1997 feels down on power

[dinster]

Hi all, I have a 1997 4.0 with the 32rh. I was running 33s with 3.07 gears for a few years. Finally got around to regearing and went with 3.73s. Jeep accelerates and holds 70 on the highway no problem. Issue is when I come to a steeper grade, say 10% or more, I rapidly lose speed. It won't want to accelerate much past 25-35mph, even if I shift into first gear. Should I have gone deeper on the gears or is there something else I should be looking at?

 

[B34C0N]

There could be lots at play. But what I've found for my 97 w/ 32rh is that everything is old. Plugs, air filter, ignition coil and 02 sensors are the ones that have made the biggest impact over the years.

 

[dinster]

There could be lots at play. But what I've found for my 97 w/ 32rh is that everything is old. Plugs, air filter, ignition coil and 02 sensors are the ones that have made the biggest impact over the years.

So a little back story here. I used to roll 33s with 3.07s like it was nothing. I quit driving it a lot because of state inspection and modifications not passing because tire poke, etc. Finally got that all square and driving it again after a couple years of only driving it once a month or so. Thought it was just my mind playing tricks on me. Regeared with my most recent round of modifications and it feels much better on the flats, but it never struggled on the hills like this. No I know I have an exhaust leak where the header couples to the downpipe. But O2 sensor that controls afr should be up in the header. Plugs have about 10k miles on them. No codes. No misfires. I'm worried I need to start looking at trans/torque converter. Any indicators with the 32rh that these are going bad? Last jeep trans I blew was a 42rle and that was pretty obvious going. I'm worried the slush box that is the three speed isn't as noticable.

 

[jeepkeith]

There could be lots at play. But what I've found for my 97 w/ 32rh is that everything is old. Plugs, air filter, ignition coil and 02 sensors are the ones that have made the biggest impact over the years.

I ran into this same issue this week. After inspection the trans this week I saw this. I am having problems finding what the sensors or switches are. One of
them i believe to be the Neutral safety switch. I do not know what the other is.