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ILikeMud
05-21-2007, 04:01 PM
I'm getting sick of sitting on the floor and having no room to haul stiff with my Civic DD so I'm playing with the idea of getting a 5.9 for a new DD at the end of the summer.

I already know the basic ZJ related stuff to check for no need to ask that. However are their any 5.9 related problems that one should know about?
Who DDs a 5.9? Any complaints? Gas mileage overly bad?
They've got the 46RH transmission correct?

It will likely stay stock-ish being a DD and all but I will do a 231 swap and some other small things (BB and 31s maybe) to make it look cool.

fr3db3ar
05-21-2007, 04:14 PM
I dd my 5.9 with 5" lift and 285/75/16 ATs. I get 12.5 around town and 16 on the highway.

no special problems experienced so far. I had to replace my tranny cause I swamped it and I now have to replace my steering box. Other than that I've swapped in a 242 and hp 30. 4.10 gears with an aussie in the rear and an Auburn Ected in the front.

CurtP
05-21-2007, 05:02 PM
I'm getting sick of sitting on the floor and having no room to haul stiff with my Civic DD so I'm playing with the idea of getting a 5.9 for a new DD at the end of the summer.

I already know the basic ZJ related stuff to check for no need to ask that. However are their any 5.9 related problems that one should know about?
Who DDs a 5.9? Any complaints? Gas mileage overly bad?
They've got the 46RH transmission correct?

It will likely stay stock-ish being a DD and all but I will do a 231 swap and some other small things (BB and 31s maybe) to make it look cool.

My 5.9 is a daily driver and I beat the everlasting shit out of it on the street (but take it easy offroad - go figure). No issues with it over a 4.0 or 5.2; other than they apparently like to eat motor mounts. Yes, it has the big tranny.

Fuel mileage sucks ass - especially with the winter blend gas. On 245/75-16 MT I'm getting about 12mpg around town. With summer blend gas, I get 14-16 depending on how much I can keep my foot out of it (which isn't often). I don't really care about fuel economy though - it's still cheaper to buy gas for the thing than it is to have a car payment.

I actually like the 249, provided that the viscous coupler is in good working order. If I was going to put a part-time TC in it, I'd want at least a real d44 under it.

I just parked my 5.9 in the garage for awhile. Stock brakes suck ass. Having worn out pad abutments on the knuckles makes them really suck ass. I'm going to be doing a front brake upgrade (probably Vanco) along with replacing the rear calipers, all flexible brake lines, all control arm bushings, steering components and radiator/coolant hoses.

I'm also in the process of restoring the interior. Many trim pieces have already been replaced and I'm waiting to see if some of the bigger ones are still available. This last weekend I worked over the leather with Leatherique Rejuvinator Oil and Prestine Clean and am waiting for some headliner material samples to come in to recover the headliner and soundbar.

I actually miss driving the POS...

ZJZJ
05-21-2007, 08:22 PM
I haven't had a motor in mine in over 3 years, but I dd'd for a year. It was great with the 3" exhaust, ML headers, and a 50 Flowmaster.

I pulled up to 19-20mpg on the freeway going the speed limit. Normal driving with a great sounding exhaust usually meant 12-14mpg.

The tranny is a 46re by the way. The 46rh was pre-'96 behind the 5.2L.

dads5.9
05-21-2007, 10:36 PM
I drove mine as a daily driver for a couple of years on 33's. Great all around vehicle, normal ZJ problems, water pump and radiator at 120K-150K and tranny rebuild at about 120K. Average mileage was 12-15 MPG. The 249 has an extra stength main drive and the rear DS is beefier that the 5.2.

2jeepsforus
05-21-2007, 11:31 PM
The tranny out of my 5.9 when I bought it punked (I think someone dragged the hell out of it) I also had a warranty on it so I got lucky, other than that no problems. I know this problem is also with all ZJ's MAKE SURE THE HEATED SEATS WORK!!!

My mileage stock I really don't remember, but right now with my current setup I get 13-14 mpg's city driving (lots of hills) with the stock 3.73 gearing.

I can get 16-17 on the Highway, I just did this going to Buffalo.

I love my niner, yoyu won't regret it. Now lifting it, we all know how that goes haha

Dave

CurtP
05-22-2007, 09:50 AM
I've never found a 5.9 with working heated seats. It's a fairly easy fix as long as you can solder. No guantee that they won't break again though.

ILikeMud
05-22-2007, 07:08 PM
Hmm, seems like it's just the regular ZJ stuff.

Now the trick is getting one for a good price.

DJAY762
05-23-2007, 09:02 PM
I have a basically stock 5.9 and I have had no real problems with it. Biggest things were the viscus coupler needed to be replaced when i bought it ($1100). trans is the 46RE and from what I have heard tends to run for a long time but has been known to crap out around 140,000 miles

BlaineWasHere
05-23-2007, 10:11 PM
If it is a DD why not swap in a 242 for full time 4WD? I assume it is snowy where you are.

Green Mountain ZJ
05-24-2007, 12:38 AM
There are some nice ZJs in the MC classifieds right now. Maybe one is near you. In hindsight it would have been nice to have one with all the good stuff included (like some of those in the classifieds), though it may not have been quite as much fun.

NINE-T-1-RENEGADE
05-24-2007, 12:42 AM
So basically you should've just bought the civic for a temporary vehicle and stuffed a 5.9 in your old ZJ then Tony? :D Can't wait to hear the bitchin' about fillin' it full of gas yet again...

ELLLLLIOTTTTT
05-24-2007, 01:12 AM
IMO any V8 suv is a poor decision as a daily driver. I DD'ed mine forever on 35's. I picked up a little beater car for $1000 and it has more than paid for itself through the lack of fuel consumption. I have statistically figured how much money I have saved.

If you drive anymore than 20 miles a day I would steer clear of a 5.9 ZJ. Unless you have the $3.50/gal to pay for gas. Then go for it.

Colorado 5.9
05-24-2007, 03:21 AM
All these guys saying that they get 13 to 15 city with 33's are lying!:D

If I just drive city streets & no real highway the best I'll get is 11mpg. More like 9.5 to 10 most of the time.

BlaineWasHere
05-24-2007, 10:32 AM
I DD my V8 dub... I get 15 MPG with a light gas pedal or more like 12.5 if I want to let the V8 stretch alittle.

I also tell myself I should buy something better on gas and let the Jeep sit most of the time, but then I think I would just drive the Jeep anyway and let the DD sit.

SOLITUDE
05-24-2007, 11:38 AM
12.5-city/14.5-highway

And that's light on the skinny pedal.

zj95maxx
05-24-2007, 04:35 PM
theres a black 5.9 with 115k on the clock going for 5150 near me

I want it so bad

ILikeMud
05-24-2007, 04:43 PM
I rarely used 4wd with my old ZJ in the snow. Most the time the roads around here are salted asap.

Adam, shoulda, could, woulda.....live and learn.

My daily commute is like 20-30mins to my shop and then I switch my personal car for a company one.
One of the big reasons I want a ZJ again is to have room to haul parts around. I can't do that in a Civic. I'd perfer a CTD but I won't find one for cheap.

BlaineWasHere
05-24-2007, 04:54 PM
I rarely used 4wd with my old ZJ in the snow. Most the time the roads around here are salted asap.

Adam, shoulda, could, woulda.....live and learn.

My daily commute is like 20-30mins to my shop and then I switch my personal car for a company one.
One of the big reasons I want a ZJ again is to have room to haul parts around. I can't do that in a Civic. I'd perfer a CTD but I won't find one for cheap.


I know this might sound very silly but what about a CRD Libby?

CurtP
05-24-2007, 05:22 PM
I know this might sound very silly but what about a CRD Libby?

Painfully underpowered.

ILikeMud
05-24-2007, 06:28 PM
It's a fucking Libby.
I'm a man not a pansy or a queer like Elliot.

ILikeMud
05-24-2007, 08:55 PM
I will kill you.


















And then fuck you.

:gay:

JpRngr
05-26-2007, 12:29 AM
I'd perfer a CTD but I won't find one for cheap.

Have ya looked? We just picked up a '99 Quad Cab 4x4 CTD for about the same price as a nice 5.9 GC. Sure it has a few issues, but can't beat it for the money.:smt033


Corey

ILikeMud
05-27-2007, 06:19 PM
I haven't really looked yet Corey but when it's time to purchase something I will be looking.

BlaineWasHere
05-28-2007, 09:56 PM
drive what you want to drive with no regards for gas miliage, becuase you will be happier driving it even if it costs more.

Texas ZJ1
05-30-2007, 12:07 AM
That's what I do.


Hunter

RiPPiNiTuP7
05-30-2007, 02:21 PM
my first vehicle was a grand cherokee and i bought another one a few years later (what i have now), so i don't even know what it's like having something that gets good gas mileage. it's actually good in a sense.

2jeepsforus
05-31-2007, 12:18 PM
All these guys saying that they get 13 to 15 city with 33's are lying!:D

If I just drive city streets & no real highway the best I'll get is 11mpg. More like 9.5 to 10 most of the time.

It all comes down to driving style. I'm a toad when I drive my niner on the street. I have a Shadow to drive everyday when it doesn't rain!

Your also regeared if I remember correctly, once I get in OD my jeep is only turning 1700RPMS at 60MPH

HuskerZJ
05-31-2007, 05:03 PM
Yea my nine is my DD and I don't drive with any regard for mileage. Usually get around 10/17, although 55-60 mph is about the sweet spot where i get 18-19. It'll go back to 16-17 when I hit the interstate at about 80 mph. I'm getting a CBR when I go to the 35's

Green Mountain ZJ
06-04-2007, 12:46 PM
It's a fucking Libby.
I'm a man not a pansy or a queer like Elliot.

I saw a bumper sticker that said Hondas are :gay: . What are you using for a DD again?

rccolacc
06-04-2007, 04:01 PM
drive what you want to drive with no regards for gas miliage, becuase you will be happier driving it even if it costs more.

Yeah the last place I worked at some guy wanted to know the gas mileage on this racing ATV that we were selling. Salesman said "It's not miles per gallon on this thing, it's smiles per gallon. No one get's this thing for mileage." I kinda feel the same way about the Jeep.

ILikeMud
06-04-2007, 04:40 PM
I saw a bumper sticker that said Hondas are :gay: . What are you using for a DD again?

Getting 40MPG is gay??!?! News to me.

Ricers are gay. You can't get anymore stocker then my beater.

Green Mountain ZJ
06-06-2007, 07:42 PM
Getting 40MPG is gay??!?! News to me.

Ricers are gay. You can't get anymore stocker then my beater.

40mpg would be cool if it was in something else. Hondas always seemed like they were built for someone 5' tall and no testasterone.

BlaineWasHere
06-06-2007, 08:14 PM
If you REALLY want to get MPG's get a TDi Jetta... 35 in town 50+ on the highway.

NINE-T-1-RENEGADE
06-07-2007, 06:35 PM
^ if you REALLY want a ton of mechanical headaches and something that could've been designed better with lego, but a VW. Ask me how I know... Tony can vouch for that, VW couldn't engineer a toaster...

jsteves
06-07-2007, 08:02 PM
I get 9 MPG on my 5.2 and it does not matter how I drive, highway, town, easy, floored. It's all the same.

CurtP
06-07-2007, 09:05 PM
^ if you REALLY want a ton of mechanical headaches and something that could've been designed better with lego, but a VW. Ask me how I know... Tony can vouch for that, VW couldn't engineer a toaster...

I'm not much of a VW fan, but from what I've seen, this isn't true. My dad *loves* VW diesels and he usually has over 200,000 miles on them when he finally trades them in. He's currently on his second TDi and he hasn't had any problems with either one. He's had diesel VW's since 1980.

If I'm spending my own money on a European car, you can bet it will have a Roundel on it (and it won't be a diesel either).

BlaineWasHere
06-07-2007, 09:44 PM
There is not really to much to go wrong on a TDi

NINE-T-1-RENEGADE
06-07-2007, 09:56 PM
If you have the work done by a shop, sure they're great cars. Great on fuel, a decent ride, fairly reliable. But the moment you have to do any serious wrenching on them you'll appreciate the ease and simplicity of a jeep. I owned a 96 Golf Turbo Diesel. Had to do a tranny in it by myself and that was a royal pain in the ass. The starter motor goes through a motor mount for some fucked up reason. I don't remember why but I think the alternator was a bitch too.

Ever had to do the glow plugs in one or remove all of the diesel lines and injection on the front of the motor? Takes like 6 to 8 hours to change 4 glow plugs because you have to move, remove and disassemble so much shit. They're an interference motor, 'nuff said there. Not hard to toss a few G's out the window because the timing belt decided to shit the bed. (Luckily mine never did this, but a buddy's did 20,000kms after having the belt replaced by a certified shop).

The fit and finish is terrible, the interiors are cheap, the check engine light is constantly on for no good reason, the electrical shit is a nightmare. And to top it off, they're assembled in Mexico. Take a look at how the shift linkages are connected to the tranny. 3 plastic ball ended connectors.

Anyway, I went back to a jeep because i figured eventhough it sucks gas, at least I won't be tossing as many parts at it and when I do i'll know how to fix it from experience and not be frustrated. I wouldn't wish a VW on anyone unless they aren't planning on wrenching on it or have a HUGE tolerance for frustration.

I'm not the only one, two other guys I know that wrench on their own cars ditched them too. My aunt on the other hand takes her New Beetle to the dealership and loves it.

ILikeMud
06-08-2007, 04:34 PM
40mpg would be cool if it was in something else. Hondas always seemed like they were built for someone 5' tall and no testasterone.

I'm 6'3" and I fit perfectly.
It be different if I was driving a Miata.

I'm with Adam, I'm no fan of VWs unless it's got a warrenty.

bigrubbers4x4
08-05-2007, 12:28 AM
i love driving my 5.9 as a D.D. i have 3 grands, a 94,98, and 07 (the wifes). i am thinking about selling the 94 and using the money to long arm the 5.9 and wheel it, just cause i like it so much more than my 94.

i get about 11-12 MPG in town and about 16-18 on highway, but i dont care that much about gas milage, my S-10 on 35's gets about 8 MPG, it has a ZZ4 350 crate engine in it and i have a heavy foot.

Strada
08-05-2007, 04:29 AM
My 5.9 takes 22-23 liter on 100km with 33īs (so that are 60mph), i dont know the MPG now!
But the gallone super plus cost 6,82€ in Germany, thatīs are 9,41079 US-Dollar :smt091 :smt091
How much cost the gallone super plus in the USA??? (circa)

Basti

rho95zj
08-05-2007, 09:35 AM
91 in colorado is around 3.00 a gallon

vsh
08-06-2007, 01:32 AM
Why not just get a toyota pick up if your going to haul around parts as a DD? I've never thought of a ZJ as a cargo machine ever.

alteredxj
09-16-2007, 07:43 AM
i just picked up a 5.9 yesterday 129k minnor rust $3800.00 cash:D

Green Mountain ZJ
09-16-2007, 01:16 PM
i just picked up a 5.9 yesterday 129k minnor rust $3800.00 cash:D

But are you going to wheel it?:D

alteredxj
09-17-2007, 08:27 AM
mabey mild wheeling if its hardcore i will take my xjhttp://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w320/alteredxj/Picture352.jpg[IMG]http://i179.photobucket

alteredxj
09-17-2007, 08:28 AM
this is my xj [IMG]http://i179.photobucket

Green Mountain ZJ
09-17-2007, 10:12 AM
It seems odd to look at a ZJ with no lift these days. That 5.9 looks alright though. I've got a 96 HP 30 out of an XJ and some Stillen Performance brakes if you are looking for some local parts. I am in central VT. I can show you what your Jeep would like with 35s :D as mine is 97 Limited and the same color. No vents in the hood though :( .

Sorry for the hijack Anthony. Did you come to any conclusions on the 5.9 as a DD?

ILikeMud
09-17-2007, 10:47 AM
I'd be all over a 5.9 for a DD but I'm feeling to fucking cheap these days. I've got to move in a few months so I really don't want to lay out $5000-6000 on a new DD.

I have found something interesting though that I'm almost 99% sure I'm gonna buy.

alteredxj
09-17-2007, 11:23 AM
thanks gm zj but i have 4 hp30 and if i do an axle swap i will put the waggi 44 i have under it. It is weird having a stock jeep but im driving 500+ miles a week for work so i wanted something i like. i was putting to many miles on my Z71

Green Mountain ZJ
09-17-2007, 09:51 PM
thanks gm zj but i have 4 hp30 and if i do an axle swap i will put the waggi 44 i have under it. It is weird having a stock jeep but im driving 500+ miles a week for work so i wanted something i like. i was putting to many miles on my Z71


I'd like to see more pics of the XJ. You can just see it in the background of the ZJ.


I'd be all over a 5.9 for a DD but I'm feeling to fucking cheap these days. I've got to move in a few months so I really don't want to lay out $5000-6000 on a new DD.

I have found something interesting though that I'm almost 99% sure I'm gonna buy.

Sure... leave us hanging.

ILikeMud
09-17-2007, 10:56 PM
Sure... leave us hanging.

That's the whole point!

alteredxj
09-18-2007, 08:26 AM
ok herer a few http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w320/alteredxj/Picture250.jpg http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w320/alteredxj/Picture250.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w320/alteredxj/Picture254.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w320/alteredxj/Picture005.jpg