Griff04

Sorta interested in what you have in mind for rebuilding the front seat. My cover is good but the seat itself sags really bad on the drivers side. Griff04

A lot of different points to consider. May just stick to using my trailer. Thanks for all the input.

Honestly hadn’t even thought about that, I’m assuming that it somehow just pops on and off? I do like the idea of having it on and up from a safety standpoint but understand that “you can’t have your cake and eat it too”. Thx, Griff04

Thanks for the reply....I’m amazed at the mileage on your trucks....WOW!!!!

Does anyone know the tailgate load rating on an 88. Googled and searched around but can’t find anything. Been pulling my 4wheeler on a 14’ trailer which is a little big for it. Thinking about just getting some ramps and hauling it in the bed. Dry weight on 4wheeler is approx 725#, just don’t want to snatch the hinges off by overloading it. Thanks, Griff04

Well it’s been a minute since I’ve been on the site. Between working and spending every free moment at the hunting lease putting in new food plots and stands I just have not had time to do anything on the MJ. I have used it quite a bit on the lease since the tranny replacement though and it’s been fine, round trip 70 miles, 4-5 times a week, hasn’t missed a beat. As much as I hate it at this point I’m weighing my options on it, really need more room, extended or quad cab. Not sure what I’m going to do. Later and appreciate everyone’s help. Griff04

Gonna have to take a closer look at this over the weekend. Little confused on where it goes into the steering column but will just have to take a look at it. Thx

I’ll try the TV cable adjustment if it ever quits raining. In regards to the linkage, I had to disconnect it when I replaced the tranny.

That looks simple enough... Thanks man.

Well I’ve been busy as heck getting ready for bow season and got behind schedule but finally got it all buttoned up. Took it for a drive this afternoon and the donor trans shifted out fine and seems pretty solid...we will just have to see how it holds up. I do have a couple of questions that maybe someone can help me out with and possibly save me some time in trying to search it out. 1. Does the AW4 have what I’ll call a downshift passing gear? I never really noticed if the original had one or not? If it does maybe its just an adjustment I need to make? 2. I know this is going to sound anal but gear position indicator on the steering wheel column is not in the correct position. When its drive the indicator is showing it in the neutral position. Is there also an adjustment on this also? Thanks in advance. Griff04

Got the donor tranny pulled today, wasn’t too bad. Gonna pull mine tomorrow. Not going to get in a hurry with it. Will prep the donor this week and go with the install next weekend. Thanks for all the input. Griff04

Found a used tranny through one of the guys at work. Donor is out of a 90 XJ with supposedly 145k on it, been sitting up for about 6 years after a blown motor, oil pump went out. The guy wants $175 with me pulling it. I figure $175 plus probably 6-8 hours of work vs $2k for a rebuild it’s worth a shot. Gonna replace the filter and front/rear seals before install. Anyone have any recommendations for them appreciated, Crown offers replacement parts but honestly scared of them. Any input on if I need to replace the torque converter or not appreciated? We will see how it goes. Griff04

For the most part all the local yards, 60 mile radius, have gone to a u-pull-it style service. This of course as you know means the tranny is left sitting in the vehicle. Now, is this good or bad, probably not as good as removing and properly storing them but as long as they are somewhat out of the element and not left laying around on the ground I think they should be okay? I’m definitely in agreement with doing a little maintenance on them such as replacing the seals, filter, and pan gasket. Heck I don’t know, maybe I’m just trying to convince myself in getting a used one instead of shelling out close to $2k for a shop rebuild and install. With the intentions of pulling it myself I actually went to 2 other tranny shops in town today to see what they would charge me if I brought it to them, neither would touch it. GO FIGURE, THEY WANT ALL YOUR MONEY!!! Can’t do nothing but laugh about it!!🤪

Thanks Pete.

I’ve been around a long time, actually turned 61 today, used to think that was old, now I think it is young. I’ve seen a lot of things and been down a lot of roads along with all those “rabbit holes” you mentioned in your reply. In my younger days I’d make quick decisions which always came back to haunt me, nowadays I just take my time, my wife can’t stand it but it is what it is. My buddy owns a wrecker service so it didn’t cost me anything to get it to the shop and likewise on getting it back to the house. Will probably just have him drag it home tomorrow and then think on it a few days. I’ve been “wrenching” for 40+ years, replaced a couple of trannys but never built one, so doing the work wouldn’t be an issue but finding the time and energy would be. I’ll get it figured out!! I appreciate everyone’s input. Thx, Griff

Which local Jeep yard are you referring to?

Thanks JD, sorry for the misunderstanding.

Yea, that’s a good one, didn’t know you had some “Viking” blood in you lol A quick question, maybe you can help, I believe I read somewhere that the AW4 had changes made in 91? Exactly what year(s) would be a plug and play for my 88? thanks Griff04

Honestly I thought you were speaking to, please accept my apology.

First of all let’s get something straight...I appreciate everyone’s input and suggestions. Secondly, your comment about “you keep telling me, you keep ignoring me” is totally off base. I’m not quite sure what kind of “tone” was behind that but I’m a grown man, I would appreciate it if you don’t talk down to me like I’m some kind of kid. If you have an issue with this then I’ll put it politely, bug-off. Thirdly, there are currently 3, yes 3, early model Cherokees with autos in them, probably the AW4s, sitting in the U-Pull-It yard, in my hometown, Albany Ga, in the SE as you put it, that I could probably get. So I have a hard time believing that parts are completely drying up. I’m in agreement with HOrnbrod, they are just getting a little harder to come by. Griff04

I’m in agreement with you. This is basically a rust free, strong engined MJ with a dead tranny. There’s no way I’d chop it up or part it out.

The tranny shop called me today, they had dropped the pan and wanted me to look at it. There were shavings in it but I really don't know what’s acceptable but having an industrial mechanical background I’d say there was too much. With that said they estimated a rebuild cost $1800 - $2000, wasn’t expecting that much. Told them to button it back and I’d think on it overnite. Not sure whether to go with the rebuild or trying to find one from the junkyard. I did ask them if I elected to go with a used one would they swap it for me and it was a flat “no”. I’ve got another shop that said they’d do the swap for $400. If I was going to use it for a DD I’d go with the rebuild but using it mainly on the hunting lease really not sure which way to go?? Thoughts??

Pretty much eyeballed everything but nothing stands out. Had it hauled to the tranny shop this afternoon, discussed the events leading up to the failure, said it sounded like some type of internal catostrophic failure, sounds like $$$ to me. They called me late this afternoon but I was sleeping. Should know something in the morning. Appreciate everyones support.

Well I’m really transmission stupid... I would assume that the pump would eventually fill up the converter thus lowering the level in the pan reservoir. So if that’s answering my question then I guess it’s answered.

Yes, tube is back together...wasn’t exactly sure how much was left in it so I drained it, the fluid was a little dark and burnt, I had to add back 4 quarts to get it to read correctly on the dipstick. Let it run and idle for about 15 minutes but still not going into gear, only park. Is there a method to check the torque converter?