In your Jeep Creep questions, please list your first and last names, your hometown, and your state/province/country, so that we can publish that information here. If you don’t provide this information, we may not be able to publish your question and answer. Don’t forget to be as complete as possible with the description of your Jeep and its problems, too. See all of the posted recalls at www.odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recallsearch.cfm.—Jim Brightly
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2008 Jeep Wranglers (manufactured between June 2006 through July 2008—NHTSA Recall No. 09V436000) that are equipped with automatic transmissions. These vehicles were not equipped with a transmission fluid temperature warning system. Fluid could boil over and may come into contact with a hot engine or exhaust component and cause a fire. Dealers will inspect and install a “hotoil” message in the instrument cluster and a chime indicating an elevated transmission fluid condition. The recall is expected to begin during December 2009. Owners may contact Chrysler at 800-835-1403.
2WD to 4WD?
Can I put a transfer case into a 1988 Jeep Comanche two-wheel drive with a five-speed transmission? I’m trying to make it into a four-wheel drive.
JC Wilson
Gainesville, FL
Yep, JC. In the words of a longtime friend and wheeler (John Partridge, founder of Advance Adapters), “Anything can be put in anything—within reason—if you have enough money.” However, unless you have some special reasons to use your current Cherokee, I’d suggest just buying another Cherokee that’s already 4WD. It would be cheaper, because you’re going to need one for a parts car anyway.
Throttle Position
I need to know how I adjust the throttle (valve) cable on my ‘98 ZJ. I adjusted it to mask a slipping transmission and now it is fixed and nobody knows the stock position of this cable/sensor. I have been told to release the clip, pull the accelerator cable to full open position and release. This method is supposed to bring the cable to the stock position, is this true?
Tony
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
You need to set the throttle so that when the pedal is on the floor the throttle body is at wide open.
Blinking Lights
I have purchased a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0-Liter. I have been experiencing some little problems—blinking panel lights (when I touch the dimmer the lights stay on until I run over a pothole, etc.). I have what feels like a flat spot when accelerating, the engine hesitates and gives a cough then speeds up. This happens if the engine is cold or hot, intermittently. Looking at Web sites regarding this model, owners appear to have a few problems with this model. Have I bought a lemon? I love the Jeep and don’t want to buy Japanese.
Kiwi
Hastings, New Zealand
Hi, Kiwi, yes, Jeeps have some electric gremlins, but all can be solved by a good repair shop and/or someone with patience and a good repair manual. You can find what you need at JC Whitney, 4-Wheel Drive Hardware or 4-Wheel Parts and order it via their Web sites.
Gear Grinding
I have a 2001 Wrangler Sport 4.0 liter five-speed with 96,000 miles. It grinds going into third gear but gives me no problem when in third. What should I do?
M Blevins
Lawton, OK
If it only grinds going into 3rd, then your third gear syncro gear is messed up. You’ll have to pull the tranny and replace the syncro. As long as it’s out, though, you might as well make sure all the other syncro gears, bearings, etc. are fine. In other words, go through the entire tranny to make sure you won’t have any problems in the future. If you don’t take care of this, metal debris inside the transmission from the grinding could cause more problems.
No 4WD
I want to buy a Jeep Cherokee 1988 XF or FX (can’t remember which). It looks clean and the price looks right. I know it is not the SJ 1984 -1991, but I cannot find any information on this XF model. It has a fuel rail and is a straight six auto. When I try to shift into four-wheel nothing happens. No sound or tightening of the lever next to the shifter. I was told I had to put the select in neutral first, and then put it into low or high four but still nothing. What can be wrong? The lever seems to not be attached to anything under the floor at the transfer case. It does look like a 231 trans. Do you think it could be just the shifting rod? Do you know anything about the Cherokee FX model? I cannot find anything on it.
Roy Valdez
Houston, TX
The linkage is a plastic grommet type to hold it to the lever. The plastic may have dried up and died. You’ll need to crawl under the Cherokee and have someone move the T-case lever while you verify what’s happening. If the grommet proves to be the problem, it’s an easy and cheap fix but could save you some money on the purchase price.
Downsizing
I have an ‘01 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited and was wondering if it would be possible to swap out the 4.7-liter engine for a 4.0-liter engine? I guess more to the point; I am asking would it be an easy swap without replacing a lot more, like wiring and transmission? Would I also have to replace the tranny or bell housing? And would I have to replace wire connections? How hard or is there somewhere you can direct me to find the answers?
John
Houston, TX
Not many folks downsize their engines. Most of us go the other way and increase engine size for more power and improved performance. Basically, you could do the transplant you’re speaking of, but you’d have to replace nearly everything forward of the tranny: bell housing, engine, motor mounts, electrical connections, and possibly the radiator. If you’re having engine trouble, it would be cheaper to rebuild the engine. And if you’re doing it in the hopes saving gas, your mileage could well be less with the 4.0L six.
V8 Transplant
I just bought 1978 CJ-7 with a 258 6-cyl. I want to convert to a V-8, either a 360 or 304 unless a Chevy 350 would be more practical. I don’t know if motor mounts have to be moved. I want dual exhaust, possibly add power steering, etc. Can you give me an idea of what I am up against? It is a three-speed manual transmission. I am wondering if I will need a new transmission, clutch, etc. What am I up against?
Dave Youngdoff
Overland Park, KS
Your best bet is to go to Advance Adapters’ Web site. They offer everything you’ll need, parts, components, adapters, etc., including booklets that will lead you by the hand through the entire installation procedures. I would also recommend a Chevy V8 over an AMC V8 due to the huge difference in availability in both engines and aftermarket products. You’ll have to cut off the existing motor mounts and install new ones (V8 mounts are very different compared to I6 mounts). Although you can use your current tranny, you might also consider changing trannies once you read the AA book.
Too Many Wires
I have a ‘97 Wrangler TJ 4.0 with automatic and swapped it with a 4.0 with standard trans from a ‘99 Wrangler TJ (both are Sport models). I swapped the engine, tranny, t-case, wiring harness and computer from ‘99 to ‘97. Now the problem is the wires that plug into the connector under the dash. It had one wire that was not in the new harness and I got it running but had to jump the B2 and B3 terminal in the ASD relay slot to a switched hot wire and then a momentary hot to the large black/orange wire in the ignition switch just to get it to run. Can you help me out here?
Sherman
Augusta, KY
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Silent Horn
I have a 1999 Wrangler with two issues: a horn that stopped working and the driver’s door’s external handle assembly is very loose. I thought maybe a fuse was the problem with the horn but I can’t seem to find any horn related fuse. A mechanic said that the door handle is not uncommon but he could not repair it.
Gerry
Key West, FL
For the horn’s wiring you need to buy a good shop manual for your model Jeep. Make sure it has a wiring diagram. This will not only show you where the fuse is located, but will also tell you how to troubleshoot the circuit if it’s not the fuse. The book will also tell you how to tighten the door handle.
Axle Matches
Can you tell me if an axle from an ‘89 Cherokee will fit a 93?
Chazzy
Anacortes, WA
Yep, as long as the axles’ gear ratios match they can be exchanged. If you need help discovering the ratios, contact me again.
Boat Towing
I am getting ready to buy a Wrangler to tow my drift boat, which weighs approx 800 lbs. including trailer. There are some tight places I want to launch from and remove the boat from the river. It will be used as a daily driver with minimal off- road use. Which Wrangler would be best for my use? An older 4.0L I6 or a new V6? Any input will be appreciated.
Two Irish Ducks
Roseburg, OR
Almost any Jeep with the proper towing equipment will work. If you’re correct about the weight of the boat and trailer, virtually any Wrangler will do. I’d make sure the axles are well sealed to avoid ingestion of water while launching/recovering (including the differentials’ vent tubes). Also, I’d suggest a Jeep with an automatic transmission, as they are much easier to work with when backing up.
Cherokee Crawler
I have driven Jeeps in the past so I know what they’re capable of. I know the 4.0L is the best motor alive. I am surprised with how long they last and that’s why I really want to buy one for myself. But I have a question: the Jeep I’m going to buy is a ‘96 Jeep Cherokee with a 6.5” suspension lift, 33-inch Goodyear MT/Rs, chip, full exhaust, and K&N intake, custom front and rear bumpers, winch, rock rails, rebuilt front end, Tom Woods rear driveshaft, 4.10 gears, and a few other things. However, I would be the third owner of it; the first guy used it for rock crawling, and the second owner had it as a daily driver. Now I’m just hoping you could provide me with an answer on do you think it’s worth it to buy the Jeep? It has about 148K on the motor. Do you think that it’s a good deal? I am just scared that the water pump or alternator will go out. My friend keeps telling me that. But the second owner just did a coolant exchange on it and an oil change for me. Just need to hear from others not just people I know. Thanks a lot!
Jeep Thing
Kenosha, WI
Not knowing what the asking price is, it’s a little difficult to say whether it’s worth buying. If you’re worried about the water pump or alternator, don’t be. They’re easy to change. That’s a lot of mileage on a four-liter six-banger, so I’d be more worried about the possibility of having to rebuild the engine. Do a compression test, or if you’re not comfortable doing that, take it to a qualified mechanic and pay to have the entire Cherokee checked out. It could save you a lot of dollars.
As usual, each month, I’m shouting out a huge THANK YOU to Paul Schupp at Rock Lizard 4x4 in Kingman, Arizona, for his invaluable assistance in answering many of the Jeep Creep questions
