my transmission just blew up need advice

tjwrangler911 · 01-04-2008, 04:08 PM

So I was driving home today and my transmission started acting up. I lost 2nd and 3rd gear and managed to crawl into a parking lot. Now the jeep won't go into gear at all. I am taking it to the garage, but if I have to have the entire thing replaced, should I just swap in one from a scraped jeep? Is there a 4 speed auto that I could put in? Would this offer any benefits over the 3 sp?

**Wheelin98TJ** · 01-04-2008, 04:47 PM

The biggest benefit with swapping in a 4 speed auto is that you'll gain an overdrive.

This will allow you to run lower gears yet still turn reasonable RPM on the highway.

The 1-2-3 gear ratios of your 3 speed auto are similar to what you'll find in a 4 speed auto. If your TJ does not see higher speeds often, you won't see much benefit swapping in a 4 spd auto.

If you decide to keep the 3 spd, I'd have it rebuilt. Its a very simple tranny and it can be rebuilt cheap. You never know what you're getting with a junkyard part.

**Thunderstrike** · 01-04-2008, 04:48 PM

Before taking a drastic step, is there plenty of tranny fluid?

Erik T. · 01-04-2008, 04:53 PM

Nods on the trans fluid.

The dealership quoted me on roughly 4500 for a brand new trans and I -think- 2500 for a rebuilt. You could get one out of a junkyard for better than that.

I don't know how a 4spd swap would go, I like the idea but I wonder how complicated it gets.

**Wheelin98TJ** · 01-04-2008, 04:59 PM

The 32rh 3 spd auto has been around forever and is more commly known as the TF999.

Almost any tranny builder can work on it and parts are cheap.

If you're paying over $1,000 for a rebuild, shop around. I just had mine redone for $400 and that included a new torque converter and some custom valve body work.

ekim · 01-04-2008, 05:10 PM

Your best bet is to find a local transmission shop you can trust.

You can get a re-manufactured Jasper transmission for $1250 with a 3 year 100K mile warrantee. That price *may* include a torque converter. Having a shop remove the old trans and install a new one will add quite a bit to the cost. Don't forget that when pricing local shops.

If you end up having it worked on locally, have them relocate the vent. Make sure they know that you plan to hook a vent tube to the relocated vent as well. Also, let them know how you will be using it and see if there are any upgraded parts that they recommend.

**Wheelin98TJ** · 01-04-2008, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekim

...If you end up having it worked on locally, have them relocate the vent. Make sure they know that you plan to hook a vent tube to the relocated vent as well. Also, let them know how you will be using it and see if there are any upgraded parts that they recommend.

Good tips.

A Mopar deep pan and a second auxiliary cooler can be added for about $100. Very cheap insurance against overheating and the deep pan will also help with fluid starvation at extreme angles.

Here's a write-up I did on relocating the vent:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showt...48#post4211448

tjwrangler911 · 01-04-2008, 05:43 PM

thanks for the advice. I know it's not fluid because I just changed it recently. The noises coming from the transmission hint that something is probably broken. I 'll see what the shop says. Thanks for the price ideas as well. The last thing I want is to get ripped off because of ignorance.