AX15 manual to 32RH auto conversion

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Gjativa5

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I have a manual 6cyl 98 TJ Sahara and am looking into converting to automatic. Does anyone have a step by step process or can explain what to do? I’m looking for something that’ll tell me what parts are needed and such. I understand I need a 32RH transmission from the research that I have done so far. And yes I have tried looking for some sort of tutorial or how to on this but can’t seem to find anything.
TIA
 
That's a great bolt-in swap, I did mine over a weekend 15-16 years ago. Actually doing the job isn't bad at all, rounding up all the parts required will take some research and work. Replacement ECM programmed for the 32RH, 32RH, torque converter, transmission cooler lines, flex plate, auto transmission mounts, shifter and shifter cable, TV (kickdown) cable, and all the mounting hardware. You also need an extended output shaft seal for the 32RH so the input shaft from the transfer case, which is too short for the 32RH, can seal it.

I can provide some assistance along the way as needed but I'm out of state and away from my computer for much more than this until November
 
Jerry Bransford said:
That's a great bolt-in swap, I did mine over a weekend 15-16 years ago. Actually doing the job isn't bad at all, rounding up all the parts required will take some research and work. Replacement ECM programmed for the 32RH, 32RH, torque converter, transmission cooler lines, flex plate, auto transmission mounts, shifter and shifter cable, TV (kickdown) cable, and all the mounting hardware. You also need an extended output shaft seal for the 32RH so the input shaft from the transfer case, which is too short for the 32RH, can seal it.

I can provide some assistance along the way as needed but I'm out of state and away from my computer for much more than this until November
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Hey Jerry, I'm doing the same swap and wondering if I need to get a new trans cooler? I've heard that a new trans cooler is needed but I wanted to ask you first. Also, do I need a trans temp gauge?
 
TuckerMAustin said:
Hey Jerry, I'm doing the same swap and wondering if I need to get a new trans cooler? I've heard that a new trans cooler is needed but I wanted to ask you first. Also, do I need a trans temp gauge?
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You don't need a new transmission cooler If your current radiator has the two transmission cooler ports on the bottom indicating it has a built-in transmission cooler. Do you also do slow speed 4Lo offroading that can make things run hotter?
 
There are at least three different 32rh versions, one was used in the cj, one in a yj and the tj, and the all are about the same except how and if they plug into the pcm.
 
astjp2 said:
I used a cooler from a ford explorer and bypassed the one in the radiator, works great
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Most agree an aux transmission cooler should augment the factory cooler not replace it. When connecting them in series the aux cooler is connected to the output of the OEM cooler. This is from B&M.
How-a-Transmission-Cooler-Works-Diagram.jpg
 
Jerry Bransford said:
Most agree an aux transmission cooler should augment the factory cooler not replace it. When connecting them in series the aux cooler is connected to the output of the OEM cooler. This is from B&M.
View attachment 408689
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And I have a trans temp gauge plumbed into my pan, the only thing that the radiator does Jerry is heat up the trans oil faster than just running the aux cooler. There is a minimum temperature that is optimal but usually not an issue unless in -30 temps
 
The factory transmission cooler cools the ATF too, that's why it's there and why transmission cooler companies like B&M and Derale recommend in their instructions connecting them together. The two of them in series with each other keep the ATF cooler than either can by itself.
 
Jerry Bransford said:
The factory transmission cooler cools the ATF too, that's why it's there and why transmission cooler companies like B&M and Derale recommend in their instructions connecting them together. The two of them in series with each other keep the ATF cooler than either can by itself.
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astjp2 said:
And I have a trans temp gauge plumbed into my pan, the only thing that the radiator does Jerry is heat up the trans oil faster than just running the aux cooler. There is a minimum temperature that is optimal but usually not an issue unless in -30 temps
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One last thing (probably not), what would you recommend is the best gearing for the 32RH on a 2000 with 35" tires? I have the 2.72:1 transfer case and currently geared at 3.07 (stock). At least that's what I think the current gears are...
 
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astjp2 said:
And I have a trans temp gauge plumbed into my pan, the only thing that the radiator does Jerry is heat up the trans oil faster than just running the aux cooler. There is a minimum temperature that is optimal but usually not an issue unless in -30 temps
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Awesome, I'm going to go and disconnect all the radiator coolers I've been using forever and just run them through the auxiliary because no one on the face of this fucking planet needs it any other way.
 
TuckerMAustin said:
Okay. Do you know the diameter yours was? Or should I just pull one from a 2001 tj I found nearby?
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I don't recall its diameter and I no longer have that TJ or I'd measure it for you but what I installed was out of a TJ with the 32RH transmission. It has to come from a TJ with a 32RH transmission or it will very likely have too large of a diameter to fit.
 
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