Advice on tranny swap

[Black Hole]

Since I'm having my engine rebuilt at Hopper's, I thought I'd deal with my trashed 3550 as well. I've been wanting to swap to an auto, so now I guess is the time.

I've got a 2000 TJ 4.0L, 3550, Atlas 4.3:1.

Joe Darrow advised a 999. I've been doing research and am also interested in the 700R4 because of its 3.06 first gear. I won't need the overdrive when I start trailering, but it wouldn't hurt.

I guess the 999 would be a more direct install?

I've also been checking out the stuff high-impact offers. I haven't found out how much that stuff costs yet, though...

Thanks for any information.

[azcharlie]

Sorry if you already posted this but did you find out why your engine seized?

[rockwerks]

Id say go for the AW4 its 10 times the trans of the 999 and also a direct swap and can be had for very cheap. the electronics are stand alone and a friend makes manual shift conversion for the AW4

[Stu Olson]

After switching over to an auto in my '98 TJ, I pretty much stopped caring about gear ratios in the tranny. I guess I should say that the overdrive gear was a concern as I wanted it and my differential and a locked torqued converter to provide a reasonable RPM at highway speed.

As for first gear in the auto.....the torque converter provides me with more "variable gear ratio" than I can use. :)

Edit: If you go with a 999 (yes, they are a stout tranny), you will need to figure out what you are going to do with the lock up torque converter....the signal comes from the PCM. Some folks put a switch on the dash an manually lock it at some appropriate 3rd gear speed. I wouldn't wish to handle it that way. Others get an auto programmed PCM.

[Black Hole]

.
Edit: If you go with a 999 (yes, they are a stout tranny), you will need to figure out what you are going to do with the lock up torque converter....the signal comes from the PCM. Some folks put a switch on the dash an manually lock it at some appropriate 3rd gear speed. I wouldn't wish to handle it that way. Others get an auto programmed PCM.

Thanks, Stu. Check out www.high-impact.net./transmission_and_gear/, please.
They have the 999, 700R4 and AW4, all in various configurations (comp/ no comp; tc/no tc, etc.). They also have a plethora of other trannys... I'd like to get your thoughts on these (and anyone elses).

It seems everyhwere I look, every one has thier own favorite. That's understandable. I'm just lookig for detailed information to help me find mine...

Thanks for helping, Kit

[Stu Olson]

I've only used the AW4 in a TJ. I looked for those at the link but didn't see any. Do you have a link to their AW4 page?

[TomHatch]

Stu,
He may be looking at this page

http://high-impact.net/transmission_and_gear/vehapp_wrangler.htm#TransmissionOptions

[1BLKJP]

Personally unless you have or are going to stretch your wheelbase I would stay away from their 700R4 "Bad Boy" tranny. Taking away 1.5" from the rear driveshaft on a TJ would be murder to it.

I run the 999 and like it.

[Black Hole]

Personally unless you have or are going to stretch your wheelbase I would stay away from their 700R4 "Bad Boy" tranny. Taking away 1.5" from the rear driveshaft on a TJ would be murder to it.

I run the 999 and like it.

I do plan on stretching it. It was going to be my next project until the engine problems...

[Black Hole]

Taking away 1.5" from the rear driveshaft on a TJ would be murder to it.

BTW, where did you get your numbers to come up with the 1.5 inches? I've been looking everywhere. I know the NV3550 is 24 inches and the 700 is 23 3/8 inches, but I'm not sure what the widths of the two adaptor plates are. Also, in case you didn't see it above, I have an Atlas tcase.

Thanks in advance for the info. I've been looking for this.

[1BLKJP]

Responded to your PM.

[Antman]

Id say go for the AW4 its 10 times the trans of the 999 and also a direct swap and can be had for very cheap. the electronics are stand alone and a friend makes manual shift conversion for the AW4

BTW Brian. How do you figure the AW4 is 10 times the trans that the TF-999
is? Other than having over drive and being controlled by the computer, I'd
actually think the 999 is the simpler tranny to swap into a TJ if your not
going to do a lot of highway driving. In the first place it's the tranny that
the TJ came with, at least the early ones.

[Black Hole]

Taking away 1.5" from the rear driveshaft on a TJ would be murder to it.

I just spoke with Josh at Tom Woods. He states their threshold for a minimum length shaft between an Atlas and a 44 is 15 1/2 inches. I just had Jimmy measure my current yoke to yoke and it's 18 3/4 inches. That will put me at 17 1/4 inches. I think I'll be OK until I do the stretch. We'll see...

Also for you Atlas guys. I suppose I'm going to have to cut more floor board out?

[Stu Olson]

Stu,
He may be looking at this page

http://high-impact.net/transmission_and_gear/vehapp_wrangler.htm#TransmissionOptions

Thanks for the help.

I see where it says you can put an AW-4 with a TJ engine. Aside from that, there is no other info on it. I thought they were actually providing some comments or info in regards to the conversion.

[LKD TJ]

I just spoke with Josh at Tom Woods. He states their threshold for a minimum length shaft between an Atlas and a 44 is 15 1/2 inches. I just had Jimmy measure my current yoke to yoke and it's 18 3/4 inches. That will put me at 17 1/4 inches. I think I'll be OK until I do the stretch. We'll see...

Also for you Atlas guys. I suppose I'm going to have to cut more floor board out?

Yup let the cutting begin - Wheeler's put mine in and they made a plate for it that is sweet.

If you want to take a look at it my Jeep is in pieces right now at Jason's shop (TruckWerks) so it would be the perfect time to look at it unobstructed.

[Black Hole]

I see where it says you can put an AW-4 with a TJ engine. Aside from that, there is no other info on it. I thought they were actually providing some comments or info in regards to the conversion.

At the top of that page, they state what works. Under options, they describe the products they sell. Clearly, they are not interested in the AW-4. Like you, I thought by listing it at the top, they would be selling it. Maybe they would beef one up by special request. I didn't ask... Also, he's still developing the site. I guess it's relatively new.

Anyway, this thread was supposed to be about the 999 vs. the 700R4. Those were the two I was interested in. I went with the 700R4.

I'm not sure why I included the AW4 in the earlier post, "They have the 999, 700R4 and AW4, all in various configurations (comp/ no comp; tc/no tc, etc.). They also have a plethora of other trannys... I'd like to get your thoughts on these (and anyone elses)."

I should have said, "I'd like to get your thoughts on the 999 and 700R4 (and anyone else)." My bad...

[xjcrawlr]

Robby Gordon uses a TF999 in his 500HP race truck...:eek:














albeit a slightly modified one.:D