I am looking at getting either a Cherokee or Grand Cherokee.  I have only owned GM trucks (still do and ALWAYS will) and have good knowledge of them, but have never owned a jeep before.  I have narrowed it down to 1991-2001 XJ or 1993-1998 ZJ but still trying to decide which would be better.  I have already decided that I only want the 4.0L I6 engine.  I would like to know if the manual AX15 transmission or the auto AW-4 would be the better choice.  Wikipedia.org has been helpfull for information but I would like input from those that own them.  I am still lacking good informatin on the ZJ.  Any information on good and bad points of both will be helpfull.  

there is a ton more options for the xj, although the zj has coils on all four corners like the TJ and a v-8 option, just think of that 5.9 r/t option, the xj may be the better choice for simplicity and cost. the zj has a better ride and can be lifted a couple inches with coil spacers and shocks for a 3" lift give it plenty of flex or a all out suspension system that can make a TJ look sad. heres a url for a basic teraflex if you look a little further you'll find and awesome long arm kit.
I've always been a die hard fullsize chevy fan, then I drove a new rubicon near the end of 02 for the heck of it, since then the chev just sits there and looks like it could have the jeep for lunch.
if cost is an option and it wont be around long I'd say go for the xj.  check out Rusty's off road also.

http://www.teraflex.biz/pages/jeepbuilder.php?jeepID=33&prodID=84&subID=2  

Well...both vehicles are very comparable, I have a 94 Grand ZJ with a 3" lift and 32" Super Swamper TSL radials, and a friend of mine has a 99 Cherokee XJ with a 4" lift and 34 Super Swampers and my ZJ follows everywhere he goes. Some of the differences between the two are size, for one, the ZJ is slightly larger than the XJ, which gives you better interior room but less room to manuever on tight trails, for two, the ZJ has coil suspension which gives you better ride quality and a little bit more flex on the trail. On my ZJ I have the 4.0 with a home-made cold air intake, straight pipe exaust with a cataylitic converter, welded rear diff(I know, I know...) removed both anti-sway bars, and trimmed three inches out of the front fenders and trimmed off the lower portion of the front bumper, and on the trail the ZJ is just frickin awesome but not as good in the mud. The ZJ is roomy and has good cargo carrying capacities for the trails. For more info, check out www.kevinsoffroad.com  www.nagca.com  www.rustysoffroad.com  www.quadratec.com  Hope some of this helps you out.  

Thanks for the info and the web sites, I have checked them out.  Still trying to decide.  I am still courious about what transmissions and t-cases came on the ZJ.  Any more input will still be appreciated.  

The NP242 has an aluminum case and it should have a tag on the back saying New Process Gear, Model 242. New versions of the NP242 are refered to as NVG242 or NV242 which stands for New Venture Gear. The tag on the back of the transfer case will reflect the name change. Only the name is different.

The chain driven NP242 is a full time transfer case with a 48/52 torque split front and rear. It is possible to lock it into four low so it behaves like a part-time transfer case. When it is locked in, power will be split regardless of traction. The output for the front axle is on the drivers side. Low range is 2.72 and high is 1.00.

jeeptech.com  

The NP242 has an aluminum case and it should have a tag on the back saying New Process Gear, Model 242. New versions of the NP242 are refered to as NVG242 or NV242 which stands for New Venture Gear. The tag on the back of the transfer case will reflect the name change. Only the name is different.


The NP231 has an aluminum case and it should have a tag on the back saying New Process Gear, Model 231. New versions of the NP231 are refered to as NVG231 or NV231 which stands for New Venture Gear. The tag on the back of the transfer case will reflect the name change. Only the name is different. A NV231 HD model is used in some ZJs. Presumably this is a "heavy duty" version for Jeeps with the big V8s.

There are versions of this chain driven transfer case that take 21 and 23 spline input shafts. The 23 spline version is used behind the AX-15 and the 21 spline is used behind the AX-5 and the BA 10/5. The output for the front driveshaft is on the drivers side. Low range is 2.72 and high is 1.00.

If you own a 21 spline NP231 and you want to swap in a 23 spline transmission, you can either look for a cheap 23 spline NP231 at the junk yard or go to your local Jeep Parts Dealer and order up a new input shaft part #5300-6085. This is the part you need to convert your NP231 to 23 spline input.

Usage
Since 1988, the NP231 has been the "Command Trac" transfer case used in Cherokees (XJ), Comanches (MJ), and Wranglers (YJ). It has been the "Command Trac" transfer case in the Grand Cherokee (ZJ) since its introduction. The new Wrangler (TJ) continues to use the NP231, but the NP231 used in the TJ has a different tail housing that allows the removal of the drive shaft with out losing transfer case fluid.

Both version of the NP231 used in the Wranglers have an over all length that is long for a short wheel base vehicle. This can cause driveline vibration and premature u-joint failure especially for a lifted vehicle. There are kits to convert the tail housing to a standard yoke to allow the use of a longer rear drive shaft. There is also a 4:1 low range reduction kit for the NP231.

jeeptech.com  

I think I already answered this question... but I still say ZJ... not other reason than they are more comfortable... lol  

XJ BECAUSE  used parts are easer to find on-line  + ( u can buy a xj on craigs list for like $500). & just throw a lift on with a front & rear bumper & a winch & go beet the crap out of it & if it blows up get another one and throw your stuff on that one & repet  
hope this hepls.  

i have a 94 zj and it has 275k on it and i go out trail running with my friend who has a wrangler and exept for the approach angle i stay with him where ever he goes. I have owned two xj's, one a 88, and the other a 2001. they are nice but the room and ride difference in the grand is so much better i wont get another xj. plus the flex with the coils is amazing even from the factory  

I will be buying a 97 ZJ in the next couple months with the 5.2L V8 and 140K Miles on it. I have done alot a research on the different Years, Engine Types and Drive Tranes. Personaly I like the Extra Power/Torque the 318 Delivers, and with the XJ being able to haul 5 People around its just gonna add to the fun on Camping trips and Muddin. I have had vehicles in the past with Ample Power and cant wait to get back into a Jeep. Im thinkin my first Mod with the XJ is to simply get some Pro Comp Mud Tires and some Better Bumpers for plowing over small trees/ Brush LOL. biggest Upgrade I wanna get is a Warn Winch to help My buddy Get his Piece of *** Mercury out of the mud puddles  

if you have a 93-99 ZJ with the 5.2L V8 and found another Mod besides the Lift kits that you found to be a great add Hit me up  

FR_TOXIC:
I will be buying a 97 ZJ in the next couple months with the 5.2L V8 and 140K Miles on it. I have done alot a research on the different Years, Engine Types and Drive Tranes. Personaly I like the Extra Power/Torque the 318 Delivers, and with the XJ being able to haul 5 People around its just gonna add to the fun on Camping trips and Muddin. I have had vehicles in the past with Ample Power and cant wait to get back into a Jeep. Im thinkin my first Mod with the XJ is to simply get some Pro Comp Mud Tires and some Better Bumpers for plowing over small trees/ Brush LOL. biggest Upgrade I wanna get is a Warn Winch to help My buddy Get his Piece of *** Mercury out of the mud puddles  

if you have a 93-99 ZJ with the 5.2L V8 and found another Mod besides the Lift kits that you found to be a great add Hit me up

Funny you should mention that.  I ended up buying a 95 Grand Cherokee (ZJ) Limited with the 5.2L V8.

But just as a correction to the info in your post.  The 1993-1998 Grand Cherokee is the ZJ and the 1999-2004 Grand Cherokee is the WJ.  

Im glad you went with the ZJ! I drive a '97 Grand Cherokee limited, and it is the best auto I have ever owned. Bought it with 115k for five grand, and it was and still is in beautiful shape. If you could just shift it into 2WD it would be perfect, but the full-time has saved my ass from losing it more than once. The only repair I have really had to make on it is replacing the driver side front wheel bearing, which turned out to be very easy to replace, and cheap too. Things I have done to make it a little nicer is I replaced all the door speakers with boston acoustics, threw two rockford fosgate HE 12's in the back with a JL amp. Used a low-level line converter to get the signal to the amp to retain my stock deck, I didnt want to lose my steering wheel controls. The tweets are still stock infinitys, but still sound great, the system thumps, the bandpass box sounds great facing up in that roomy carpeted cab. I also stuck on the K&N cold air intake and opened up the rear with a flowmaster super 40. Combined with accel cap, rotor, plugs, and Jegs power wires, it runs GOOD. I can get about 15.6 mpg driving granny style, and it really wont do worse than 12 when really munching on it. I have 2 1/4 lift spacers, new skyjacker shocks and steering stabilizer sitting here staring at me begging to get put on, but my 2'' bumpstop extentions havent shown up. I also found front upper and lower ball joints for $60 that im going to put on while I have it all torn apart. Im keeping the stock rims but wrapping them with some Maxxis buckshot 265/75's. I love the look of black steel rims on a JEEP, but just couldnt part with the already "fly" look of those alum and gold honeycombs. People think I should get 15'' rims because tires are cheaper, but personally, I think a 31 tire looks proportioned better on 16'' rim. Plus no rocks in Iowa, just mud and snow. Well, I rambled on for a while, but I do love my ZJ, and I like riding in my friends TJ's,and they look cool, but I wouldnt trade the ride quality or power of my ZJ for anything. So enjoy that nice grand you picked up, and If your girlfriend or wife nags you for dumping money into it, just remind her that JEEP stands for Just Empty Every Pocket!  

really either jeep has its advantages. i believe the zj/wj models are coil sprung, allowing for more slink.  They also came with nicer packages.  The main advantage of the xj is it's low price and durability, other than that they are even competitors.  The other big advantage for the xj is that it has a rather large following in the offroad world, although the zj and wj models are picking up steam. so the question is not which is better, but which options you are looking for. the only accept ion would be with the grand wagoners, which came with dana 44's and were some of the premier offroad vehicles back in the day.  

I have owned a 94 grand cherokee limited for 5 years and it is my daily driver as well as my weekend offroad toy. I have personally not had many mechanical problems with my zj, but i am in the process of building it up on a budget and have found it hard to find inexpensive bumpers, racks, tailight grills etc... I have the 4.0L I6 engine with a throttle body spacer and the AW-4 transmission and have never been lacking power, especially off road.  

Well, I will give you one heads up, as a very loyal XJ owner! I have a 1991 Laredo that I've got over 200,000 miles on, and it is still my preferred ride. My 78 CJ7 is fun, but I could never beat the dependability of my XJ. I think you can still find an article on the 90&91 XJ's that Peterson's did a few years ago that listed those two models as the best models ever built of the XJ's. The 91 has the 4.0 with fuel injection, but none of the fancy computer electronics. I keep full synthetics in her, and she'll probably see double that mileage before I have to drop in a crate or redo the engine.

My problem right now is that I was in a little accident due to weather problems and damaged the front end and my brand new custom radiator. Now the insurance company wants to give me back a salvage title. Isn't there somebody out there that can vouch for the value of a vehicle that just won't die!!!!!! All it needs is a new radiator and some spit polish, new grill, surround, and headlight bracket.