2001 sport with an auto trans.. when putting into gear I have to stand on the break our it will give a hop..in drive or reverse... and if I do a quick let off of the gas at any speed over 30 it jumps...No idea why

 

Simple things first. When was the transmission fluid last changed? Do you have a high idle? Does it clunk or rumble when accelerating?

 

Slight clunk when I put it in gear...at about 45 to 50 when it shifts, if I'm going to slow I can feel it hesitate to go but its ever so slight...that's the only thing I've ever noticed.. it has just over 118 thousand miles on it...No idea when it last had the trans fluid done, only had out for about two months... I know these things are peppy when still this young so I wasn't sure

 

Check the trans fluid. Chances are it is brown and gross.

Do a drain, filter change and fill. Don't do a flush though.

 

Other things that come to mind are a bad u-joint or motor/trans mount.

 

The one thing that I'm thinking it could be is the fact that this is a 2wd model..so it weighs a lot and has less metal to turn when engaging gears

 

Did you try this?

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/free-quick-fix-41821/

 

I'll have to give that a try...Idk if the kick down cable would be effecting the jump into gear..it acts like it wants to jump and go when I put it in drive or reverse...it's only four a split second though

 

Mine kinda "jumps" into drive and reverse at time too. I've just learned to accept it as a characteristic of the AW4

 

Well they say they have their own personalities so I guess that could be it..trans fluid was fine

 

not to hijack, but why not a flush? I have heard people say that before, but I always forget to ask why... I'm new to all this, and I would like to keep my transmission running well... Thanks...

 

You dont wanna flush the trans if the fluid is really dirty.
The clutch material kind of stays in the fluid if you dont change it at regular intervals.
Removing such fluid would not be good for your clutches.

If your fluid is red, and you know the history behind the trans then by all means flush it.

 

My jeep was 2wd when I bought it, 160,000 Miles.
It didnt "jump" like you describe.

I agree that its a bad U joint. Probably have too much play in one of em.

 

I'll have to check it when it gets a little warmer...it's weird cause tried it out today to really pay attention and realized if im still rolling when I make the gear chafe it doesn't jump

 

Do you need brakes?
When I was running on horrible brakes (no line pressure at all)
mine was doing that also.