Jeep engine build date codes question

[DaveB]

I am trying to figure out what year the TJ 2.5 engine and other drivetrain parts were produced that are in the old Willys wagon that I picked up. It appears to be a low mileage engine but I don't know how long it has been in the project. The sticker on the engine has a 7 in the year position but I pretty sure the engine isn't a 2007 motor. So does anyone know how to decipher the year number ? Is it a 97 ? or something else ? There looks to be a date code of 2002 on the radiator but I'm guessing on that one.

Also did 2.5 L TJs come with AX15 trannies or AX5 ? I need to dust off everything on these TJ drivetrain parts and see if I can find build dates on them too. The axles are the standard 30/35 with 4.10 gears and they look very clean too so I don't think they have many miles on them.

 

[rholbrook]

Mine has a 7 on it and it happens to be a 97 TJ. The AX5 is a POS, I have already blown mine up once push starting it backwards while popping the clutch in reverse. I found a good used one because while I was debating what to do with it, everything I read said wait until you swap the motor because the output shaft has fewer splines and I would have to do something with the transfer case as well.

The AX15 came with the 4.0L.

 

[DaveB]

I checked some pictures and the tranny is the ax5 like yours. The drivetrain on this tj appears to have very low mileage but it has been sitting for a while so I'll have to check everything out. Hopefully someone can use the drivetrain parts because my garage is overflowing with parts.