yj tranny has no 5th gear!???

[nvrstuk]

So my bro in law just bought a '92 yj, with the 4cyl. The manual shifts just fine.. even into 5th gear, but alls you get is a soft grinding noise, kindof like the gear is just a hair out of reach. The jeep is not lifted, bone stock, and there is nothing keeping the shifter from moving freely. Has anyone heard of this issue? Are we looking at a transmission rebuild?
Thanks.

 

[MikeGyver]

Extremely common on the AX-5 trans. Not many people rebuild them since the flaw is inherent to the design.

 

[rholbrook]

I pushed started my jeep in reverse, popped the clutch and out went reverse and 5th. The AX5 is a POS.