1988 xj 5speed

Joshua stillie

New Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2019
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Statesville
Ok i have a 1988 5 speed xj... Spun a rod. I also have a running 1999 xj that needs a trans.. Can i direct swap my 5 speed into the 99? Or... How hard would it be to comepletely swap my h.o 4.0 into my 1988... I know people say use the renix block. But i dont wanna rebuild the renix.
 
It will directly bolt in. Reuse the cross member from the 88 manual. Crank sensor gets reused off the 99. I'm not sure as far as the clutch pedals etc swapping, that may differ. Also you'll need a manual ecm for the 99 or someone to flash your pcm with a manual calibration. I'm not sure who can flash it.
 
Alright.. Being that 99 never had the 5 speed option id guess i would have to have it flashed correct? This is going to be my first shot at it.. I like the fact of a 99 5 speed. But if its easier to do the engine swap from the 99 to the 88 ill do that. Only bc im tired of them sitting
 
Swapping the 99 motor to the 88 is totally do-able. With a complete donor, I'd keep the 99 serpentine setup, and change over what is necessary (sensors, manifolds, etc). You can probably get away with swapping the trans into the 99 without flashing or changing the PCM, but it'll have CEL on for solenoids and as far as I know, there's no way to trick a 99 into thinking the solenoids are still present. You could get a 96-98 manual PCM, flash the VIN & be good if you need emissions inspections. Good luck, it's a good project either way.
 
Id like to get it street-able so yes id have to get it inspected.... Do you happen to know if my pedal setup will work out of the 88 on the 99... Does the 99 have correct holes for mounting the set up. I know im asking alot of questions. I just want to know what im getting into b4 i tear into them
 
I know the dash is completely different from 88 - 99. I would bet the pedals hang different. Is that the Peugeot manual? If it is I'd drop it like a hot potato. If it is the AX-15 then there are differences in the input shaft where it mates to the engine too. I once had to swap an input from a 95 AX-15 into and early AX-15 because of that. There are some differences in the XJ from 88 to 99 that could make this a nightmare and not quite as easy as you think.
 
GotWood said:
Dump the 88.
Click to expand...
Yea. I'd not mess with the 88 if all I needed was a transmission for the 99. I assume auto in the 99. I have an 88 MJ the only reason is it's and MJ. Jeep xj auto's are pretty durable. I'd bet you could find an auto for $200 or maybe less. Hell I have an 01 Auto out sitting on the floor. IDK it's condition though. Manual's are cool but that 88 had one of the worst manuals aver made.....
 
spline count on the output of the transmission to the t-case between the two is different as well. 23 spline for the 99, 21 spline for pre 91 XJ's, so you'd need to use the matching transfer case with the transmission. that's IS a peugeot trans in the 88.... not worth swapping at all.

there are a few people around still parting XJ's out. I'd spend 300 bucks on a used aw4 and call it a day!
 
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