tranny guys, AW4 question

RazorZJ · 04-30-2003, 09:50 PM

I may be able to get an AW4 out of an XJ in a junkyard, I've got a '95 ZJ with the 4.0

I know it will bolt up fine and I'll need to change the DS lenths.

the question is: What do I have to do to get the electronics to work?

ATL ZJ · 04-30-2003, 10:32 PM

Well, when I was looking at doing an AW4 swap into my 94 in place of my 42RE for my 4wd conversion, I learned that the electrical stuff was totally different. Mechanically, I believe it will bolt up just fine, but in terms of getting it to work correctly, there is a plethora of differences, most of which fall into the electrical catergory. If you're having tranny problems, I'd suggest pulling the tranny yourself and taking it to a shop that will rebuild it for you. I found that the tranny guy at the stealer was willing to do the rebuild for me when I messed mine up for $400 total. 300 labor, (10 hrs.) and 100 parts. He did a good job with it too, and I'm very pleased. Doing that was certainly easier than getting a AW4 to work right. If you're incredibly adventurous though, go ahead and try it. I'd be interested to see what you come up with.

tranzdude · 04-30-2003, 10:35 PM

Quote:

-=- originally posted by RazorZJ -=-
I may be able to get an AW4 out of an XJ in a junkyard, I've got a '95 ZJ with the 4.0

I know it will bolt up fine and I'll need to change the DS lenths.

the question is: What do I have to do to get the electronics to work?

This would be a large undertaking- the electronics are totally different. Why do you want to go through this much trouble? Are you having trans problems?
-John

RazorZJ · 04-30-2003, 10:38 PM

Quote:

-=- originally posted by tranzdude -=-
This would be a large undertaking- the electronics are totally different. Why do you want to go through this much trouble? Are you having trans problems?
-John

I've got a leak at the front of the tranny, pump seal I think, and was looking at my options. plus the AW4 is just about bulletproof.

tranzdude · 04-30-2003, 10:53 PM

The AW4 is an impressive piece, between the two that I have owned I have nearly 500,000 miles without an overhaul. I build A340's for Supras (essentialy the same trans) that can handle 600 -700 horsepower. That being said, if you have trans problems- fix or replace the one that you have. It is not worth it to go through the trouble of swapping units. If you need help with a trans pm me.
-John

DanB · 05-01-2003, 02:18 AM

every time I see a post like this one I feel that much luckier. 182K and counting on my original AW4. all with just a few troubles. one actual slip and a few quirky surges about 30K ago. one tranny flush at 147 and I'm enjoying every mile of it.

RazorZJ · 05-01-2003, 02:40 AM

I know it's alot of trouble, but I was just wandering what would have to be done.

changing the seal shouldent be that hard, but I'm tired of the disposible transmissions DC puts in these things.

tranzdude · 05-01-2003, 07:58 AM

Quote:

-=- originally posted by RazorZJ -=-
I know it's alot of trouble, but I was just wandering what would have to be done.

changing the seal shouldent be that hard, but I'm tired of the disposible transmissions DC puts in these things.

I've never heard of anyone doing this so I can't give you too many details, however, if you are concerned with the durability of your trans- why not consider a performance type rebuild? This would end up costing less and being much easier at the same time.
-John

Scratch · 05-01-2003, 04:05 PM

If you are going from a stick to the AW4 it is not that hard of a swap. The AW4 uses a seperate TCU so it can be wired in seperate of the PCU. I put an AW4 in my TJ from the manual AX15 tranny. It is the BEST mod that I have done.
Bob

QuiksilverZJ · 05-01-2003, 05:13 PM

Quote:

-=- originally posted by DanB -=-
every time I see a post like this one I feel that much luckier. 182K and counting on my original AW4. all with just a few troubles. one actual slip and a few quirky surges about 30K ago. one tranny flush at 147 and I'm enjoying every mile of it.

Amen. 138k and counting on my AW4. And when it goes out, in goes the AX15

MatWaxZJ · 05-01-2003, 05:32 PM

DanB and QuiksilverZJ,

I hear ya. Before I get the jeep (5 years ag), my father used to tow a 4000 lbs trailer the 4 previous summers without having any transmission cooler. I now have 161,000 miles on the Jeep and the tranny is the only thing (except for the braking system and the windshield washer system) that have not been touched on the jeep.

Yep, the AW4 is pretty incredible.

Matt

04-30-2003, 09:50 PM	#1
RazorZJ Registered Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Louisville, KY USA Posts: 1,582 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	tranny guys, AW4 question I may be able to get an AW4 out of an XJ in a junkyard, I've got a '95 ZJ with the 4.0 I know it will bolt up fine and I'll need to change the DS lenths. the question is: What do I have to do to get the electronics to work? __________________ Democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. -Thomas Jefferson

04-30-2003, 10:53 PM	#5
tranzdude Registered Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 273 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The AW4 is an impressive piece, between the two that I have owned I have nearly 500,000 miles without an overhaul. I build A340's for Supras (essentialy the same trans) that can handle 600 -700 horsepower. That being said, if you have trans problems- fix or replace the one that you have. It is not worth it to go through the trouble of swapping units. If you need help with a trans pm me. -John __________________ '88 XJ 4.0L w/ NP242 Owner, IPT Performance Transmissions

05-01-2003, 02:18 AM	#6
DanB Registered Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yukon, OK, USA Posts: 584 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	every time I see a post like this one I feel that much luckier. 182K and counting on my original AW4. all with just a few troubles. one actual slip and a few quirky surges about 30K ago. one tranny flush at 147 and I'm enjoying every mile of it. __________________ 84 CJ7 Sold; 93 ZJ Sold then bought back on 07/01/08.

05-01-2003, 02:40 AM	#7
RazorZJ Registered Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Louisville, KY USA Posts: 1,582 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I know it's alot of trouble, but I was just wandering what would have to be done. changing the seal shouldent be that hard, but I'm tired of the disposible transmissions DC puts in these things. __________________ Democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. -Thomas Jefferson

05-01-2003, 04:05 PM	#9
Scratch Registered Join Date: May 2002 Location: Bakersfield CA Posts: 836 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If you are going from a stick to the AW4 it is not that hard of a swap. The AW4 uses a seperate TCU so it can be wired in seperate of the PCU. I put an AW4 in my TJ from the manual AX15 tranny. It is the BEST mod that I have done. Bob __________________ 97 White TJ. 5 speed, two tops and four doors. 4.5" RE super flex lift (on the floor in the garage),RE long arms in transit, 33s stacked in the side yard, 35s stacked in the garage, heavy duty SYE (on shelf in the garage), Tom Woods drive shaft (next to SYE on shelf), Ford 8.8 with 4:10s (on jack stands on work bench), HP Dana 30 with ARB and 4.56s on stands behind bench. 4.56s to put in 8.8, opps the 4.56s are gone and half the 4.88s are in. Ramsey REP 8000 (on the floor next to shocks), AW4 auto tranny still in email. Parts of a flipped Dana 300 my sons used to kill the "bad pirates" in the yard. 1350 square feet of Tile through out (oh sorry, that is the house mod she said MUST be done first)........stock 97 TJ (it's all been done for years now)

04-30-2003, 10:32 PM	#2
ATL ZJ Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 357 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well, when I was looking at doing an AW4 swap into my 94 in place of my 42RE for my 4wd conversion, I learned that the electrical stuff was totally different. Mechanically, I believe it will bolt up just fine, but in terms of getting it to work correctly, there is a plethora of differences, most of which fall into the electrical catergory. If you're having tranny problems, I'd suggest pulling the tranny yourself and taking it to a shop that will rebuild it for you. I found that the tranny guy at the stealer was willing to do the rebuild for me when I messed mine up for $400 total. 300 labor, (10 hrs.) and 100 parts. He did a good job with it too, and I'm very pleased. Doing that was certainly easier than getting a AW4 to work right. If you're incredibly adventurous though, go ahead and try it. I'd be interested to see what you come up with.

05-01-2003, 05:32 PM	#11
MatWaxZJ Registered Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Gatineau, Qc, Canada Posts: 427 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	DanB and QuiksilverZJ, I hear ya. Before I get the jeep (5 years ag), my father used to tow a 4000 lbs trailer the 4 previous summers without having any transmission cooler. I now have 161,000 miles on the Jeep and the tranny is the only thing (except for the braking system and the windshield washer system) that have not been touched on the jeep. Yep, the AW4 is pretty incredible. Matt __________________ :bouncez: (Link) Green 1993 4.0 Liter ZJ : 157,000 miles Suspension: 2" Trailmaster lift kit / Energy polyurethane bushing / 31" on Centerline HellCat wheel Sound: Competition sound system (2000 watts) / Nakamichi / Phoenix Gold / MB Quart Cooling system: Flex-a-Lite Oil and trans cooler, 15" Black Magic Electric fan, 4-core radiator. Electrical: 200 amp Powermaster alternator, Intake: Too small K&N Filter, Poweraid TB Spacer Exhaust: Kolak 2.5" system Mike Leach Header, Flomaster 70, Car Sound and Mike Leach pipe. Engine: FMS 24lbs Injectors, Kolak Ignition Upgrade Drivetrain: 4.10 gears, Rear True-Trac limited slip Custom work: Mesh Grill, Sound Deadning, custom switch for electric fan :flamejump *Waiting to be installed:* 6" Cylindrical K&N filter, Crane Cam 260/272, Anti-Pump Lifters, . *Future project:* AP Big Valve head (same time as the Cam will go in), fender flare, Improve Lights, manual tranny if AW4 ever dies

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