Have a Jeep teh question for the Jeep Crep? Send an e-mail with your name, vehicle year, model and a detailed description of the problem to editor@off-road.com.
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Full-Time Cherokee
I was told that the AW4 automatic transmission from later model XJs could not be used in my 1996 due to computer changes or something other that was changed in ‘97 and later models. Is this true? What year AW4s can be used as direct replacements in the ‘96 Cherokee XJ?
Jerry
Yoder, CO
That’s true, and I’m afraid you’re restricted to late-1991 to ‘96 XJs.
More Mopar Power
I have a 1990 Jeep Laredo 4.0L engine, and I need more power. Will the trans and transfer case bolt up to a 318 v-8?
Mud Boger
Washington Courthouse, OH
The short answer is “yes and no.” No, you can’t attach the transmission directly to the engine, and you needn’t worry about the T-case, just the transmission. Yes, you can attach the engine to the tranny indirectly, and for this you’ll need an adapter. Contact Advance Adapters in California. They can provide you with a one-stop shop for instructions and adapters (http://www.advanceadapters.com/).
Shiftless Wrangler
I have a 1999 Jeep Wrangler. It can’t come out of Park. It’s stuck. I had to open the cover and try and take the shifter out of Park. Help, please.
Kawika
Wailuku, HI
As I’ve said many times before, you need a good shop manual for your model Jeep; a manual with an excellent troubleshooting section. The shifter safety interlock is not operating correctly. It receives a signal from the brake pedal, which allows you to shift out of Park. The signal operates a cable that is attached to the shifter, releasing the interlock. It’s either that or the shift handle is broken internally. However, the first thing you should check is the brake pedal. Make sure the brake pedal is activating the safety interlock switch.
Leaky T-Case
I drive a ‘97 2.5L 4-cylinder TJ. This is my first 4x4—I recently bought it used with 180,000 km. The Jeep is stock aside from 31-inch mud tries. My problem occurred on the highway driving at about 110 km/h. My transfer case sprang a leak or broke and made a really loud bang sound. Is this due to the highway speed and the large tires, mileage, or is it more likely a lack of maintenance? Any ideas or comments?
By leak, it’s more of a hole. After removing the skid plate the problem was very clear. It appears that something on the inside of my transfer case really wanted to be on the outside. The hole is located on the underside of the T-case. I never checked to see if it would go into 4WD or 4 low. It’s at the garage now.
Anyway, I found a used T-case from a local used part supplier for about $750 CND, with 150,000 km and a half-year warranty regardless of what I do to it (mudding, off roading, etc.). This T-case took me all day to track down. It appears that there are not very many left up here in Canada for a 4-cylinder/5-speed.
Should I take it to my local tranny mechanic and have him crack the new used one open and give it a quick once over? You know, to make sure it’s worth paying a mechanic to install? My warranty does not cover the cost of reinstallation should it grenade like the other one.
Andrew Jasek
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
The case’s chain must have broken and poked the hole in the case. It’s a good plan to have the replacement examined and new seals installed (especially the oil pump seal). This could save you some money in the long run.
All Terrains
What kind of tires should I be looking at if I have an ‘84 Jeep Wagoneer? I want some all-terrains type tires.
Sam Morton
St. Simons Island, GA
With a stock height Wagoneer with OEM wheels I wouldn’t go over 31” tires. Stop by a 4-Wheel Parts store and check out the BF Goodrich, Goodyear, or Pro Comp tires for prices and appearance. All three manufacturers make all-terrain tires with medium aggressive tread patterns that’ll work for you.
Tight Alternator
Here is a dumb question, please direct me or tell me what I need to loosen and/or to swap out my stock ’93 YJ’s alternator? My Chilton’s manual does not give any good advice on the issue.
Jeep Junkie
Norwich, NY
There are NO dumb questions; only dumb answers. That said, no special tools are needed to loosen the YJ’s alternator. Perhaps a former owner tightened it a bit too much. Just make sure you’re using proper size wrench and twisting it the correct direction.
As usual, each month, I’m shouting out a huge THANK YOU to Paul Schupp at Rock Lizard 4x4 in Kingman, Arizona, for his invaluable assistance in answering many of the Jeep Creep questions.
Have an ATV or side-by-side tech question for the AnswerMan? Send an e-mail with your name, vehicle year, model and a detailed description of the problem to editor@off-road.com. Don’t forget to be as complete as possible with the description of your Jeep and its problems.
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