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AW-4 - Can it be made to work without a TCU
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purple72Gremlin View Drop Down
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Points: 16614 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote purple72Gremlin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/07/2022 at 4:46pm
Originally posted by flejl flejl wrote:

The game plan will be to use the newer 360 or 401 if I have to or just decide to go to a new trans like an AW4; worst case if I were to stick with the 304, the I would use the crank from the 360 since it is later than 72. 

My understanding is if I do the above, I can use the flex plate from the 4.0, or is that not correct?

If I were to use the 700R4 I have, the 360 and 401 came out of jeeps with TH400 trans flex plates, so I would hope they would work if the adapter plates I have seen for sale do not include.

I am still thinking and still confused....


  TH 400 Converter bolt pattern is wider than the 700 which is the same as the PG TH350.  Not sure if you can drill the Jeep plates. They have big holes in them
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DragRacingSpirit View Drop Down
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Points: 903 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DragRacingSpirit Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/07/2022 at 10:22pm
Yes, you can drill the smaller bolt pattern in it.
Best 1/4 mile 8.99, 1/8 mile 5.71, 60 foot 1.27, no power adders
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Points: 3557 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Heavy 488 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/08/2022 at 6:56am
Instead of sifting through a scrap pile, why not just get the 4.0 flex plate, have it balanced to your original and be done with it.
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CamJam View Drop Down
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Points: 6553 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CamJam Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/08/2022 at 8:04pm
Originally posted by sweatlock sweatlock wrote:

https://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/aw4

I've read that before and don't really understand what they're saying about weird shift points.  The TCU does seem to be programmed to select O/D as soon as possible-- for fuel economy I would assume-- but I don't find anything strange about the shift points otherwise provided the kick-down and throttle position sensor are adjusted properly.  Shift points will be screwy if they're not, just like any automatic transmission.

I also didn't add any external transmission cooler, just the same radiator cooling that the stock TF998 used.

Here's the write-up I did on my AW-4 swap:
'73 Javelin 360 (current project)
'72 Baja Bronze Javelin SST
'69 Big Bad Orange AMX (2018 Teague Heritage Award) SOLD
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Heavy 488 View Drop Down
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Points: 3557 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Heavy 488 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/08/2022 at 8:57pm
Depends on the year vehicle  the trans was pulled from. 87 to possibly 90, there was a power/comfort rocker switch on the dash. Chrysler ditched the switch.
Comfort mode 1,2, lockup, 3, 4
Power mode 1,2,3,4 lockup.
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flejl View Drop Down
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Points: 177 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote flejl Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/13/2022 at 8:10am
ok, so I need a TCU if I want it to shift by itself, that is important because the wife and a manula, even "clutchless" will not work.

I have read the trans requires a Throttle Position Sensor (TPS), what is this for?

I guess I am showing my age here....
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Points: 3557 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Heavy 488 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/13/2022 at 9:08am
It serves half the function as a vacuum.modulator on some trasmissions or the rod on your torqueflite. Tries to match the proper shift speed based on how deep your foot is in it. It still has a cable for shift pressure.
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Points: 4097 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tufcj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/13/2022 at 9:52am
Originally posted by flejl flejl wrote:

ok, so I need a TCU if I want it to shift by itself, that is important because the wife and a manula, even "clutchless" will not work.

I have read the trans requires a Throttle Position Sensor (TPS), what is this for?


The AW4 requires a TPS (it needs to know how hard you're on the gas) and it also needs a VSS (vehicle speed sensor).   The 2 sensors work in unison to determine vehicle speed and throttle input to adjust shift points accordingly.   You can get a VSS that goes inline in the speedo cable.

I've got a 2WD AW4 in my shed.  If the M12 breaks again I may move to the AW4.  A friend who does transmissions says he can make it handle my 390s HP and torque, since it's very similar to the trans used in V8 Toyota Tundras.   I will have a TPS since I'm converting to Edelbrock Pro-Flow EFI this winter (got it sitting on the shelf).

Bob
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74 Javelin AMX
67 Rogue

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you'll eventually pay for it...
and not have it.
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CamJam View Drop Down
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Points: 6553 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CamJam Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/13/2022 at 12:01pm
The speed sensor is mounted on the transmission and connects to the TCU.  It you get your AW4 from a wrecking yard it should come with it. Though things changed a little through the years, if you get the 91-96.5 AW4 you don't need the VSS on the speedo cable, which I think is mainly to work the Jeep's electronic speedometer and for ECM data.  It's not needed if you use a mechanical speedometer drive from a pre '91 XJ.  See the link to my swap thread above were I mentioned the speedo gear change.

Just make sure to grab the TCU and all the harnesses that are attached to the transmission.  My link shows you everything you need.  Really, figuring out how I was going to work the TPS and which transmission mount to use were the hardest parts of the job.  The rest of it was just about crimping wires. 


Edited by CamJam - Jul/13/2022 at 12:11pm
'73 Javelin 360 (current project)
'72 Baja Bronze Javelin SST
'69 Big Bad Orange AMX (2018 Teague Heritage Award) SOLD
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