Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ)
The first Grand Cherokee was a larger, more upscale unibody Jeep that went on sale in April 1992 as a 1993 model. It made a memorable debut at the 1992 Detroit auto show, when Chrysler's Bob Lutz and Detroit's mayor drove one through a plate-glass window. The 4.0 L six was joined by a 5.2 L V8, and the 1998 5.9 Limited was billed as the quickest SUV of its year. It won several magazine awards and helped push the SUV into the luxury market.
Engines
| Engine | Power | Torque | Fuel | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 L AMC I6 | 190 hp (142 kW) | 225 lb-ft (305 N·m) | Gasoline | 1993 to 1995 |
| 4.0 L AMC I6 | 185 hp (138 kW) | 220 lb-ft (298 N·m) | Gasoline | 1996 to 1998 |
| 5.2 L Magnum V8 | 220 hp (164 kW) | 285 lb-ft (386 N·m) | Gasoline | 1993 to 1994 |
| 5.2 L Magnum V8 Consumer Guide says torque rose 15 lb-ft for 1995; Wikipedia's table lists 225 hp. |
220 hp (164 kW) | 300 lb-ft (407 N·m) | Gasoline | 1995 to 1998 |
| 5.9 L Magnum V8 (5.9 Limited) | 245 hp (183 kW) | 345 lb-ft (468 N·m) | Gasoline | 1998 |
| 2.5 L VM Motori turbodiesel I4 (export) | 114 hp (85 kW) | 221 lb-ft (300 N·m) | Diesel | 1995 to 1998 |
Transmissions
- 5-speed manual (AX-15, with 4.0 L) (1993 to 1995)
- 4-speed automatic (AW4, with 4.0 L) (1993)
- 4-speed automatic (42RE, with 4.0 L) (1994 to 1998)
- 4-speed automatic (46RH, with 5.2 L) (1993 to 1995)
- 4-speed automatic (44RE, with 5.2 L) (1996 to 1998)
- 4-speed automatic (46RE, with 5.9 L) (1998)
Sizes and weights
| Measure | Size |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 105.9 in2,690 mm |
| Length | 178.7–181.2 in4,539–4,602 mm |
| Width | 69.2–70.9 in1,758–1,801 mm |
| Height | 64.7–67.3 in1,643–1,709 mm |
| Curb weight | 3,574–3,901 lb1,621–1,769 kg |
| Towing (most) | 5,000 lb2,268 kg |
| Fuel tank | 23 US gal87 L |
A range covers the body styles and trims of this generation.
Trims and editions
- Base
- SE
- Laredo
- Limited
- Grand Wagoneer (1993)
- Orvis Edition
- TSi
- Laredo Special Edition
- 5.9 Limited
Worth knowing
- Wikipedia credits the V8 model with Motor Trend's 1993 Truck of the Year award, and it was Petersen's 4x4 of the Year for 1993, 1996, and 1998.
- The 1998 5.9 Limited reached 60 mph in 6.8 seconds.
- For 1993 only, a woodgrain Grand Wagoneer version carried the old luxury name.
Year by year, newest first
- The 5.9 Limited arrived with a 245 hp 5.9 L V8, Quadra-Trac, and hood louvres.
- Final ZJ year.
- The V8 became available with two-wheel drive.
- TSi and Laredo Special Edition models were added.
- A restyle brought new bumpers and grille and a new dashboard with a passenger airbag.
- Command-Trac was dropped, Laredo became the base model, and OBD-II diagnostics arrived.
- The 4.0 L six was rerated at 185 hp.
- Four-wheel disc brakes became standard, and the V8 gained 15 lb-ft of torque.
- The Orvis Edition was introduced.
- Side door-guard beams were added, and the base model was renamed SE.
- The Grand Wagoneer was dropped, and the V8 became optional across the range.
- All-new Grand Cherokee, on sale in April 1992 with the 4.0 L six and four-wheel drive.
- A 5.2 L V8 arrived later in the year, standard in the new Grand Wagoneer version.
- Two-wheel-drive models came late in the model year.
Notes
Consumer Guide says the five-speed manual was dropped for 1995, and Wikipedia's table ends it after 1994, but EPA listings include a 1995 manual. Dimensions differ: Wikipedia gives 69.2 in width and 67.3 in height; Consumer Guide 70.9 in and 64.7 in. Length was 178.7 in (1993 to 1995) and 181.2 in (1996 to 1998). Wikipedia gives 220 hp and 280 lb-ft at launch in its text but 225 hp and 300 lb-ft in its table for the 5.2 L. The 23 gal fuel tank comes from Wikipedia's WJ article (the WJ cut it from 23 to 20.5 gal). Ground clearance not confirmed.
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Jeep_Grand_Cherokee_(ZJ)
- consumerguide.com /used/1993-98-jeep-grand-cherokee
- en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Jeep_Grand_Cherokee_(WJ)
- fueleconomy.gov /ws/rest/vehicle/menu/options