Hey guys;

I have a 97 ZJ automatic with the selec-trac 4wd system and an I6 engine. There's a lil' over 160K on it now.

On a recent service trip, my mechanic informed me that I'll be needing a tranny soon, probably in the next 10K or so. I've noticed it has been acting a little funny, but not so much as to cause me immediate concern. (shifting a little hard into second, high-pitched whining noises coming from it just prior to shifts, that kind of thing)

So, my question is; what are my options here? He quoted me about $2500 for a rebuilt one, or maybe $1500 for a junkyard one. I've heard that if you want to keep the same tranny in there, I should have mine rebuilt, rather than putting in a rebuild with a different core, due to slight differences between models & years. This makes perfect sense to me.

It's pretty much stock as it is, but I would like to start a slow build on it.. a bit at a time as things need to be replaced anyway, so this is probably the first step.

Are there other transmissions which will bolt in that are heavier duty? Do high performance 4x4 shops do beefed-up rebuilds on stock gearboxes? Or is that one reliable enough that a standard rebuild should give me at least another 100K out of it (with a LITTLE bit of abuse along the way. ;p)

I built some hot rods when I was a kid.. but our concern then was only MORE POWER! This is a whole different universe of technical difficulties for me, and all help is appreciated. Thanks, guys!

 

Im no transmission expert, but I have been around built transmissions and such for a long time. I know personally I have been quoted as high as 1800 by trans shops to rebuild the trans in my 93 with the 5.2L, so it seems like the costs they are giving you are a bit high. Personally I would call around to some trans shops and get quotes. If your getting a whine before shifts I would think its either your bands starting to slip, or the fluid pump inside the trans. Try adding some lucas stabilizer tot he trans and see if the whining goes away. If it does its the pump starting to go as the lucas thickens up the trans fluid and the pump gets lubed slightly better for a time. I also know that Mopar makes a lot of internals on their transmissions interchangable as well. I have a 99 Dakota RT with a 360 V8 and a 47RE trans. From my understanding the 46RE internals will fit in my case and they are from a turbo diesel truck, and much stronger than what comes factory for me. That may be something to investigate if you want to spend that kind of money as well. Going that route for my trans is close to 3 grand tho. Just a bit of insight you may like. I would def call some trans shops about rebuilding your trans tho.

 

The tranny is the AW4 and they are all the same except for the output shaft spline count.
Here are some infos:

 

fantic, he's in a grand. i'm sure the 97 uses the 46re.

lumizen, i believe you can swap out to an aw4, they are a better tranny, but might take a little to get it to work. i've heard of others doing the swap, but not sure what's involved. i know the aw4 is controlled by a computer.

too bad you're so far away, i have 2 zj 46re trannys in the garage from a 95. not sure if the spline counts are the same or not. but i'm up here in canada (toronto area).

 

should be the 42re with the 4.0, sorry, it was intended for an upgrade swap.

 

Correct, his 97 ZJ has a 42re behind the 4.0L. The 44 and 46 RE's and RH's are all V8 transmissions, and wont bolt up.

Lumizen, go directly to the rebuilder and eliminate the middle man... a rebuild on a 42re should be in the 1500-1800 range. Dont take your chances with a used or junkyard trans. 42re's are notorious for going around the 150K mile mark.

 

Oh, and swapping in the AW-4 trans can be done... however the issue is being able to shift it without a mechanical shifter assembly. I'v seen a few threads where people were working on figuring this out... but dont remember one completed and operational where it communicated with the ECU and shifted as intended.

After the AW-4 stopped being installed into the ZJ after mid 93 model year they went to the 42re. The AW-4 used a stand alone computer or TCU. Once the 42re came in the trans was no longer stand alone.

 

He could easily swap in an xj HO computer and look for an xj AW4, cable shifter and TCU, that would be the same stuff of the '93 zj with AW4.
It wold be interesting though to see if the newer computers with the integrated TCU for the 42re would work using only "half brain" for the engine controls and have the AW4 work with the stand alone TCU, moving the potentiometer of the electronic shifter on the cable shifter... hmmm

 

oops, yeah, i meant 42re. lol. anyways, i got 2 here.

 

I had a new crate trans installed in my '97 5.2L ZJ at the dealer w/3 year, 36,000 mile warranty for $2,400.
Dan

 

hey guys;

thank you for all the great info. Yes, my mechanic pulled the pan because the gasket was leaking & replaced the filter & new fluid. The fluid wasn't burnt, but he found metal shavings in the filter & on the magnetic catcher.. So that's what he based his diagnosis on. Unfortunately, I'm in an apartment for the moment, so I can't even change my own oil...grrrr.

it sounds like i'm wanting to stay with the 42re. I've had so many electrical issues with this thing already, adding yet another 'puter into the mix just doesn't sound good.

so it looks like it's time to start investigating tranny shops. Thank you so much, guys!

 

a little metal shavings are normal, i say drive it until it craps out.

 

I have to say this real fast, and not to sound like a dick here, but your statement about the toyota A340 trans does NOT stand behind modded supra's for very long. I actually had one in my 89 supra turbo. After 250whp it came apart. Replaced with another and it came apart again. Those transmissions blow my colon. Most supra forums will tell you up to 300whp on the OEM trans if you get a stall converter, but they dont stay there for long on modded 7mgte's.

To the OP I would just have your trans rebuilt. If what your saying is true, then you likely need some bands replaced, or reset to spec depending on how worn they are. Might cost you a grand or so from a good reputable trans shop. But I would go to the trans shop directly and not pay labor twice. Your mechanic is charging you his labor to remove the trans and reinstall it, then the cost to send it out, plus mark up. Trans shop saves you a couple hundred normally cause your only paying 1 markup, and 1 place is doing ALL of the work.

 

Oh you're prolly right i've copy/pasted this from another forum. I was more interested in the spline specs than the rest.
I don't know much about supras but i know land cruisers and the a340h works like a champ considering that the 60/70/80 series with the 4.2 diesels have more torque/weight than the GCs.
I think the supras a340e have a higher gear ratio for 1st and 2nd and that might be the cause of frequent failure after the torque adds of the mods.