If I were to try to swap my 6 speed for an auto, is it a simple bolt in, plug and play, or is it more complex that that? Will all the electonics work?

 

Although I havent done a tranny swap on a Jeep, I did do one on a Toyota Truck and there was quite a lot of work involved in it, but it can be done if you have the means and the money...In order to do the swap I needed to: (vise versa for the swap from manual to auto though)

-get a computer box (for the toyota there were differences from the auto ecu VS the manual ecu). Dont know if the JK would just need a simple flash?

-get a manual flywheel

-all the manual tranny mounting brackets

-all the clutch lines

-Needed the master & slave cylinder

-Needed the brake & clutch pedal mounting brackets, it came as one piece (Had to do some minor drilling on the firewall to mount the master cylinder).

-Had to plug the cooling lines from the radiator since it was no longer needed for the manual trans...

-Had to enlarge the shifter hole on the body to allow the new manual trans to shift properly

-And of course the manual trans, clutch, pressure plate, T/O bearing & pilot bearing.

All in all it was a simple bolt on, but I think your main concern would be the computer. I dont know if things will communicate properly, especially the emissions, speedo & drive by wire throttle...

Good luck if you take on the task..Keep us posted...

 

he wants an auto

 

The transmission tunnels may be made differently. I'm not sure. The firewalls may be different. Those two things right there would make me either stick with the manual, or trade for an automatic. Although neither may be the case, because I have not done this on a JK, I have done it on MANY, MANY vehicles before and sometimes, both ARE the case. It just doesn't make much sense to me to go hackin up body panels. Now, if all the sheet metal is the same, then certainly the swap could be done so you'd never know it. Although it would still be rather complex. I am sure that a new ECU would be required, along with whatever corresponding auto wiring harness(es) you may need. Not to mention all the obvious hardware involved.

 

Thanks...Did noticed that (see below )...Just wanted to give him an idea of the work involved...

 

Thanks and I know all the issues for many vehicles, but I heard somewhere that these are plug and play. I am looking for real world experience or knowledge on the JK.

I understand the linkage and pedal issues, but am just looking for whether there are any electronic problems, or if what I heard was right...that the electronics are already there and you just need to plug it in...

 

I don't think it would be economical to do. First off I don't think you can just re-flash your ECM for an auto. Second you will need a wiring harness for an auto, plus the trans ,flywheel, shifter. I'm not saying it can't be done but the cost to do it would not be worth it.

 

Trade it for what you want. This swap wouldn't be feasable without another COMPLETE vehicle for you to strip. Even the interior parts are different, cluster, harnesses, control modules,linkages flywheel, mounts, crossmember etc etc etc. This truly would be a never ending project. What would you have at the end? A Jeep with no warranty, a Jeep no shop would work on for pay if it was known the extent of the mods done. It's much cheaper and simpler to trade it. The auto vs manual jeeps are really 2 very different vehicles under the skin. Plug and play is not an option here. P.S. I rebuild cars for a living. I personally wouldn't touch this project with a pole- far too involved. In California I belive the C.A.R.B. would frown on this switch as the vehicle build certification for emissions would no longer be valid on a converted vehicle.....

 

OK...

That answers my question and makes the decision. I will just wait till I do the Hemi swap


Thanks...