Convert Your Automatic Transmission Jeep Cherokee To A Manual Shift Automatic For More Control!

Quick video I threw together on how to make a Jeep Cherokee stay in first gear. Also the way we setup ours to have 1/2/3 like an true manual valve body transmission. Throw me ideas. Thanks very much.

[@codyabbott4791]

Appreciate the knowledge and your videos but I've noticed you're constantly apologizing for little things, but you shouldn't apologize for helping us out and giving us quality content! What you should do is come wheeling with us at Rocky Mountain Terrain Park in Carthage, Maine! We've got some pretty wild hills and awesome scenery

[@dexjs]

Man I see so many negative comments. Need to learn to just ignore them and only pay attention to the positive ones. Thanks much!!

[@MJordanD90]

The occasional guest appearance by buddy was the best part.

[@dexjs]

I agree 😂😂 he is very photogenic

[@fortheloveofdirtoffroad]

Love watching your videos, man, keep it up. I have been building a lot of knowledge and research and preparation of building a Jeep. For my family, you cannot afford a side by side right now. Plan on doing something and keeping it straight legal as long as I can LOL.

[@dexjs]

Haha thanks man. Gonna take me awhile to figure out what I’m doing. But I hope to help all of y’all out best I can.

[@jeepin_kid]

I think we need a thorough test after every tech tip.

[@brockmorris9923]

Just thought i would add in, on the 97+ I believe, (I have a 2000). You just cut the white wire #12 on the pin out and wire to a switch it will allow the manual 2nd gear.

[@skeetermcswagger0U812]

I'm really glad that you made this video cause I have a 2door 1989 Cherokee Pioneer that is bone stock except for suspension upgrades and 33" tires that I can never get to stay in the gear I want to whether climbing a grade and want to hold second or third, or to be in the mud and want to hold second in 4-HI or hold third in 4-LO...... This will be a game changer!!!😉👍🇺🇸

[@dexjs]

Just wait till you try it. It’s so nice.

[@NeuKrofta]

That yard full of Jeeps looks like heaven. I had a transmission guy tell me that there's a valve in the line going to the trans cooler that you can drill out and it'll help keep the transmission cooler and last longer on my 04 WJ. Ever heard of that? Maybe do a video on other transmission hacks to get more out of them

[@dexjs]

I just posted that short video while back. Check it out.

[@NeuKrofta]

@dexjeeps yea I didn't see it, I'll check it out

[@redneckswitwheels]

​@@dexjshey man if u ever wanna take a trip up to Pennsylvania I will take u out to some awesome local only trails

[@richwood8650]

Good information to come. Explained perfectly! Minus wirenutz and scotchlocks.😂

[@dexjs]

That hurt me so bad.

[@Dustinzzz]

I'm old enough to recall a post on a forum about some guy doing a similar mod to his AW4 trans, but with an electric shifter of some sort, was probably on NAXJA. I wonder if there is a similar mod but it would let you have OD and an "auto" mode still. Would be sweet to have both options like new cars have with manual overrides and the auto modes. Love the mod videos , just got my 4th XJ and have been binge watching trying to remember all the little tricks.

[@codyabbott4791]

You can do this with switches, one of the switches turning the factory power to the tcu on and off, So if that switch is on and the rest are off the TCU will control the trans normally, but if the TCU switch is off you will have manual control with the 1-2, 3-4, and lockup solenoid switches. Dex essentially did half of this in the video he just didn't wire the 3-4 or lockup because those are only used on the road really. If you wanted it to be neater or more intuitive a multiposition toggle switch or even another shifter with hall sensors would work if you wanted to get real fancy.

[@BustedKnuckleVideo]

After racing our XJ at SRRS vin class this is a must do mod. 3rd is gutless 🤣

[@Booth-l8i]

I have a 4runner with the a340 trans which is a very close cousin of the aw4 that I have to manually shift But the shift pattern is L-2-D and drive is 3rd gear so it works out great

[@michaelsummers6162]

Definitely doing this to mine. Probably take the Tcm out completely

[@spankbank8506]

Man I think you've just about talked me into building another beater xj

[@julianmcclellan8280]

This is my new favorite channel

[@rocketman1611]

Great video Dex !! Appreciate it!!

[@HustlerOffroad]

That 2WD sounds healthy.

[@dexjs]

Works very bice

[@beckybird5367]

I know youcare about that jeep or else you would of left it in the rain. Love your video and no complaints. ❤

[@dexjs]

Very true!

[@MileytheJeepV2]

I used to daily drive a manual xj but right now im working on an auto and i thought man itd be a lot cooler if i could just shift between 1-4 as i please

[@dexjs]

You can and TC lock up is nice too.

[@MileytheJeepV2]

@@dexjs right but if i couldnt toggle 4th or the tc lock it would kind of suck for daily driving

[@jessbarnes1681]

You are awesome!! thanks for the video!

[@dexjs]

Thanks for watching!

[@gabed9273]

Hey dex you should show use that air compressor mod next I need that on my rig

[@dexjs]

I wanna do a good video which takes the time I ain’t got right now lol

[@travismcvey]

Something to keep in mind doing this is you can get a check engine light. It'd me more susceptible on an OBD2 than OBD1. Renex probably won't care.

[@dexjs]

I feel like every XJ has a CEL on 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@MrMrsregor]

@@dexjs0 out of 5 of my Jeep have no check engine light on. But I need this upgrade for my 98 xj. Thanks for the video !

[@techniciantrar6923]

@@dexjs always some evap codes no one cares aboot. greta fartburg codes. how dare you p0455 or p0420/0430. LAME

[@dalekrone4335]

@@dexjsmine CEL is off. It only turned on when my alternator was failing lol

[@jeremyhanna3852]

​@MrMrsregor replace the bulb only feasible answer

[@user-vy1oj8kx1u]

Thanks, man very helpful👌👌

[@dexjs]

Glad I could help 😃😁

[@chrismarkey2926]

Very informational love the vids!

[@dexjs]

Glad to hear it!

[@ericthrone276]

A field of Cherokees! 😧🎉🤘

[@Tpbmods]

Thats a rowdy storm , my gawd

[@AvarageBass]

Hey man just curious how the aw4 holds up to repeated neutral drops over time

[@dexjs]

Haha. Green jeep is been doing it for 6-7 years now.

[@user-vy1oj8kx1u]

@@dexjs wow

[@rudybishop9089]

Great Vid - little ad-vice, don’t neber push that dog out of his seat . . . .

[@hunterswiski8398]

This is awesome

[@Woahitsjurb]

Can you make a video for the 97-01 Xjs as well?

[@boomstickkid]

thank you so much for this video. if you have a chance can you make a quick video on removing the dash/simplified wiring? or do you just leave the harness whole and bundle it up? i want to remove mine so bad because mice like to live in it but im afraid of messing up the wiring

[@dexjs]

Haha it’s sooooo simple. I’ll try to post it today. A short video 😂

[@boomstickkid]

@@dexjs i dont care if its long haha i just know youre busy but you are like the xj king. pirate4x4 doesnt have much on simplified harnesses most just say leave it whole and bundle it up.

[@Mno7s]

Only thing I'm wondering about is why you have VP octanium on the floor....

[@munkeynutzmcgraw4680]

Do you know the wires so I can do it to a 1991 2 door Cherokee 4x4? Love the channel keep up the great work.

[@dexjs]

Pretty sure the same white/pink will activate 2nd but Dk the TCM

[@freedomfarms5960]

You should do a vid on a 97+

[@curtiscrawford8454]

I've just done this same setup on my zj

[@Markus_4.0ooh]

It really works? Might try it myself

[@curtiscrawford8454]

@Markus_-dz3ev I put an aw4 transmission (from an xj) into my zj. This is how I shift the gears while on the trails

[@garylanders1470]

Excellent!

[@bransongeetings332]

How do you have the wiring set up in your crawler jeeps? Most of the time I don’t see the wiring for the tcu or the wiring. Or do you have some kind of stand alone that you have made for that as well?

[@donnyhudson8282]

1997 jeep xj with codes p0700 and p0758, skips 2nd gear and no OD anyone had this issue?

[@zack204]

what do I do if the automictic doesn't shift normally by itself? will this still work to give 2nd? great content

[@dexjs]

It could fix it. If transmission is all good.

[@p8nflnt]

thoughts on controlling the torque converter lockup?

[@arak17iv77]

Hey brother do u have a standalone video on a 96 xj? Any 96 videos appreciated.. Mine caught fire in the dash and im rewiring the whole harness it's a mess

[@cornfedxj]

Dex i need to come check out your place i need a center console with armrest for my 93 it has the basic shift bezel no cupholders or anything

[@patrikbrannlund1968]

Hello, nice videos. I’m looking for a extended idle switch for my 1995 xj contry restauration. Do you think you got one of these? Here in Sweden it’s impossible to find one. Regards Patrik

[@ryanwilson4214]

Will this work similar to the jeep wjs as well specifically talking about the 42re transmission

[@dexjs]

Sorry but no ☹️

[@mrbrettdimarco]

Just like a horror movie 😂

[@user-hf6os1sm7r]

I hope someone helps here I have a 2000 XJ automatic, I have two engine options in my budget a 88 MJ 4.0 manual vs 2006 TJ auto which is less of a pita to install thanks

[@dennismullinscountry6886]

Hey Dex how can i wire a switch to my 5 speed to do that? My left foot could use a rest once in a while.

[@user-md4uw4or4x]

Hey, I got a Wj 2004 in-line six all-wheel-drive turning over but don’t start has no codes check engine lights flashing Lebanon here to 12 times but no codes. Can you help me figure this out

[@skeetermcswagger0U812]

Do the renix 1989 Cherokees with the 4.0 even have a rev-limiter?

[@smittybuiltgaming339]

Hey man I'm stuck I tried to wire the 2nd gear switch on my 98 and no matter what it will not hit second gear is it the orange amd white wire or the solid white I have the tcu unplugged and the blue wire for tc lock up on a switch and working just can't get second gear

[@rigsoffrods9386]

Have you ever thought about a camera in your head? it would be nice to have the pilot's view

[@dexjs]

Lol what?

[@ryanslade2591]

Howzit thanks for the vids how could one have it for all 4 as im doing it for economy

[@jacobslight2561]

Is this possible on an 88 xj?

[@juliomaciel750]

Can you one for 97-01? Please? Yes ? 😅

[@joshuaevans2671]

Can my 42re in my 93 zj be wired like that

[@Quesadla]

Ac compressor to air the tires up 🤯 thats useful as fuck cause i dont use my ac and my tires leaks 💀

[@jakeclauson9863]

My wrangler was already manually controlled auto from stock. It was a 3 speed with od and had 1 2 d and if od was off d was third then the od switch gave you 4th

[@rafterL78]

How do you downshift to 2nd from 3rd?

[@stylze5767]

i thought thats what 1 2 3 is on all automatics. it keeps it in that gear no matter what. so youre saying in a stock auto if i put it in 1 itll shift to 2nd before getting to red line?

[@dexjs]

Jeep XJ yep 😑

[@shozdott]

nice vid , what do you mean about bouncing rev limiter ? does it auto shut off or somthin when spiked? or do you manually bounce it ? lol , also what is torque convertor lockup mean ? sry n00b

[@wyrdo1501]

So a rev limiter just limits how high the engine will Rev. Stock the computer wants to take control of the trans shifting, doing this mod will let you put put the trans in 1st and it won't shift unless you want it to. For an offroad toy having full control of when your transmission shifts is useful.

[@wyrdo1501]

Also the torque converter is between your engine and trans, it slips and allows your engine to run while in gear without stalling, when it locks up it locks your trans and engine together so there is no slip. Think of it kinda like a clutch on an automatic. The torque converter being able to slip is important, but it also causes the trans to heat up. So when going down the highway a lock up converter will lock up so there will be no slipping and the trans will run cooler. Your engine makes the most power at a certain rpm, when you press the gas the Converter slips and let's the engine Rev up to a good rpm before locking everything together. It's a very important aspect of automatic transmissions, if you ever hear people talking about a high stall converter this is what they are talking about, think of it like being able to Rev up a manual trans before letting off the clutch.

[@shozdott]

so having a rev limiter is a good thing ? so doesnt blow? also so when you hear it shut off for a sec n back on thats the computer? all the while pedal held to floor? ty

[@wyrdo1501]

@@shozdott yep that's what it's for, So you can just push the gas pedal down and not have to worry about over reving it. Still its not good to endlessly bang the Rev limiter all the time tho but if a engine is in good shape it shouldn't hurt it. On the other hand it's a common problem for most vehicles that they never get revved up very high and end up getting a lot of carbon build up. The joke term for it is an "Italian tune up" taking a car out and winding the engine out a bit and running it hard. It's a good thing to do as long as your engine is in good shape.

[@ShawnGoENT]

I’m 👀ing

[@Markus_4.0ooh]

Any chance this would work on a 98 zJ? my second is giving out and lucas oil lookin Linda expensive 😅thanks in advance

[@dexjs]

I wish…. No go.

[@dustyman0789]

So I could put a xj trans behind a 4.0 in a zj beater and just shit it like this ?

[@dexjs]

Yes sir. That’s what I do.

[@loganmoran2793]

What kind of shifter handle is that and would you wanna sell it

[@dexjs]

Lol it’s garbage

[@loganmoran2793]

@@dexjs do you prefer the stock shifter

[@splooof]

would this be any similar to the 42re jeeps

[@dexjs]

Unfortunately no

[@willspivey4763]

BOOO@ no 😭😭😭

[@freedomisntfree5573]

CROCKS? !😂

[@rudyfinney9450]

And to think I bought a RAD shifter to accomplish this exact concept. 🤦

[@dexjs]

How much is that thing?

[@harleyrider1975]

My buddy bought one of those and paid like $180 with shipping. Dumba** lol

[@rudyfinney9450]

@@dexjs , I think I paid around the 220 mark. It's nice I suppose, and mounting is easy enough. Just be sure to mount the on/ off switch someplace it won't be easily bumped. ( I found out the hard way)on the plus side I have the ability to shift 1st-4th.

[@rudyfinney9450]

One other side note.... I find it amazingly helpful when towing.

[@nathanmarshall4014]

Hack job!!!

[@PrimitiveOverland]

Just use a manual like a man.

[@cornfedxj]

Can you get od to work without tcm