When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
MontanaFab, I have one. Nicely built piece. Easy plug in. Expensive for what it does.
There are easier and cheaper ways of doing the same thing and with no CELs. Can switch between auto and manual control. Tons of writeups on different forums.
It can be done many different ways. I have built many versions.
By using a relay box and a few resistors and diodes,
My favorite is using a single switch Manual-Auto and the stock shifter to control manual shifting.
Another was using the RAD shifter where 4th position was full Auto and 1-2-3 were manual control.
I also made a LED Gear Selector Display to display what gear you are in, worked manual or auto.
Cobra Marty! It's great to hear from you. I appreciate your advice. I read and post at JeepForum a lot, but so far they had no answers for me on this topic. I rarely post at CherokeeForum, but I've been lurking here recently reading threads about AW4 topics. I've read some of your posts about AW4 in other threads.
I've read a ton of write-ups about how to do this, but all the methods I've read about said they were for 96 and earlier; but would cause CEL codes, erratic shifting, and/or limp mode in 97+.
The only method that I've read that said it would not cause CEL codes in 97+ was the montanafab controller. Since my XJ is a 99 the CEL code is a concern.
You're saying there are multiple ways to do this with a 99 XJ that will not cause CEL codes? That sounds great. I don't think the montanafab product is made anymore. It's not listed on montanafab website. I plan to call them on Monday and ask them.
However, it sounds like you have some other methods that work as good or better. I need to think about how I want it to work and I'll think about what you posted. Once I decide how I'd prefer this thing to work, then I will post again asking for specific instructions or a link to instructions/writeup.
Last edited by Charley3; Feb 19, 2017 at 04:35 PM.
I'm interested in the method CobraMarty described that has a switch for Auto vs Manual and uses stock shifter lever. Please elaborate on that method. Please explain the various possibilities for functionality and how to accomplish it, or provide me a link to instructions or a write-up.
Last edited by Charley3; Feb 19, 2017 at 10:33 PM.
There are some good threads over on the other XJ site.
Basically to keep from having a CEL you need to use 2 resistors as dummy loads when you switch from tcu to manual shifting. IIRC they are 660 ohm. The jeeps ecu must see a load of the trans solenoids or it will set a CEL.
I built a relay board that fit into the TCU and only one wire came out which went to a switch manual-auto and then the stock gear selector controlled the gears.
1-2 = first, 3 = second, D = third gear. I made a plaque that stuck on next to the shifter showing the gear numbers.
I can't believe you been banned over there. I know we just "met" but I've been lurking for a long time at XJ and Jeep forums and reading peoples posts. I joined this forum partly because of your excellent posts and threads. I'm glad you're here because I might have tech questions for you. The other reason I joined this forum is Mschi recommended this forum to me. I was looking for a new forum for XJ mod info. JF hasn't been the same for the last year due to less participation than it used to have and sometimes I can't get the information I need there.
I'm really liking this XJ forum and the other XJ forum. Thanks everyone for being so knowledgeable and helpful here
Last edited by Charley3; Feb 21, 2017 at 01:28 AM.
MontanaFab AW4 shift override controller
