Newer tranny install in older xj, NEED HELP

Friend of mine just got an 89 xj with a bad transfercase. He ended up getting a newer style TC from local pic a part.(97 or 98) New case has different spline, his thought is change transmission from same jeep TC came from. Both tranny's are AW4 but the one in it has selectable power/comfort control.

Question is can the newer tranny be used with older tcu? Do we need to pull the tcu from the newer jeep?

Tried searching but couldn't find what I was looking for. Any help is appreciated. THanks
Robert

A 97 or newer tranny will not work with the 89 trans computer without swapping out the rear sensor rotor. (unless you consider upshifting into 4th gear by 20mph to be working, btdt). You could swap in the newer TCU, but you'll need to do a bunch of wiring harness changing. It's much easier to pop the tailcones off the trannies and swap over the rear sensor rotor and install the old sensor. There are some writeups with pictures around here if you search.

Honestly, the best bet is to get a transfer case the mates up.

Oh, also the power/comfort feature is a function of the trans computer and not the tranny itself.

Yes, it came on renix model XJ's doesnt do much for the most part.

Not real sure what to search for, tried different things and so far no luck.

Rear sensor rotor? are you talking about the piece on the adapter between the transmission and the transfercase?

If so are you saying thats all I would have to change to make it work?

I agree finding a older TC would be easier but this guy can only find a newer one and is trying to get this back on the road as cheep as possible. Well at least get it off the road since it is gonna be an off road toy.

Think I finally found what I needed.

Thanks Guys

Here's a couple of previous threads that should help you out.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=999938
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showpost.php?p=243739279
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=726345
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showpost.php?p=742936
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=999938
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showpost.php?p=243739279

In the pics, you can see the rotor is in a different position. The old setup has a magnet going by a magnetic switch. The new setup is more like the CPS sensor with a magnetic coil sensing when the 4 steel lobes go by. Those steel lobes won't trigger the 96 magnetic relay-type switch.