[bnewsom]

I've got a 97 TJ with I6/auto(3 speed) and have been thinking about swapping in a 4 speed auto trans. I had an XJ and really liked the low 1st and OD. Any ideas on what will fit. Don't want to have to change transfer case. I know the 42RLE comes in 03 and up wranglers but was wondering about the 42RE since they are cheap.

[97MilitaryTJ]

Hey I have a 97 TJ 2.5 and thinking about doing the same thing. Did you go through with it? Do you have any knowedge you could pass my way? Thanks, Kent

[Matt Gertsch]

I'd look to the 700R4, rather than the AW4. The AW4 is an okay trans for a stock XJ, but there are some weak points to them. They make a lot of heat, the 1st isn't all that low and the OD isn't that high, the shift points are computer controlled and a little strange and the lockup torque converter does it's thing at strange times, especially if you're running anything other than the stock 215/75R15s and 3.55 gears that the XJ came with.

Here is what Novak has to say about the AW4: http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/aw4.htm

They have much more favorable things to say about the 700R4, especially the later model, 4wd truck transmissions: http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/th700r4.htm