Colorado Krew Hangout

Ya taking a week off so figured we'd miss the trail traffic on a Monday.

Bring the gladiator....the other 2 jeeps are on 33s, as long as you stay off that one rock, what could go wrong?

Rocks are my mating call is the problem! The JT is my daily 😂🤣
 
My rig is back together, but I want more mileage on the swap before wheeling it. I'm definitely jealous because I want to play on some features with an auto to compare.

I'd wonder how you feel on the street going to auto. We all know it'll be better on the rocks... how much more boring is it around town?
 
Did you run into any issues with the swap or is mostly bolt for bolt?

Other than replacing and repairing a few worn pieces, it was entirely unplug, unbolt and plug, bolt. Just an enormous amount of it. The only piece that cannot transfer is the pilot bushing on the crank from the donor automatic. There is no good way to remove and reuse it.

Had we not been strict in our organization, along with Matt's excellent research and planning, and a bit of guidance from Blaine, this weekend could have been a disaster.

We were very proud of ourselves when both Jeeps started up on the first try and so far without any check engine lights.
 
Last edited:
That's awesome, glad it went so smooth for you. I'm looking forward to hearing how you like the change, been waiting for one of you to come over to the dark side.
 
I'd wonder how you feel on the street going to auto. We all know it'll be better on the rocks... how much more boring is it around town?

I'll need time to really answer that since I'm in the "wow, we did it!" mode. But I just did some errands this morning and found it plenty enjoyable to drive. It's a little less peppy, but more convenient.

A few things I'm noticing:

1. It's much quieter. So much so that I can now have an easier conversation with my kids in the back seat.
2. There's little/no drivetrain slop - so that adds to the quiet and comfort of the drive
3. Because it's quieted down (or because some angle may have changed slightly) there's a new NVH to chase down. I think I know what it is, but TBD. This was expected though.

this weekend could have been a disaster

It really could have been. I wouldn't have likely taken it on alone, but it helps to have friends that either know things or can figure them out. And of course a few calls to Blaine along the way :)
 
Last edited:
I'll need time to really answer that since I'm in the "wow, we did it!" mode. But I just did some errands this morning and found it plenty enjoyable to drive. It's a little less peppy, but more convenient.

A few things I'm noticing:

1. It's much quieter. So much so that I can now have an easier conversation with my kids in the back seat.
2. There's little/no drivetrain slop - so that adds to the quiet and comfort of the drive
3. Because it's quieted down (or because some angle may have changed slightly) there's a new NVH to chase down. I think I know what it is, but TBD. This was expected though.



It really could have been. I wouldn't have likely taken it on alone, but it helps to have friends that either know things or can figure them out. And of course a few calls to Blaine along the way :)

It's a big accomplishment - go celebrate a bit before reality sets in and you start cursing that 0.69 overdrive :ROFLMAO:

There is a long section of US26 that is 6.5% grade coming west out downtown Portland going into the suburbs. Speed limit is 55mph, but most people do 65mph minimum. With 5.38s/33s/4spd auto, my TJ struggles to maintain 55mph in 4th - it tries, then always downshifts and revs go up to 3k rpm and then I can actually maintain 55 mph at ~2500 rpm. Accelerating is still lethargic but it will happen if I put the foot down and get the revs up in 3rd gear. This section of the hwy was miserable with 4.88s/33s that I had before. The farther you get away from the city and closer you get to the mountain to reach all the hiking trails and such .. the more hilly the roads get and without proper gearing the jeep will just be miserable. I do not understand how people stay happy with 3.73s or whatever with 33s/35s with the auto.

The funny thing here .. my XJ even with all the miles it has on engine/trans, doesn't sweat that 6.5% grade much at all. I can easily accelerate if I want to, and factory gearing (I think 3,73s with my 28s and AW4 trans) seems to work just fine. It is remarkable how much power we lose going with bigger tires.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rasband
It's a big accomplishment - go celebrate a bit before reality sets in and you start cursing that 0.69 overdrive :ROFLMAO:

There is a long section of US26 that is 6.5% grade coming west out downtown Portland going into the suburbs. Speed limit is 55mph, but most people do 65mph minimum. With 5.38s/33s/4spd auto, my TJ struggles to maintain 55mph in 4th - it tries, then always downshifts and revs go up to 3k rpm and then I can actually maintain 55 mph at ~2500 rpm. Accelerating is still lethargic but it will happen if I put the foot down and get the revs up in 3rd gear. This section of the hwy was miserable with 4.88s/33s that I had before. The farther you get away from the city and closer you get to the mountain to reach all the hiking trails and such .. the more hilly the roads get and without proper gearing the jeep will just be miserable. I do not understand how people stay happy with 3.73s or whatever with 33s/35s with the auto.

The funny thing here .. my XJ even with all the miles it has on engine/trans, doesn't sweat that 6.5% grade much at all. I can easily accelerate if I want to, and factory gearing (I think 3,73s with my 28s and AW4 trans) seems to work just fine. It is remarkable how much power we lose going with bigger tires.

I know it's coming for sure!