I have a 2000 XJ, converting from Auto to manual.
The pedal cluster I swapped in is a 99.

Looking at the master/slave cylinder kits, they are 97-99 and 00-01,,
What is the difference?? is it the connection to the pedal ? I can not imagine the AX15 changed? or the hole(s) in the firewall?

Thanks,
Nick

 

I also see the master/slave/line kits from $90 - 220
Is one brand better than another?

Thanks,
Slack

 

I believe all 00-01 manuals have the nv3550 transmission. My 2000 does

 

OK, forgot about that,,, since I am putting an AX15 in, I better order the 97-99 kit

 

I was trying to figure this out from my parts catalogs for you and all they did was confuse the hell out of me.
Why I did not respond.
But thinking about what FunkyDuck said made it the tiniest bit clearer.
My '00 parts catalog has listings for both trannies.
Maybe a mid year change. Cause my '01 just lists the 3550.
So without really knowing any better I think ordering the '99 one is probably best.

 

Thanks

 

Yes - 00-01 used NV3550, 89-99 used AX15. I could see a partial overlap with the AX15 into 2000.

I know that when I looked for a brand new XJ in 2000 the dealership could not find me an XJ with the 4.0 and stick shift. The guy checked the entire Northeast area and -desperately- tried to sell me on an automatic. I ended up getting a wrangler since I needed a new vehicle and I wasn't budging on the transmission/engine combo. That NV3550 was a piece of junk. Rattled in neutral from day 1, I had the top Jeep mechanic for the entire Northeast area try to resolve that and was told - it's normal. I blew a spring on the disc once. Each of the 3 times it was towed - something went wrong with the tranny immediately afterwards despite there being no clear reason for it to even be possible. It blew an internal bearing after 300k which basically killed the Jeep as my DD. (My dad's 94 w/AX15 at 400k still drove perfectly).. To each their own, of course, but given the choice, I'll take an AX15 every single time over an NV3550.

I am kind of surprised that the parts are not the same. The bell-housing I believe is exactly the same and the NV3550 is supposedly a direct bolt-on replacement. I didn't do a side x side comparison, but the slave cylinder seemed exactly the same between the 2 (I did clutches on both). There must be something that they changed on the Master side that makes them different.