what manual trans would have come in a 1990 cherokee?

Should be the AX5 for 4 cylinders and AX15 for 6 but that being a transitional year it could have the BA10 behind the 6.

ok its got the 4.0. the ax15 is the better of the manual transmissions right? any way to tell by the vin? i asked the seller but they dont know. its kinda far from me so i dont want to waste gas and time if it has a crappy trans.

Should be an AX15. 89 was the transitional year.

Way to tell?

Look at it.

If it has a seam where it's two halves are bolted together running front to back, It's the Ba-10.