I have a question for my Jeep family. In the near future I will be pulling the engine on my 97 xj with a 5 speed manual transmission. My question is will the clutch assembly have enough room to come out with the engine or will I need to drop the transmission to remove the clutch first? Thank you!

 

I think you need to remove the trans 1st , because I don't think you can move the engine far enough forward to get the trans out of the clutch .

 

No matter what, loosen the 2 top bolts holding the trans to the engine.

 

Pretty sure it will come out with the clutch on it.

 

It takes less than an hour to remove the radiator and front grille assembly...then you have all the room in the world and your not bending and reaching over everything...plus your motor can come way foreward

 

Thats how the pro mechanic I know did them, pulled the front assembly, then the complete engine/trans/TX

I thought it looked like it would take longer, but pros usually know the quickest way