Questions

[ryxj]

Hi guys!
So I'm looking at getting a new XJ. Currently I have a '95, AX-15, NP231, RE 3.5 lift on 31's.

I drove a '98 auto (stock, no lift) yesterday and the shifting felt, well different. I don't know if it was different because I am used to my manual or if it was different because the tranny is bad (or going bad). For comparison, the other automatic that I drive is our minivan (gasp) and it shifts really smooth, so I don't think that that is really a comparison... I just want to know if my experience with this automatic is usual for an XJ or if should pass on this one.

First off, when I put it in Drive, the jeep kinda lurched and hunkered down a bit - there was no guessing if it was in gear or not. Is this normal or usual?
Driving it around it shifted where I would guess an auto would shift (higher than where I would shift with the manual) and the shifts felt (mostly) smooth. One or two felt clunky or heavy.

Second, when getting off the highway and slowing down, the down shift was very noticeable. Is this normal?

Third, I tried to put it in 4hi with it in Drive and it wouldn't go. Probably showing my ignorance here, but I just want to make sure that this is correct. (It was the NP231 tcase and since it was a '98 I am assuming it is the AW4.)

Let me know what you think - was that normal or should I pass on this one?

Thanks!!

 

[YELLAHEEP]

More than likely, that's all normal. Jeeps weren't known to be refined vehicles - more truck-like than anything........ and we wouldn't have 'em any other way! :thumbup:

Yeah, you're not supposed to get the t-case into 4-hi while in drive - that part isn't "shift on the fly", you gotta put it in neutral to get to 4-hi.

Transmission shifting should be firm, feel solid - no "sliding" into gear or soft shifts. A bit of a "lurch" forward or backward when shifting from park to drive or reverse is typical and there may be a hint of a "thud" from under the floor pans from the driveline slack being taken up in the t-case.


I'd suggest going to drive another stock auto XJ and see if it's mostly similar so you have a better idea of what's normal. :thumbup:

 

[jimgrms]

Mine is a 2000 and it does settle in the rear when i put it in gear , But shifts very smoothly almost unnoticable and after about 45 the touque converter locks up which you can only tell by the rpms droping

 

[ryxj]

Thanks guys!

I'm looking at a couple more tomorrow, so hopefully I'll get a better handle on what is 'normal.'

 

[Jawa]

I had wondered about the lurch/squat/whatever when you put it in gear. Mine does it real bad when going into reverse. I think it's more that I have stuff loose in my front end, so not only does it hunker down, but stuff snaps and pops too... I'm glad to read that that's normal (not the part about stuff being loose).

 

[Kiefer316]

Yeah, you're not supposed to get the t-case into 4-hi while in drive - that part isn't "shift on the fly", you gotta put it in neutral to get to 4-hi.

Don't you mean 4 low? cause i can shift my t-case into 4 hi with the tranny in gear.

 

[jimgrms]

Don't you mean 4 low? cause i can shift my t-case into 4 hi with the tranny in gear.

Not for very long

 

[mcantar18c]

Don't you mean 4 low? cause i can shift my t-case into 4 hi with the tranny in gear.

Yeah mine too

 

[Fred]

Yeah mine too

You have a manual, if you aren't pushing in the clutch when you shift into 4-Hi, well, I thought you were smarter than that.

With an auto, it should shift into 4-hi without shifting into neutral.

Fred

 

[YELLAHEEP]

Yeah, I was having a retard moment......... I posted when tired...... :nono:

Indeed, shift on the fly should work from 2wd to 4hi. 4lo is only when in neutral....... :twak:

 

[Kiefer316]

Yeah, I was having a retard moment......... I posted when tired...... :nono:

Indeed, shift on the fly should work from 2wd to 4hi. 4lo is only when in neutral....... :twak:

We all have those times. I knew what you ment I was just wondering if I was thinkin right at the moment.

But even though my jeep is lifted it moves more then I would expect. It sinks at least an inch or so.

 

[ColoradoRaptor]

Yeah, I was having a retard moment......... I posted when tired...... :nono:

Indeed, shift on the fly should work from 2wd to 4hi. 4lo is only when in neutral....... :twak:

You admit to being human...:clap: