Update: it’s back, and it’s...fixed/broken.
Transmission is still in bad shape, but I don’t need 1st gear as long as I stay out of mud pits, so I can live with it for now. Probably get a Tremec replacement after I’ve recovered from this expenditure.
I had a large array of noises remediated, which is wonderful. Motor mounts, control arms, driveshaft bouncing off the exhaust. That last awful metal-on-metal noise in particular made it just too painful to drive (I still have a mild case of what I’d call PTSD if that wouldn’t in fact demean those who really suffer from it).
So, 3 weeks and 3k later, it’s drivable and safe again.
If you’re keeping track, this is approximately the 40th time in 6 years the Jeep has gone in for repairs.
(I wish that were an exaggeration.)
Between the joys of communicating through a mask and the amount of detail I need to supply (especially since this is a new shop without any history with my lemon), I decided to print out a document.
I thought I’d share it (slightly de-contented to avoid defamation lawsuits from any local transmission shop) to dissuade anyone who ever has delusions that they’d like to buy an old Jeep.
(Sorry, CoFL. You’ve been warned.)