Lifted_BlueXJ

98 Cherokee trans finally went out!!! Im wanting to put a new one in or a reman from one of the parts stores!!!! Some good advice would be helpful,
im ready to get this done!!!

Randy Bobani

You're much better off removing the unit and bringing it to your local transmission shop.

BruceB

I just went through replacing the transmission (AW4) in my 96 Cherokee 2wd at 205000 miles due to a loud droning noise that started to come from within the transmission.
Four transmission shops in my area. Rebuild prices were between $3000 and $4500. With that being said, they all included a 3 year guarantee on parts only, not labor.
Went to the local parts stores and ask for recommendations to have it rebuilt.
Received 3 recommendations to 3 of the same transmission shops..
I did venture in buying a rebuilt from the parts stores, but it looked like the pricing for them ranged from $1800 to $2500. with not great reviews and different grades of transmission(?)
The shop I use sourced out a AW4 from a salvage site a 1996 AW4 with 100300 miles. A full parts and labor warranty for 24mos/240000 miles. They replaced all the seals, new fluid and filter screen, and the final bill was $1200 for the transmission $350 labor and $150 for fluids and seals.

After 2500 miles there has been no issues at all.

Also a big decision was the knowledge that the AW4 is a tough transmission commoningly known to last in the mid to upper 200000 mile range..

If I get another 100000 miles or so, it would be about 10 years worth of my driving habits. I will be ok with that ....

Hope this helps

00t444e

Get one out of a junkyard.

lawsoncl

First, read this thread to understand what years will swap. You want a 98+, and you can confirm it's a 98+ verifying it has the extra input speed sensor.
https://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1053970

What's wrong with yours? More often than not, the problem is not mechanical.

MaskedMallard

A New transmission - everything is new, including the case.
A Remanufactured transmission - reused & cleaned case all new internal parts.
A Rebuilt transmission - reusing old parts that are still in specification & only replacing what broke.

When I worked automotive, we used to deal with a company in Fort Dodge, Iowa. It was cheaper for us to have the transmission shipped in by freight, than it was to take the transmission out of the customers car & take it to a rebuilder. We could also get a better warranty. I remember the packaging from the transmission place having the British Racing Green in the logo, so I think the company is Fort Dodge Transmission ( https://www.fortdodgetransmission.com/ ). Maybe Certified Transmission ( https://www.certifiedtransmission.com/ ), but I don't think so.

Lifted_BlueXJ

it started out not wanting to shift from 1st to 2nd but would eventually after a little throttle persuasion but after that it was fine all day!!! When it was cold it did it even worse but was better after it warmed up!! It also did it when it was warmed up too which kinda fooled me! Tranny is got about 212 on it and I’m not sure the maintenance on it when we got it 6 months ago. A couple of days ago the cooler line that goes into tranny in the back by the exhaust started puking fluid out of the back of the fitting. My son was driving at the time and didn’t know and I think that’s when it fried. The next two days after it started having problems going into reverse and drive then finally wouldn’t stay in gear and kept slipping into neutral and after I got home in it, it wouldn’t pull at all and you could smell the fluid and it was burnt!!!

Randy Bobani

New Transmission - Who in the world is casting aftermarket AW4/A340 cases?

Reman - All new internals? My goodness. Where are you going to find new pistons, drums, sprag assemblies, planets, pump housings, a sun shell and shafts? ATFspeed is the world leader in AW4/A340 units. They do manufacture some upgraded parts like billet accumulator pistons and an intermediate sprag assembly. I wouldn't expect all new transmission internals in a reman unit as it is impossible for almost every vintage transmission. (Race specific units like Powerglides are obviously available as "new")

Rebuilt - Yup, you got it. That's how it's done. Regardless of how the unit is marketed, a mom and pop trans shop to Jasper, parts that are reusable will be reused, and parts that are trashed will be replaced.

That's why it's always best to go to your local trans shop or engine builder if you cant do the job yourself. It's especially important to support local business in today's economy. Jasper Engines does not need your business. Your local guy would love to rebuild your unit. It also doesn't hurt have your neighborhood transmission wizard as a friend for life.

awg

a used one from ( a private seller) is what I did, save big $ if you do the swap yourself

a "reman" has the bushes replaced ( and all available wear parts)..always ask this..no new bushes, it aint a reman

I would not allow my AW4 to be rebuilt by a local trans shop unless they are well experienced with them (which they should be)..heard some bad stories

I intend to strip down the trans, which lost reverse, to see if I can ID the failed part..I have another trans that has had parts robbed, but was allegedly a goer

Heat is the killer

I immediately fitted a trans temp gauge, and have found temps got up to 220F under very hot ambient temps (100F) when pulling big hills, especially if the TC is not locked up

I believe this bought about the demise of my previous trans, temps over 230F can damage seals

It does not get too hot when ambient is 70F

robsjeep

mine has 301,000 miles on it, fingers crossed. still works fine. life of tranny has a lot to do on how it was used and serviced.

RocketMouse

I'd stay the OEM route if at all possible no matter what you decide. I've heard from several reputable sources that our AW4s were actually manufactured by Toyota. And we all know that in most of their models, they tend to build pretty solid stuff.
If mine ever went out... I wouldn't put anything back in but OEM.... fully redone with new internals, a reman or salvage yard.... heaven knows you don't want to get some Jatco quality in there... lol

Randy Bobani

Might want to check those sources. AW4 = Aisin Warner Automatic 4-Speed. Toyota owns 51% of the Aisin Co. and they are the worlds largest manufacturer of automatic transmissions.

RocketMouse

Well that's what I had heard... I didn't say I could prove it. Just that over time I'd heard that from several reputable sources... Either way... the AW4 is a darn reliable trans. so guess it doesn't really matter at the end of the day who makes it. It's solid.

awg

Do you live in a cool climate ?

My trans service manager mate says the average life of an AW4 in our warm climate is not much over 200k miles

serious off-roaders I spoke to have had to replace them well before that

They can get too hot

also, they work very hard in heavy city traffic situations...ie 1 hour of city driving = many hours open road miles

RocketMouse

Even with the addition of a good aftermarket trans cooler? Just curious... have been thinking about installing one on mine...it's low mileage now, but if that would extend the life overall.. that's pretty cheap insurance.