Didn't get much response in the general forum so I thought I would try here.

OK, this is where I am at.  I own a 76 Toyota Landcruiser.


It's a pretty capable vehicle with a 330hp Chevy 350 crate engine, a chevy 5spd trans and lockers front and rear.  It gets to be in the 100's during the summer here and it dosen't have A/C.  It also dosen't have much room for taking stuff to the range.  I am thinking of getting a Jeep Grand Cherrokee to use on those days when I want a little more comfort and need a little more room/ carrying capacity.  Also would make a good relieable bug out vehicle.

What I was thinking of getting was a '98 Grand Cherokee with the 5.9L V8  They only made them in 1998.  It puts out 245hp w/340 ft lbs of torque.  That dosen't leave much of a selection out there since they were only made one year.  Jeep also built them with the 5.4L V8.  It is rated at 225hp w/300 ft lbs of torque.  I plan on a 5in lift with either 33 or 35in tires, lockers front and rear so it will go where I point it.

My question is, will the difference between the 5.2L and the 5.9L be that much that I would be able to tell the difference?  Are there any advantages in one or the other as far as building more horsepower?

Thanks, look forward to hearing some of your opinions.

Scrap the grand cherokee and go with a regular cherokee. You will thank me later.

the 318's found in these rigs are fuel hungry gutless turds that offer NO advantage whatsoever over the astoundingly reliable 4.0HO amc engine. This engine offering was simply for the uninformed masses who believe that because it's a v8 it must be better

As for the 360 sure they run good, but expect 12mpg on a great day downhill with a tail wind


AJTurner1234 has give you all the advice you need to know

Stay away from both of those engines and find one with a 4.0 I6, you'll thank me later......I promise

I second the Cherokee stuffed with the 4.0L HO.

This

Do the V8s use the same axles as the I6? On the XJs the axles are the week link. With a V8 it would be very weak.

the 4.0 i6 is a GREAT motor

Think Jeep dipped into the Mopar bin,if not mistaken,they came with the 8.25.

the ZJ's came with an aluminum dana 44 in all engine applications as far as I know.

Not that the 318 is gonna put more abuse on the axles anyhow compared to the 4.0

I'm on the get a cherokee bandwagon.

I've got a '98 xj, as far as the mopar bin dippin goes, i've go  a chrysler 8.25 rear axle and a d30 in front in mine.  But they also came with dana 35's in the  back.

I don't put mine through enough to know for sure but i've read the 8.25 are actually a little stronger than the d35s......Still yet alot of guys do ford 8.8 axle swaps when they break them.

I had a TJ, and i needed something with backdoors for the kiddies....(carseast suck going in and out of the tj).  After looking around, i don't think i could have picked a better vehicle to suit me.

I love the thing, they are very capable and the 4.0 are VERY solid engines.

My friend has a Grand Cherokee with the 4.0...Hes got about 360,000 and only had to replace the water pump once.

That's a NICE looking vehicle!

I'm about to do a 4.5litre stroker in my blown up 4.0, lol.

Good luck to you in whichever way you go.

I had a '97 ZJ with the 5.2 - I loved that SUV, but with the full-time 4WD it was a gas hog.

I'd go for the 5.2 - they're more common, and will be cheaper.  While the 5.9 had more power, it actually has a lower towing capacity because it's limited by the heat the electric fan on the radiator can get rid of.

My 93 5.2 was hands down the worst vehicle i have ever owned

I have been around 5 or 6 grand cherokees with family friends and co workers all were shit even the 4.0 powered ones

as said get a reg cherokee with a 4.0

I've had both a regular Cherokee with a 4.0 and a Grand Cherokee with the 5.2 (318).

My vote would be for a Grand with 4.0 for the best combination of space and reliability/power/economy.