The Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ) is the first generation of the Jeep Grand Cherokee sport utility vehicle. Introduced in 1992 for the 1993 model year, development of the ZJ Grand Cherokee began under American Motors Corporation (AMC) as a mid-sized successor to the compact Jeep Cherokee (XJ) intended to replace both it and the aging Jeep Wagoneer (SJ). The XJ version was continued after AMC was acquired by Chrysler in 1987.
Export models produced at the plant in Graz, Austria, were designated "ZG".
Replacement for the XJ During the 1980s, American Motors was exploring a follow-up to the popular entry-level Cherokee XJ model. The automaker decided to hire outside companies to develop concepts for a larger model in addition to its design department. Larry Shinoda styled a prototype in 1985. Apparently, AMC took Shinoda's design and claimed it as its own. Shinoda had to sue to get paid and get recognized for his efforts. Chrysler acquired AMC in 1987 and settled with the Shinoda estate for more than $200,000.
Jeep Concept 1 (1989)
A fully operational preproduction version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ was first shown in 1989 as the "Jeep Concept 1". Featuring similar styling to the production 1993 Grand Cherokee ZJ, the Concept 1 featured a brown exterior with unique "two-tone" lower accent paint, 'Jeep' lettering on one spoke of each wheel, P295/55R17 tires, smoked headlamps and tail lamps, front bumper-mounted fog lamps, minivan-style exterior door handles, and a roof rack that was unique to the Concept 1.
Dodge "ZJ" Concept (1990s)
In the early 1990s, Dodge planned a midsize replacement for the Dodge Ramcharger full-size, a truck-based SUV that had been in production since the late 1970s. An unnamed "Dodge ZJ" prototype was made that was similar in style to the 1989 Jeep Concept 1, but featured a unique front end with the Dodge "Cross-Hair" front grille, slimmer front headlamps, and unique front and rear bumpers and body side cladding. However, before the 1992 introduction of the all-new 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ, the project was cancelled. The replacement for the Ramcharger would not arrive until the 1998 model year as the Dodge Durango, based on the midsize Dodge Dakota pickup truck.
New Features
The all-new 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ offered many new and class-exclusive features that its competitors, such as the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer and Ford Explorer, did not offer.
For example, all Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ models featured a standard front driver's-side SRS airbag in the steering wheel. The Limited model offered a digital climate control system. All models offered a digital Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) that monitored critical vehicle systems and provided audible and visual feedback when a fault was detected (doors, hood, tailgate, engine coolant level, engine oil level, and front and rear lighting systems were some of the systems monitored by the EVIC). In addition to monitoring vehicle status, the EVIC could also display current date and time information and vehicle service interval reminders, and could be set via buttons on the EVIC screen. An overhead console provided a mini trip computer with the current direction of travel and exterior temperature information in Celsius or Fahrenheit, as well as elapsed time, mileage remaining until the fuel tank is empty, and trip mileage for two trips (Trip A and Trip B). In addition to the mini trip computer, the overhead console provided storage for a single garage door opener, two pairs of sunglasses, and included four overhead map/reading lamps. Keyless entry allowed for easy access to the vehicle without having to insert the vehicle's key into the door lock cylinder, and could also arm or disarm the class-exclusive vehicle security system. The interior lights illuminated whenever a door was opened, and could shut off automatically along with the automatic headlamps. The ignition cylinder was located on the right side of the steering column and was lighted so that it could be easily located during nighttime driving conditions. Finally, a premium AccuSound factory audio system by Jensen (or Infinity Gold on 1994 and newer models) and a 120-watt amplifier located underneath the rear bench seat could be paired with an in-dash CD player and five-band graphical equalizer for a high-fidelity audio experience.
A fully mechanical full-time four wheel drive system could split torque when a wheel was losing traction, and send all available traction to that wheel to keep moving. In addition, the system, called Quadra-Trac, could automatically detect when four wheel drive was needed, and automatically switch from rear wheel drive without input from the driver. The Grand Cherokee ZJ also offered Chrysler's 318 cubic inch (5.2 L) Magnum electronically fuel-injected V8 engine as an option, which produced and of torque for up to 5,000 lbs. of towing capacity, and was the only SUV in its class at the time to offer a V8 engine as an option.
In 1996, even more new features were added to the Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ. The newly available Jeep Memory System utilized a button panel located on the inside of the front driver's door panel to recall driver's seat adjustment, mirror adjustments, and radio preset settings when the corresponding key was inserted into the ignition cylinder (each keyless entry remote was engraved with either a '1' or a '2' to designate which key would automatically recall these settings). Heated seats also became available for the front driver and passenger with slide switches located near the lighting controls on the driver's side. A power tilt-and-sliding sunroof was added to the options list, and remote controls for the audio system were added to the back of the steering wheel on some Grand Cherokee models. For the first time on the Grand Cherokee, buyers could choose a combination cassette and single-disc CD player instead of just either a cassette or a single-disc CD player. Dual front SRS airbags now came standard on all models, and the 5.2 L Magnum V8 engine gained 5 lb. ft. of torque, up to 285 from 280, and remained one of the most powerful SUVs in its class.
Finally, in 1998, the 5.9 L Limited model became available for the Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ, utilizing Chrysler's 360 cubic inch (5.9 L) Magnum electronically fuel-injected V8 engine producing 245 horsepower and 345 lb. ft. of torque, which made the Grand Cherokee ZJ 5.9 L Limited the most powerful SUV in its class.
Production changes Introduction
The Grand Cherokee (ZJ) was first introduced at the 1992 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan. Then-CEO of Chrysler Corporation, Bob Lutz, drove a Poppy Red Clear Coat 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ Laredo 4X4 from the Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) where the Grand Cherokee was assembled to Cobo Hall, where Lutz and then-mayor of Detroit Coleman Young drove up the front steps and into the lobby of the building, "crashing" through a plate-glass window (which "exploded" just before the vehicle's entrance).
The Grand Cherokee (ZJ) was initially available in three trim levels: base, Laredo, and Limited. The base model included features such as full instrumentation, a cloth interior, a standard five-speed manual transmission, and was given the "SE" name for the 1994 model year. Power windows and locks were not standard equipment on the base and SE models for 1993 and 1994. The minimal difference in price resulted in low consumer demand, so the low-line model was discontinued after 1994. Standard features on all models included a driver-side airbag and a four-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS). The Laredo was the mid-scale model with standard features that included power windows, power door locks, and cruise control. Exterior features included medium-grey plastic paneling on the lower body and five-spoke aluminum wheels. The Limited was the premium model, featuring lower body paneling that was the same color as the rest of the vehicle. The Limited also had standard features such as leather seating, power sunroof, heated mirrors, heated power seats, and a remote keyless system. The "Up-Country" version was also offered between 1993 and 1997. It came with 4WD and the AMC straight-6 4.0 L engine. Package groups included: convenience, fog lamps, skid plate, lighting, luxury, power, security, and trailer towing.
When it was first introduced in April 1992 as an early 1993 model year vehicle, the Grand Cherokee had one powertrain, the AMC-derived 4.0 L Power Tech I6 engine that produced 190 horsepower. Transmission choices were a four-speed automatic transmission (early production ZJs used the AW4; the A500SE (later 42RE) replaced the AW4 during the latter half of the 1993 model year) or an Aisin AX15 manual transmission. Low sales demand for the manual transmission resulted in its discontinuation after the 1994 model year for North America, but it remained on the options list for European ZJs. The drivetrain choices included rear-wheel drive or four-wheel-drive.
1993 The all-new, 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee went on sale in April 1992 in Base, Laredo, and Limited trims. At launch, all Grand Cherokees were powered by the 4.0 L Power Tech Inline Six-Cylinder engine, and were all four-wheel drive. Starting in early 1993, the Grand Cherokee became available with the 5.2 L Magnum V8 engine, and a Grand Wagoneer model became available with standard four-wheel drive and V8 power, as well as a plush leather-trimmed interior and faux vinyl woodgrain side and tailgate paneling. The 5.2 L Magnum V8 engine was available with the Quadra-Trac four-wheel drive system, which was based around an NV249 transfer case with a viscous coupler. The Quadra-Trac system was a permanent four-wheel drive system that allowed up to 60% of power to the rear wheels and a 50–50 split when loss of rear traction occurred. It also had a low range that still utilized the viscous coupler in the 1993-1995 model years. In 1996 and beyond, the low range provided a true 50-50 lock between the front and rear axles. However, the system required little to no driver input, as it was automatically determined by the viscous coupler when more front bias was required. In addition to Quadra-Trac, a Selec-Trac Full-Time four-wheel drive system was available that was a "Shift-on-the-Fly" four-wheel drive system that had a 4-wheel drive part-time mode (50/50 lock), a 4-wheel drive full-time mode (variable front bias, much like the Quadra-Trac), and a 4 LO. The standard part-time four-wheel drive system in the Grand Cherokee was known as Command-Trac, a part-time only four-wheel drive. Modes were 2 wheel drive, 4 HI, and 4 LO. All three four-wheel-drive systems featured a selector lever that was located next to the transmission gear selector or shifter. Two-wheel drive Grand Cherokees featured a small storage area in place of the four-wheel drive selector lever.
Late 1992/early 1993 production In the late 1992/early 1993 calendar year, Chrysler made some minor changes to the 1993 model year Grand Cherokee. The changes are shown in The New Jeep, a brochure on the 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee published in 1992. The crimson-colored interior option for the vinyl and cloth seats was no longer available, and the Limited model now had the option of quilted Highland-grain leather seats. The 5.2 L High-Output Magnum Engine V8, producing 220 horsepower, was added in early 1993. The only transmission choice was a 46RH, four-speed automatic transmission. The top-of-the-line Grand Wagoneer trim was also shown in the brochure and became available in early 1993. The radio face was changed for the AM/FM cassette player in early 1993, with raised buttons and rounded knobs, as well as larger green display text to match the rest of the Grand Cherokee's interior. The radio also introduced Dolby noise reduction technology for the cassette player. Full-faced steel wheels replaced the six-spoke version on the Base/SE model.
1994