This Rare Jeep is The Coolest, Forgotten Performance SUV NO ONE Remembers! 

Please do all us Jeep ZJ guys a favor and put it up against your homeboy's 'vette on the strip. I think that we'd all like to see that race.

I absolutely love these V8 ZJs, both the 5.2 and the 5.9. They are little monsters and are way underappreciated in the car enthusiast world.

I used to have one with a 3.5" lift on 33" tires. it was a beast with lots of torque. No issue spinning the mud terrains on dry pavement. I'm pretty sure a good tune-up will restore your power.

We (my parents) had one in Gold Hill CO. Best memory they were flying to Germany and we left Gold Hill late. It’s an hour plus to DIA airport and we have less than 1.5 hours until flight. I said “we can make it. If you pay my ticket if I get one we will get there. Close your eyes be quiet” we made it with 30 minutes

I had a white 5.9 for 6 years. Ran like a beast. Always had enough throttle to do whatever I wanted.

This brings back memories. A friend of mine had this exact same jeep. Was a monster and typical US SUV luxury oftge time. I had same body style with the smaller 5.2 V8. Awesome outside of gas mileage of course lol.

in poland we call it "niner" and it is quite well known in 4x4 circles

Everything you see on that jeep down to the chrome tip is all factory, my only gripe is the 249 vicous coupler full time transfer case, mine went out and acts like a part time 4wd that's fully locked and it bucked and binded when going around corners, I swapped mine out for a select Trac 242 with 2wd 4hi part time 4hi full time neutral and 4lo. They come from the factory with 3.73 limited slip rear Dana 44HD, a really nice 10 speaker sound system, unique leather seats, it was a all around practical suv. Also if you look under the hood at the crankshaft pulley, if it's a one piece design, you have a genuine 5.9L V8. It's externally balanced, the 5.2 has a 2 peice crankshaft pulley and it's internally balanced. The transmission is a unique set up, it's the same 46RE from the dodge ram, but since it's in a jeep, the starter bolts up on the opposite side, the transmission is pretty stout. I think that's about it, Oh, they also only made 14,000 of those and I think, maybe 2,000 of them were stone white. So you and I have the rare color ones.

I had a '97 with 5.2 engine. It was a great beast. I remember that a truck was stuck coming up our hill with a horse trailer (full) half in a ditch. I backed my beast up, tied a good tow rope to the truck and pulled both up that hill without breaking sweat. It was super.

I have one currently, in black, I'm thrilled to hear someone got one that'll take good care of it. Mine isn't in the greatest shape either, but it's solid. All I'd like to see, is you fix 'er up, and enjoy it. No need for crazy mods, except for maybe a good sounding exhaust, they sound very good. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I have mine!

I havent forgotten about these. I owned 3 of them, 2 Silver 1 white. My white one had the Select-Trac swap so it was RWD unless I put it into 4WD. They sounded great, super comfy and pretty reliable except for the difs. Chugged premium fuel at the rate of 14 mpg.

I own a 97 Orvis edition with the 5.2. Love it. I do all the work my self and I love the Interior from the Orvis. Best version ever for me.

This series kicks butt. Thanks for doing this. I LOVE the ZJ. Chrysler nailed it with this car. And the 5.9 was the king of the crop. Looking forward to more zJ action!

I had a 1998 limited with the 5.2. I loved that ride so much. It rode so nice for an SUV from the 90s

Pretty sure this wasn’t forgotten. Famous and legendary.

My friend had that exact jeep. It launched so hard we broke the driver seat. What also was weird was that it took premium fuel.

This is a cool GC! You should do a mini series with upgrades to paint, mechanics etc to bring it back to its original state and film it all. BTW, Brendan is doing an awesome job! Keep that guy around.

The heat issue is a blend door issue, should be an easy fix. And you have to mention what all wheel drive system it has because they used some different ones in the grand Cherokees! You've got a gem, they're great vehicles

1992 GMC typhoon. This was the performance Hot rod of the day.

I've had all 3, 4.0, 5.2 and a 5.9 limited. I miss them so much. My 5.2 and 5.9s were absolutely awesome and would get down off road.

Really great jeep. That 360 engine was awesome. Thirsty but awesome. Great video guys

The blower motor resistor and pigtail wire harness are known for melting together, it’s under the passenger side dashboard, if you search RU-vid there’s a video a guy made that has a part # , it’s actually GM , the corvette parts actually cross reference with the niner , anyway make sure you check that plug for the blower motor so it dosent catch fire!!

I too drooled over these back when I was in high school. Love to see these classics highlighted.

I had a regular limiter with the 5.2 and loved that thing. I'm kind of jealous that you got the 5.9 for so cheap...

Here's a tidbit of information for you. I worked at an AMC Jeep dealership when these came out. Before they came out they built a prototype with a 340 cubic inch engine. They gave it to Brock Yates and he brought it to my dealership a few times. I talked with him several times . It was way faster than the 5.9L .

Had a1998 TSi Grand Cherokee limited 5.9 Black/black Grey pinstripe, Stop to stop nothing could touch it, Some lady yacking on a cell phone blew a stop sign and T-Boned me and totalled my baby in 2005 with only 72K miles. Miss my GC !!

took a ride in one of these babies when i was like 12, and ill never forget how crazy fast it felt back then on some hilly backroads, and the body roll was scary around turns while hooning. good times.

My brother had a '98 Jeep GC with the 5.9. He ran a 14.96 at the strip. Quite fast for only 245 hp and considering the weight.

I had a 5.2 and it was awesome...Just not very fuel friendly. I had a chance to buy a 5.9, but I did not want to take a second job for the extra fuel. Both Grand Cherokee's were fantastic in the day. I really liked the body style and everyday ride quality.

I had a 2001 Dodge Durango R/T awd. Loved it despite the gas mileage

My 94 5.2L pulls off a 0-60 in just around 7.9 seconds completely stock with 90kmi on it. So I can imagine the 5.9 doing better if it was a bit younger.

This is now my favorite TFL channel. Resonates so well with me, especially Brenden. Keep it up!!!

I have a 98 5.9 ZJ. I used a programmer on it and now it's estimated at 300hp 400 torque. It also improved the gas milage from a possible 16 mpg to almost 24mpg highway. I've had 16 years and will not give it up. it's my daily driver. Only problem is when I step hard on the gas pedal the gas gauge visibly moves. But what a thrill.

Would love to see you guys do a light restoration of this thing

Hello Brendan. Nice Jeep! The side steps are NOT factory regardless what trim the ZJ is. As for your climate control, if you want to save some money you could check the side of the center console from the passenger side and somewhere over there you have manually access and change the air from hot to cold and vice versa. Not sure what to look for exactly but it can be done I know that for a fact because I have a 1998 ZJ with the 5.2 and I have the same issue. The car mechanic always switches the temperature for me. Hope this helps! And TFL keep up the good work!

Love my 99 Grand Cherokee 4.0. 01 engine installed with Mellon torque cam, 12 port Bosch injectors and a set of Bank's headers w/duel Flowmaster mufflers.

Holy crap! Sexton Jeep in Harriman. I grew up there! Their slogan was " get yer nexton at sexton" 🤣🤣 My cousin also founded Earl Duff Subaru which is one of the oldest Subaru dealers in the country. That Jeep would have been on the lot when my dad bought his 98 Ram 1500

I had 2 of these over the years and LOVED them. Now I have a Trackhawk and love it as well. Sometimes I wish I kept my old 5.9.

130k on my 5.9 had it for the last 5 years amazing ride.

This really brings me back! I crushed dudes dreams with this jeep back in the day!

I drive the 1997 5.2 L. V8. Tows 5000 lb. Awesome vehicle!.

still have one and love it! super comfy seats , exhaust soundtrack and go anywhere at will - just fantastic! love em and they will take you to the moon

I have one that same color! Love it! It's literally the granddaddy to all hot rod suvs!

Thank you for the ZJ love man, thank you.

Refreshing to see the OG slaying SUV being brought up.

I would love to see you refresh it. My best friend's dad had one and I drove it. I really like it.

Love the auction videos!

Look into the blend door actuator for your heat issue, the one I had go bad had gears inside it that had broke over time

My high-school girlfriends dad bought one of these new, and I got the privilege of driving it a good bit when it was new. For its time, this thing was fast for sure.

I bought a 5.9 in August. I've handled a few mechanical gremlins and it's got a few more but I'm loving it.

Beautiful G Cherokee, had one back in 98, loved the sound. Select track, awesome in Canadian snow. Exterior sand color. Awesome sound system.

ZJ’s are dope. Been fixing one up on my channel and love it

I love to see you restore the little touches on this

Love to get a 5.9 Limited someday but the ole ‘96 5.0 explorer be doing me good for now. Both excellent SUVs, but I personally think the 5.0 explorers are more slept on. Love these old SUV videos recently!

I'm looking forward to the off-road test with this Jeep

I’ve recently noticed these. Bought one in deep plate about 6 months ago and it’s coming along nicely. Really cool Jeep

I can feel tears in my eyes, the great ZJ. THANK YOU GUYS

My 4.0 is still built proof 360k on the dial and she still runs like butter

Sounds like you're owed a 7-second Jeep. Maybe an engine out rebuild project for the winter?

The chevy typhoon was there before that with more power and AWD, it didn't have a towing capacity but it was out performing Ferraris at the time

Shes a beauty!!! I had a 95 limited with the gold badging and saddle leather interior. I loved that thing. The transmission went out at around 150k, otherwise it was solid. The only thing I didn't like was the gas pedal was stiff AF....I hope you restore this beauty!!!!

Congrats on the purchase!

I remember this Jeep well. I still have the window sticker somewhere and it was about $50,000 back then. Sticker price that is. I love that Grand Cherokee with the 5.9 definitely has some fun times.

I loved the information screens these had! So basic compared to today’s standards. But told you what you needed to know.

I think Brendon is magnificent awesome review

👍🏻My daily driver is a 98 Stone White 5.9 with the sunroof. Dad bought it in 2000 and I got it 2 years ago, has 277k miles. All stock but a muffler. I love my 5.9

Loved mine. You could not get that thing stuck in snow if you wanted. I had snow up to the hood plenty of times and never even slowed it down. This particular one sounds like it definitely needs work, that is the factory exhaust too. The suspension was amazing in these too.

I really wish I could buy a white 5.9 to go with my 5.2

i got the 97 5.2 and it was free from my dads friend. I never really wanted it but i started driving it and fell in love.

these jeeps were amazing onroad performance wise but they are also really good offroad even without a big lift and tires

Decades ago my sister had one of these. We lived in upstate NY and she had traded in a 1996 thunderbird SC for a bright red 5.9 limited with black leather and gold wheels. I was about 10 and I thought it was the coolest thing and the sound when she started it sold it for me. Everyone thought I had a drug dealer picking me up from a school with the black windows. Sadly it only lasted about 8 months before transmission problems started.

I have one in Stone White, the rarest color. Mine is also a Canadian model. 230,000 miles and still going strong! Yes, that is the factory stainless steel exhaust tip. The calfskin interior is vehicle specific, too. Exterior condition is typical as these are driven daily. Parts are readily available. I'll never sell mine!

I had a 97 with the 5.2, it was a good rig, but i REEEEEALLY wanted that 5.9!!!

Cool video. Nice to know a car channel did their research. Also didn't know that this came out before the Shelby Durango.

I have a 1996 5.2 limited. Love mine, such a great vehicle. Tow package too

Nice find. I just sold the last of my 5.9 ZJ yesterday and miss it already, but sometimes the deal is just to good to pass up.

One of the cars I own is a 95-96 Grand Cherokee Limited 5.2, made in Austria by Magna Steyr. It has a RH46 automatic, limited slip rear, and a SelecTrack (NP 242) transfercase with 2WD, full-time 4WD, part-time 4WD, and 4WD low range. In 2 WD, and CatBack exhaust, this GC is one of the fastest GC's from the 90's era! Many of the GC's used the NP 249 transfercase with only 4 WD options. Also the 5,9 had to drive with the 4 WD engaged all the time...😉😉

Great find! Please keep it as original as possible!? Good clean examples are so hard to find! My Deep Slate example, that I purchased in 2000, and still own today (253,000 miles), pulled off a 15.1 second quarter mile...about twenty years ago. Not sure what it would do today!? Haha

THIS is what I was looking for. Ended up finding my '92 5-speed XJ Laredo. I'd gladly trade for one of these (which I know ain't gonna happen) or at least pull that monster of a motor out and stuff it in my lil box. It's a gorgeous piece overall, and I'm glad you got one!

My dad had one, it launched like a slingshot 👍

i have a 5.9 limited and had the same issue with the a/c and the problem was that some of the wiring had come loose in the a/c control. all it took to fix was some resoldering.

I’ve seen one with an nv4500 manual swapped in. Freakin’ AWESOME.

Those particular running boards were a factory option because that thing doesn't have the holes for the sideskirt brackets on the rocker or a piece of trim covering them. You sound like me a little over five years ago when I found my first 5.9 ZJ... Had another one within 6months.

I have one. Its in the shop for a workup/diagnosis of transmission&rear differential issue. Something isn't working. These are sweet rides. I'm glad I own one. Definitely in about the same mileage and wear range of 200K plus. Considering sending the motor out for a complete rebuild. New transmission and a complete restoration. These things are notorious for death wobble. The 5.9 is definitely a great Motor. I'm considering high performance mods. Thanks for the video.

I just got a 2003 Jeep Laredo V6 4x4 and I really like it. I am trying to fix the bugs at this point with the body scratches and a trans slip on 1st and a good detailing. I got it factory and was used as a hunting suv. I like your Jeep so if it was mine i would address the rust, then the paint, the heater / blend door, and the seat I guess in no particular order. Do people keep these up like to 400k and up? Is it just an issue with dropping a new engine or trans in them to keep them as a daily driver. I am just curious how long you can realistically keep Jeeps going and is it worth it.

I have a black one here in Brazil, 5.9 98, I've had it for three years, I have difficulties with spare parts here in Brazil, other than that the car is wonderful!! a classic !

We had a 5.2/318 94' model grand Cherokee that ran great for years while being driven hard and was no slouch even compared to this 5.9/360. I drove a 98' model of this and yes it was fun and had the speaker bar in the headliner.wss pretty swanky for the times. Nice vehicles.

you guys are showing so much love for the ZJ’s and WJ’s lately 🥹🇺🇸 as long as the frame and suspension mounts arent rusted, everything is fixable. I would start by doing an engine tuneup, new plugs, air filter, oil change etc. replace transmission fluid+filter- awesome find Sir, and congrats its a classic! 😎

Send to Out of Spec detailing to freshen up. They are in Colorado

I had this from the day it came out till 2006. Absolutely loved it. Traded it in on a 2006 trailblazer ss

I remember. My Dad got one new, used to surprise many a fast car at the stoplight!

I have one of those here in colorado its a blast to drive

Had a 1997 JGC and it was hell of a truck loved the old V8

The black and gold ones were gorgeous

I want to buy that Jeep so bad!! following until you guys sell, I live in AZ and will drive to CO for that beauty.

Driving an identical one rn haha she's my daily

I had a blue 5.9 limited in high school back in 09. had a comp cams cam, An msd distributor home ported heads, shorty headers and a full exhaust a ported throttlebody with an off brand injectors When it was dynod it had 340hp at the wheels (full time 4x4) so it probably had a little over 400 at the crank. It was a damn rocket. My dad had the Dakota 5.9 rt aswell and it was fast as hell for a 90s pickup. They were the performance trucks/suvs of the 90s.

I never had the 5.9 but my ex in-laws had two 94's 5.2 limited 4×4. And I had two 95's with the straight 6 2wd. I had speakers everywhere and rims and all. I loved the body (look) and how it handled especially with the rims. But ALL 4 had the same problems. Window switches not working, A/C not working, acr values, mine both transmissions went out. Radio not working. Just tons of electrical issues on the engine

I had the 2wd 5.2 in high school and mannn was that thing was a tire roaster lol Later on I put in a limited slip, k&n, chip, and cut the cat off.. thing was a sleeper!

thats the one Grand Cherokee I always lusted after , had 3 , two 4.0 one 5.2 but never could find a 5.9