88 cherokee is a manual trans bad?

chappys4life · 03-19-2010, 09:06 AM

I am looking at buying a jeep and have been eyeballing a few on craigslist. I semi have it narrowed down between 2 1988's. One is an auto with 160k and other is a manual with 140k. I have read on the forum that the auto transmission are a lot better but I was wondering is the manual that crappy?

I am looking to use this vechile as a daily driver and some light trail/off road use but not heavy. Also was going to do a 4" life and maybe 32's but not exactly sure yet.

I was wondering on everyone opionion on the manual trans and if I should stay away.

**UltimatE** · 03-19-2010, 01:15 PM

Yes, the automatics are favorable to the manuals in that year Cherokee.

Are they 4cyl or 6cyl? The BA10/5 and AX-5 (6cyl and 4cyl respectively) are both light duty transmissions and known for failure. The AW4 automatic behind the 6cyl engine is a stout transmission and can handle abuse.

1990offroadYJ · 03-19-2010, 01:21 PM

i swapped a 4.0 HO into my wrangler last summer. i put a ba10 out of a 88 cherokee into it for tempoary. have 4 inch lift and 33s. its still going good no problems. i wheel it pretty hard too. i just got my ax15 last week tho. i plan on putting that in it so theres no issues later. but i dont see a problem with it. there are so many interchangable parts.

i also have a 90 cherokee with the aw4. no problems there either. but i like my 5 speed more