TJ NV3550 to AW4 swap

josh$$

josh$$

FTA
Joined
Sep 12, 2007
Location
Morganton NC
Because of my issues with my back I need to convert my th from manual to an automatic transmission. Not wanting the th 3speed trans or the 42lre I want to use the AW4 out of a later model Cherokee. Just never seen a tj with this mod and hope that someone else has done this to help answer questions I have.
 
I think an ls/4l80 swap is easier. There's a guy on pirate that had done it if I'm not mistaken, will try and dig up the thread. The AW4 is also quite a bit longer, being that yours is stretched it won't matter.

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On a side note I'd trade my trans for yours if you wanted too.

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2001xj aw4s in stock form can outperform some built th350s I've seen on the trails back in the day! I know nothing tho to help this along.
 
Josh and I are trying to get a good understanding of this so any input is helpfull.

Anybody here installed a manual valve body in an aw4?
 
josh$$ said:
So this will be the easiest way?
Click to expand...

From my research yes, I️ plan to run one with full manual control this way.

If you want it to drive like a stock one you will need the tcu, but I️ know nothing about making the swap work that way.

The trans is controlled fully electronically. It has two solenoids to make it shift, and the combinations of these two solenoids being on-off give you the 4 fwd gears. You still need a cable to change PRND.

The radddesigns/winters shifter combo looks to be the best, and easiest combo to do both. Definitely one of the best shifters for offroad, and he custom fits the micro switches into the unit to control the solenoids.

Not sure on the option to control the lockup converter, but could also do a push button switch for it.

http://www.radesignsproducts.com/tech.htmlhttp://www.radesignsproducts.com/tech.html
 
I did this swap in a 99 tj. It is not a bad swap, when I get home this evening I will do a more detailed post. Stu Olsen's website was the reference I used. The tcu only needs a few wires from the ecm, to have the transmission shift like a stock one, if that's what your after.
 
Mac5005 said:
From my research yes, I️ plan to run one with full manual control this way.

If you want it to drive like a stock one you will need the tcu, but I️ know nothing about making the swap work that way.

The trans is controlled fully electronically. It has two solenoids to make it shift, and the combinations of these two solenoids being on-off give you the 4 fwd gears. You still need a cable to change PRND.

The radddesigns/winters shifter combo looks to be the best, and easiest combo to do both. Definitely one of the best shifters for offroad, and he custom fits the micro switches into the unit to control the solenoids.

Not sure on the option to control the lockup converter, but could also do a push button switch for it.

http://www.radesignsproducts.com/tech.htmlhttp://www.radesignsproducts.com/tech.html
Click to expand...

I have no problem shifting it manually to be honest I'd rather do it that way. And it seem to be the easiest and most convenient for what I'm wanting to do
 
I know transmission torque converter flexplate and spacer are they necessary items that he would need.

His TJ is an 03 so what years of Cherokee would be proper for the swap just 2000 or 2001?
 
Jason W. said:
I know transmission torque converter flexplate and spacer are they necessary items that he would need.

His TJ is an 03 so what years of Cherokee would be proper for the swap just 2000 or 2001?
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This is a problem then...

You can do a AW4 swap in an 02 and down TJ.
The 03 and up the flex plates changed and while you can bolt up the AW4 you can not get the CPS to work off the flex plate as they changed in 03.

You're option would be to either externally mount a CPS to the harmonic balancer on front of the motor, (Hesco makes a kit)
Or
Go with the 42RLE, being an 03+ I would recommend the 42RLE.

You and Chris could just swap drive trains...


Here is the two best write ups I've seen on this:

AW4 swap into an '05 TJ, the hard way - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

AW4 swap to '06 TJ - JeepForum.com


One guy finished it and said never again, the other guy gave up and did something else.



As for manually shifting an AW4 the RAD Designs kit is nice.
I made my own and the switch is on the dash.
I like it because I can go manual or leave it auto.

80-image_082aa66db4ffacb64d0c00f6f45452228f28802e.jpg
 
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Looks like the 02 and up stuff is different so I am not sure how much help I will be. On my 99 I went from a 32rh/231 to an aw4/flipped 300. Below is a link to the write up that I used.

AW4 Swap
 
Ok all this has made me think might be over my head. And if anyone on here has a shop they would recommend I'd like to tal to them and see what they might have to say
 
Take it to Buckeye and give him a 5.3/4l80 combo and be done.

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josh$$ said:
Ok all this has made me think might be over my head. And if anyone on here has a shop they would recommend I'd like to tal to them and see what they might have to say
Click to expand...

Just take it over to Keziah's and swap your shit into his, his into yours. Problem solved.
 
Back issues you say? Would a better seat and harness solve this issue?

Not sure if a manual or auto trans will make a difference when you are bouncing your jeep off of rocks. Even when I had an auto I was still using both of my feet :flipoff2:


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