I wish Jeep would release something like the 98 5.9L again w/ slight improvements of course. Great true SUV with some nuts. I would honestly have to say i enjoyed the 5.9L over the SRT - other than the looser handling.

Love the monotone body panel, exhaust, wheels and of course the hood gills. Ultimate sleeper - we use to smoke 99-00 Mustang GT's and rice rockets back in high school with this truck. The best part about it was they would look at you like you were crazy when you pulled up in a Jeep! I remember we could take anything(within in reason) up to about 70.

http://www.dragtimes.com/images/5378-1998-Jeep-Grand%20Cherokee.jpg

http://www.dragtimes.com/images/2156-1998-Jeep-Grand-Cherokee.jpg

http://www.stevenhawkins.com/Jeep1.jpg

I hear ya. I had a 96zj with a 408 stroker motor in it. Ran low 13s. We beat up on most any car and dropped some jaws back in the day. Beat many a mustang, camaro, lightnings, etc. Even worked a few grand nationals.


Was a great car, loved it but in the end the tuning was holding it back, and the fact that KRC performance dealt her the final blow.

We also wheeled the **** out of this truck - that was the best thing about it. Fast on street and capable off road.

I sold my '98 5.9L to my neighbor when I got my SRT8. It was only my winter rat, but I loved that truck. Fast and a tank in the snow.

When I bought my '95 years ago I was hoping for a 5.9L but couldn't find one within reason , and found an immaculate loaded 5.2L with only 67k miles for a mere $6k and had to jump on it, that was back in 2002.

It's surprising how well the ZJ's do on the trail. For what was once considered as a "luxury SUV" back when they were new they sure can take a beating! I've been through hell and back in mine, and it just keeps on going . . .

we use to smoke 99-00 Mustang GT's and rice rockets back in high school with this truck.



Cough Bullchit cough


Dude, A 99/00 was a mid 13 sec vehicle and a 12 with a great driver. Even a 600cc Rice rocket at that time was good for mid to high 12, perhaps you were racing V6s with GT graphix or Ninja 250s :D

IMO the ZJ 5.9 was the meanest and best looking Grand Cherokee. They look cool lifted ~4" with 31s or 32s on factory alloys. I still kick myself for NOT buying one of these in 1998 -- at the time, I couldn't part with my XJ and I didn't need two lifted Jeeps.

Cough Bullchit cough


Dude, A 99/00 was a mid 13 sec vehicle and a 12 with a great driver. Even a 600cc Rice rocket at that time was good for mid to high 12, perhaps you were racing V6s with GT graphix or Ninja 250s :D

Actually the 99/04 GTs were like mid 14 sec high 13 (if you had a great driver and a freak car)

I never had any interest in any Jeep until the 6.1L came in one.

Never ever knew those Jeeps had any balls.

Had a stone white one. Comp cam, Ported R/T heads, Ported Mopar MPI intake, Holley TB, Leach headers, Kolak 3" exh with a flowmaster 40, 1.6 Rockers, B&G tune, Built trans with a good converter. 13.30s were the best it would run, and on the street it would KILL 99-00 Mustang GTs. In the 1/4 the 'Stang would come around me through the traps, but on the street they were mine. My wife flipeed it into a cornfield @ 80 MPH, drove down into the swail, hit an access road, flew ~ 50 ft in the air, endo'd 3 times, and then barrell rolled 4 or 5 times after that, there was not a straight piece on that thing, My wife walked away from it, after crawling out the passenger door window, she broke her right Cheek bone, but never needed surgery and has no scarring, just a little numbness to the right of her nose. Those things were built tough, The crappy part is there is a F@#$in Illinois law wich kept me from buying it back from Insurance, as it was less than 8 years old, or I would have salvaged the drivetrain.

Funny how 8 years changes things, the SRT-8 starts were the modded 5.9 finished.

I have a 97 4.0 ZJ right now, I'm gonna dump it when I find another niner

As stated above they are tanks in the snow, very easy to control and very predictable. I could literally hammer down in rain as hard as I did in the dry, no traction control needed

Cough Bullchit cough


Dude, A 99/00 was a mid 13 sec vehicle and a 12 with a great driver. Even a 600cc Rice rocket at that time was good for mid to high 12, perhaps you were racing V6s with GT graphix or Ninja 250s :D

I think you guys are mixing up Rice Rockets ( Civics and 200SXs with fart pipes)and Crotch Rockets(Bikes)

i have (trying to sell) an all bolt ons 5.9 thats good for 13.9s. i love it but the SRT is a far more enjoyable vehicle all around. i miss not being able to hit the trails but the SRT is just as much fun in the snow.

my 5.9 will hang dead even with the SRT until about 40mph fwiw as well. gas mileage is atrocious as is the handling and build quality. the leather is a lot nicer though and it sounds absolutely intimidating.

I wouldn't EVER think about getting a Jeep....except the SRT8

I will admit though my friends wrangler is fun when going offroad!

Thank you. I was just about to correct him.

I think you guys are mixing up Rice Rockets ( Civics and 200SXs with fart pipes)and Crotch Rockets(Bikes)

Only one i would buy is Rubicon and of course a 5.9L

I wouldn't EVER think about getting a Jeep....except the SRT8

I will admit though my friends wrangler is fun when going offroad!

Actually the 99/04 GTs were like mid 14 sec high 13 (if you had a great driver and a freak car)

x2.... the Cobras were lucky to be pulling mid 13s.

IMO the ZJ 5.9 was the meanest and best looking Grand Cherokee. They look cool lifted ~4" with 31s or 32s on factory alloys. I still kick myself for NOT buying one of these in 1998 -- at the time, I couldn't part with my XJ and I didn't need two lifted Jeeps.

I own both and love both, My 'Niner has been converted to mild trail duty, 4 inch Rubicon Express lift, 408 stroker, Hughes tranny 32 inch MTR's, ARB front bumper with Warn winch, Trail Ready rear bumper, Aussie Rear locker, U joint front axle conversion W/ ARB air locker. Great Jeep for sure.

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr178/srm077/Niner001.jpg?t=1230338919

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr178/srm077/Niner002.jpg?t=1230338965

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr178/srm077/SRT8andNiner1.jpg?t=1230339005

I never really was impressed with the 5.9s. Sure they were quicker than an average ZJ, but some owners really thought they were the $**t saying how they can take anything on the road. Kinda like those '90-'93 Silverado SS454 owners who would talk their trucks up like they were some drag strip king, when in reality those big blocks only made 230hp!

EDIT: SRM- that is what the 5.9 should really be used for!

I never really was impressed with the 5.9s. Sure they were quicker than an average ZJ, but some owners really thought they were the $**t saying how they can take anything on the road. Kinda like those '90-'93 Silverado SS454 owners who would talk their trucks up like they were some drag strip king, when in reality those big blocks only made 230hp!

EDIT: SRM- that is what the 5.9 should really be used for!

The Niner is nice and quick- but does not hold a candle to the SRT. My Niner is no slouch but will not keep up with my SRT for more than the first 1 foot! No NON BLOWN or JUICED NINER will keep up with a SRT till 40mph!!! Maybe that SRT Clone on the boards but not a real SRT. To the dude who said that- Not hating Bro but your SRT must be a PIG or sick.

I miss the 5.9 also. Back in the day I had a supercharged 408 (stroked 5.9) in my 2K Durango with every bolt on available, including tuning from B&G. Nothing like 12's in an SUV back when that meant something. :D

http://www.dragtruk.com/PICS/GIA9XG0X42QZ1.jpg?20081226232753

http://www.dragtruk.com/PICS/GIA9XG0X42QZ2.jpg?20081226232831

Anthony,

Thats a badass Durango.

Anthony,

Thats a badass Durango.

Thanks Joe. Did you notice the intercooler hanging down in the front? :D

Thanks Joe. Did you notice the intercooler hanging down in the front? :D

Yes I did. Once again, very badass.

It wasn't the fastest, since I never got around to changing the 3.55 gears or upping the 5lbs of boost, but it was amazing for the day. :D

Here's a picture after I flipped it. :(

http://www.dragtruk.com/PICS/GIA9XG0X42QZ4.jpg?20081226234154

It wasn't the fastest, since I never got around to changing the 3.55 gears or upping the 5lbs of boost, but it was amazing for the day. :D

Here's a picture after I flipped it. :(

http://www.dragtruk.com/PICS/GIA9XG0X42QZ4.jpg?20081226234154

What the FAWK happened? :eek:

I gave it a little too much gas in a curve doing around 50MPH when it was a little damp out. That's all it takes with limited slip when your pushing 600HP without traction control or stability control. I lost traction, slid off the road and it flipped. As soon as it came to rest on the driver's side I climbed out of the open passenger window. As I was climbing out the fuel was pumping from a ruptured fuel line onto the headers. I'm a pretty lucky guy considering how quick the fire spread. :)

My mom had a White 5.9 awhile back. that thing was fun as hell, and the waffle seats were the most comfy seats EVER!!!

Only one i would buy is Rubicon and of course a 5.9L
Hmmm:
My Niner is toast, but I have owned 6 different ZJs over the years, I wish Daimler would not have cheapened the dash pad from the 96 -98 ZJs, they were nise padded Vynil pads that hold up well, and look much better than at least the Early WKs.

Here is my Wrangler, its a 98 with Rubicon 44's front and rear with 4.88 gears on the factory air lockers. I only have a 1 1/2" Suspension lift and 1 1/2" Body lift (To clear my flat belly up skid) and clears 35" Boggers at full stuff. I have a torque arm rear suspension with 2 lower links, the track bar and the torque arm, and JKS front arms, it flexes like a spider, is low, and has killer ground clearance. Best part is I am going to be swapping in a 5.9 this spring, I have a donor motor with wiring etc.. and a bell housing from a 3.9 Dakota which will bolt up to my stock AX-15 trans:

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/9F05-9-145-19.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/zo.jpg

Damn Anthony. You were one lucky mofo.


That was a beautiful Durango.

R.I.P.

very nice man

I own both and love both, My 'Niner has been converted to mild trail duty, 4 inch Rubicon Express lift, 408 stroker, Hughes tranny 32 inch MTR's, ARB front bumper with Warn winch, Trail Ready rear bumper, Aussie Rear locker, U joint front axle conversion W/ ARB air locker. Great Jeep for sure.

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr178/srm077/Niner001.jpg?t=1230338919

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr178/srm077/Niner002.jpg?t=1230338965

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr178/srm077/SRT8andNiner1.jpg?t=1230339005

Actually the 99/04 GTs were like mid 14 sec high 13 (if you had a great driver and a freak car)

Sorry Bro, My 98 GT ran a 14.17 bone stock and my 01 GT Vert ran a 12.97 also stock.



Thank you. I was just about to correct him.

I think you guys are mixing up Rice Rockets ( Civics and 200SXs with fart pipes)and Crotch Rockets(Bikes)



My bad guys, Ive never heard of them referred to as that. Is that a oxymoron like Jumbo Shrimp :D

Yeah the 5.9's were sweet. However, the 4.7 H.O. runs just as well if not better.

my 01 GT Vert ran a 12.97 also stock.

:jawdrop: I would love to see a video/time slip for that one!

I was thinking about this post, a friend of mine just bought a 2008 Grand Cherokee Overland, and it is pretty much the equivalent of the 5.9. I know it has IFS, but there are decent lifts available for it, and it does pretty damn well off road, we took his to the badlands in Attica In, and it worked suprisingly well bone stock. It feels at least as fast as a stock 5.9. It is not the SRT, but it comes pretty damn close to the 5.9 overall.

x2.... the Cobras were lucky to be pulling mid 13s.

You obviously don't know what you are talking about. Go to page 2, 2nd paragraph. http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/american_performance/2003_ford_svt_mustang_cobra_road_test+t-counterpoint+page-2.html

[QUOTE=BTLFED;324893]Sorry Bro, My 98 GT ran a 14.17 bone stock and my 01 GT Vert ran a 12.97 also stock.



Supercharged cobras with 130 more hp. are barely cutting those times, there is no way a 260hp car can run a 12.97, driver mod or otherwise.

Yeah the 5.9's were sweet. However, the 4.7 H.O. runs just as well if not better.

nah the 4.7hos are a tick slower and have no mod potential.

my 01 GT Vert ran a 12.97 also stock.


bullllllllllllllllllllllllll****

The Niner is nice and quick- but does not hold a candle to the SRT. My Niner is no slouch but will not keep up with my SRT for more than the first 1 foot! No NON BLOWN or JUICED NINER will keep up with a SRT till 40mph!!! Maybe that SRT Clone on the boards but not a real SRT. To the dude who said that- Not hating Bro but your SRT must be a PIG or sick.

Nope. Like I said, its good for 13.9s and if others dyno sheets are any indication its got about 400lb ft pushing 800 fewer pounds. After 40 its no contest but off the line a modded niner is damn quick. Line em up someday, you'll be surprised.