jeep grand cherokee zj bill of materials

Although rear-wheel drive was offered, the primary appeal of the Grand Cherokee was its available four-wheel drive systems, Command-Trac (part-time) or Selec-Trac (full-time).Ĭarrying over from the XJ Cherokee was AMC's 4.0L H.O. The formula suspended the ZJ's unibody monocoque on top of solid axles front and rear by way of coil springs at all four corners, giving the truck a unique blend of articulation, strength, and sophistication in the corners that other similarly-sized sport-utilities had trouble matching. Indeed, the Grand Cherokee was originally intended to replace the smaller Cherokee altogether until strong sales kept the compact SUV in the mix for another decade. The design brief of the Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ was simple: expand the existing Cherokee's blend of around town competence and rough-and-tumble ruggedness into a larger package. While there are definitely reasons as to its affordable pricing compared to other SUVs from the same era, there's also a lot to like about the ZJ 4x4. Soon, other automakers would be struggling to field luxury trucks of their own, kicking off an SUV gold rush that continues to this day.ĭespite its crucial role in building Jeep's big '90s surge, today the Grand Cherokee is a surprisingly cheap pick up as a used four-wheeler. Larger than the boxy Cherokee, more poised (and fuel efficient) than the Grand Wagoneer, and delivering substantial four-wheel drive capability without impeding smoothness during the daily drive, the Grand Cherokee was a revelation. While the Jeep Grand Wagoneer and the Range Rover that preceded it had been comfortable trucks, the ZJ generation Grand Cherokee traded the body on frame design of the past for a 4x4 unibody platform that would carry itself just as well on pavement as it did on the trail.Īrriving in 1993, the Grand Cherokee ZJ was a major turning point for Jeep. When the original Jeep Grand Cherokee arrived on the scene it proved that not only could SUVs offer luxury, but they could also pack modern technology without losing their off-road chops.

Jeep grand cherokee zj bill of materials