I need to source a new flexplate

[DaemonForce]

The flexplate offset changed as well in '88 to use the 4.0L style starter (Chrysler didn't want to run Ford starters)

I plan on using a 4.0L MSD starter anyhow. Now that I think about it, I probably have very little chance of finding a donor YJ. What year range would be useful from the TJ series? There are a lot of those available.

[BenM]

It looks like up to '02 for the 32RH/999 and up to '06 for the 42RLE which should be the same torque converter. If I recall correctly, the 42 series is the 998/999 case modified slightly with extra oil passages and a new valve body for the overdrive in the tailshaft; so it should essentially be the same in all other places.

Edit: The RE and RLE are totally different transmissions. The 42RE is a 998/999 case, but the 42RLE is a 604 case.
The 42RE was available behind the 4.0 Grand Cherokee (WJ) from '99-'04.

[carnuck]

42RE was available in Grand Cherokees after '93

[DaemonForce]

42RE was available in Grand Cherokees after '93

Today I went out to the Olympia picking yard and found a big ugly white 93 Grand Cherokee with the engine gutted. All that remained of it was the flex-line exhaust and some transmission cooler lines. I look back and the transmission is completely exposed. The cross bolt pattern looked familiar to me so I decided to give it a measure. First cross clocked in at 10" and the next cross was 1/16" bigger. This converter is the same size and pattern and I'm betting has the same pilot size and lockup feature. My converter is a GoPNH 5333LS. The new flex plate that I have comes from a 96 Cherokee and is 1" shorter on the cross pattern, so it doesn't mate up.

I am getting sick of running up and down. I can't find this plate so it has to be the converter. What converter did you have in your 998 when you did the 4.0L swap?

[carnuck]

I used the Eagle flexplate (dual pattern) on the 727, then the 4.0L flexplate and starter when we swapped in the AW4. The 4.0L with 42RE flexplate should work if the depth is the same converter to converter.

Auto Trans Flexplate ATP Z-338 fits 91-95 Wrangler and Grand Cherokee with 4.0. Did you check with the wreckers in Sumner?

[DaemonForce]

I used the Eagle flexplate (dual pattern) on the 727, then the 4.0L flexplate and starter when we swapped in the AW4. The 4.0L with 42RE flexplate should work if the depth is the same converter to converter.

Auto Trans Flexplate ATP Z-338 fits 91-95 Wrangler and Grand Cherokee with 4.0. Did you check with the wreckers in Sumner?

I've been suspecting Z-338 would fit but I can't get ahold of any techs that have access to the plate and a measuring tape. The same goes for looking up FRA-539 via Autozone. I don't go to Sumner. I move from Tacoma to Salem. That's the typical length of my reach. I haven't been to any Jeep meets or anything since this car blew up last year.

[carnuck]

'96 up are an even pattern and the spline count of the converter changed as well so don't run them!

[DaemonForce]

'96 up are an even pattern and the spline count of the converter changed as well so don't run them!

I don't intend to run them but the wiring harness is coming from a 96 Cherokee. Can I go back to an older 91-95 computer with it?

[carnuck]

See if the computer is OBDII or not. If it is, then no or at least not easily.

[DaemonForce]

So if it were OBDI I would be looking for the ECM from a 91-95 YJ. If it's OBDII it will come from a 03-?? TJ?

[BenM]

The '96 Cherokee was a transition year. It can be ODB I or a slightly different ODB II than used in later years.  I had a '96 ODB II Cherokee for a little while and didn't run into parts troubles, but it's slightly different.

[carnuck]

Some of the parts for the '96 were one year only and parts houses carry the wrong parts 1/2 the time for them. I had a friend with the mid-year inconsiderate person child '96 XJ that required a new computer 4 times from Jeep in the 200K he owned it (he was glad he got the work done at a fix-it-once-guaranteed-for-life dealer that is now gone) He traded it in on a Commander that he's still driving last I saw.
    I would shoot for the earlier one myself. It's the simplest to hook up. I forgot to look for the '91 XJ with 5 speed EFI harness I bought for $150 from a shop and collected the intake, computer and other bits as I've gone along. I used to have the flywheel with the EFI notches too.