[shawnk111]

Hello again everyone. First of all, seems like it would be a common question so I did use the search feature before making this post but did not find an answer.

I have a 1994 jeep Wrangler Sahara. 4.0 and has an automatic transmission... Has around 200k miles... Pretty sure the torque converter failed on me yesterday. Everything is quiet in park/neutral, however as soon as I go into reverse or drive, I get a really bad whining noise that seems to be coming from the TC. Goes away once it's back in park or neutral.

So I have to pull the transmission to at least replace the TC... I'm experienced at rebuilding transmissions so at 200k miles if I'm gonna drop it I might as well rebuild it before I put it back in.... Which lead me to my next thought...

Are there any other automatic transmissions that will be a good replacement for the one that came in this vehicle? I do want to stay automatic. I've read that a th400 would bolt up but not sure if thats true. And if so, would the transfer case match up? Drive shaft length need to change? Is there maybe a better AT transmission from a newer Jeep that would be a good swap? If it isn't much of an upgrade, then I won't bother. I'll just get a rebuild kit from monster transmission or something and put this one back in but I was just curious what my options are. Thanks everyone!

 

[shawnk111]

You mean i can get overdrive?!? Sounds definitely worth it to me. I'm gonna get a SYE next year anyways, so I'll just have to look into that and get the proper length. I think I'll definitely be doing that. I'll read your write up for sure. Thanks!

 

[shawnk111]

Are you sure you have to pull the transmission to get the TC out of the Jeep? I changed my TC and didn't R&I the transmission. (standard shift).

Good Luck, L.M.

If you have a standard shift then you wouldn't have a torque converter. You would have a clutch. Which oftentimes can be replaced without completely removing the transmission.

 

[shawnk111]

Well, duh. I read TC as Transfer Case in post #1. Now the post by shawnk111 makes sense. I guess I should have typed "Are you sure you need to pull the transmission to change the transfer case?". Yeah, I changed my Transfer Case without removing the transmission.

@shawnk111 If you find an AW4 and need to clock the back of the transmission, Google "Jeep clocking jig". A clocking jig is around $40.00+.
Pic #1 is the jig mounted on the back of an AX15.
Pic #2 is a close up of it with the pilot holes drilled.
Pic #3 & Pic #4 is the finished product.

Good Luck, L.M.

Lol yeah that makes sense. I was like whaaat?!? Lol... I read dante2 write up on how to do the swap. Sounds pretty straight forward and from what I've read online most people seem really happy with the swap. I'll definitely be doing it. Probably just pull the engine and trans this winter and rebuild the engine while I'm at it.

Thanks for all the info guys, I'll definitely be doing that swap.

 

[shawnk111]

I still prefer standard shift for most driving. If I were to do serious rocks or perhaps some other technical off-roading I'd want an automatic, and the AW4 would be the one for that. I had considered a line-lock but so far I haven't felt the need. If I was going to take my old heap on Black Bear Pass, I would want one or the other. Check out UTUBE for some Black Bear Pass videos.

I like to try cheap & simple first. Do you know when the last time your current transmission had the filter & fluid changed?

Good Luck, L.M.

Okay everyone... Don't kill me...but... This Jeep is a pavement princess lol. I got it for my wife a few years ago and it is her daily driver. She wants to go off-road sometimes, but she also wants a cool custom paint job with nightmare before Christmas airbrushed on it. I told her she can't have both lmao. If it's going off-road I'm not putting all the time money and work into a custom paint job just got it to get ****ed up in the woods. But hey she looks good in the jeep and she picks up lots of girls 🤷 lol