robsjeep

I am considering a new transmission for my 1990 6 cylinder. I got 305 kmiles on it.

I see AutoZone has a"Grade A" rebuilt tranny for about $2700. I also see rebuild part kits for around $500 or so
I can likley get an used one at pick and pull and rebuild that one, allowing me to drive my jeep during my own repair.

never done an auto before, but have done vw manuals transaxles, regeared my axles on the jeep and such, so I can do it as a learning process.

Any what is the quality of the AutoZone rebuilt one?
What rebuilt parts kits are of good quality, bad quality?

I want to take my jeep on a road trip in one month.

the tranny has slipped some and tends to run a bit hot per my temp gage. it has suffered from jerking on a 4x4 trip, and in one area it got hot to the point of a burning smell, (we stopped to let it cool) it still works, no bad noise, no metal bits found at fluid change, So it aint like it handgranaded, so I hope a basic rebuild kit might work, or if I get pressed for time I buy an already rebuilt unit (but that is at a high price)

so what of the qualities of the rebuild parts kit, and the AutoZone fully rebuilt tranny?

cruiser54

I would only deal with a local trans shop if I were to go the rebuilt route.

Autozone can't even supply decent alternators, starters etc.

Actually, if it were mine, and it exhibited no symptoms, would keep driving it.

Change the fluid every 15K miles. Perhaps switch to a compatible synthetic.

The AW4 is one of the toughest trannies ever built. I've seen them endure twice as much abuse as yours has and go 450,000 miles.

awg

I would keep driving it but obtain a spare trans or two, I got a couple for about $100 each

When my trans lost reverse, I installed a spare which had known less miles, it is still there, I have another spare

My intention was to obtain a rebuild kit and rebuild my original, however a master kit is over $500 and its a bit of a monster job (especially for a 1st time)

In my opinion, it is 100% imperative that any trans overhaul be completed in an extremely systematic and timely manner...or it will greatly increase the chance of failure

As those conditions have not yet arisen, I have not ordered the parts

I first learned to repair auto transmission by taking apart a failed unit prior to tacking mine (not a Jeep)

I think this step was needed for me at least

awg

further comment as the browser is still open

for an AW4. I would consider it virtually essential to have at least one spare, preferably known working, (if you want to keep vehicle longtime) as there are wear parts not included in any rebuild kits

furthermore in an old trans, such things as bushings may or may not need replacing, the valve body will certainly need cleaning out, means take apart

you do not want to take apart a complex valve body 1st time and it be your XJ..certainly not without a spare on hand

you get hundreds of chances to make a mistake, and just one can **** the job

look at lots of Youtubes, there is AW4, and a really excellent master auto trans tech that has a YouTube channel, it might scare you off, he fixes a lot of other trans shop stuff ups

After watching his channel (I, and many of his customers) would be, and do, freight their broken down vehicle from wherever in USA, he insists on install himself

lawsoncl

Keep in mind that 1990 was a transition year for the output shaft spline count. Read here for the interchange issues for the different years.
https://naxja.org/threads/everything...e-aw4.1053970/