🏷️ Basic Information Identification Make: Jeep Model: Grand Cherokee Year: 1998 Codes Chassis Code: ZJ 👋 Introduction Market Position Vehicle Segment: Mid-size Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) Jeep Positioning: Jeep's premium offering in the SUV market, blending off-road capability with on-road comfort. Competitive Analysis Key Competitors 1998: Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Blazer, Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Pathfinder Key Features Usp: Iconic Jeep capability, luxurious interior appointments for its time, refined ride compared to earlier Jeep models. Manual Value Proposition Target Audience: DIY mechanics, independent repair shops, Jeep enthusiasts seeking in-depth knowledge. 📋 Manual Details Coverage Areas Countries Of Sale: North America, Europe (RHD variants) Drivetrain Coverage: 4x2 (Rear-Wheel Drive), 4x4 (Four-Wheel Drive) Steering Side Coverage: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Right-Hand Drive (RHD) Page Count Estimated Page Count: Over 1500 pages (typical for comprehensive service manuals of this era) Manual Type Type: Service and Repair Manual Language Language: English Format Format: Digital Download (PDF) 📖 Manual Coverage Systems Covered Powertrain: Engine, Fuel System, Exhaust System, Transmission, Transfer Case, Drivetrain Components (Axles, Driveshafts, Differentials) Chassis: Suspension (Front and Rear), Steering, Brakes (Front and Rear), Wheels and Tires Electrical: Battery, Charging System, Starting System, Ignition System, Lighting, Instrumentation, Power Accessories, Body Control Modules, Engine Control Module (ECM) Diagnostics Body: Body Panels, Doors, Glass, Interior Trim, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), Seats, Body Sealing Procedures Included Maintenance: Routine Oil Changes, Fluid Checks and Replacements, Filter Replacements, Spark Plug Replacement, Belt Inspections and Replacement Repair: Engine Overhaul, Transmission Rebuild, Brake Component Replacement, Suspension Component Replacement, Electrical Component Diagnosis and Replacement, HVAC System Repair Troubleshooting: Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), Symptom-Based Troubleshooting Guides, Wiring Diagrams for Fault Isolation Specifications: Torque Specifications for critical fasteners, Clearances, Fluid Capacities, Electrical Specifications Technical Depth Depth: Comprehensive; covers basic maintenance to complete component overhaul and advanced diagnostics. 📊 Manual Specifications File Format Digital Format: PDF Searchability: Text-searchable (typical for quality digital manuals) Printability: Printable pages Print Quality Image Resolution: High-resolution, clear diagrams and illustrations Binding Type Binding: N/A (Digital Download) Paper Type Paper Quality: N/A (Digital Download) ⚙️ Engine Specifications Primary Engine Engine Code 4.0L: 242 cu in (3,957 cc) "Power Tech" Inline 6-cylinder (OHV) Engine Code 5.2L: 318 cu in (5,210 cc) Magnum V8 (OHV) Engine Code 5.9L: 360 cu in (5,900 cc) Magnum V8 (OHV) Performance 4.0L Horsepower 4.0L: 185 hp @ 4,600 rpm Torque 4.0L: 220 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm Performance 5.2L Horsepower 5.2L: 215 hp @ 4,000 rpm Torque 5.2L: 290 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm Performance 5.9L Horsepower 5.9L: 242 hp @ 4,000 rpm Torque 5.9L: 335 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm Fuel System Induction: Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MPI) for all engines Fuel Type: Unleaded gasoline Engine Management ECM: Chrysler's NGC (Next Generation Controller) or similar proprietary system 🔧 Transmission Standard 4.0L Transmission Type: 4-speed Automatic Transmission (42RE) Optional V8 Transmission Type: 4-speed Automatic Transmission (44RE for 5.2L, 46RE for 5.9L) Manual Option Availability: Manual transmission not widely available or offered for the 1998 model year in North America. Features Overdrive: All automatic transmissions feature overdrive (4th gear). Transmission Fluid Fluid Type: ATF+4 (Automatic Transmission Fluid Type 4) or equivalent (check specific VIN for exact type, may have used ATF+3 earlier) 📐 Dimensions Exterior Length Length: Approximately 178.9 inches (4545 mm) Exterior Width Width: Approximately 71.1 inches (1806 mm) Exterior Height Height: Approximately 63.1 inches (1603 mm) Wheelbase Wheelbase: 107.1 inches (2720 mm) Weights Curb Weight: Approx. 3900-4300 lbs (1769-1950 kg), varies by engine and drivetrain. Cargo Cargo Volume Seats Up: Approx. 33.7 cu ft (0.95 cu m) Cargo Volume Seats Down: Approx. 67.0 cu ft (1.90 cu m) 🛡️ Safety Features Ratings NHTSA Rollover Resistance: 3-star (as per NHTSA 1998 ratings for similar SUVs, specific test data may vary) Active Features ABS: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) standard on all models. Traction Control: Optional traction control system (Trac-Lok) available on some models. Passive Features Airbags: Driver and front passenger airbags. Seatbelts: Three-point front and rear seat belts. Child Seat Anchors: LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system not standard in 1998. 💡 Technology Features Infotainment Audio System: Factory AM/FM stereo with cassette player; optional CD player or premium sound systems. Climate Control: Manual or optional automatic climate control systems. Driver Assistance Cruise Control: Standard cruise control on most trims. Connectivity OBD Ii: On-Board Diagnostics II (OBD-II) compliant for emissions and engine diagnostics. 🔧 Maintenance Service Intervals Oil Oil Change Interval: Every 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first (under normal driving conditions). Service Intervals Filters Air Filter Replacement: Every 15,000 miles or 12 months. Fuel Filter Replacement: Every 30,000 miles. Service Intervals Spark Plugs Spark Plug Replacement: Every 30,000 miles (for standard plugs) or 100,000 miles (for platinum/long-life plugs, if equipped). Fluid Specifications Engine Engine Oil Type: SAE 10W-30 (4.0L) or SAE 10W-30 / 5W-30 (V8 engines, depending on climate, check manual for specifics). API certified. Fluid Capacities...
Suspension (Front and Rear), Steering, Brakes (Front and Rear), Wheels and Tires
Electrical:
Battery, Charging System, Starting System, Ignition System, Lighting, Instrumentation, Power Accessories, Body Control Modules, Engine Control Module (ECM) Diagnostics
Body:
Body Panels, Doors, Glass, Interior Trim, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), Seats, Body Sealing
Procedures Included
Maintenance:
Routine Oil Changes, Fluid Checks and Replacements, Filter Replacements, Spark Plug Replacement, Belt Inspections and Replacement
Repair:
Engine Overhaul, Transmission Rebuild, Brake Component Replacement, Suspension Component Replacement, Electrical Component Diagnosis and Replacement, HVAC System Repair
Torque Specifications for critical fasteners, Clearances, Fluid Capacities, Electrical Specifications
Technical Depth
Depth:
Comprehensive; covers basic maintenance to complete component overhaul and advanced diagnostics.
📊 Manual Specifications
File Format
Digital Format:
PDF
Searchability:
Text-searchable (typical for quality digital manuals)
Printability:
Printable pages
Print Quality
Image Resolution:
High-resolution, clear diagrams and illustrations
Binding Type
Binding:
N/A (Digital Download)
Paper Type
Paper Quality:
N/A (Digital Download)
⚙️ Engine Specifications
Primary Engine
Engine Code 4.0L:
242 cu in (3,957 cc) "Power Tech" Inline 6-cylinder (OHV)
Engine Code 5.2L:
318 cu in (5,210 cc) Magnum V8 (OHV)
Engine Code 5.9L:
360 cu in (5,900 cc) Magnum V8 (OHV)
Performance 4.0L
Horsepower 4.0L:
185 hp @ 4,600 rpm
Torque 4.0L:
220 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm
Performance 5.2L
Horsepower 5.2L:
215 hp @ 4,000 rpm
Torque 5.2L:
290 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm
Performance 5.9L
Horsepower 5.9L:
242 hp @ 4,000 rpm
Torque 5.9L:
335 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm
Fuel System
Induction:
Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MPI) for all engines
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline
Engine Management
ECM:
Chrysler's NGC (Next Generation Controller) or similar proprietary system
🔧 Transmission
Standard 4.0L
Transmission Type:
4-speed Automatic Transmission (42RE)
Optional V8
Transmission Type:
4-speed Automatic Transmission (44RE for 5.2L, 46RE for 5.9L)
Manual Option
Availability:
Manual transmission not widely available or offered for the 1998 model year in North America.
Features
Overdrive:
All automatic transmissions feature overdrive (4th gear).
Transmission Fluid
Fluid Type:
ATF+4 (Automatic Transmission Fluid Type 4) or equivalent (check specific VIN for exact type, may have used ATF+3 earlier)
📐 Dimensions
Exterior Length
Length:
Approximately 178.9 inches (4545 mm)
Exterior Width
Width:
Approximately 71.1 inches (1806 mm)
Exterior Height
Height:
Approximately 63.1 inches (1603 mm)
Wheelbase
Wheelbase:
107.1 inches (2720 mm)
Weights
Curb Weight:
Approx. 3900-4300 lbs (1769-1950 kg), varies by engine and drivetrain.
Cargo
Cargo Volume Seats Up:
Approx. 33.7 cu ft (0.95 cu m)
Cargo Volume Seats Down:
Approx. 67.0 cu ft (1.90 cu m)
🛡️ Safety Features
Ratings
NHTSA Rollover Resistance:
3-star (as per NHTSA 1998 ratings for similar SUVs, specific test data may vary)
Active Features
ABS:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) standard on all models.
Traction Control:
Optional traction control system (Trac-Lok) available on some models.
Passive Features
Airbags:
Driver and front passenger airbags.
Seatbelts:
Three-point front and rear seat belts.
Child Seat Anchors:
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system not standard in 1998.
💡 Technology Features
Infotainment
Audio System:
Factory AM/FM stereo with cassette player; optional CD player or premium sound systems.
Climate Control:
Manual or optional automatic climate control systems.
Driver Assistance
Cruise Control:
Standard cruise control on most trims.
Connectivity
OBD Ii:
On-Board Diagnostics II (OBD-II) compliant for emissions and engine diagnostics.
🔧 Maintenance
Service Intervals Oil
Oil Change Interval:
Every 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first (under normal driving conditions).
Service Intervals Filters
Air Filter Replacement:
Every 15,000 miles or 12 months.
Fuel Filter Replacement:
Every 30,000 miles.
Service Intervals Spark Plugs
Spark Plug Replacement:
Every 30,000 miles (for standard plugs) or 100,000 miles (for platinum/long-life plugs, if equipped).
Fluid Specifications Engine
Engine Oil Type:
SAE 10W-30 (4.0L) or SAE 10W-30 / 5W-30 (V8 engines, depending on climate, check manual for specifics). API certified.
Fluid Capacities Engine
Engine Oil Capacity:
4.0L: 5 quarts (4.7 L) with filter; 5.2L: 5 quarts (4.7 L) with filter; 5.9L: 5 quarts (4.7 L) with filter.
Fluid Specifications Coolant
Coolant Type:
Mopar Antifreeze/Coolant (AF 8980) or equivalent, a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and demineralized water.
Fluid Capacities Coolant
Cooling System Capacity:
Approx. 13 quarts (12.3 L) for 4.0L, 14 quarts (13.3 L) for 5.2L/5.9L V8.
Known Issues
Cracked Cylinder Head 4.0L:
A known issue on earlier 4.0L engines, though potentially less prevalent by '98. The manual will detail inspection and potential replacement.
Transmission Filter Clogging:
Transmission filter can clog prematurely; manual details proper service intervals and procedures.
Transfer Case Chain Wear:
The transfer case chain can stretch over time, especially with heavy off-road use; manual outlines inspection and adjustment/replacement.
Heater Core Leaks:
Heater core leaks are a common repair on this platform, often requiring dashboard removal.
📚 Vehicle History
Brand Heritage
Jeep Legacy:
Founded on robust 4x4 capability and military origins.
Model Evolution
Zj Generation:
Second generation of the Grand Cherokee (ZJ), produced from 1993 to 1998. Introduced significant refinements in luxury and on-road manners.
Production
Manufacturing Plant:
Jefferson North Assembly Plant, Detroit, Michigan.
Production Years
Model Run:
1993-1998
🏆 Awards & Recognition
Recognitions
SUV Awards Context:
While specific awards for the 1998 model are less documented, the ZJ Grand Cherokee was generally well-regarded for its blend of comfort and capability, contributing to Jeep's sustained SUV leadership in the 1990s.