04 Wrangler Unlimited Auto trans Shifting Issues

having a problem with my 04 wranger unlimited auto trans.

When going up steeper hills on the freeway at 65mph (OD on) my engine starts to bog and shudder a little and hte transmission doesn't downshift under standard gas pedal pressure. But, if I step on it it downshifts 2 gears and spikes the rpms. I usually have to manually avoid this right now by clicking off the overdrive when I see a steeper hill ahead. The tranny should do this automatically when it dips into the lower rpms.

Any thoughts? Does anyone know if there was a shift point update for this tranny?

Thanks - Dustin

Reply to
Dustin Macdonald
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First things first, check the fluid level.

Reply to
DougW

Have you recently upgraded to larger tires or added weighty mods to it - any such thing? How many miles onit? Have you had the tranny flushed and the filter changed?

Been through any deep water lately?

Mine did that to some degree, shifted like a pig until I put 5:13 gears in it. It's like night and day, and I can even pass without waiting for a downhill slope. I gained 20% on my MPG too!

Reply to
Kate

That is good to know about the mileage. I wonder if I could get 30 mpg if I put 5:13 gears in my four cylinder Jeep? ;^)

Reply to
Earle Horton

I have an 05 rubicon with stock 411(0) gearing. Mine acts just like yours in even the slightest hill/grade. Its quite pathetic actually. Of course, I have heavy bumpers, and running 33's, with a winch, all heavy garb, cargo cage, etc.

I think I will go the route that Kate did. Only I think I will go to

4.88.
Reply to
ULB

I have an 05 rubicon with stock 411(0) gearing. Mine acts just like yours in even the slightest hill/grade. Its quite pathetic actually. Of course, I have heavy bumpers, and running 33's, with a winch, all heavy garb, cargo cage, etc.

I think I will go the route that Kate did. Only I think I will go to

4.88.

--- --- --- --- --- Manufacturers have been doing this for years, putting lower than reasonable gear ratios in new vehicles so that people think that they are getting better economy. The engine is turning slower, so I must be getting better mileage, right? When I worked in the Dodge dealer in 1978 we would see passenger cars with really low gear ratios and terrible mileage, and we were supposed to be in a fuel crisis. Put in a higher gear ratio, the car would be able to get out of its own way, the mileage would improve every time, and the customer would be happy.

Gene Berg, VW drag racer and engine builder, pointed out however that the higher numbered gear ratios are weaker because of the small pinion gear. Something to think about if you want to off road or two. Tanstaafl.

Cheers,

Earle

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Reply to
Earle Horton

Hey Kate,

If I recall you had 33's right and an auto tranny right? What rpm are you running at 65mph in OD? I am curious what your engine is cranking with those low gears. Thank you!

Reply to
ULB

I have the stock 30" goodyear tires with no lift and a hard top. Pretty basic setup with no mods. 47,000 miles. No deep water lately.

Thanks so much for the tips. I will look into the different gearing options. From what I've read, this year's axles has 3.73 gear ratio. I don't do any rock crawling. Most of my wheelin involves snow or dusty desert & mexico trails. And, I need to keep my freeway speed as this is my daily driver.

Any recommendation on gearing given my wheeling style and a daily driver.

Reply to
Dustin Macdonald

"ULB" wrote Hey Kate,

If I recall you had 33's right and an auto tranny right? What rpm are you running at 65mph in OD? I am curious what your engine is cranking with those low gears. Thank you!

That's right, I have a 4sp auto, 33x12's. At 55 I'm right on 2,000 rpm at 65, 22-2300 rpm. It's smooth as silk now, and the fuel mileage has improved 20%.

Reply to
Kate

"ULB" wrote I have an 05 rubicon with stock 411(0) gearing. Mine acts just like yours in even the slightest hill/grade. Its quite pathetic actually. Of course, I have heavy bumpers, and running 33's, with a winch, all heavy garb, cargo cage, etc.

I think I will go the route that Kate did. Only I think I will go to

4.88.
Reply to
Kate

I'd guess 4:88s Since you're playing in the sand and not rock crawling... To quote one of the guys in our club: "Whoever says driving 3 miles an hour can't be exciting, obviously hasn't tried rock crawling."

Kate

Thanks so much for the tips. I will look into the different gearing options. From what I've read, this year's axles has 3.73 gear ratio. I don't do any rock crawling. Most of my wheelin involves snow or dusty desert & mexico trails. And, I need to keep my freeway speed as this is my daily driver.

Any recommendation on gearing given my wheeling style and a daily driver.

Reply to
Kate

One too many gears is my guess. We bought a Cutlass just like that, when it bogs on a long climb, it does a double downshift and peaks the tach out. Thought I blew something first time it happened, now I lock out OD on that long climb.

Then if I read in my Jeep owners manual, it 'does' say not to use OD on hill climbs or when towing and I don't use it, OD in my Jeep's 5 speed on that same long hill so....

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail > having a problem with my 04 wranger unlimited auto trans.
Reply to
Mike Romain

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