Hello my friends..old and new! It has been quite some time, basically because I have a sitting XJ with a spun rod bearing(unconfirmed) and a gigantic TJ that is my current project. You guys told me to stay here and ask questions on the TJ so that is what I am going to do. It is a 2002 Wrangler Sport with the 4.0 liter and the TUPY head. It is jacked about 6 inches with 33 inch tires. It has no transmission, no clutch assembly, no starter, no bell housing, tons of bolts are missing for these components but I did acquire the transfer case and the front and rear driveshafts. So here goes. I have a line on a Manual trans for about 600 local from the salvage yard. Should I also negotiate the clutch assembly, bell housing, all the bolts and what not? I can probably spend up to a grand....Would it be better to buy a brand new clutch kit on ebay? I found one for like 200 plus....But brand new with all the components. The only thing I am thinking is that all these parts were together so perhaps they will mate well and work for a while....I am going to look at the donor jeep on saturday...hence the haste in this post. It has 192000 miles. That is high I know for a trans. It is 2002 also so it is propably the nv3550. It is hard to find an AX15 local....But there are more manual transmissions for more money with lower miles. So just asking for advice. I do not have the budget for more and I know I am gambling with that mileage...but I have to do something. The money is set aside for only this project. So glad to be back!!!! Any advice is welcome and also if you have advice for when I inspect the donor that can help also! Thanks again guys! and gals! Sorry for the hiatus//just working. A lot.

The "clocking" of the tcase mount (on transmission) is different between XJ & Wranglers, keep that in mind.

I would get a brand new clutch kit, you can get a Luk kit from Rock Auto for around $100.

And the NV3550 is a good transmission to use as well. It doesn't have to be an AX-15. Personally, I think the 3550 is a little stronger than the AX series anyways. If you can get the transmission, try yo grab as much of the assembly (except for the clutch as that should always be bought new) as possible and try to negotiate that into a fair price. Average price down here (I'm in S Florida) for just the transmission with bellhousing is 150-175. So with bellhousing, gearbox, shifter and pedal assembly, around 250 should be fair pricing.

Wow that pricing is awesome. I am in Central Jersey and let me just say I cannot find pricing like that anywhere! The lowest price I have found was $575 just for the transmission..well to be honest I won't know what that includes until tomorrow. I know our income taxes are high but I don't think that correlates to transmissions...hmm. Thanks for the advice!

Awesome! I was not sure but it seemed like the more logical thing to do than put in the older clutch kit. I saw a heavy duty clutch kit on Ebay that looked pretty awesome...but it was around $200. I do most of my major parts
purchasing from Rockauto so I will check them out. I don't mind spending a little extra for a solid, well built clutch kit. Thanks for the advice!!

I also have to pick up brake lines since the older ones are rusted and when I pump the brakes fluid shoots out like a squirt gun. Probably just a rockauto purchase unless you guys suggest somewhere else or something different.
I have brand new powder coated calipers on my 94 xj I was going to swap to the tj but I do not think the rotors will fit so I have to get new rotors...no big deal. Thanks again for all the advice!!

I don't know if NJ just sucks for buying parts or I have an ongoing curse. So I went to pick up the first transmission, listed as manual and confirmed on the invoice. I get there and my first look was...that's not right. Why is the bell housing permanently attached and where is the shifter? The guy looked at me like I had 2 heads...so I was like can I see the donor jeep? Went to the yard, opened the door and sure enough...Fully automatic transmission. So they said there is nothing they can do for me and gave me my deposit back. I was polite because I know people make mistakes but I cursed in my van all the way home.
Onto transmission number 2. I was put out for a while since I got burned so bad but I found another trans on Ebay and decided to go for it. Talked to the guy, confirmed everything and paid. Friday I get an email from Paypal saying my money is being refunded and a message from the guy saying the transmission is no good and he is sorry. I was like really.
Onto transmission number 3. After i got the email I was like F it I am calling the salvage yard that has several manual transmissions and I am buying it now. So I talked to the guy over the phone, negotiated a deal and here we are....waiting for my third attempt at getting a transmission. It is supposed to be delivered sometime this week. Considering my recent experience I have a feeling it will fall off the trailer or something. Anyway crossing my fingers and knocking on wood...and I am not even superstitious. That is your update for today!