I know you aren't exactly raking the views, but I really appreciate these videos. Could you do one one on what mods you would do for a budget build that also is a daily driver?
I have an xj and swapped the transmission to an nv3550, nice little mod and the gearbox is bombproof and has shorter ratios so works great with 4.11's and 35s. I do appreciate it is harder to go wheeling in a manual, but the maintenance is pretty much the same as autos also break flex plates and especially torque converters. Once you are used to it it takes a couple of hours to do a clutch. Not sure what issues you've found with transfer case compatibility but I'e had both 231's and 242's and both were plug and play.
I'm a manual guy right down to healing and toeing to get a good gear to VTEC out of a comer on the street. However, the first auto transmission I ever bought sets behind a 4.0 and it's wonderful to wheel with! Except for the large gap between the 2nd and 3rd ratios that could be solved with a 5-speed manual, the 4-speed automatic is perfect in dirt.
Hey Ronnie, love you videos! Auto vs Ax-15. I have to say I really like wheeling my Ax-15 tranny, but one of the points in supporting your argument for a Auto that I feel is very relevant is this. I am getting up there with my age and after wheeling the Wheeler Lake trail here in Colorado the strain on my left leg from using the clutch to navigate the obstacles was too much! I know that re-gearing to 4.56 gears would help. But at almost 60 years old I now wish I was running a Auto-Xj would be great! Keep up the good work Ronnie!
I would have to agree, the auto is much easier and smoother ride off road. I own both auto and manual, both as you have suggested are great in there own right. I believe with the manual I get a bit better mpg, however the slight saving per year at the pump is more than likely used up on maintenance. Enjoy your videos, look forward to the next one.
I have both, my 97 XJ has the original AW4 with 240K on it and I have a 98 Dakota AX15 with 168K on it, both transmissions still work like brand new. I did have to put a clutch in the Dakota however, because the throw out bearing went bad. The biggest killer of the AW4 is water getting in the fluid, so I recommend extending the vent lines, for the transmission, transfer case and axles on a trail use rig.
I hate to say it this way but the automatic XJ Cherokee with the 4.0 and the automatic I don't care if it's two-wheel drive four-wheel drive whatever is like the Timex of the Jeep you can beat the living tar out of it and it will look at you like is that all you got yes you have to do the maintenance which how else are you going to get two three four hundred thousand miles out of the vehicle without maintenance it's only a rolling time bomb thank you for your videos this is actually the first video I've seen of yours so far
AX-15 from the factory = 3.07 gear ratio,you will have to re-gear if you plan to offroad. AX-15's are extremely expensive to rebuild and most shops wont even do it because of the labor involved. Local shops have told me to source a good working one and have them install it....LMAO or pay 1800 for them to install a reman'd unit. I own a factory 5 speed and these are built for highway use,I get like 20mpg and I can get 60mph out of 2nd. LOL
I have an xj with a manual, and after 4.88 gears, it's not fun driving on the street. I'm looking to do an auto swap so that I actually want to drive it more haha
I've owned automatic xjs they're great off-road, on road sure wish I had an extra gear sometimes and going up steep grades was awful. But I'm about to buy a 94 manual why im here I just want to bang gears
Gotta say. I totally disagree. Manual trans is the only way, cooler, more reliable and easier to maintain. Not to mention the better control they offer.
Having the parasitic draw issue again... new alternator not putting out nearly 12 to 14v. They say the PCM or ecu has internal voltage regulator in it so have to add external one. But tracing a bad ground or connection could be a night mare. Any idea's? 1992 sport XJ 4.0 ax15 tranny, stock battery wiring bug
Hey Ronnie, Do you have a video about the difference between the 90's Cherokee and Grand Cherokee? Also would you prefer the diesel or gasoline engines? Any problem with finding parts? Thanks
I have 1996 XL with automatic transmission that has shifting problem so i swapped for another one that my buddy had it shift good his xj but on my i still have the same shifting issues. So my ? to you is what other components or relays that i have to look into that control shift on my tranny.
Experienced offroader but you are still being tugged out of the ruts with a chain . Invest in some good recovery equipment bro , it might save your life one day
![Jeep Cherokee: Manual Swap - Everything You Need to Know ['97-'01 XJ] AW4 to AX-15 or NV3550](/img/n.gif)
I know you aren't exactly raking the views, but I really appreciate these videos. Could you do one one on what mods you would do for a budget build that also is a daily driver?
Watch all my videos that’s what this channel is about I’ll have a video coming soon in that
In the intro Please throw something over the chain while yanking! You can really get hurt from flying chain or cable.
96 with auto. Tons of miles in Baja and Canada.... started to shift like on deaths doorstep. Changed out the solenoids for
Well said . I've had my 90 Cherokee 4.0 for over 10 years.wheeling machine: ) thanks for all the videos and tips
I have an xj and swapped the transmission to an nv3550, nice little mod and the gearbox is bombproof and has shorter ratios so works great with 4.11's and 35s. I do appreciate it is harder to go wheeling in a manual, but the maintenance is pretty much the same as autos also break flex plates and especially torque converters. Once you are used to it it takes a couple of hours to do a clutch. Not sure what issues you've found with transfer case compatibility but I'e had both 231's and 242's and both were plug and play.
The Jeep automatic is kind of like a Timex watch takes a licking and keeps on ticking
Just bought a 2001 Jeep Cherokee. So far its amazing! It is an automatic with 200,000 miles, and no problems at all!
@carl t I have already experienced that lol, my radiator needs flushing. The XJ is a pretty fricken sweet rig!
I'm a manual guy right down to healing and toeing to get a good gear to VTEC out of a comer on the street. However, the first auto transmission I ever bought sets behind a 4.0 and it's wonderful to wheel with! Except for the large gap between the 2nd and 3rd ratios that could be solved with a 5-speed manual, the 4-speed automatic is perfect in dirt.
Hey Ronnie, love you videos! Auto vs Ax-15. I have to say I really like wheeling my Ax-15 tranny, but one of the points in supporting your argument for a Auto that I feel is very relevant is this. I am getting up there with my age and after wheeling the Wheeler Lake trail here in Colorado the strain on my left leg from using the clutch to navigate the obstacles was too much! I know that re-gearing to 4.56 gears would help. But at almost 60 years old I now wish I was running a Auto-Xj would be great! Keep up the good work Ronnie!
I would have to agree, the auto is much easier and smoother ride off road. I own both auto and manual, both as you have suggested are great in there own right. I believe with the manual I get a bit better mpg, however the slight saving per year at the pump is more than likely used up on maintenance. Enjoy your videos, look forward to the next one.
I have both, my 97 XJ has the original AW4 with 240K on it and I have a 98 Dakota AX15 with 168K on it, both transmissions still work like brand new. I did have to put a clutch in the Dakota however, because the throw out bearing went bad. The biggest killer of the AW4 is water getting in the fluid, so I recommend extending the vent lines, for the transmission, transfer case and axles on a trail use rig.
Manual all the way with 4.1 gear ratio upgrade is the most common. Got a teraflex kit on Amazon for around $700.
I hate to say it this way but the automatic XJ Cherokee with the 4.0 and the automatic I don't care if it's two-wheel drive four-wheel drive whatever is like the Timex of the Jeep you can beat the living tar out of it and it will look at you like is that all you got yes you have to do the maintenance which how else are you going to get two three four hundred thousand miles out of the vehicle without maintenance it's only a rolling time bomb thank you for your videos this is actually the first video I've seen of yours so far
I have 2.5 turbo diesel XJ with 5 speed and I like it a lot on road and off road. Had automatic before but for me the manual FTW!
V8AmericanMuscleCar how hard was it to swap to manual
thats gnarly bro i have a 2.5 4 banger with a 5 speed also i wanna throw something bigger in it soon so basicly manual ftw
@@Wrecklessjlo sorry for the late reply, I didn't get the notification. My XJ have factory turbo diesel engine and manual transmission.
@@jamesroderigues8627 it's more fun! 🙂
AX-15 from the factory = 3.07 gear ratio,you will have to re-gear if you plan to offroad. AX-15's are extremely expensive to rebuild and most shops wont even do it because of the labor involved. Local shops have told me to source a good working one and have them install it....LMAO or pay 1800 for them to install a reman'd unit. I own a factory 5 speed and these are built for highway use,I get like 20mpg and I can get 60mph out of 2nd. LOL
I have an xj with a manual, and after 4.88 gears, it's not fun driving on the street. I'm looking to do an auto swap so that I actually want to drive it more haha
U can use either transfer on 5 speed so idk why u said u had to have certain one for manual
I've owned automatic xjs they're great off-road, on road sure wish I had an extra gear sometimes and going up steep grades was awful. But I'm about to buy a 94 manual why im here I just want to bang gears
Gotta say. I totally disagree.
Manual trans is the only way, cooler, more reliable and easier to maintain. Not to mention the better control they offer.
Automatics waste fuel.
Automatics eat gears on their own.
An automatic is a ticking time bomb.
You can rebuild a clutch and manual way more easily.
01 auto Jeep xj with 217k miles. Rules like a dream somehow...
When I had my auto always said I need to buy a transmission cooler
I would like a take about converting a XJ 2 wheel drive to a 4X4
Yeah it may be cheaper to get a 4wd, depends where you live, Also 2wd's tend to not be as rusty so it's sometimes worth the work
Throw a new process 231 transfer case or 242 in with a front drive shaft but that could get complicated.
Having the parasitic draw issue again... new alternator not putting out nearly 12 to 14v. They say the PCM or ecu has internal voltage regulator in it so have to add external one. But tracing a bad ground or connection could be a night mare. Any idea's? 1992 sport XJ 4.0 ax15 tranny, stock battery wiring bug
Hey Ronnie,
Do you have a video about the difference between the 90's Cherokee and Grand Cherokee? Also would you prefer the diesel or gasoline engines? Any problem with finding parts?
Thanks
My 96 will not shift into 3rd 250,000 miles what should I do?
I prefer automatic all day everyday
I got a 97 grand Cherokee,i love the automatic.
groovy outside I have the same Jeep iv had nothing but problems with my automatic trying to 5 speed swap it
@@dakotaedwards9953 my last grand cherokee blew through 3 autos. They can't take real work.
Just get the automatic have someone clean and scrub that gunck out and take care of it. With the good stuff
I like the intro and these talks
Auto for offroading stick for on road...
Hey Ronnie how big of gear can fit In a 307 carrier ??7.73? Ring and pinion
3.73
Manual
98 automatic 👍💪
I have 1996 XL with automatic transmission that has shifting problem so i swapped for another one that my buddy had it shift good his xj but on my i still have the same shifting issues. So my ? to you is what other components or relays that i have to look into that control shift on my tranny.
Gil Molina Have you checked your tps?
That was horrible watching him spin his tires thinking it was going to help him get unstuck
Experienced offroader but you are still being tugged out of the ruts with a chain . Invest in some good recovery equipment bro , it might save your life one day
Then ... how come manual XJ's seem to cost a LOT more ?
I find them pretty cheap
Automatic.......ya