To start,
1987 Cherokee XJ, Laredo trim.
Automatic AW4, 4x4, 4.0
I bought the xj about a month ago from a guy down in CT. He said it ran great, and it does. Starts great runs smooth no oil leaks. I drove it off his property onto the trailer and brought it home no problems. When i went to take it around the block for the first time I took the jeep out of 4 lo and into 2 and it drove, but it wouldn't go above 2k or shift, even uphill. When I pulled back into the driveway it popped out of gear and wouldnt catch. The shifter would just go through each gear, clicking into its position, but it doesnt feel like the trans is dropping in. The transfer case goes into 4 hi and lo and 2wd, and occasionally (very rare) it'll go into gear right when I start it and move maybe 15 or 20 feet. The trans feels like its moving the jeep, maybe 2 inches when i put it in reverse and press on the gas, maybe half pedal? I've checked the linkage and it's very loose it pops on and off but it doesnt seem like it's a linkage IMO. Any idea what it could be or any ideas as to what i should check? This is my first jeep but I've worked on friends' cherokees and I've got a fleet of other makes in the yard
1987 Cherokee XJ, Laredo trim.
Automatic AW4, 4x4, 4.0
I bought the xj about a month ago from a guy down in CT. He said it ran great, and it does. Starts great runs smooth no oil leaks. I drove it off his property onto the trailer and brought it home no problems. When i went to take it around the block for the first time I took the jeep out of 4 lo and into 2 and it drove, but it wouldn't go above 2k or shift, even uphill. When I pulled back into the driveway it popped out of gear and wouldnt catch. The shifter would just go through each gear, clicking into its position, but it doesnt feel like the trans is dropping in. The transfer case goes into 4 hi and lo and 2wd, and occasionally (very rare) it'll go into gear right when I start it and move maybe 15 or 20 feet. The trans feels like its moving the jeep, maybe 2 inches when i put it in reverse and press on the gas, maybe half pedal? I've checked the linkage and it's very loose it pops on and off but it doesnt seem like it's a linkage IMO. Any idea what it could be or any ideas as to what i should check? This is my first jeep but I've worked on friends' cherokees and I've got a fleet of other makes in the yard