plotski999

I'm in need of a transmission for a 1997 cherokee with 4.0, my question is, what other years and jeeps, if any, are going to work. I was reading that the 1988 to 1993 XJs have an internal slave cylinder and 1994 to 2001 have an external. Does this mean I'm limited to 94+ and the 88-93s won't work? Just want some clarification.

littleredXJ

You can use one from any year. You just have to change the bellhousing for your application

plotski999

So as long as I swap the bellhousing I'm free to use any Ax-15 from 88 to 01

JeepCoMJ

yes, but '91+ would be best or you will have to get a custom pilot bushing made. ur jeep already has an ax15, right?

plotski999

Yes I already have the AX-15 I'm just needing to replace it.

rwdawg2

Not to hi-jack a thread, but what if I wanted to swap my automatic jeep to a 5 speed AX-15 or the newer NV-3500.

What would that take or involve?

T-Paules

actually goin from an auto tranny to a stick is really easy, besides hookin up your speedo. its basically just the same setup, but only like 3ish wires. don't need a trans cooler, and have wayy less goin on with a stick box. I have an AX-15 and have had no problems at all with it. they're pretty much bulletproof in a Jeep.

JeepCoMJ

what year?


87-90, just the associated flywheel, clutch, slave, master, and a 5 speed pedal assembly, with the proper 5 speed crossmember and trans mount, plus shift linkages and driveshafts for a 5 speed. also the transmission hump 5 speed cover and boots.
could require a t-case swap if your transfercase has the wrong length or spline input shaft. you'd also have to remove the auto trans computer, and do a little bit of splicing for your reverse lights and neutral safety switch. swapping the engine computer seems to be optional with renix 4.0's.


91-95, same thing, plus a 5 speed computer is DEFINITELY needed.

96+ is basically going to require that you get a complete 5 speed engine wiring harness. you can do it with some cutting and splicing, but chances are even with a 5 speed ecu it will throw a check engine code because the trans computer wiring is still there, but not communicating.
You may wonder why I say 96+ rather than 97+...it is because '96 is the year OBD2 was introduced in the cherokee platform.



other than that, you have to drill a hole in your firewall for the clutch master, and you have to rig the trans safety cable (which attatches to the ignition switch and makes it so you cannot remove the key without being in Park) so that it's locked in all the time.

5-90

Just to round things out...

1988.5-1993 AX-15i had that asinine internal slave cylinder, but it may be converted to the external by swapping out the bellhousing (and associated parts) and front bearing retainer (the sleeve is necessary.) The pilot diameter is ~5/8", so you'll have to either sleeve the pilot or get a bushing by measurements (ID/OD/length.) If you elect to "sleeve" the pilot, get a sleeve made that has an OD ~.002"-.003" smaller than the ID of the bushing, and an ID that is .0005"-.001" smaller than the pilot shaft. Heat the bushing up to ~450-500*F and install, it will shrink and lock. Make sure the sleeve is chamfered at the ends (inside and out, makes it easier to install) and smooth on the OD (if you can get it ground to size, that would be best. Else, polish it after turning.)

1994-1999 AX-15e have the proper "external" slave cylinder - separate slave and T/O bearing. No conversion needed at the engine end.

1999-up (TJ) and 2000-2001 (XJ) had the NV3550 - which accepts the same bellhousing as the AX-15 (which is itself derived from, I believe, the Toyota W-series five-speed light truck transmission.)

Note that, if you get an AX-15 from something other than an XJ, MJ, or ZJ, you will also have to move the transfer case adapter housing to the replacement transmission (most of the rest have the transfer case "clocked flatter" for a cleaner belly line - particularly the TJ and YJ version.) This is a straightforward swap.

Sources:
- AX-15i:
-- 1988.5-1993 XJ w/242ci
-- 1988.5-1992 MJ w/242ci
-- 1988.5-1990 YJ w/258ci
-- 1991-1993 YJ w/242ci

- AX-15e:
-- 1994-1999 XJ w/242ci
-- 1994-1995 YJ w/242ci
-- 1997-1998 TJ w/242ci

- AX-15 (Unknown Slave Cylinder):
-- 1993-1994 ZJ w/242ci
-- 1992-1999 Dakota w/238ci

These are all 4WD listings. Converting from 2WD to 4WD is difficult, as it requires total disassembly and exchanging the mainshaft from a 2WD version to a 4WD version, then swapping the tailcone for a transfer case adapter housing.

Good luck!

JeepCoMJ

Your sources are off by one year, and the pilot bushing size is correct for his application beginning post 91.

Mid 89 production year (which is to say, the beginning of 1989, as distribution of a model year of vehicle begins prior to it's designated production year) is when ax15's were introduced in the cherokee or comanche platform. I have no knowledge of YJ's, but I would presume it's much the same.

89 and 90 have the smaller diameter pilot bushing.

5-90

One year where? Much of this is from collected reports from the field, not official sources, so I'd like to know what to correct. My timeline on introduction may be mixed up - 1988.5 was when ChryCo took over from AMC (August, I believe.) Don't even get me started on the "new model year" beginning sometime before the calendar year - I think it's silly, and it keeps getting pushed up. I'm moderately astonished that the 2012 vehicles aren't out already... Hell, between "calendar year," "model year," "fiscal year," and anything else, I'm amazed I even know what year it is anymore! I caught myself writing "2008" on a cheque last week...

WRT the pilot, I've been told that the smaller (~5/8") pilot appeared through 1993 on the AX-15i, so I was reasonably certain of that. I have picked up anecdotal notes of it being used through 1993, so it may have been "mixed applications" 1991-1993. Hm.

The AX-15 in the ZJ was a relative rarity (and no manual transmission made it behind the LA-block V8 in the ZJ, just the AMC six...) but it was out there. The Dakota did use the AX-15 behind the LA-block 238ci V6, although it is interesting to note that the NV3550 (which replaced the AX-15,) did put in some appearances behind the LA318 in the 2WD Dakota.

So, I guess I'll revise my list to include "take with suitable grain of salt," and consider it a warning of possible pitfalls (but no guarantee that you'll actually hit them.) Fair enough?

JeepCoMJ

I've owned over 40 jeeps and stripped half of them. Trust me, the middle of '89 production is when the ax15 was introduced. I'm around 5 for 5 on transmission pilot change...both 90 mj's I've had with the 5 speed have small input, and both 91 ax15's I've had had the large input.

96_xj

Okay one thing i have not seen(and i may have over looked it) is spline count!!!! 87-93 they used 21 spline in 94 the switched to 23 spline. You need to make sure your spline counts are right. meaning you NEED an AX-15e

JeepCoMJ is right about the pilot bearing too.

and there is ways to keep the your original harness as well to not throw a code.

rwdawg2

wow!

Thanks for all of that info.

I have a 98 XJ and from what you all have said, I will have to do a whole wiring harness swap and everything, so that sucks.

Thanks again for the help and info guys

JeepCoMJ

1991 is the interchange to 23 spline in the aw4. Ax15 has been 23 spline since it's introduction. Peugot ba10/5 was 21 spline. The ax5 behind the 2.5 and 2.8 was also 21 spline, tho there were variances in output seal depth beginning in 87.