I’ve said it many times before: The vehicles most at-risk of going extinct aren’t exotics or luxury cars, they’re “normal cars” — old Ford Escorts, simple Chrysler LeBarons, and regular old Jeeps. The Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ, for example, gets no love from collectors, largely because it’s justifiably overshadowed by its prettier sibling, the Jeep Cherokee XJ. The result is that ZJs are cheap, often poorly-maintained, and just a basic fender-bender away from heading to a junkyard. That fate, however, cannot befall the most coveted version of the ZJ, the manual, one-of-1400 “Holy Grail.” I simply will not allow it, which is why I’m writing this post to help a gentleman find a good owner for his rare, incredible Jeep.
Whew, it’s been far, far too long since I’ve written about “Holy Grail” Jeeps, and taken a lashing in the comments from folks annoyed by the fact that, somehow, there appear to be far more Holy Grails than one might expect (apparently there’s only one true grail? I’m not buying it). But if anything, that just furthers my point that these machines are excellent automobiles that never die.
For those of you who have somehow missed out on my 2.99 x 10^8 articles about what I consider the greatest overlanding Jeep of all time, what you need to know is that the Jeep Cherokee XJ was meant to be phased out in the early 1990s, with the Grand Cherokee taking over. Chrysler decided to keep the XJ around as a cheaper, smaller option, but make no mistake: The ZJ was an improvement to the XJ in many, many ways. It was a bit bigger and only about 350 pounds heavier, it featured a fully coil-sprung suspension with a much nicer ride, NVH improvements meant the cabin felt 20 years ahead of the XJ, the cooling system was much more robust, the seats were more comfortable, and on and on.
The only problem was that Chrysler decided to install its own automatic transmissions into the thing instead of using the tough AW4s found in the XJs; the result is that many, many ZJs found themselves unable to drive themselves to a junkyard, instead strapped to a tow truck. There were, however, a few ZJs built with the AW4, and a few built with the also-tough AX-15 five-speed manual transmission. If you could find one of those, you’d have a machine as reliable as an XJ Cherokee, but improved in almost every other way. That is to say, you’d have arguably the greatest overlanding Jeep ever built; there’s a reason I call them the “Holy Grails.”
Now, just because I’m obsessed with them doesn’t mean anyone else is, which is why I come to you in search of an owner who can give this rare machine the love and respect it deserves:
Oh yeah, that’s right: It’s a Forest-green, tan-interior’d, manual Grand Cherokee, and it’s for sale at a reasonable price.
The owner did not ask me to post this; I’m writing this because I really, really want to buy this thing myself. I mean really want to buy it. Look at that beautiful tan interior! And it’s only ever been owned by a single family! That’s the original radio in there!
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But I can’t pull the trigger on the 242,000 mile Grail, because I’m moving to LA, and am in fact currently selling a Holy Grail of my own (see above). I will have my fleet reduced to five cars soon, and though it’s killing me a little inside, I know it’s for the best. Still, I can’t bear to see this glorious green machine potentially go to the crusher. “There has been limited interest in the Jeep and I am thinking of just donating it to NPR or the like,” the owner, Alex emailed me recently.
What the hell is wrong with this world? Limited interest? Do people not realize how incredible this Jeep is?
There are a few dings here and there, but you can find pretty much every panel at your local junkyard for dirt cheap. This is the single most common early-ZJ color in existence, and it’s also the best:
The armrests are a bit cracked, but otherwise the interior looks great:
As you can see, there are a few issues. Rebuilding the PCM is doable, and in fact, my friend Dustin has done it on his old “Holy Grail” that I wrote about years ago.
The rust doesn’t look too bad at all! (but you’ll want to check it by poking with a screwdriver):
Plus, the owner slapped in a new clutch two years ago! And a whole manual transmission last year! The damn crankshaft position sensor was replaced this year; that’s a tedious job requiring 900 extensions and 30,000 universal joints.
Someone, ideally someone not in the rust belt looking for a winter beater, should consider having a bake sale, making $3,000 off homemade rice crispy treats, and handing those 3,000 singles to Alex. Email me at david@autopian.com, and I can put you in touch with him, should you be interested in rescuing a Holy Grail from the cruel, cruel jaws of the crusher. You’d be doing car culture — and also your heart — a service.
Wow totally wrong. Tbe water to wine wasnt at the last supper it was at a wedding. The last supper was Jesus and the 12 apostles. The transubstantion is wrong its a symbolic thing. And finally Catholics have priests not monks. So i dont know what to say to a poster that really is posting everything wrong. Jesuits have monks, not catholics. But catholics? No monks. Maybe investigate next time. If you posted these kind of lies about Muslims? Well at best you would lose your job. Most likely would ridiculed for decades. In case you didnt realize it liberals are not just calling out conservatives anymore they are attacking their own. I admire them for that. But the fake liberals are probably no longer supporting the far left if they cant buy a pardon.
You really do enjoy demonstrating the breadth of your ignorance, don’t you?
Catholicism does, indeed, have monks (Benedictines, Carthusians, and Franciscans among them), and Jesuits are Catholic.
Yeah roman or greek orthodox or many other branches. Catholic is a general term not a specific religious sect. I didn’t want to get to specific because its a car site. But yeah i am ignorant you showed me.
Catholic is a general term not a specific religious sect.
Damn, you really *are* a disingenous moron.
*and yes, I misspelled disingenuous there
“I get things done. ”
You goddamned right you do. Your “never say die” attitude is what the car world needs more of. Even when it hurts. Even when its no longer financially feasible. Even when its a lost cause.
There’s something to be said for finishing jobs, come hell or high water.
That’s why I bought my 88 limited 4×4 XJ new in 88, and drove the flying fuck out of it for 33 years, coast to coast many many times, 13 states in residence, before I sold it. Then cried.
WHO keeps a car 33 fucking years and works on it and lovingly repairs it so far that when sold, it looked better than new? YES. Better. Repainted OEM color. Every single goddamn thing on it worked, and worked like it did 33 years ago?
I did. And that’s why I like David’s articles.
I read all the comments to be sure I am presenting “new” input.
David, You are a fine writer and a fun guy to follow. Having said that your obsession with Jeep is becoming tiresome. There are so many other things you have started and never finished. Take care of those before presenting with yet another holy grail. They are not holy grails, they are tired old mostly used up Jeeps that no one in their right mind would ever invest a dime in. Come on man, get real with us!
I’m not sure what to say; I like Jeeps. I have since I was a child. That’s not likely to change.
Also, I’m not sure it’s fair to say there are “so many” things that I’ve started and not finished. Postal Jeep? Finished. Willys CJ-2A? Done. $600 XJ? Done. $700 Suzuki? Fixed. $1 Oldsmobile? Mended. Brother’s 1966 Mustang? Daily-driving it. Jeep J10? Rebuilt the transmission; also my daily. 1965 Valiant? Drove it a full winter. Holy Grail 1994 Grand Cherokee? Replaced the clutch and road-tripped it. Diesel manual Chrysler Voyager? Complete. HHR? Complete. Damn Nissan Versa (cheapest car in the U.S. in 2009)? Fixed. 1991 Jeep Cherokee 5spd? Saved and sold back to its original owner. $800 Grand Wagoneer. Road tripped to Maob.
I get things done.
I havent been in my right mind in 30yrs… not gonna stop me none.
While everyone else is tooling around in some obese 5g connected cocoon, with their earbuds, device in their face.. and with a single sensory NOT deprived.
David is doing his thing.. by enjoying good old shit. AMEN to him!