How to get a useable 2nd gear?
 

Ok, I know there are manual shifter available for the AW4.. But I just want a usable 2nd gear, without having to wind out to 4k in the 1/2 position.
Is there a way to wire in a switch that would allow me to flip the switch then move the shifter to 1/2 and the Trans go straight into 2nd?
Sucks to be going down a hill and want some engine braking. You shift from D to 3, you get a little, but not much. You think 2nd would be nice, so you shift to 1/2. After you peel your face off the windshield, because you are now in 1st, you, still, have to wind it out just to get to the gear you wanted.

Interesting. I had no idea people even did that in an automatic.

What did you think those other shifter positions were for. I mean other tha PRND, that's the purpose of L,L3, L2, 3,2,1,1-2, I have some variation of these in avery auto trans I have had.
Yeah a manual trans would be the easy answer. But I hate having to juggle shifter, gas and clutch in difficult situations. And some time 1st is just too low and 3rd too high.

There is a write out for what you're talking about. Google jeep xj 1st gear lockout. You wire the solenoids to switches and shutting the switch can lock in 1st and likewise iirc it shows hit ti wire for 2nd gear too and torque converter lockup

Thanks, Sparky.. That's what I was looking for. The Go Jeep write-up is the one I remembered from a few years ago.

I have always used the 3-2-1 as towing gears for hills or what have you. So the tyranny doesn't try and burn up the overdrive going back and forth under a working load. I have never ever downshifted an automatic for breaking. Ever. It never even occurred to me and I cant see why I would ever need to do it. But hey.....more power to ya. I learn something new every day.

hahaha

Brake pads and rotors are cheaper than a trans. Just saying.

engine breaking with an auto?

wont that be somewhat ineffective do to the torque converter?

Nope, works just fine.


I did this mod and love it. It is especially useful in low range where the 2-1 downshift is really jarring and usually unnecessary.

Yeah, Been doing it for years.

Yeah it is advisable to drive in 3rd when towing.. If only to keep the trans from going into and out of OD, over every bump in the road. Otherwise engine braking (downhill) is the purpose of those lower gear selections. Remember the torque converter is to a auto trans as the clutch is to a manual. It's just a clutch that provides variable amounts of friction. Unlocked its like having your foot pressing the clutch, lock your foot is off the clutch.

Gear down on steep, winding hills or when pulling up to a stop with a trailer. It's exactly like gearing down with a standard.

I actually wired an "interrupt" switch into the torque activation wire so I can just unlock the converter going up hills without downshifting.

Correct. It's a hydrokinetic clutch in a sense.