Which transmission?
 

I'm slowly moving toward my 90 YJ OM617 conversion, and thought I had the driveline chosen. Well, I got thinking about putting an automatic in, and figured I'd see what the forum has to say. So, AX15 (which I have) or 700R4? (Which I'll need to buy.) It's going to have an SRS, SOA Dana 60/14-bolt, 0-2" stock-rate springs, 35-38" tires, 4.88s at a minimum, and either a Dana 300 or NP231 T-case (I already have both) depending on whether I use a GM or Ford Dana 60.

I have the 700r4 and love it offroad. Without starting a flame war I personally believe an automatic to be better offroad. Things to consider with tje 700r4; more expensive adapter plate to engine, transfer case adapter, custom fabbed transmission mount, fabbed transmission lines, trans cooler, custom fabbed shifter, custom fabbed TV cable shift plate, custom purchased torque converter. In all it is much easier and cheaper to keep manual. I'd keep the 700r4 if I did it again.

Well, if I wanted easy & cheap I would have kept the 4.2l LOL. I'll be doing all the work except the tranny rebuild myself so the only expenses will be parts. I may even do the tranny with some guidance, I've rebuilt a single-speed powershift from a forklift years back and that's basically an automatic. And I'm thinking of using an NP208 if an SYE is available, that way it'll be perfectly lined up with the front yoke on a GM Dana 60.

As far as auto vs stick, I've driven both in terrain that most people will never see, they both have their strong & weak points so it's the driver that matters. My TJ is a stick so I figure the YJ should be an auto LOL.