BUY JEEP PARTS: Dana 44 | Catalytic Converter | Jeep Gas Cap | Distributor | Carburetor

In all of your future 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. In addition, if there is a recall issued on a Jeep model by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), I will publish it here for your information and education. See all of the posted recalls at www.odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recallsearch.cfm.—Jim Brightly

No 4WD

I have a ‘91 Cherokee Sport, 170K miles, Command Track, four-speed automatic transmission, and a 4.0-liter engine. The problem is that the four-wheel drive will not engage. The handle will move into four high but the front differential does not seem to engage. Where should I start looking?
- David Hemphill

Dave, some ‘91 Cherokees had an axle interlock in front. It’s a vacuum-actuated unit, and it may have failed or the vacuum line has become disconnected.

Squealing Jeep

I have a 2001 TJ Jeep Wrangler 4.0L, 5-sp tranny. I just had the clutch and throw-out bearing replaced in my Jeep because when I started it in the mornings it would squeal/chirp. Even though that stuff is fixed now, I still hear the squeal/chirp when I first start my Jeep in the mornings. It only does it when it’s cold outside. Once the Jeep warms up, the squeal goes away and it sounds like it’s coming from underneath the Jeep by the transmission area. I took it back to the shop and they looked it over and checked my fluid and said everything with the transmission was fine. The transmission and clutch are working great but that squeal drives me nuts. I checked the belts and sprayed belt dressing on them and that’s not the problem either. I am having a hard time pin-pointing the problem, but like I said it sounds like it’s coming from underneath the Jeep by the transmission area. Has anyone else had this problem and is this something that is easily fixed?

It squeals/chirps when the clutch pedal is in or out and has only started doing it when it has been cold. I just replaced the throw-out bearing and clutch 2 weeks ago and it still does it. When I get under the Jeep to listen it is coming from around the starter area on the bottom side of the engine. Once the Jeep warms up, the squeek stops. The mechanics told me to drive it until something goes wrong. I am not sure what it is. The starter might be going bad for all I know.
- Travis Riepenhoff, Cincinnati, Ohio

That is a really tough nut to crack. If your local mechanic can’t solve it while listening, I can’t solve it remotely. I guess you’ll have to wait until something breaks, so turn up the radio or warm it up before you drive.

Chevy Cherokee

Hey, I have a 1987 Cherokee Chief and I’m wondering what type of engine mods can I do to it? I want to drop in a 350 if that is possible. If yes, then is it wise?
-JeepChief87, Tustin, CA

You wouldn’t be a former Tustin Tiller, would you? Our offices are just a few miles away. Basically, you can put any engine you wish in the Cherokee; however, you need to check with DMV to ascertain what the current California law is concerning engine transplants on street-legal vehicles (unless you want to green sticker it and trailer it to your play areas). The last time I checked, DMV required it be the same year or newer engine, specified for an SUV, and must include all smog equipment, including the computer and all sensors, and you’ll probably need to see an umpire. For the necessary modification equipment, visit www.advanceadapters.com.

Surging 700R4

I have a 1987 Jeep XJ two-door. I have the Renix fuel injection with my 4.0 engine. I removed the Peugeot transmission and replaced it with a 700R4. Many dollars later the trans was installed but does not appear to shift properly. We had to find a custom fix for the crank position sensor that the person who sold me the transmission failed to mention, as there is a distinct difference between the kits made for the Mopar and Renix fuel injection systems. That aside, the transmission seems to shift inconsistently. It often shifts hard but does not accelerate well, or under heavy acceleration, the engine revs but the transmission starts to surge. Do you have any advice or recommendations?
-John Jolly

A good trans shop should be able to correct the shift problem. It may need a shift reprogram kit in the valve body or it’s not getting the proper vacuum signals from the engine to operate correctly.

As usual each month, I’m shouting out a big THANK YOU to Paul Schupp at Rock Lizard 4x4 in Kingman, Arizona, for his invaluable assistance in answering many of the Jeep Creep questions.