Stick to Auto

[dasbrick]

Whats entailed with switching a Ba-10/5 to a AW4? I am looking for a little more freedom while driving to my fire calls with my hands (for siren and such). Obviously spline counts on the input shaft and transfer case, but what about ECMs? Steering column locks?

[cracker]

It entails a lot of parts.

 

Wiring to the main engine harness. Trans computer. New throttle body. New steering wheel. Beleive it or not, it requires an automatic pedal assembly (for the torque convertor lock switch). A floor shifter (unless you can find a colum shift and if so you get to change out the guage cluster). Don't forget a transmission.

 

Best bet is to have a complete Cherokee handy to move parts over.

 

I did this and everything works but the neutral safety switch. It was not fun and I don't think I'd do it again.

[Eagle]

Wiring to the main engine harness. Trans computer. New throttle body. New steering wheel. Beleive it or not, it requires an automatic pedal assembly (for the torque convertor lock switch). A floor shifter (unless you can find a colum shift and if so you get to change out the guage cluster). Don't forget a transmission.

Why a new steering wheel? There is no difference between a manual transmission steering wheel and one for an automatic.

[dasbrick]

iirc there is some sensor or lock in an auto wheel that is for the transmission

[Geonovast]

There's a cable that runs up to the switch so you can't take the key out unless it's in park, but I'm pretty sure that's not necessary...

[Eagle]

There is no sensor, not in the steering wheel (which is what the post said needs to be changed) or in the steering column. The manual transmission vehicles have a manually operated key and wheel lock built into the steering column. There is no reason whatsoever that can't be used with an automatic.

[cracker]

I mistyped and meant to say 'Steering column'. The wheel itself is fine.

 

If he wants to go column shift it would need be swapped out (along with the guage cluster).

 

If he wanted to do a floor shifter, there is a safety cable that connects the automatic floor shifter to the column. This does two things (that I can tell). It does not allow the floor shifter to be shifted out of park unless the key is in the ignition (not really important but maybe if you have kids or something). It also does not allow the key to be removed unless the transmission has been placed back into 'park'. I have found this to be nice to make sure the vehicle IS in park before the key is pulled. I believe three times now that I have 'thought' the vehicle was placed in park, it didn't actually 'click' into place so the key not coming out had sort of tipped me off that I needed to check it.

 

The steering column swap is not 'necessary' to allow the vehicle to move forward but it does make it as it was OEM and I guess a little safer. The OP had mentioned 'steering column locks'.

[dasbrick]

ha, my XJ must have broke this cable because I would take the key out with the thing running, lock it, then go do a quick business spot, come back and unlock, drive away. I could even turn it off without a key.

[Geonovast]

That has nothing to do with the cable. The cable prevents you from turning the lock cylinder into the lock position, normally where you would be able to remove the key. Your cylinder and/or key are simply so worn, that it doesn't keep the key in it. Very common with the older Renix keys.

 

3 of my 4 Jeeps do the same thing, and only one of them is a Renix.

[Eagle]

If he wants to go column shift it would need be swapped out (along with the guage cluster).

I can't imagine anyone wanting the column shifter. I certainly don't intend to use one when I convert a 5-speed to automatic for my wife to drive.

 

If he wanted to do a floor shifter, there is a safety cable that connects the automatic floor shifter to the column. This does two things (that I can tell). It does not allow the floor shifter to be shifted out of park unless the key is in the ignition (not really important but maybe if you have kids or something). It also does not allow the key to be removed unless the transmission has been placed back into 'park'. I have found this to be nice to make sure the vehicle IS in park before the key is pulled.

I don't need (or want) to be forced to turn the key before being "allowed" to shift out of PARK. I also have no use for clutch interlocks that won't allow me to use the starter unless the clutch is depressed.

 

As far as removing the key, the 5-speeds have the manual lock that doesn't allow the key to be removed unless you hold down the little handle thingie. Since I always park a 5-speed in 1st gear before removing the key, putting an automatic in PARK is no different than putting a 5-speed in 1st. Again ... no need for the stupid cable. One less thing to swap (actually, several less things to swap), and one less thing to break.

[dasbrick]

That has nothing to do with the cable. The cable prevents you from turning the lock cylinder into the lock position, normally where you would be able to remove the key. Your cylinder and/or key are simply so worn, that it doesn't keep the key in it. Very common with the older Renix keys.

 

3 of my 4 Jeeps do the same thing, and only one of them is a Renix.

 

My XJ was a 94... were they still renix then?

[Geonovast]

No, last year for the Renix was 90.

 

But that doesn't mean it's limited to Renix. As I said, 3 out of 4 of mine do it. The 88 XJ, the 91 4.0 MJ, and my 99 XJ you can pull the key out whenever you want.

[cracker]

If he wants to go column shift it would need be swapped out (along with the guage cluster).

I can't imagine anyone wanting the column shifter. I certainly don't intend to use one when I convert a 5-speed to automatic for my wife to drive.

 

If he wanted to do a floor shifter, there is a safety cable that connects the automatic floor shifter to the column. This does two things (that I can tell). It does not allow the floor shifter to be shifted out of park unless the key is in the ignition (not really important but maybe if you have kids or something). It also does not allow the key to be removed unless the transmission has been placed back into 'park'. I have found this to be nice to make sure the vehicle IS in park before the key is pulled.

I don't need (or want) to be forced to turn the key before being "allowed" to shift out of PARK. I also have no use for clutch interlocks that won't allow me to use the starter unless the clutch is depressed.

 

As far as removing the key, the 5-speeds have the manual lock that doesn't allow the key to be removed unless you hold down the little handle thingie. Since I always park a 5-speed in 1st gear before removing the key, putting an automatic in PARK is no different than putting a 5-speed in 1st. Again ... no need for the stupid cable. One less thing to swap (actually, several less things to swap), and one less thing to break.

 

OK. If you say so.

 

How does your personal preference help the OP in regards to his inquiry about the steering column lock?

[Eagle]

How does your personal preference help the OP in regards to his inquiry about the steering column lock?

His steering column, being in a 5-speed truck, already has a steering column lock that is fully functional. Unless he wants to have it interlocked with the PARK position on an XJ floor shifter, there is no need to do anything with or to his steering column.

 

It's really a matter of his personal preference, not mine. He does not need to touch the steering column to do his conversion ... unless he prefers to have the steering interlocked to the automatic shifter.

[cracker]

It's really a matter of his personal preference, not mine.

 

Bingo.

[Eagle]

It's really a matter of his personal preference, not mine.

 

Bingo.

I can't tell if you are finally agreeing with me, or trying to be sarcastic.

 

The original question was:

but what about ECMs? Steering column locks?

The simple answer is that the manual tranny steering column already has a lock and there is no NEED to change it when converting to an automatic. Sure, if he wants to interlock the PARK function to the steering column lock he'll have to change the steering column ... but that's a lot of work that is not necessary. I don't understand why you seem to have a problem with my pointing this out.

[cracker]

It's really a matter of his personal preference, not mine.

 

Bingo.

I can't tell if you are finally agreeing with me, or trying to be sarcastic.

 

The original question was:

but what about ECMs? Steering column locks?

The simple answer is that the manual tranny steering column already has a lock and there is no NEED to change it when converting to an automatic. Sure, if he wants to interlock the PARK function to the steering column lock he'll have to change the steering column ... but that's a lot of work that is not necessary. I don't understand why you seem to have a problem with my pointing this out.

 

Bawahahahah :rotfl2: Don't worry, I'm used to your antics from the older Naxja days.

 

The OP asked what is entailed in doing the swap and asked about the column lock. You clearly have an issue with me offering what is entailed with changing from a manual to an automatic and that it interfaces with the column from the factory. Now you are trying to ‘fight’ that it is not 'needed’ and is ‘more work.’ I have no problem with you suggesting skipping this step but your tirade went a bit further than a 'suggestion.'

 

In regards to changing the column being 'more work' as you so emphatically stated above, you seem to be once again mistaken. Since you seem to get most of your information out of a FSM and not from practical experience, I will share that on my MJ is was necessary to remove the steering column to remove the triple pedal assembly. I assure you adding the column from my XJ donor vehicle was NO additional work as I had already pulled it to access the double pedal assembly to go into the MJ. The brake booster must be pulled slightly into the engine bay as well. As far as the cable itself goes, it just sits there and snaps into place within a moment.

 

I also would like to reiterate that I did say it was not needed and for minimal safety reasons it may be used but it is necessary to get the OEM automatic column lock functioning (should one decide they want it).

 

My decision to install the column was mostly a safety concern. I have children around all the time crawling in and out of vehicles. Occasionally someone else will borrow the MJ for an errand and more importantly, I am unsure who will have the vehicle if I decide to part with it (they can have small kids too). I am the type of guy who believes in using seat belts too.

 

The other reason it went in cause it was already there waiting to be used (it also had a tilt column too :thumbsup: )

 

The OP is a fireman and probably holds safety as a concern since he puts himself in danger regularly. It will be his decision to make the call but I have made my suggestion on what it would take to make it ‘factory.’

 

I apologize but I won’t drink the ‘Eagle fruit punch.’