86 2.5L 4x4 transmission options?

[mdwatson]

Wondering what trans options I can swap in my 86 2.5L 4x4 without major issues. It currently has the 3 speed auto with 4.10 axles and I'm not impressed with the 3 speed performance. Speeds over 55-60 mph seem to have the motor at a really high rpm and it feels like it has some sort of 4th shift when going from 2nd to 3rd. 

[Eagle]

If you can find the bellhousing, torque converter, and other dedicated parts, you can convert to an AW4.

[omega_rugal]

or a dakota bellhousing plus an AX15

[dasbulliwagen]

There are shift kits available to update and upgrade the A904 that you have. It won't help with your highway rpms but nothing will other than overdrive or taller tires. Here is a link to tons of info on the trans and the mods for it. 

 

http://www.allpar.com/mopar/transmissions/torqueflite-tom-hand.html

[jpnjim]

Swapping in a overdrive Jeep 5 speed,

 or finding a later (hard to find) 4cylinder AW4 4spd Auto are the simplest swaps,

 

but the AMC L4 uses one of the most common "GM 60 degree" bellhousing patterns around:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_GM_bellhousing_patterns

 

= almost every transmission was made in that pattern at one time or another.

 

so even GM 4 speed auto's are out there that will bolt up,

 but you'd have to figure out how to make the starter and flexplate work.

 

A S-10 T-5 (5 speed manual) would be an option too,

 

though a Jeep AX-5 (weak) or Dakota bellhousing + AX-15/NV3550 would be the most common solution.

[jpnjim]

Wondering what trans options I can swap in my 86 2.5L 4x4 without major issues. It currently has the 3 speed auto with 4.10 axles and I'm not impressed with the 3 speed performance. Speeds over 55-60 mph seem to have the motor at a really high rpm and it feels like it has some sort of 4th shift when going from 2nd to 3rd. 

just to add,

 that "4th shift" is probably the lockup torque converter going in and out (pretty sure the 86' had a lock up),

 and that 4cyl may struggle pulling overdrive on anything but flat ground even if you do the swap. :driving: