Tuesday, April 1, 2014

A Look Back: The 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee "ZJ"



A Look Back: The 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee “ZJ”:


            In the early 1980’s, American Motors Corporation (AMC), owners of Jeep at the time, were already designing the successor to its newly-introduced 1984 Jeep Cherokee and Wagoneer XJ. However, that project was put on hold in 1987, when American Motors Corporation sold off all of its assets to Chrysler Corporation. In the late 1980’s, however, it became apparent that the Cherokee was the second most popular Jeep vehicle next to the newly-introduced 1987 Wrangler YJ, and so Chrysler Corporation decided to replace the aging Grand Wagoneer SJ, whose platform debuted all the way back in 1966, and which, ironically, also served as the platform for the Cherokee SJ, which was introduced in 1974, and was sold all the way up until 1983, when the Cherokee and Wagoneer XJ replaced it. In 1989, Jeep showed the Concept I at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan. The Concept I previewed Jeep’s newest project, which would become the Grand Cherokee ZJ. Today, we’ll take a look back at the 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ and what made it so special.
            In 1991, Chrysler Corporation built a new automotive manufacturing facility, called the Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) on Conner Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, where Jeep’s all-new vehicle would be produced. The Grand Cherokee ZJ would be the only Jeep vehicle not manufactured at Chrysler Corporation’s Toledo Complex in Toledo, Ohio, which manufactured the Jeep Cherokee XJ and the Jeep Wrangler YJ. The then-all-new 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ finally debuted in its production form at the 1992 North American Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan, where it debuted as the Concept I three years earlier, in 1989. Bob Lutz, who is most well known for being the President of General Motors Corporation up until recent years, drove then Mayor of Detroit, Michigan (Coleman Young), up the stairs of Cobo Hall in a Poppy Red 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ Laredo, through a plate-glass window that was set up specifically for the ZJ’s debut, and onto the 1992 NAIAS’s show floor for the press to see for the first time. The all-new 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ would start production in April of 1992, and would go on sale in showrooms nationwide shortly after.
            The Grand Cherokee had some fierce competition for 1993: the Chevrolet Blazer K5, which had been on sale for many years, and the Ford Explorer, which replaced the aging Bronco II for 1991, so Jeep knew they had to make the Grand Cherokee ZJ stand out with many innovative features. For example, the 4.0L “Power-Tech” Inline Six-Cylinder (I6) engine produced 190 horsepower, which was the most horsepower in its class, as well as 220 lb. feet of torque, also the best in its class (a 220-horsepower, 5.2L “Magnum” V8 engine with 220 horsepower and 285 lb. ft. of torque, sourced from Chrysler, would later become available, as would two-wheel, or rear-wheel-drive, for those customers who only needed the versatility of the Grand Cherokee, and did not necessarily live in a climate that would warrant needing four-wheel-drive). That engine could be paired to either an Aisin five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. The SelecTrac full-time, shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system made the Grand Cherokee not only luxurious, but also capable off-road as well as on. A driver’s side SRS front airbag mounted in the steering wheel made the Grand Cherokee the only sport utility vehicle (SUV) to feature a standard driver’s-side airbag. The air conditioning and heating (HVAC) system featured the new R134a refrigerant, which was better for the government than the older-style air conditioning refrigerant, and was made with less hazardous chemicals. A six-speaker, 120-watt AccuSound by Jensen (later, Infinity Gold) premium sound system was one of the only premium sound systems available on a vehicle in its class, and four speakers came standard, whereas the other vehicles running up against the Grand Cherokee only featured two standard speakers up front. The Grand Cherokee also featured a standard A/M-F/M stereo, though a cassette player could be added, as could another class-exclusive feature: an in-dash CD player, allowing the Grand Cherokee’s owner to play music from whatever source they choose. Not to mention, the Grand Cherokee differentiated itself from its Cherokee sibling by rounding off the design in the rear, and giving the rear end more dimension. The interior was available in vinyl, cloth, or leather, and luxurious features such as heated front seats and a power tilt and sliding sunroof later became available.
            Unfortunately, in 1996, Jeep realized that the Grand Cherokee ZJ’s competitors, the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Explorer, offered more features than the Grand Cherokee did, and so the Grand Cherokee was not only given a styling update inside and out, but also new features to remain on the cutting-edge. For example, an A/M-F/M stereo with dual-media cassette and CD players became available, as did standard SRS front airbags in the steering wheel and front passenger’s compartment. A tilt and sliding sunroof became available, as did optional heated front seats when the Grand Cherokee was equipped with leather seating surfaces. Wood trim now adorned the entire interior, regardless of which model a consumer chose, and the base, not-so-luxurious SE model was dropped, adding standard power windows and door locks, an A/M-F/M stereo with cassette player, as well as keyless entry and air conditioning, plus cloth seating surfaces as standard equipment. The Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ lasted until 1998, when the then-all-new 1999 Grand Cherokee WJ replaced it.




Finally, let’s go over some of the model year changes from 1993-1998:

1993: All-new 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee ”ZJ”  introduced at 1992 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), Vehicle goes on sale midyear in 1992 (started production in April of 1992), 5.2L High-Output “Magnum” V8 engine (220 HP/285 Lb. Ft. of Torque) introduced midyear, 4X2 models introduced midyear, Grand Wagoneer Limited model introduced midyear.

1994: Grand Wagoneer Limited model dropped, Automatic transmission redesigned with ‘Overdrive Off’ switch, Base model renamed SE, Side-impact door beams added to all four doors for improved safety, ‘AccuSound by Jensen’ premium sound system renamed the ‘Infinity Gold’ premium sound system.

1995: SE model gains standard power windows and door locks, Luxurious Orvis Edition model added, Power tilt and sliding sunroof and heated dual front seats become available options.

1996: Slight restyling inside and out for all models, passenger’s-side SRS front airbag added, Base SE model dropped (Laredo model becomes base model), Cloth seating surfaces become standard, A/M-F/M-Cassette stereo becomes standard, A/M-F/M-Cassette-CD stereo now offered, Manual transmission option dropped, 4.0L “Power-Tech” High-Output I6 engine drops horsepower by 5 HP (to 185 HP) while improving fuel economy.

1997: Sporty TSi model added, 4X2 now available with V8 engine, Transmission improved for smoother gear shifts, Torque on 5.2L “Magnum” High-Output V8 engine gets increased torque by 20 Lb. Ft. of Torque (to 305 Lb. Ft. of Torque).

1998: Orvis Edition model dropped, Luxurious and sporty 5.9L Limited model added, 5.9L “Magnum” High-Output V8 engine (240 HP/305 Lb. Ft. of Torque) now available, though only with 5.9L Limited model, Last year of “ZJ” Grand Cherokees, All-new 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee “WJ” starts production midyear in 1998 as an early 1999 model year (MY) vehicle.

-Vincent D., Vincent’s Auto Reviews

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