Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ How To Remove Transmission - [Part 1 Removal]

In today's episode, we perform a transmission replacement on our $1000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. We have a video as part of the Project Grand Cherokee ZJ on this Jeep where we swapped the transmission, but it was just part of our project, not a detailed how to video. You guys have been asking, so here's the first of two very detailed videos on replacing the transmission in a Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ. This first video is how to get it out, and next week we'll show you how to put it back in. There's lots of tips and tricks, and after watching this video, you should be very familiar with all the steps necessary to remove a 42RE or 44RE Transmission from a Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ. So sit back and relax and join us for a transmission replacement how to video!
#JeepGrandCherokee #ZJTransmission #MotorsandMischief
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[@nathanmueller8994]

I can't even say thank you enough for the time you've taken making these videos. Appreciate it so much. 96 limited owner.

[@MotorsandMischief]

Wow thanks for the great comment, really appreciate the feedback!

[@ussliberty4631]

This looks like 6 hours worth of labor thank you for the upload

[@MotorsandMischief]

That's dead on, nice job! Yeah its really not terribly hard once you see all that has to be done, and we think seeing the cavity after the trans is out is really useful too, but 6 hours is a good estimate. Thanks for commenting!

[@davidodell8768]

Nice concise proceedure.

[@MotorsandMischief]

Thank you! And thanks for commenting!

[@DrFoo-mi6nr]

I have a 93 limited 4wd and 97 two wd diving in the trans as I speak thanks!

[@paulvachon3031]

Great video. Bring it up north and deal with all the rust

[@MotorsandMischief]

Man always feel so bad for you guys in north. Thanks for the comment!

[@OutnBacker]

Dorman makes a drain plug pan replacement. You can re-use good fluid. Just drain it into a clean container and cover it until ready to re-fill.

[@MotorsandMischief]

That's awesome! We were planning to make our own at some point but if Dorman has one that's way easier. Thanks for the info!

[@OutnBacker]

@@MotorsandMischief It doesn't come with the shavings magnet, so save yours.

[@ivaneromalote]

Niceee videoo!

[@MotorsandMischief]

Hey thanks for the awesome comment!!

[@jayosiris8944]

I used two jacks and transmission jack to take it out abs install it back in.

[@zachjohnston9136]

This video really helps only complaint is a little better location for the bolts on the bell housing I get where they are but looking under I can't find the last bolt on the passenger side also he doesn't mention it but remove ur oil filter to get that bolt

[@jonathonlimon8381]

Do I have to remove the CPS sensor too?

[@DrHavok1]

I did this and when it came to the cables I second guessed myself and got confused and I ended up on your first trans video on this jeep lol it really helped even though it wasn't like you did it in this video. How much did your transmission guy charge you to rebuild the 44re? I really want to know this so I either know I got really hosed or I can feel better about how I got hosed. ZJ's for life

[@MotorsandMischief]

Yeah we think we said it backwards in one of the videos. But we're thrilled you're here and hope it helped some! Our local guy charged us $2500 for the rebuild and to inspect our work (and make some minor adjustments to our cooler routing and shift position cable) after we were done. It would have been $1000 more if we'd let him do the R&R. Its been a good chunk of time on the transmission and its going strong, waaaaaaaaaaaay better than the Moveras transmission we bought for the Ranger before we knew our local guy. In fact, as we type this, the Ranger is in the local guy's shop so he can fix the Moveras transmission for the 3rd time, and it cost us $1800 from AutoZone. Never again.

[@Hoodie_1]

looking forward to using your videos to remove/rebuild and replace my 95 GC 42re. never done it before but im not paying $4200 for a shop to do it and not warranty it.

[@MotorsandMischief]

It's really not hard on the ZJ. We did our Ranger about the same time and that... sucked. But the ZJ is pretty straight forward. Check out the Part 2, we've got some good advice based on how the job went. Thanks for the comment!

[@DR3ZA2706]

Any chance you can do a short video on where the tcm is?

[@MotorsandMischief]

Yes! We'll try to do a 2 Min Tutorial on that this weekend. In the meantime, 93-95 ZJ's with the 4.0 have a TCM (ZJs with the AW4 and the 42RE). All the rest have a PCM (powertrain control module) and we're not trying to be pedantic, just trying to be clear. This Jeep is a 97 with the 5.2, so the PCM is in engine compartment, right rear. If we recall correctly, earlier models had it under the driver's seat. We'll try to get that video up this weekend for you, thanks for the comment!

[@rickmorgan211]

did you put up a video for part 2? ji need help installing 1 44re, i didnt do the removel

[@MotorsandMischief]

We did! It should be linked at the end of Part 1 but here you go so you don't have to search for it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZm9YXR3mbGho8k Hope you find it helpful!

[@jameschristy6151]

Did you have to remove the oil filter to get the bell housing bolt out? Great video

[@MotorsandMischief]

You know, that's a great question because that one stumped us quite a bit when we were going back together. We're 90% sure we did NOT remove the oil filter to get to that bolt but when we went to reinstall, we couldn't figure out how we'd done that. When we went back together, we pulled the oil filter, reinstalled the bolt and then reinstalled the oil filter. It was easy and worked fine but we're still pretty sure we did it without removing the filter the first time. Thanks for the question!

[@DrHavok1]

You can work that bolt out as you back the trans out, If its one of the last bolts you got in. Use a short open end wrench easier. I did it this way because I had just recently done an oil change and usually once you tighten a filter and drive with it and then take it back off it'll leak after that if you put it back on. Not always but usually. Easiest way to do it is remove the filter though

[@zachjohnston9136]

Yes it's so much easier

[@Chrisro0619]

When you were taking the trans out, did you come across any funky bolts along the top? Like inverted torx or something?

[@MotorsandMischief]

We did not, all of ours were standard six sides bolts. Thanks for the question!

[@AaaBbb-rr3of]

How do I convert a 2003 Jeep Cherokee automatic transmission into a manual transmission?

[@MotorsandMischief]

It would be a bit of a challenge on a 2003, as Jeep never made a manual WJ like they did the ZJ. You could probably fab one using a Dodge Ram manual as a donor but it might be tough getting the computer to cooperate. It can be done but it would be a serious project. If you’re serious about doing it, check the WJ Jeep forums and see if any has done it. If not post your question in there, those guys are super capable. Thanks for the question!

[@milanohamali880]

Hos model the geep

[@MotorsandMischief]

Which model? This covers specifically ZJs with the 5.2 V8, so 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokees. However Jeeps that have the 4.0 inline six will be almost identical. And the procedure for the WJ (1999-2004) is going to be very similar. Thanks for the question!

[@ballistic_hipster]

Boy i wish you'd shown how the hell you got that starter stud out, Chiltons is useless and I cant find that detail anywhere

[@MotorsandMischief]

You know, we're not sure why we skipped that. When we went to put it back in we had zero recollection of how we got it out. But then we figured it out and it was really easy. And so we thought oh that's obvious, no need to worry. Then we forgot what we did. So yeah, we should have recorded it. We'll try to figure it out and we'll post back here if we do. Thanks for commenting!

[@michaelangelos5117]

Until my cat jumps up on that board and smacks all the screws around

[@MotorsandMischief]

Your cat is doing his best to help!

[@Gh..o..s..t]

Well you explained a lot very well. But didn't show a lot... kinda lost on the dust cover got it loss and it will not come out. Has a bolt stud in the housing.

[@MotorsandMischief]

IF I remember correctly: The dust cover fits over the locating pins, so if you don’t have the transmission separated it won’t come out. I don’t believe it’s like some transmissions where it unbolts and gives you useful access but I’ll check the ZJ when it rolls back into the garage in about an hour.