So i'm finishing up like a 6 month tranny swap on my 86 xj. I bought a used AX5 from a guy on craigslist, (came off an 04 wrangler if i recall) and have been slowly but surely swapping out my blown one.

as I am putting on the finishing touches and reconnecting the front driveline / drive shaft it wont fit. it simply will not fit. I have the double cardon style or cv joint style as it seems you guys call it. the cv end simply will not mate to the transfer case because the shift linkage is in the way. i attempted to unbolt the shift linkage and get the driveshaft on, but now the linkage will not fit. they both occupy the same space, and there is not room for both.

now its been a while since i took it all apart but i am starting to think that perhaps im putting something back together wrong. has anyone ran into this issue before? I could not find anything about this except for people arguing what was worse, the ax5 or the double cardon driveshaft.

any INSIGHTFUL and USEFULL info would be greatly appreciated.

I will attempt to get some pictures of what i am talking about tommorow...

 

bumppitty...

 

Pictures ? sounds like linkages up side down.

 

this is what im lookin at. It appears the whole tranny and transfer case sit too high.

Im thinking i may try and drill new wholes for that linkage bracket.



you can see in this top picture I have the front drive line on, and one bolt to the linkage bracket in. however, i cant rotate the back end of that linkage bracket enough to fit in the factory bolt holes.





let me know if theres anyithing else you would like a pic of. I could get it pretty fast.