Sinking Creek 4WD Association

Hey guys,

I'm Jake, a Freshman at Tech going into Engineering. I went to the first meeting this evening, it was nice meeting those of you there.

I thought I'd give a little info about my Jeep:




I have a 97 TJ, it is lifted at about 3" lift in front, ~2-2.5" in the rear. It has a PA 1" BL along with a Brown Dog 1" MML to help realign the driveline a bit. It's running on 31x10.5 BFG A/T's and stock 3.07 gears/axles. It has an engine/transmission skidplate, CB, A to Z wheel well to wheel well rocker guards, among a few other mods.

I don't have the Jeep down here, it is back home in MD, currently dead--I made a trip to Rausch Creek the weekend before I came down here, and sucked some water/mud into the 3 speed auto. Limped it home, had the trans flushed, it was driven around for a week, then the trans finally had enough. I'm looking at getting it rebuilt, or the possibility of swapping in a 3 speed auto from another Jeep(if you have any possible leads, let me know). I'm hoping to be able to bring the Jeep down for the 2nd semester, we will see.

I'm looking forward to going on some trail rides with you guys, at least riding along till I get my Jeep down here. The trails sound good, and those longer trips sound awesome, so does the snow wheeling.

You should check out Agee's down here i think they might just have what you are looking for and if they do then i know it will be cheap. I think they have a number you can call them and see what they got, ill try to get you that number.

Give this number a try (540)-382-2477 and if that does not work then try this one (540)-382-4831.

Oh and nice jeep.

looks good dood, I was looking into swapping an AW4 into my cousins jeep when his 32rh took a dump, I know it can be reasonably done, but I don't remember the details. 700R4 might be an option too size wise. I just don't know how available those 32rhs are, try pming parts bitch on Maryland Creepers forum

Thanks man

Yeah, I've called a bunch of places in MD for estimates on rebuilding the transmission.

Westminster Transmission:

$1,000 to $1500 for a rebuild, could possibly save $100-$200 by dropping it and bringing it to them
6 Mo/Unlimited mile warranty
Include new TC, clutch/bands, fluid, filter

Whitcraft Transmission(Reisterstown, MD):

$1,398, only takes vehicles, won't just take trans
Includes everything necessary to rebuild, possibly hard parts
1 yr/12,000 mile warranty
Will relocate vent

Ken's Transmission(Frederick, MD):

About $1,200 for full rebuild--TC, clutches/bands
3 yr/50,000 mile warranty
Could save $300-$400 by bringing the transmission to him out of the Jeep
Willing to work with me on relocating the vent hole. I'd probably try and e-mail/print and send him the write-up on JeepForum.


Appalachian Offroad will swap in a Jasper reman 3 speed for $2,200+. A member on the Creepers forum is working on swapping out their 3 speed auto for a 5 speed manual, that may be an option. Jonesy said he may swap out his 3 speed auto.

If my Jeep can sit at home in the garage for a while until I get a chance to go back up, I may put off the repairs until then. Some guys from the Md Jeep club may help me out by dropping the transmission for me to take it to get rebuilt. I will PM parts bitch, I was thinking about that earlier, and I may have, I don't remember.

I'm not sure what will happen, it's difficult to coordinate things when I'm not at home.

If any of you guys know of reputable Trans shops in MD, let me know, won't hurt to call a few more places.

So the transmission was rebuilt, and all was going well for about 2 weeks. I hear from my family yesterday, the 'brake' light had been stuck on for a while, had gone off, come back on again. Then I hear the drivers side rear drum looks to be leaking fluid. They took it to Mr Tire because again they 'need' a 3rd vehicle, so drivers rear wheel cylinder is blown, needed rear brakes replaced including cylinders and bleed brake line. For $400. I just replaced the brakes and hardware early summer, all was going fine. I'm not sure why it blew(probably just old) or why all the other work was needed, but whatever. It's become a money pit.

I'll be home this weekend for fall break. Now they're finally convinced to buy another car for the family. That'd be good if the Jeep is going to stop shitting out parts, but bad if it's going to continue. ......




it never ends...

Don't too upset, you will have these issues with any vehicle you own. Especially if you wheel it.

At least you started out with a decent vehicle instead of having to replace every single thing besides the body, frame and some hard lines.

It'll work out (hopefully). Rest assured the family is fed up with the Jeep. You know shit has gone downhill when you get a text from your senior in HS sister out of nowhere on Sunday "I f***ing hate your Jeep, it's pissing me off" She's not even driving it. That threw me off haha.....

While I'm home this weekend, the idea was brought up, not by me, to help look for a new car........who knows maybe the Jeep will be down here