I am looking to replace the transmission in my 1998 polaris sportsman 500 what years will interchange with this? I notice the 1999 looks the same except for plugs for gear indicator can I use this and not use these?

 

Welcome to the forum! Not only are the gear position switches different I believe,but your model was the last to use the cable operated speedometer with the adapter drive on the transmission. The 99 model was the first year to use the wheel speed sensor for the speedo. Possibly you could transfer the adapter over for the speedo (I believe the holes are still there on the 99 for the adapter along with mounting the adapter key) ,but the wiring for the gear position sensors that you wouldn't have may be the problem? May be tricky trying to tie in to make the awd work?? Might be simpler to repair your transmission,depending on what's wrong?? OPT

 

If he has a cable operated speedo then his AWD should work even if he decides not to even hook up the cable to the new tranny.

Our 97 SP500 had working AWD even with the speedo smashed off from a roll over.

I think 99 was the first digital speedo that was a component for the AWD to work.

 

YEP! Now that I'm awake and thinking,the sensors on the tranny wouldn't have to be hooked up for the awd, plus the speedo adaptor and cable could be mounted on the 99 from the 98 which still had the holes and the place for the key way in the case. I shouldn't be answering questions at 4'oclock in the morning! OPT

 

That is what I was thinking since my 4wd works now without any electric to the transmission I figured the 99 should work. As for the speedo mine is broken so not a big deal right now when I replace it I can hook into the tranny.