AW4 replace, rebuild or used?

[NC Tom]

My trans is crapping out. I've been calling and searching for options, but I keep wimping out on pulling the trigger because I don't want to get ripped off, again.

 

88 MJ, Auto, 4wd, 4.0 AW4.

 

Used $200 and up. 30 Day warranty. Very often the mileage is unknown. Actual internal condition is not known.

 

Rebuild what i have for $1300 and up. OUCH! Quality varies. Warranties vary.

 

Reman for HOLY SH#T!!! Decent warranty though.

 

Advance Auto through Moveras offers a reman for maybe $1800. Not sure on price. Apparently, AA has to call Moveras and they have the current price. Like ordering fresh seafood or something?

 

Then there's Car Monkeys. I can get a used and tested tranny for $789.99 shipped to my mechanic with a 5 year warranty. Sounds like a deal, but I have no experience with them.

 

And Low Mileage Parts offers used and tested with a 5 year warranty shipped to my mechanic for $469.99? However, lots a bad reviews for these guys.

 

Any advice, experience, etc. Would be helpful. Thanks

 

[Dzimm]

Don't buy a rebuilt trans! They are never rebuilt well and don't last. Also the cost is insane. As for getting ripped off on used transmissions, that's the game you have to play. Check Craigslist or better yet go to a junkyard. They are pretty cheap there and usually have some sort of warranty if they don't function properly. Either way it usually isn't a good idea to buy a rebuilt trans.

[75sv1]

_{Might look at Car-Parts.com. Has listing nation wide. I did a search. Look for B&T Auto Part in Sparta NC. 208K and $200. Still, do a South East or other search. Might find one you like better.}

[omega_rugal]

there are a lot of XJs in the junkyards that can have a tranny with a some miles left...

[Dzimm]

Check the junkyards first. Many with 200k or less miles and they go from like $100-$200 on the high side. Prices may vary around you.

[NC Tom]

_{Might look at Car-Parts.com. Has listing nation wide. I did a search. Look for B&T Auto Part in Sparta NC. 208K and $200. Still, do a South East or other search. Might find one you like better.}

 

Yeah, I decided that I would go the used route. @75sv1, I did call B&T, but their trans was still in the vehicle, so I went with Stewart's Salvage in Stony Point. $200, 30 day warranty. Picked it up today.

 

Thanks to those who chimed-in! :thumbsup:

[a bum with money]

Has anybody here ever rebuilt an aw4? the most expensive kit runs about 300.00

And throw in a shift kit 100.00, a torque converter 150.00. Are they any different than 700r or ford w/od? What makes the aw4 any different to Rebuild?

 

I've never rebuilt an auto, but it can't be that difficult, Right? Why are they so expensive to buy a Rebuilt aw4?

 

 

Bryce

[Dzimm]

Has anybody here ever rebuilt an aw4? the most expensive kit runs about 300.00

And throw in a shift kit 100.00, a torque converter 150.00. Are they any different than 700r or ford w/od? What makes the aw4 any different to Rebuild?

 

I've never rebuilt an auto, but it can't be that difficult, Right? Why are they so expensive to buy a Rebuilt aw4?

 

 

Bryce

You won't find many people who have rebuilt these due to them being available at any junkyard pretty cheap. And with oem equipment inside them, they should run forever*. *until something causes them damage. I would never spend that much on an aw4 rebuild. I just spent $800 on a pretty clean/fully functional 95 XJ. Got the whole jeep for little more than what you want to spend on rebuilding a trans to less than oem quality/dependability (due to Aftermarket parts, not knocking your rebuild skills). Ultimately it's up to you but that's a lot of money to spend on a trans like the AW4.

[75sv1]

I looked at the rebuild kits. There are ones for about $250 and some for $450 ish. I did look into have mine rebuilt. It was $950 with a rebuilt torque converter. That was with the trans out of the vehicle. Probably no different than any other trans. You can do a web search. There are a few rebuild threads and such.

[a bum with money]

Yeah, that makes a good argument to just buy used. Saw some other posts that claimed there Bullitt proof, or can handle up to 600 Hp!

 

I'm going to keep an eye out for a aw4 for cheap just to take it apart and dink around with it.

 

What's the general opinion on shift kits? A deeper Pan? Temp gauge would be a must I think also.

 

Bryce

[75sv1]

There is the Transgo shift kits. I installed one on an XJ. It was the basic kit. The Trans or vehicle had some other issues. It ran OK, but can't say it did or did not do anything. I do have the HD kit, but haven't installed it. There are rebuild kit option. Basically Raybestos yellow band and Raybestos Blue band. Also, there are manual override shift kits or electronic toggle switches. There is a write up on one of the Jeep board with Toyota parts for an upgrade. Not sure on pans, there probably is one. Best thing is to put a trans cooler on.

[NC Tom]

Has anybody here ever rebuilt an aw4? the most expensive kit runs about 300.00

And throw in a shift kit 100.00, a torque converter 150.00. Are they any different than 700r or ford w/od? What makes the aw4 any different to Rebuild?

 

I've never rebuilt an auto, but it can't be that difficult, Right? Why are they so expensive to buy a Rebuilt aw4?

 

 

Bryce

 

Late reply, but I wanted to share what I was told about this particular issue. Before I bought my used one, I called a transmission shop in Va. and spoke with the owner. This guy has many, many years as a tranny builder. First thing he tells me is, "You won't want me to rebuild that transmission." He tells me that the AW4 has evolved a lot over the years and that the old ones just aren't in demand anymore. That's part of it. The other part is that the 80's AW4 is a complicated trans to rebuild, so the labor really adds up. His price was high at $2500, but I'm sure it would have been done right had I done it.

 

Hope this helps.