85xj4dr said:
I suspected that about the wiring, and figured I'd get my hands on a 231 with a cable type speedo also.
What would the flexplate have to do with it? Do you think its just worth it to get a trans/ t case from the same era? I can get my hands on a tranny/ t case from an 87 xj for a straight trade for my 96 tranny/t case.
The flex plate is connected to the motor and obviously the right one for the 88 Renix sensor group. The 96 motor requires a different tone ring and CPS. Whether the CPS swap (to the early Renix type) is a simple bolt on (tranny bell housing) and exactly in the right position, I haven't a clue. Some simple measurements (or search) can likely answer this question. Seems more than a few people have swapped in later model tranny`s (or later model motors on early tranny's) and had a no start condition. But I sure haven't researched it much, never had the need myself.
Swapping in a 231 (early) with the cable, takes you right back to the spline count problem. My understanding is there are three basic types, more if you count 2 different spline counts, 2 different shaft lenghts??? and a slightly different adapter bolt pattern. Advance adapters did a pretty good job of explaining what fits, but they didn't make the research easy in the way they laid it out and put the answers in various sections (I had to cross reference a bunch). I haven't been on the site for awhile.
I'd try to swap in the tranny with the lowest mileage and later model, if I had a choice.
Word of advice, get yourself a binder and some separators, a highlighter, write everything down and/or use your printer. A little extra effort on this end can save a lot of grief.
I do mostly wiring, likely where I'd be the most help.