Sigh..... Well, I don't know what to do with this thing any more guys. It still gets me to and from work with no problem, but its starting to make clicking/clacking/not good trans noises, and a whining/rubbing kind of noise around corners while coasting (pretty sure thats the TC) whenever i lift off the throttle, or turn, or do anything other than drive in a straight line at a constant speed. Although you can really only notice it next to a building or something for the sound to bounce back off of.
I can get a JY tranny for $500 or so and install it and hope for the best (while attempting to rebuild my tranny, then put my rebuild in and have the JY as a spare), or I can try and find another X for cheap and scavenge parts from this, or try and sell my baby. Although I doubt I could get much of anything for it in the real world market even with a fixed trans. Due to the body damage it proudly bears as mementos from the level 3 and 4 trails it has conquered. Mostly rocker panel damage, and some tree applied pin striping.
I really don't want to part with my Baby, but the truth is that I really don't need another lifted, locked, 4x4. (Thats why I have the forever half finished SAS 351W Ranger). I need a solid DD that can on occasion do some hauling or towing. I think with a JY trans I could trade it in and get maybe $1000 for it, but I think its worth more than that.
I think its a good candidate for a SAS for someone perhaps, I don't know. I have been able to follow Bronco2guy, Gmanpaint, and Turdle almost everywhere they went without getting stuck or strapped at KS Rocks and SMORR, and shamed a CJ on 37s at Tuttle Creek ORV on the ledges.
I think my best bet is to go for the JY trans/home rebuild.
So.... Give me some input here.