My 1987 jeep wrangler wont shift into gear...i have replaced the clutch master cyclinder or it may be called the slave cylinder whichever is located near the transmission...what do i do next?

it appears from your description that it is a clutch operation problem
in that it is not disengaging properly to allow the clean selection of first gear
that amounts to air in the hydraulic system, faulty slave cylinder or faulty clutch master cylinder
unless you have oil on the clutch plate causing it to stick or a dry or seizing spigot bearing in the flywheel( possible ), there is no report from you about a clutch problem( slipping , shudder smelling hot)
At this point replacing both the slave cylinder and clutch master cylinder would be the fix especially if they have not been serviced since manufacture
take it to an accredited brake /clutch specialist shop for diagnosis /quote
some vehicles have the slave cylinder internal in the bell housing (very bad and repair costly manufacturing idea) and if that is your case , the transmission will have to be removed to replace it
should that happen and as the box will be out , it will be cost effective to inspect the clutch at that time

sounds like your clutch is not disengaging. when you press on the clutch pedal you should feel the resistance of the clutch pressure plate. There is a pilot bearing in the flywheel when it goes bad it continues to turn the transmission mainshaft not allowing your gears to line up for a shift, but you have noticed a bad noise if this were the cause. Or your clutch hydraulics have gone out. check your fluid level. if low you may have sucked some air into your system. you will have to bleed the lines as you would for car brakes. The other possibilities are bad clutch master cylinder or slave cylinder,

It is likely leaking at the slave cylinder

Get the clutch slave cylinder and master cylinder looked at.One of the 2 has failed.If the pedal goes to the floor or is very loose,this is very likely the cause.Not an expensive fix.Hope this helps

Check the clutch master cylinder, the line to the slave cylinder on the bellhousing and the slave for leaks. If fluid is low there is a leak. Master can "bypass" as well similar to a brake master in which case it wont leak but the slave won't move when the clutch is applied. If that system is working then the clutch likely has worn out.

Are you having to add fluid? If yes, look for the leak. If no, It's the clutch master cylinder.

You have air in the hydraulic system, sometimes there is a funky bleeding routine. I hade a Ford Ranger and you had to pump up the clutch master cylinder before connecting it to the slave cylinder, it took a couple of tries but it did work in the end.

I would first bleed the tranny lines, if that doesnt work then your tranny is out and need to get it replaced. FYI with Jeep Wranglers, It is better to get a new transmission then to rebuild them

check for leak at the push rod for the clutch master under the dash and also the slave cylinder and replact the leaking part

hello usaully it is on the slave if not try to hold the clutch pedal in overnight with a stick or something take the cover off the master for the slave so air can escape thru the top goodluck