Best reman transmission or new???
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Best reman transmission or new???
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!!!
im ready to get this done!!!
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Eustis, Florida
Posts: 926
Received 286 Likes
on
201 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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
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
The following users liked this post:
ijeeep (02-09-2021)
#5
CF Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 4,043
Received 1,120 Likes
on
899 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0
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.
https://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1053970
What's wrong with yours? More often than not, the problem is not mechanical.
#6
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Around the world
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
Received 93 Likes
on
78 Posts
Year: 2001 / 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: Fire breathing 4 point Oh!!!
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.
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
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.
https://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1053970
What's wrong with yours? More often than not, the problem is not mechanical.
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!!!
Trending Topics
#8
Seasoned Member
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.
#9
CF Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,538
Received 659 Likes
on
562 Posts
Year: 96
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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
#10
CF Veteran
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
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
#11
CF Veteran
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
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
#12
Seasoned Member
#13
CF Veteran
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.
#14
CF Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,538
Received 659 Likes
on
562 Posts
Year: 96
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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
#15
CF Veteran
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
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