Dan4governor

so...I feel kind of dumb asking this question, I need a new transmission for my 96 xj (4x4) and I found a great deal on an AX-15. Is there a difference between a 2wd and 4X4 AX-15 tranny? If so, what is the difference? I need to know before I spend a bunch of money on a trans that won't work in my jeep.
Thanks,
Dan

finneys98xj

the tail shafts are different but you can swap them

huntingman2706217

What he said... you can swap the tail housing as long as you had a AX-15 in the first place... and its still good...

huntingman2706217

or you can have yours rebuilt... not to bad if you pull it and take it to a tranny shop and then install it... Then its all new and you know your good... Maybe even beef it up alittle... i gotta find me a AX-15 before my junk brakes...

5-90

Half marks, everyone.

The 2WD and 4WD versions of the transmission can be swapped back and forth, but it's not just a "tailcone" or a "tailshaft" swap. The aft end of the mainshaft forms the tailshaft/output shaft, and the 2WD version is several inches longer than the 4WD version. Changing the one to the other requires a total overhaul of the gearbox (you're there anyhow,) and a replacement mainshaft. You can move the gears from one 'shaft to the other, and the countershafts are the same, but it's not a simple process.

Expand your search - since you're running a 1996, you've got an external slave. That means 1994-up AX-15 will be direct. You can source one from a YJ/TJ, but you'll have to swap the transfer case adapter housing (far easier than swapping the mainshafts!) Why? Because the transfer case housing is clocked differently.

You can also look for an AX-15 in a Dakota - just swap the bellhousing (the Dakota version will have the Chrysler LA-block pattern, and you need the AMC pattern. The bellhousing mounts to the transmission cases are the same.)

Another option? Find an NV3550 (XJ, Dakota, ...) and swap your bellhousing over if it's not out of an XJ. Replacement and upgrade at a stroke.

huntingman2706217

He sounds smarter then me... go with what he says... lol

5-90

I wouldn't say I'm smarter - just looked into the matter more. Why d'you think I'm writing books on the subject?

Dan4governor

Thanks 5-90...you rock. More than enough info and very helpful.
Dan

huntingman2706217

I thought all trannies could be swapped over just by doing that... never actually done it though... Dont think i plan to either

5-90

If there are 2WD and 4WD versions extant, you are correct (there aren't always the two versions. The Richmond Over Drive, Ford Doug Nash, and Warner T56 all come to mind as 2WD only.) If you've ever overhauled a transmission successfully, you know how to do the job.

The only difference is with an auto - you don't change the entire mainshaft, since there isn't one. The rearmost planetary set is what wants changing - but just about all autos load from the front of the case, so you have to tear it to bits anyhow.

iman501

alright, so i'm sure you guys have answered this in this thread somehow, but i'm guna ask anyway!

my friend just bought a 1996 cherokee 2wd 5sd for $50.00 off another friend, the transmistion is shot, all the sync's are bad, and stripped teeth on the gears, he's going to get a new/used tranny, and just swap them out. yet we went to the junk yard today to try and find a old transmition, and all we could find today were 4x4 transmitions.

So my Q. is this, could we take a 4x4 tranny and swap it out with the 2wd one, and just say not worry about the 4x4 driveshaft and what not?, and if so, is there anything serious we'd have to do to make this swap possible, or is it basically just conect it up, and leave off the 4wd driveshaft and such?

Thanks a bunch guys! (and girls perhaps)

5-90

The answer isn't obvious, so don't feel bad for asking.

Realistically, the easiest way to handle this sort of swap would be to get the transmission, transfer case, and at least the rear driveshaft. Drop the tranny/tcase in, use the rear driveshaft. The front driveshaft has a fixed yoke, and you therefore won't lose fluid.

Ford used this sort of approach with the 2WD Bronco II - only they used a dummy tcase with no reduction and no front output. You'd still have gear reduction with no front output - which can come in handy in its own right.

You'd have to use the 4WD shaft because it's rather shorter than the 2WD, and the 2WD output splines are (IIRC) different from the 4WD anyhow.

You can always swap the front end around to 4WD later, if you like. As long as the rear axles are the same model (and therefore the same pinion length - I believe the ChryCo has about 2-3" more pinion length than the D35,) you'll be fine. If not, get the rear driveshaft for a 4WD rig with your rear axle - the axles will be the same, so you won't have any trouble there.

Vernons

Just snooping around and found this. Very good information.

PatHenry

Just my $.02 but the NV3550 is absolutely NOT an upgrade over an AX-15. My Dad had the AX in his 94' XJ - the Jeep went 400k original miles with 1 clutch replacement (he did teach myself and my 2 brothers to drive stick on that Jeep) and when he took it out of service the AX still functioned perfectly.

I had a NV3550 in my 00 TJ. That thing was a POS from the very beginning. Aside from the rattling in N (which I was assured by the head Chrysler mechanic for the entire Northeast U.S. was "perfectly normal" after the dealership tried flipping the shift fork -- because this was during the 3y/36k bumper to bumper warranty), I had numerous problems with it. I had a spring break on the clutch disk (fortunately this was also within the warranty period), I had numerous issues with some piece inside the bellhousing snap. If it was towed (once for parking b.s. the 2nd when my water pump blew 800m from home) the clutch needed to be replaced despite taking care to put the transfer case in N and following all steps in the owners manual.
The NV3350 blew an internal bearing at about 305k and was the final nail in the coffin for me to get a new DD.

When I was looking for an XJ I looked at a 2001. I drove the thing around the block and the NV3550 sounded like absolute crap. The best description would be that it sounded like you were in reverse in every gear. That one only had about 120k on it (reportedly). When I drove the 95 I ended up buying, the AX shifted (and still does) smoothly with zero noise and runs great with (reportedly) 145k on it.

Again, just my experience, but I would NEVER choose an NV3350 over an AX15 - ever.