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It seems to have an electrical problem.  Over a month ago dashboard lights came on specifically the abs light, and parking light.  Speedometer dropped to zero then back to 60 again. The odometer flashed in and out.  Speakers popped.  Headlights dimmed in and out.  Took in to pull code and it came back as ABS system.  Nothing was done to fix the problem.  About 3 weeks later the same thing happened minus the speedometer, and headlights.  Took in no code to pull from it.  Well then on Sunday, went a short distance, shut off, and jump back in to start again, and it turned over a half time and wouldn't start.  Gages bounced up and down a bit and nothing..  Lights were on in cab but no other lights, it was dead.  10 minutes later turned over and started just fine.  Been running fine ever since.  Going in on Friday to get alternator and battery looked at.  Any possible suggestions on what may be causing this..  I just read a forum that a ticking sound could be a bad ground, is that true?  Because it is ticking and the mechanic said it could be the lifters.  Any suggestions on what I can have them look at would be great, because I am about ready to light it on fire.  Thank you.  

Someone correct me if I am wrong but if the ticking sound is coming from the engine it is a common sound in all 4.0L jeep engines. Unless it is really bad. I am interested to hear how this turns out. My co-worker is having the dashboard problem but not the starting or light problem. For a basic check I would deff check the firewall where the wires pass threw at the very least.  

I was just thinking. I think most jeeps have a standard dash with a volt meter. I own an 06 TJ myself and I check the gauges before I start, when I start and as I drive. Where I find time to watch the road.. I fit it in some how.. If your Alt is running right it will read just under 14volts at idle. A bad battery can mess up your alternator.  Here in Az batterys generaly only last 2 years. Also check the post connection. Make sure there is no corrosion and make sure it is bolted down good.. a loose battery wire can cause a power failure and a hit and miss start. Just a thought. Best of luck to you.  

Another idea would be to turn your headlights on before you try to start it and see if it has a hard time starting. if it does, it is the battery. if you can do it at night check for a bad light dim, they do dim a little with a good battery but it would be very noticeable with a weak battery. I am trying to think of these things you can check yourself to maybe save you some money from them charging you just to tell you whats wrong with it.  

For some odd reason I was excited when something else went wrong, here I was thinking it was another piece to the puzzle of what may be wrong with it but when I talked to the shop on the phone, they seem to think it is not related to the orginal dashboard problem.  
The battery gauge sits right under 14 when it is idling and driving.  As I recall from the time it didn't start that none of the gauges or dashlights lights came on when I went to start, only just when it turned over the first time. After that the only movement I got from them was when they bounced up and down went I switched the key off.   As far as the posts and the connection, all was fine, tight and clean.   Thank you.  

I was talking to my co-worker more about his problem and he is saying the exact same stuff you are. He did mention something about the dash board cluster connection. It sounds like you checked that, or had it checked. The only other time I have seen what you are talking about was in a BMW that I was looking to buy and it turned out to be a circut board piece in the dash. Keep us posted!    

Well the lights came on again today.  So I took it right in and still no code came up.  As far as I know they haven't checked anything electrical just trying to pull codes from the computer.  I will ask them when I take it in on Friday about the circut board and dash board cluster connection.  Thank you.