Need help with VIN number

[1985xjlaredo]

I'm so happy I just picked up my second Black XJ, I now have an AMC and a Chrysler. Does anyone know where I can run the VIN?
Maybe get some info on what gears are in the front and rear. It is a 1988.
Thanks for any help guys!

[5-90]

What are you looking to find out? Most stuff the VIN will tell you you can spot just looking at the thing anyhow. It won't tell you gearing or anything like that...

If you can give with the engine/transmission and such, we can probably tell you more. I've also got VIN breakdown charts around here somewhere (I should code those one of these days...) so you can get your VIN broken down.

5-90

[Saudade]

http://www.google.com/search?q=jeep+vin+decoder&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official

[Cottontail]

In regards to the gearing, there should be a bracket bolted onto the diff cover on the rear axle that tells you your gear ratio.

Either it will simply say 3.55 (for example) or something to the effect of 41-11, which if you divide 41 by 11, you get 3.727272, or 3.77 gearing (for example)

Enjoy

[1985xjlaredo]

cool thanks for the help there is no tag on the rear or on the front. But at least I can get a build sheet for the Chrysler XJ!

[5-90]

Engine? Transmission?

The AMC242 backed by the AW4 came with 3.55 gears.
The AMC242 backed by the Peugeot (1988) got 3.07's.

Rumour has it that the AMC150 got 3.73/4.10, but I can' confirm that at the moment (all I've got have the AMC242 engine.)

Check the rear axle carefully - I think there were also some D44's under the XJ still happening in 1988...

5-90

[1985xjlaredo]

I wish it was a D44 but its a 8.25, I dont have the XJ yet but I pick it up OCt. 9th

OK called Jeep and the Engine code is ERB, The transmission code is DGQ, The Body style code is XJJP74
Anyone know what this means Ill do a search. thx

[88XJSport]

First off your 88 is not chrysler, its still AMC, and thats a good thing. Second off, that 8.25 is not from the factory. either 35 or 44 in the 88 era. Or maybe swapped it before you bought it.

[1985xjlaredo]

Well all of the plates say Chrysler and the vaccume Diagram has the 5star Chrysler Logo on it. Chrysler had also fully accuried AMC as of Nov of 1987. Now it was built in the toledo Oh Willy plant. But you are correct it is a D35 out back

[88XJSport]

Well all of the plates say Chrysler and the vaccume Diagram has the 5star Chrysler Logo on it. Chrysler had also fully accuried AMC as of Nov of 1987. Now it was built in the toledo Oh Willy plant. But you are correct it is a D35 out back
Yes Chrysler "owns" AMC as of Nov. 87, but they didnt modify the cherokee's computer system and other things extensivly until 91.

[1985xjlaredo]

ah i c what you are saying ye ais that the year the Chrysler fuel injection was used instead of the renix?

[88XJSport]

Yes they stopped using renix after 90. 91 was 100% chrysler for cherokee. Are you absolutley sure your 88 says all that chrysler stuff everywhere?? My intake manifold has the chrysler "star" on it, but everything else says AMC. AMC on the door sticker, Underhood stickers, and my ignition/door key says American motors with its symbol...

[5-90]

1984-1986 - Available with Renault 126cid I4 Turbo Diesel, AMC 150cid I4 gasoline, and GM 173cid V6 gasoline. The GM engine used GM controls (OBD-I) and the AMC engine used RENIX controls (pre-OBD.) I haven't seen a Renault-powered variation in the flesh, so I won't comment (doesn't CRASH have one?) Front axle Dana 30, rear Dana 35 or Dana 44 (Metric Tonne MJ and some Trailer Tow XJ's

1987-1990 - Still built to AMC specs through the end of the 1990MY. Available with AMC150 I4 and AMC242 I4 (may have had Renault 126TD I4 early,) both AMC engines had RENIX (pre-OBD) controls. Front axle Dana 30, rear Dand 35 or (rare!) Dana 44. AW4 four-speed automatic introduced. Peugeot BA-10/5 used behind AMC242 until mid-1989, replaced by Aisin AX-15. Aisin AX-4 (four-speed) and AX-5 (five-speed) used behind AMC150 I4. AX-4, AX-5, AX-15, and AW4 remain "standard" transmission options throughout production life of the XJ until 2001 - some variations show (probably "fleet") with the 30RH or 32RH, per FSM.

1991-1995 - Avaialble with AMC150 I4 and AMC242 I6 engines, but now with Chrysler controls (OBD-I.) Also, some revisions were made to the AMC242 I6 cylinder head (now casting #7120) - probably to the AMC150 head as well - I don't recall. Chrysler 8.25"RG rear axle becomes available, Dana 35 still used extenively (if you have ABS, you have D35. ChryCo 8.25 not avaialble with ABS.) Dana 30 front.

1996-2001 - Still with the AMC150 I4 and AMC242 I6 engines, and updated to OBD-II Chrysler control electronics. Same choice of axles and transmissions as previous.

Gear ratios are typically identified by a small tag (about 3/4"x4") retained by differential cover screws. Tags from RENIX should read something like:

53005193
3.55 605387-1

I believe (I'm not sure) that the first line is a ChryCo/AMC part number.

The second line begins with the nominal gear ratio (3.55) and the rest is a Dana Bill of Materials (BoM) number - used by Dana to keep track of which specific parts went into that assembly. If the tag is missing (as is common on older vehicles,) when you change the gear oil, count ring gear teeth and pinion gear teeth - divide. Making a mark on one tooth as a "reference" point is acceptable - if you don't have machinist's layout die, you can use a Sharpie pen. It will wear off and dissolve in the gear oil.

5-90

[1985xjlaredo]

5-90 I am almost 99% positive that my 1985 has the Chrysler 8.25 for the rear and it came stock with it. Maybe I'm wrong but I know the 2 guys who owned it befoer me and they say they never changed the rear end. But I do know for a fact that it is a 8.25

[5-90]

Then it was changed by the previous owners (to them) - because AMC did not use Chrysler axles.

Both covers are oval in shape (generally,) but the ChryCo 8.25" is denoted by a flat bottom, while the housing of the Dana 35 is more nearly oval. However, the 8.25" was not found OEM under the XJ until 1991...

5-90

[1985xjlaredo]

Well I was told that it was an 8.25 by a mechanic. Maybe he is a dummy and maybe I shoudl change my sig. lol I think im done with that mechanic anyways.