Geonovast

I imagine they would all have to ground through the switch, since that's the whole point of the switch... to limit the current through the lights, making them dimmer. May be an issue with the ground from the switch.

Speedo could be an issue with the sender, or could just need a little grease. Don't know anything about redline on the 2.8. If you've lost all lights in the cluster, it's probably a ground.

Wouldn't 2000 come with an NV3550?

This might help you, I only vaguely understand the numbers for it. http://www.jeepstrokers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3028

Two heads were used in 99. Which one do you have?

Makes sense, looks like the 258 uses the same cover, and changing the casting unnecessarily would have been a waste of money.

I think the only thing she needs is an AC hose... but isn't that big of a deal since I've been running without it hooked up for 2 years and basically forgot I had AC..

Damn. Would have made a perfect 5 speed swap for the XJ.

Also check do a fuel pressure test, as well as a normal check for spark from the coil. May want to take a close look at your main grounding strap going from the head to the firewall, and the ground behind the driver's side tail light for the fuel pump.

Were those rims not available in 87? I've seen them on quite a few Laredo XJs.

Does this 98 XJ happen to be a 5 speed?

My 99 does not have it. I've seen 4.0s with them and without them, never seemed to be any rhyme or reason for it.

NV3550 won't do you any good. That's a 4.0 trans. There's no difference when it comes to XJ/MJ/YJ/TJ cases, except for the generational differences that come with model year. The differences you're going to be worried about is spline count and input shaft length, but if you get a case from another AX-4/5, it'll bolt up to any AX-4/5.

My family's first Jeep, 87 XJ Sport. 10 slot. But even if it wasn't, all 84-90 grills will interchange.

Upside down grills are cool.

XJs didn't have the rubber isolator, so no go with that. You can basically forget any rear XJ shafts. It's been contemplated that certain 2wd XJ shafts may work in 4wd MJ applications, but I haven't seen any comparable measurements. You're going to be better off having yours hacked down than spending time, energy, and money into finding one that'll work.

Make sure you compress the new slave when you bleed it.

AFAIK the battery generally grounds to the dipstick stud. Never seen one that didn't, but it's also common to ground to the body right next to the battery as an auxiliary. Also, I think the only sensor that differs between 2.5 and 4.0 is the CmPS, but given that it's built into the distributor (and that TBI 2.5s don't even have one), that's not really a consideration.

Ordinarily, no. The 27 spline and 29 spline carriers are different, but since you'll be replacing that anyway with a locker, it should be a non-issue for you. Other than that, everything else with the axle is the same. I've heard there are aftermarket spiders that let you run 29s in a 27 carrier, but don't know who makes them.

All AX-4s and AX-5s use the same bellhousing pattern. The issue with the TJ trans is the T-case clocking, but should work fine for you.

Is he getting the whole thing? The trans and T-case are from a 93 and originally internal slave, but the bellhousing and bearing retainer are from an 86... which means passenger side slave. So if you're ordering a new clutch line, you're going to need one for an 84-86 XJ.

You guys realize this thread is over 4 years old, right?

Yup, it was hit or miss around 70, eventually gave up and just quit using 5th altogether. Certainly no reason to not throw it in, it'll be there if you ever get around to regearing. Your experience may differ from mine, too. Just wanted to give you a heads up to not expect it to work that well. There's a reason the 4 speeds got different axle gearing that the 5 speeds.

5th is gonna dog on 3.55s, it did on mine, and mine had MPFI. So don't count on using it a lot.

I was just curious since I bet it's my old trans.