protectors ( I know that sounds girly but I'd rather cover them up)

3-4 days to go till I can pick it up - damn I cant wait

Thanks
matt

[andy_noble]

Two places in Brisbane to ask about ZJ stuff, is hammonds and footos.

I believe you can run 15 inch rims. My wife has a WJ grand and can't because of her disc rotors.

happy Modding

[OzTeXs]

are these ZJ's any good offroad .. or have potential ?

[crossflow]

are these ZJ's any good offroad .. or have potential ?

TJ owners wouldn't say so but I have a ZJ and the wife has a TJ we take some pretty good trails around Melbourne and the Grand stands up real well. Only issue is watch that air intake. Sucks in water like a vacuum cleaner. And if it's muddy the drain holes can get clogged real quick.

I'm just about to replace my entire air intake with a performance pod so I can get rid of the air chamber completely that way there is no where for the water to sit anyway.

The ZJ is not designed for extreme off roading but if you like moderate to heavy tracks in stunning locations the ZJ can more than comfortably take you there.

[tigger]

are these ZJ's any good offroad .. or have potential ?

Although i've never driven one, we have a few in the Sydney Jeep club, and i gotta say, i've been impressed, with a mild lift and some 31's they seem to go well.

here is a pic of jetty's ZG at Appin