To buy or not to buy, a 97 ZJ

[Talyn]

I went to look at a 97 ZJ tonight. 130,000 miles. 5.2L V8, limited (leather, power everything, etc). 4x4 (Qudra trac), tow hooks, skid plates, tow hitch. It drove well. No weird noises or anything from the drive line. Transmission shifts fine, engine pulls nicely, etc. Interior is in good shape, paint has a few scratches, but no dents or rust. It isn't without its problems. Needs new CV boots, front pinion leaks, brakes need a bit of work (or just some driving), shocks are original, slight leak at transmission cooling line, dash light dimmer needs to be replaced, needs some exhaust work, heated seats don't seem to work (wouldn't fix anyhow), and sunroof needs a new seal. Nothing major.

It has 130,000 miles and he is asking $2000. They seem to be going for around $4000. I'm looking for something to replace my aging 95 ZJ.

Should I buy it?

 

[Johnnie Walker]

Doesn't seem like a terrible deal to me. Anything you can swap from your current heep?

 

[Talyn]

Euro lights and the OME shocks from the current ZJ. I have some stock control arms from the XJ with new bushings. The tires and wheels from my current ZJ will go on the new one (Grizzly wheels & Bridgestone tires). The front and rear brakes on the current ZJ are fairly new so they will go one the new ZJ. Possibly the front sway, bushings and end links. The current ZJ has the "pillow" type seats, but they are tan.. so I will miss those.

 

[XJLI]

only thing i can think of is the VC in the tcase going bad leaving you without 4wd. theyre easily swappable to a 242 or 231 though.

 

[DrMoab]

My 97 ZJ was one of the better vehicles I have owned.

 

[squashman702]

only thing i can think of is the VC in the tcase going bad leaving you without 4wd. theyre easily swappable to a 242 or 231 though.

It does the opposite when it goes bad. You get binding if you're going to be making tight turns. Test it in a parking lot and if it hops/barks tires in tight turns, it's likely bad. 242/231 is a bolt in.

 

[XJLI]

It does the opposite when it goes bad. You get binding if you're going to be making tight turns. Test it in a parking lot and if it hops/barks tires in tight turns, it's likely bad. 242/231 is a bolt in.

ah, i knew something happened. didnt know exactly what tho.

 

[scoobyxj]

It does the opposite when it goes bad. You get binding if you're going to be making tight turns. Test it in a parking lot and if it hops/barks tires in tight turns, it's likely bad. 242/231 is a bolt in.

You'll wanna drive it for a good long while to get it good and hot to check it. When they're cold they slip like they're supposed to. When they get hot they'll wanna bind up.
Also The later ones can be run without the front driveshaft (IIRC96+) with out ruining it. Yeah its a hassle but really saves on the tire life for the summer.


Reliability is like any other Chrysler. Some will run forever with few issues. Other will be the biggest POS you've ever owned. My 98 5.2ltr Laredo wasn't to bad.

 

[OverlandZJ]

Theres a fix for the dimmer..

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/...h-causes-dimming-issues-picture-heavy-702703/

We had 2 ZJ's for a bit.. i always prefered the 96+ changes. Your 95 also a 5.2L? If not your gonna love the 97.

If clean thats a good price.

 

[Talyn]

My 95 is a 4.0L. The 97 is quite clean, just needs a good cleaning and the usual crap fixed.

 

[Talyn]

Picked it up this Saturday. $1950

Excuse the mess in the driver's seat. I just got through fixing the sunroof gasket. It needs a good cleaning after the repairs anyhow.

 

[OverlandZJ]

Niiice. I'm a fan of the cladding body color. Seats heated?

 

[Talyn]

They should be, but I am unsure if they work or not. That is the only thing on the interior that doesn't work.