Jeep Cherokee - Transmission Installation Procedure: AW4 ['97-'01 XJ]
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- Опубліковано 12 кві 2021
- Operation 242: Complete
This tutorial closely follows the Hayne’s manual for the AW4 removal procedure. It is intended for 1997-2001 applications, but the AW4 hardly changed through the years so if you factor in small things like the speedometer cable, vacuum lines and different electronics, the information presented here can also be used in 1987-1996 Cherokee XJs and Comanche MJs with the AW4.
If you’re putting a 1998-1999 transmission into a 2000-2001 XJ, here’s a few things I learned along the way:
-The dipstick tube is slightly different for 4.0’s equipped with a coil rail instead of a distributor. I used the original (2001) dipstick tube with my replacement (1999) transmission.
-The transmission mount for 1987-1999 models is slightly offset, while the 2000-2001 mounts are centered and have an additional alignment hole/peg to ensure you put it on the right way. Make sure you buy the correct mount for your year. RockAuto sent me the wrong part.
Also note: 1997 Transmissions have different electrical connectors, but with minor (maybe 20 minutes) work you can repin the connectors and make it fully functional in a 1998-2001 and vice versa.
When you replace the transmission, it’s a perfect opportunity to replace or modify various other components:
-Transmission mount: (1987-1999 models): www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....
-Transmission Cooler lines: (You’ll have to do some research, you might be able to find them at the dealership. If you do, please let me know, I’ll update this with a link. I opted not to replace mine because leaking engine oil had protected them from any rust through the years.)
-Driveshaft U-Joints: www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....
-Extend the Transmission and Transfer case vent tubes using 5/16 hose: www.rockauto.com/en/parts/mop...
-Add a transmission cooler: • Jeep Cherokee Transmis...
-Upgrade the 4wd shifter linkage: www.amazon.com/Stainless-Cher...
-ZIP TIES
Here’s all the tools you need for the operation:
-Sockets and wrenches from 8mm to 19mm
-7/16 and ½ inch Deep sockets
-¾ socket for the Crank pulley
-10mm Allen bit for the Transfer Case Drain & Fill plugs
-4 Jack Stands and a Jack (Maybe 2 jacks)
-A Transmission Jack
-A whole bunch of extensions
-Large screwdriver or Panel clip pliers
-Mallet
-Various pliers
-Special: E-12 Inverted Torx socket for the upper 2 transmission bolts: www.amazon.com/Lisle-26830-E-...
I took this opportunity to swap my NP231 Transfer Case for an NP242, if you’re considering doing the same thing I have a video documenting the process: • Jeep Cherokee - All Wh...
The Crossmember bolts are M10-1.5" x 30mm. Autozone sells them in a 3 pack.
The Transmission Mount to Crossmember nuts are torqued to 16 FT LBS.
Transmission Mount video: • Jeep Cherokee: Transmi...
The AW4’s main weakness is overheating. Most XJs did not include a factory transmission cooler and it’s highly recommended to install one. I think the reasons my transmission ran into issues are:
-It never had a transmission cooler, and there were many occasions where sitting still with no airflow could’ve potentially overheated it. Transmission fluid deteriorates very fast when overheated, and bad transmission fluid will destroy clutches. It would occasionally slip out of second and third gear and even though I replaced the filter and dumped a new few quarts of fluid into it, after not even a year it came out burnt in a brownish-gray color.
-I “raced” a few people a few times, and hard starting with a shift into second gear at 4,000 RPM will definitely wear out some clutch packs. I won against a Kia Soul, and lost to a Dodge Neon, Jeep Liberty, Subaru Outback and pretty much everything else on the road. BUT at the end of the day torque is what really matters so I win against all those vehicles offroad.
This replacement transmission was removed from a 1999 Cherokee Classic and is factory mated to an NP242. It had approximately 230,000 miles on it and its condition is “I dunno, it worked a long time ago so it might still work”. I bought it on facebook for $260, and that included the transfer case, shift gate and bezel, and an interesting story about how some drunk guy drove into a tree at 50mph, completely incinerating the front end of the Jeep. - Авто та транспорт
![Jeep Cherokee - Transmission Removal Procedure: AW4 ['97-'01 XJ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/drInT9UIipY/mqdefault.jpg)
![Jeep Cherokee: Transfer Case Options & How to Use 4wd Correctly ['84-'01 XJ]](/img/n.gif)
over 11k views and only 200 likes. wtf. great video. very thorough . thank you!
There is no justice!
Great video. Excellent camera work and editing. Good job.
Gave me the confidence to do mine in the garage, thank you !
FYI, torque specs from the factory service manual on that rear mount/crossmember:
Rear Mount-To-Transmission Bolts . . . . . 60-81N·m
(44 ft. lbs.)
Rear Mount-To-Clevis Bracket
Bolt/Nut . . . . . . . . . . . 54-75 N·m (40-55 ft. lbs.)
Rear Mount Clevis Bracket-To-Crossmember
Nuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33-49 N·m (24-36 ft. lbs.)
GREAT VIDEO. GOOD AND DETAILED.
Currently installing transmission on 96 however video was still helpful thanks
Men you’re videos are so good thank you for all this knowledge
You have theeeee best video on these step by steps.
Super magnifico!!!! Hombre blanco!!! Very thorough video!! I gotta pull the trany out of my old 1999 and put it in to my daughter's 1998 Great job and thanks for the help. VIVA PEANUT BUTTER!!!
Transmission mount to transmission (two 18mm bolts): 55 ft. Lbs.
Crossmember to transmission mount (four 13mm nuts): 155 in. Lbs (16 ft. Lbs My torque wrench goes this low, I hope it's accurate at that low of torque haha)
Crossmember to un (two 15mm bolts and two 15mm nuts): 30 ft. Lbs.
Great info!
Really good video. Followed this to do my conversion.
Good video
"I'm just gonna take it easy for a few days and listen for weird sounds"
5 minutes later: runs through a mud hole at 30mph 😂😂
But nah fr great video bro🙌
Yeah we had to go for a "test drive" and make sure everything worked
it was a few days later when we recorded that part
nice one
I'm having trouble removing the engine harnest to the ignition coil. I need to fix broken wires. Any pointer on that pls? 🙏
Fac! At 5:50 I thought 55 was the spec for the center bolts and I snapped one! 😂 my fault great video and the other one to take it off I used these to get to my rear freeze plug that was leaking
Ah, sorry about that, I can see how with the way the text is on screen it can be confusing. An oversight in editing
Good thing those studs are part of the transmission mount, and can be replaced
I think my rear freeze plug is leaking too, just decided to right after I put in a transmission. Might make a video about that, I dunno
I’m about to tackle this project just to change the $5 leaking rear freeze plug along with a SYE kit for the transfer case new drive shaft and shims on the rear axle. Wish me luck
Ah yes, I later found that freeze plug had actually already been replaced on my Jeep, never breathed a bigger sigh of relief before
@@WAEMIDIV did you have to tilt the engine to reach the 2 top inverted hex bolts?
@@victorjramirez1948 No, just lower the transmission and use 4 feet of extensions
Great videos on both. Did you purchase remanufactured trans or bought a new one?
I bought a used one from a wrecked Jeep, not rebuilt
Wanna know whats fun? Got in a rush and cross threaded a flexplate bolt and had to pull the trans a second time to retap it🤣🤙
That feeling when it moves under its own power again 😅
idk if your active but I need help. I used your video to replace my torque converter I serviced the transmission. now it won't go into gear. any idea?
If it don't go into any gear I would think there's not enough fluid in it. Your shift cable might not be attached, or the NSS might be misadjusted. Some starting points
Do you know if I could put a 95 cherokee trans into a 99 jeep cherokee?
You could, but there are some wiring differences you'd need to change. The transmission will fit and mount properly but you need to splice and repin the connectors for the solenoids and maybe the NSS. there may be more to it than that, I don't have a HO XJ to test on
How do I tell if the torque converter is locking up? 🤔
It feels like a half-shift. Under normal, average acceleration, it should kick in at 35mph. The RPMs will drop by only about 200, as opposed to dropping about 600 at a shift point.
@@WAEMIDIV awesome, thank you. I spent most of the day trying to reinstall my replacement transmission and I can’t get the damn bell housing pins to line up. It’s driving me crazy :/
PSA: Dont do this on a sloped driveway. Hour 3 trying to line the bolts up with their holes and it's a PITA!!
You skipped how to line up the torque converter to the flywheel bolt holes. You went straight into bam they were in. Thats where I am stuck at now. Otherwise good vid!!
I explained at the beginning that I had the flex plate positioned with a hole at the lowest point, and then spun the torque converter to also have a hole at the lowest point. Upon putting it up onto the engine, the holes were already lined up, and it was as simple as putting a bolt in.
Lol got my tranny in w a floor jack a wheel dolly and 2x4s and went right in mint
umm, wasn't the 99-2004 actually WJ's?
Just wondering, because the procedure should be the same, but, get the names right?
This makes me wonder how reliable the procedure is.
Not sure which part of the video you're referencing, but if it's the title, note the complete lack of the word "Grand" anywhere in it. The 99-04 Grand Cherokee WJ didn't come equipped with the AW4, so it's probably not too similar beyond the bellhousing on the 4.0L models. The 97-01 Cherokee XJ (regular Cherokee), as featured in this video, did in fact run from 97-01 with the transmission in question demonstrated in this video. If you have a WJ I have no idea if any of this information applies, because I don't have a WJ, I have an XJ