when i select drive or reverse, i have to give engine plenty of revs to get it to move. Checked trany oil, level ok but oil smelt burnt????

Any ideas????

also, does anyone know if there is a manual box avaliable for the 4.0L motor, and if so is it a striaght swap???

 

Ypur tranny is slipping. Prolly because of a clogged oil filter and bad pump, the friction material is burnt.

There is a AX15 manual transmission available for the ckee but it's not an easy swap.
You would need flywheel, clutch, clutch pedal, master and slave cylinders, brake pedal, stick mount, bell housing, gearbox, tail extention, mounts, drive shafts (both), rings and pinions, a ton of bolts and depending on what model of transfer case you have you might need that one as well.

I would suggest another AW4 swap.
Easier, cheaper.