Hello, I can't seem to find an answer as to whether or not the AX-15 could be put in a 2001 XJ. I see that a different manual was introduced from 2000-2001 and was wondering if there was anything that may have changed which would prevent a potential transmission swap? none that I can think of but I wanted to make sure as an auto to standard swap is something I'm considering. Thanks in advance.

 

The only problem that I can think of would be you'd have to swap the bell housing. Your thread title has me a little confused, because it indicates you're worried about more power. The 2000-1 XJs with a 4.0 had the same power as any HP from 1991 through the end of production.

Edit: After a search here, there are a few considerations: AX-15

 

No I'm not worried about power limits. Just if there was a limit on the selection of years an AX-15 could fit. When you say switch the bell housing are you saying because it is a newer one which would have been offered with a different standard transmission or just as part of the swap?

 

The manual that replaced the ax-15 uses the same bellhousing as the ax-15

 

Assuming the AX-15 had the external slave cylinder, post 1993 I think.
https://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/...to-nv3550-amc/

If this is 4wd, you need to pay attention to the input shaft length on the xfer case. The later AW4 autos have a medium length input shaft, and the AX15 normally mated up to a short length shaft. It might work, but you'll have to measure carefully.
https://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledg...g-input-gears/

Also, the transmission lengths are different. The AW4 is about an inch longer that the AX15 which will affect driveshaft lengths. You might want to swap the engine computer so you don't have to deal with trouble codes from the trans computer.

 

I used a bell housing out of a wrangler and converted the ax-15 to external slave

 

Okay, so a quick search looks like the AW4 was the only automatic offered for most years and since everyone who does a swap deals with that one, there should be no problem there, right? Am I understanding the second link correctly that to ensure proper shaft length I need a transfer case for the ax-15 since this is a 4wd?

 

The AW4 did have a few changes over the years. The spline count changed in 90/91, and there were some sensor changes in 1998.
https://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1053970

I think ideally you want a transfer case that was behind an AX-15. The medium length snout _might_ still bolt up, but you would need to measure carefully first.