time for a "new" tranny?

[boodlebutt]

1989 xj 4.0 i6 aw4 & np242j.

just after thanksgiving i had to replace the t-case, so i dont think this should be part of the problem.

onto the problems/ questions.... pardon me if this sounds like a newbie problem.

a slight shake between shifts. 2nd to 3rd & 3rd to 4th (D). then around 50 mph it does it again. (it's making the driver, my girlfriend, nervous when she goes to work & such)

is this due to bein so old (has over 260k on it) and wearing out?

is it less expensive to "rebuild" the transmission or just replace it with one from a j/y?

i have not yet had to rebuild a transmission, so i REALY don't want to mess it up if i end up rebuilding it.

any tips or suggestions? or if anyone has the time/parts to give me a hand in this, it would be GREATLY appriciated!!
we need to keep this xj running as it is our daily driver (no other vehicle yet).


thanks & keep them muddy!!!


yes i called the local o'reily's; all but $500 for the rebuild kit.
the local yard wants about $400 for a tranny.

what do ya'll think?

take my chances on rebuilding it myself (could be down for more than a day)?

just replace it (down for an after-noon)?

key here is gettin the cash up for either.
but! if this guy the 6 met at work we MAY be able to get another tranny for nothing.... if he calls.

[Navydoc8778]

If he dowsn't call, have your rebuilt by a decent shop. Talk to the guys at your local hotrod or offroad shop and see who they use. Don't waste time with Aamco or any of those chain joints. The problem with just throwing a j/y one in there...how long is it gonna last. Will it make it another 260k or just down the driveway. Also try talking to these guys: http://www.transmissioncenter.net/ . I got my parts from them. Master rebuild kit, shift kit, and a few goodies for just shy of 450. That trans is a beast now. hope this rambling helped.

[sincitycj]

Listen to Doc, he's Navy and knows all about junk yard trannys. As for your transmission, if you want to try to rebuild it yourself try to get ahold of a cheap used one. That way you could rebuild one while having your rig still on the street.

[Mr.RonGilbert]

Not so new but you may get a free bike out of it...

[sincitycj]

Found a link for ya. Looks like it cover everything about the aw4

http://wagoneers.com/XJ/tech/TRANSMI...ervice_AW4.pdf

[boodlebutt]

Not so new but you may get a free bike out of it...

this is soo wrong on soo many levels !!!! lmao
i think my 3y/o is too big for that bike!

thanks guys, i will see what i can come up with from those links!
as for havin a shop do the work, yes that would be so much easier for us, but A; lack of funds for a shop, B; haven't seen a lot (2 i think) of shops here localy. would have to go to another "city" (or town) which is still a good 30 min drive in any direction. and last but not least C; even if we did have a shop do it, we'd be vehicle less untill they got it done.


edit;
thanks for that last link sin! i got it downloaded now! hehehe
doc thats about what the local o'realy's wants for the kit here. did you rebuilty it yourself or have a shop do it?
i TRY to stay as far away from any shop that has ASE certified IDIOTS working for them. (had a very bad run in with some, they didn't know their a-hole from a hole in the ground!!!)
had a problem with another vehicle, had them look at it, said they couldn't find the problem. took it back 3 days later (after having the time to find & fix the problem myself) and ask them why all their trainin & computers couldn't tell them what was wrong with it? i have no diagnostic/code reading computers & not sure if i ever want one.
in my personal (and professional) oppinion a real (good) mechanic doesn't need a computer to tell them what is wrong with a vehicle.

[highlandercj-7]

AW4's are near bullet proof. They are dirt cheap because the supply is twice as great as the demmand for them. You can find a used trans all day long for under 250.00 I wouldn't be affraid of one because they are so tough. The AW4 ought to go down as one of the best auto trans of all time. The only complaint I have of them are how lazy they shift.You may want to look at the flex plate and the torque convertor area you might not need a trans. Look at the flex plate it may be cracked.

[Navydoc8778]

I bought the parts and ad a guy who builds monster truck transmissions (not kidding, he had 5 of them in his garage) rebuild mine. Basic rebuild with better steels and frictions and a stage 1 shift kit. Best auto I've driven in many years.

[boodlebutt]

that's great to know highlandercj-7, thanks for the info. never realy worried about what transmition i was running in the past.
the yard close to me wants $300-$400 for a tranny. other wise i'm gonna have to drive a good 1.5 hours to the next closest yard.

Navydoc, was that out in cali.? or another state?
i am in the state of perpetual confussion, lmao.

drove it to the store today & it would do that shimmy/shake between 25 mph and 35 mph, then it would go away.
the other week i checked the diff. fluid & it looked kinda watery. still oily/grease, but very watery. i was thinkin it may have something to do with something. (possibly low or just needing changed), which when i can i will be changing both the front & rear diff fluids. 90w is what i need for that isn't it? (haynes doesn't say what weight it takes, which is stupid).