2000 Cherokee 4.0 - new battery, new alternator - no interior power- no gauges- starts and runs fine!

 

You may have either a loose connection or dirty contact on the back side of the cluster. Try giving the dash a firm slap above the cluster and see if they start working. If you pull the cluster make sure all the contacts are clean and secure also make sure that the grounds are clean and secure.

 

changed alternator because voltage was bouncing and pegging the gauges... could it have fried something?

 

Is there a resistor under the dash? or a fuse that protects the instrument cluster?

 

Score one for Mom! she said it days ago! A fuse! it was the fuse!!! check the easy and simple FIRST!