Looking to buy an 89xj with 3rd gear grind

Hey there, I'm new to the forum but have been using it considerably in anticipation of buying an XJ.

My question is this:

I test drove a 89 XJ with a 5spd (trans model unknown) it is a 2 door with 4.0 and 3rd gear had a slight grind to it going in, the owner mentioned it was "normal" and has happened since he owned it.

The jeep is perfect for what I'm looking for (rocks in AZ) with lockers, gears and bumpers, I'm just hesitant to tackle the grind if it ends up being a significant cost.

My budget is about 8k total and this jeep is high 5k range, would this be a good rig to pursue or should I keep looking?

Thanks

If there's a grind one thing is for sure, it's not going to get better. You could try double-clutching the shifts and see if that improves it, which might lead you towards a slave cylinder that's on its way out. I owned a 2000 TJ that had a slight grind going into each gear and I added Redline MTL fluid which helped greatly. My guess is the synchro for 3rd is starting to wear since its one of the more commonly used gears. Do you do your own wrenching? If so, a used tranny is not that hard to replace and not that expensive, but having a shop rebuild it or replace it could cost you some bucks. Here in Oregon the budget you have would buy just about anything you want. I know its locked and loaded but it seems like a high price for a 21 year old rig. Just my $.02

Box should be AX15, internal slave setup, and that means pulling things apart to replace it.

What makes this 89 XJ worth a "high" $5k?

joe_peters said:

Box should be AX15, internal slave setup, and that means pulling things apart to replace it.

What makes this 89 XJ worth a "high" $5k?

Click to expand...

Actually.. if its a stock 89 it should be the unforunate pukegot ba5/10, swap it out for an ax-15 or a nv3500.

Sounds like you could pick up something newer for the price you are spending right off the bat.

I'm never quite sure about it.

Some references say the AX15 was introduced mid-88: http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/ax15.htm

And even Novak can't be consistent: http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/ba10_5.htm

Then there is Advance Adapters take on things: http://advanceadapters.com/resources/986/Jeep-AX15.html

Last but not least the 87-90 Parts Catalog:

1 TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY
4 SPEED
5300 3023 1 XJ, MJ 1987-89: AX4, 4 Cylinder Engine, 2WD, Up to 11/4/88
5300 6168 1 XJ, MJ 1989-90: AX4, 4 Cylinder Engine, 2WD, After 11/4/88
5300 4119 1 XJ, MJ 1987-89: AX4, 4 Cylinder Engine, 4WD, Up to 11/8/88
5300 6172 1 XJ, MJ 1989-90: AX4, 4 Cylinder Engine, After 11/8/88
5 SPEED
5300 4224 1 YJ 1987-89: AX5, 4 Cylinder Engine, 4WD, Up to 10/4/88
5300 6176 1 YJ 1989-90: AX5, 4 Cylinder Engine, 4WD, After 10/4/88
5300 5360 1 YJ 1989-90: AX15, 6 Cylinder Engine, 4WD, After 3/3/89
5300 3024 1 XJ, MJ 1987-89: AX5, 4 Cylinder Engine, 2WD, Up to 10/4/88
5300 6169 1 XJ, MJ 1989-90: AX5, 4 Cylinder Engine, 2WD, After 10/4/88
5300 3388 1 XJ, MJ 1987-89: AX5, Diesel Engine, 2WD, Up to 11/1/88
5300 6170 1 XJ, MJ 1989-90: AX5, Diesel Engine, 2WD, After 11/1/88
5300 5386 1 XJ, MJ 1989-90: AX15, 6 Cylinder Engine, 2WD, After 3/9/89
5300 4358 1 XJ, MJ 1987-89: AX5, 4 Cylinder Engine, 4WD, Up to 12/12/88
5300 6173 1 XJ, MJ 1989-90: AX5, 4 Cylinder Engine, 4WD, After 12/12/88
5300 4359 1 XJ, MJ 1987-89: AX5, Diesel Engine, 4WD, Up to 11/21/88
5300 6174 1 XJ, MJ 1989-90: AX5, Diesel Engine, 4WD, After 11/21/88
5300 5385 1 XJ, MJ 1989-90: AX15, 6 Cylinder Engine, 4WD, After 3/9/89

2 TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY, Model BA 10/5 Peugeot
5300 2035 1 YJ 1987: 5 Speed, 6 Cylinder Engine, 4WD
5300 5248 1 YJ 1988-89: 5 SPEED, 6 Cylinder Engine, 4WD
5300 5451 1 YJ 1989: 5 SPEED, 6 Cylinder Engine, 4WD, Up to 3/9/89
5300 5452 1 YJ 1988: 4 SPEED, 6 Cylinder Engine, 4WD, CKD Egypt
5300 2838 1 XJ, MJ 1987: 5 SPEED, 6 Cylinder Engine, 2WD
5300 5251 1 XJ, MJ 1988: 5 SPEED, 6 Cylinder Engine, 2WD, Up to Transmission
serial no. 131162
5300 5453 1 XJ, MJ 1988-89: 5 SPEED, 6 Cylinder Engine, 2WD, After
Transmission serial no. 131162.
5300 3234 1 XJ, MJ 1987: 5 SPEED, 6 Cylinder Engine, 4WD
5300 5252 1 XJ, MJ 1988: 5 SPEED, 6 Cylinder Engine, 4WD, Up to Transmission
serial no. 131162.
5300 5454 1 XJ, MJ 1988-89: 5 SPEED, 6 Cylinder Engine, 4WD, After
Transmission serial no. 131162.

Thanks for all the info. You guys helped put things in perspective. I just went out and saw and drove it this past weekend and it had a few things I was looking for in a jeep, it wasn't my most ideal lift (Skyjacker "Longer" arm) and it didn't have AC, which is a must when the temps heat up here in AZ. I can be bearable in the AM but the ride home is a cooker with no air. I know it has the rennix fuel injection, but I wasn't sure if that was workable or just plain junk. All my buddies are out every weekend with the weather nice and I'd like to be part of the crew and had a jeep ready to go fairly quick but I don't want a mess to deal with.

Good:

• Lift
• 35"s
• 4.56 Gears
• Lockrite F and R
• Front Bumper (no name) but stout
• rear bumper that can hold the 35" spare and jack
• Rock Rail
• Both bumpers and rock rails tied together over the fenders with tubing.

Bad:

• Steering loose (half turn getting off the freeway before tires moved)
• 3rd Gear Grind
• No AC
• 5 Spd

What rear axle? D35/35s/locked = grenade with the pin pulled.