Specs, fluids & service · 1993–1998
Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ specs, fluids and service intervals
The numbers you need in the garage, on one page: spec sheet, capacities and service intervals, wheels and tires, and the parts to order. Sourced from owners, specialists and the factory; tags marked confirm in manual haven't been checked against a factory source yet.
Spec sheet
| PLATFORM | ZJ (export: ZG) |
|---|---|
| PRODUCTION | January 1992 – mid-1998 (model years 1993–1998) |
| PLANTS | Jefferson North Assembly, Detroit · Graz, Austria (export) |
| ENGINES | 4.0 I6 · 5.2 Magnum V8 · 5.9 Magnum V8 (1998) · 2.5 VM diesel (export) |
| TRANSMISSIONS | AW4 · 42RE · 44RE · 46RH · 46RE automatics · AX15 manual |
| TRANSFER CASES | NP231 Command-Trac · NP242 Selec-Trac · NV249 Quadra-Trac |
| AXLES | Dana 30 front · Dana 35, Dana 44 or Chrysler 8.25 rear |
| SUSPENSION | Coil springs, four links and a track bar at each axle |
| WHEELBASE | 105.9 in |
| LENGTH | 178.7 in (1993–95) · 181.2 in (1996–98) |
| CURB WEIGHT | 3,574 lb (I6) · 3,901 lb (V8) |
| FUEL TANK | 23 US gal |
By year
| YEARS | PLATFORM | ENGINE | OUTPUT | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Base, Laredo, Limited · Grand Wagoneer | 4.0 I6 · 5.2 V8 (from early 1993) | 190 hp · 220 hp | Launch year. AW4 then 42RE, AX15 manual, 46RH with the V8. Grand Wagoneer: 6,378 built. |
| 1994–1995 | SE, Laredo, Limited · Orvis (1995) | 4.0 I6 · 5.2 V8 | 190 hp · 220–225 hp | Manual dropped after 1994. Orvis Edition: 10,020 built in 1995. |
| 1996–1997 | Laredo, Limited · Orvis · TSi (1997) | 4.0 I6 · 5.2 V8 | 185 hp · 225 hp | Facelift, passenger airbag, OBD-II. Command-Trac dropped; revised NV249. |
| 1998 | Laredo, Limited, TSi | 4.0 I6 · 5.2 V8 | 185 hp · 225 hp | Final year; production ended mid-1998. |
| 1998 | 5.9 Limited | 5.9 Magnum V8 · 46RE | 245 hp / 345 lb-ft | One year only: 14,286 built. Louvered hood, mesh grille, 3.73 gears, rear Trac-Lok. |
| 1995–1998 | ZG export | 2.5 VM Motori turbodiesel I4 | 114 hp / 221 lb-ft | Built in Graz, Austria, with a five-speed manual. Not sold in the US. |
Fluids, capacities & service intervals
Most ZJs have done 150,000 miles or more and been through several owners, so assume nothing has been done. ExtremeTerrain's ZJ capacity guide gives the factory fluids and capacities below. For engine oil, ExtremeTerrain and AMSOIL's application guide disagree on every engine's capacity, so fill to the dipstick and check your owner's manual. Service the transfer case and both axles even if the seller says they were done.
| ITEM | SPEC / CAPACITY | INTERVAL | NOTES & PARTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5W-30 or 10W-30 (AMSOIL: 10W-30 above −18 °C, 5W-30 below 16 °C) · capacity with filter, sources disagree: ExtremeTerrain 4.0 5 qt · 5.2 4 qt · 5.9 6 qt; AMSOIL (1998) 4.0 6 qt · 5.2 5 qt · 5.9 5 qt confirm in manual | Baseline now; then every 3,000–5,000 mi | While the filter is off a 4.0, look for oil around the filter adapter O-rings.Oil filters for 1993–1998 Grand Cherokee ZJ · Quadratec ↗ |
| Air filter | Drop-in panel element | Baseline now; inspect every oil change | Check the airbox and intake tube for cracks.Replacement air filters for 1993–1998 Grand Cherokee ZJ · Quadratec ↗ |
| Spark plugs & ignition | Copper plugs · 4.0 gap 0.035 in (0.89 mm) · V8 gap 0.040 in (1.0 mm) | Baseline now | ExtremeTerrain lists NGK or Champion copper plugs. Replace the cap, rotor and wires on a truck with no records.Crown spark plug, ZJ 5.2 · Quadratec ↗Tune-up kits for 1993–1998 Grand Cherokee ZJ · Quadratec ↗ |
| Coolant, thermostat & hoses | 50/50 IAT coolant · 4.0: 12 qt · V8: 14.9 qt (ExtremeTerrain) | Flush and refill now | ExtremeTerrain says flush the system completely if you change coolant types.Mopar 52028186AC thermostat · Quadratec ↗Crown heater hose, ZJ · Quadratec ↗ |
| Automatic transmission | ATF+4 · service fill 3.5 qt (AW4, 42RE, 44RE) or 3 qt (46RH, 46RE) | Baseline now: pan drop and filter | A pan drop and new filter, not a flush. ATF+4 supersedes the older ATF+3 (ExtremeTerrain).Crown automatic transmission filter, ZJ/WJ · Quadratec ↗Transmission filters for 1993–1998 Grand Cherokee ZJ · Quadratec ↗ |
| Manual transmission (AX15) | 75W-90 GL-5 · 3.27 qt (ExtremeTerrain) | Baseline now | Only 1993–94 sixes in North America had the five-speed.AX15 drain/fill plugs and gear oil (RockAuto catalog) · RockAuto ↗ |
| Transfer case (NP231 / NV242 / NV249) | ATF+4 · 1.1–1.5 qt (ExtremeTerrain) | Baseline now | On Quadra-Trac, keep all four tires matched; the system works the viscous coupling constantly.Transfer case seals for 1993–1998 Grand Cherokee ZJ · Quadratec ↗ |
| Front & rear differentials | 80W-90 · Dana 30 front 1.3 qt · Dana 35/44 rear 1.8–2 qt · add 4 oz friction modifier for Trac-Lok (ExtremeTerrain) | Baseline now | Read the rear axle tag first: Dana 35, Dana 44 and Chrysler 8.25 were all fitted.Differential gaskets for 1993–1998 Grand Cherokee ZJ · Quadratec ↗ |
| U-joints & driveshafts | Inspect for play; grease where fitted | Every oil change | Check the front axle shaft U-joints at full lock.1330 driveshaft U-joint (YJ/XJ/ZJ/WJ) · Quadratec ↗Crown rear driveshaft U-joint, ZJ 5.2 · Quadratec ↗ |
| Power steering | Power Steering Fluid +4 (ATF+4 if unavailable) (ExtremeTerrain) | Baseline now | Look for leaks at the steering box seals while you're under there.Crown steering box master seal kit (ZJ/TJ/XJ) · Quadratec ↗Crown power steering reservoir cap, 4.0 (XJ/ZJ) · Quadratec ↗ |
| Brake fluid, pads & rotors | DOT 3 (DOT 4 acceptable) (ExtremeTerrain) | Flush now; then every 2 years | Four-wheel ABS was standard; old fluid is hard on the ABS unit.Power Stop Z17 front & rear brake kit, ZJ · Quadratec ↗Brake system parts for 1993–1998 Grand Cherokee ZJ · Quadratec ↗ |
| Belts & hoses | Serpentine belt and tensioner | Baseline now | Replace cracked heater and radiator hoses at the same time as the belt.Belts and cables for 1993–1998 Grand Cherokee ZJ · Quadratec ↗ |
| Steering & suspension joints | Track bars, tie rods, ball joints, control-arm bushings | Inspect now | Worn joints and bushings set up death wobble. Check the lower track bar bolt first.Ball joints for 1993–1998 Grand Cherokee ZJ · Quadratec ↗Energy Suspension front control arm bushing kit, ZJ · Quadratec ↗ |
Capability
| Towing | 5,000 lb (2,270 kg) 5.2 V8 at launch and 4.0 by 1995, per Wikipedia |
|---|---|
| Fuel tank | 23 US gal (87 L) 87 octane; the 5.9 needs premium |
| Fuel economy | EPA 14/19 mpg (4.0) · 12/17 (5.2) · 11/16 (5.9) city/highway, 4WD automatic, current EPA method |
| Curb weight | 3,574 lb (1,621 kg) I6 · 3,901 lb (1,769 kg) V8 |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 in (2,690 mm) |
| Length | 178.7 in (1993–95) · 181.2 in (1996–98) |
| 0–60 mph | 8.3 s (5.2, Motor Trend 1995) · 6.8 s (5.9 Limited, Motor Trend 1998) |
| Crash rating | IIHS Marginal (moderate overlap, 1996–98) NHTSA frontal driver 4 stars (1993–95), 3 stars (1996–98) |
Wheels & tires
| Factory tire | 215/75R15 (base/SE, Laredo, TSi) · 225/75R15 (most Laredos and early Limiteds) · 235/75R15 (1993 Laredo and Limited option) · 245/70R15 (1996–98 Laredo option) · 225/70R16 (1996–98 Limited, Orvis, 5.9 Limited) |
|---|---|
| Bolt pattern | 5x114.3 (5x4.5") |
| Center bore | 71.5 mm |
| Lug thread | 1/2"-20 |
| Biggest tire · Stock | 30x9.50R15 |
| Biggest tire · 1.5–2 in | 30x9.50R15 (31x10.50R15 with trimming) |
| Biggest tire · 3.5 in | 31x10.50R15 |
Common Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ repairs
- Kill the death wobble: track bar, tie rods and ball jointsDIFFICULTY 2 / 5 (bolts) · 3 / 5 (ball joints)
- Stop the 4.0's oil leaksDIFFICULTY 2 / 5 (adapter, valve cover) · 4 / 5 (rear main)
- Fix the Magnum V8's oil leaksDIFFICULTY 2 / 5 (sender) · 3 / 5 (valve covers)
- Sort out a sticky or binding transfer caseDIFFICULTY 2 / 5 (linkage, fluid) · 4 / 5 (rebuild)
- Free a stuck rear hatchDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Refresh the cooling systemDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Stalling at speed: check the crankshaft position sensorDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Fuel pump failure and a flaking tankDIFFICULTY 3 / 5
Always confirm torque figures, fluids and capacities against the factory service manual for your VIN. See the disclaimer; some parts links are affiliate links.