Topic: 30H AW4 Swap good idea?

[RNandKT]

OK so quick question. My oldest son is looking closer to driving soon and we are thinking about adding another Jeep to the family. I came across a 98 TJ thats a 4 banger with an auto tranny. The transmission is slipping badly (which makes price nice), and I have heard the 30H is a garbage tranny anyway. What I am thinking about is maybe looking to swap it for an AW4?

I know the first thought would be to switch to a manual due to the low power, but my wife wouldn't mind having an auto to drive and would be good for my son to at least start on an auto. The AW4 is a really great transmission and came behind the 4cyl cherokee's. I can find an Aw4 anywhere and just have to source that bellhousing. But can't find a whole lot of info on this. Anyone shed some light?

[Jeffy]

Garbage?  A TF904 isn't garbage.  Okay, it's not a 3-speed but it's far from garbage.  An AW4 would be a nice swap though.  Oldjeep did the swap.

[jfrabat]

Didn't sharp install an AW4 as well?

[Jeffy]

Didn't sharp install an AW4 as well?

He's got a 6-speed Merc transmission.

[RNandKT]

Does OLDJeep have a write up somewhere I searched and didn't see one.

[RNandKT]

Seems like if I found a 1987-1990 AW4 with the 21 spline output, (and found the bellhousing for the AW4 to 2.5 that came in the cherokee) it would be a straight swap? May need to mess with driveline lengths a bit (not sure of the length difference of the 30RH vs the AW4).

[Jeffy]

Does OLDJeep have a write up somewhere I searched and didn't see one.

Did you check the members forum?

[BoringDave]

Does that bell housing already have the spot for the cps?

 

[sharpxmen]

just a comment about the cps mount - if I were to start again my 6-speed swap I'd do a front tone ring and cps (hesco has some for 6 cyl but nothing that cannot be done pretty easy with a simple CAD program and a printer), it was a pain in the rear to do the adapter in the bellhousing.