Am I correct in thinking that I will be able to use the 1996 AW4 in my 1998 SO LONG as I use a 1997 TCU?
My info says yes, but you may need to swap the connector housing or shave down some polarizing tabs or something on the connector according to some. I haven't tried this myself.
I notice some say the 98 model change was a mid year change? is there a chance that I could still have the 1997 style TCU? how would I tell?
I believe they are wrong, but look at the transmission housing near the bracket on the driver side for the shift cable. In that general area (right above and forward of the shift arm going into the transmission, I believe) there should be an input speed sensor with a cable going to it. If there is, you have the 98 and later design. If there isn't, you have the 97 and earlier design.
Nonetheless. If I do have the newer TCU, would I be able to just simply swap it out for a 1997 TCU and use it in conjunction with the 1996 AW4 in my 1998 XJ ???
My info says yes. Again, I haven't tried this, and I just converted the test mule 98 XJ I was using for all of this stuff to an AX15 last weekend, so I really can't test it now unfortunately.
Pretty urgent matter, im out of town and the motor I want to purchase is where im at, and I would be taking it home with me
Wait, are you swapping the motor or the transmission?
If you just want the motor out of the drivetrain and your AW4 is shifting fine, just swap the longblock, put your 98's sensors and such on it and it will work great.
If you want to swap both (not sure why, but whatever) you might need to swap a 97 TCU in, which my info says will solve the problem.
Personally I would buy the parts, swap the engine, sell the AW4 and buy one that fits your year for sure, but that might just be me.
AW4s take an astonishing amount of abuse to kill. Despite my best efforts over a 4 year period I removed mine last weekend for the AX15 swap still shifting crisply and handling whatever I threw at it, including towing 3500lbs at high speed in overdrive, without overheating, slipping, or shifting badly.