goneboating06

So basically i have a 89 jeep cherokee with a brand new motor, interior, paint, etc.... It looks way nice, and runs amazing. Even know its a renix motor, it will start up faster then both my friends H.O.... which surprises me, and i actually have beat an auto H.O. cherokee, and a manual H.O wrangler. so its running too good to give up.... plus there is only 10K on the motor Anyway.... Unfortunately jeep failed at life and put a Peugeot tranny in the early cherokees, lucky for me i just happen to have that very transmission. Its not fun driving it anymore because the trans and rear axle just feel so "sloppy", and its getting worse and worse. So help guys, what would you recommend me do. What have you done? I don't have the money right now to buy a new transmission, but i don't wan't to put another Peugeot in either. I only plan on having this jeep for another 2 years, then i am buying a Jk Rubicon, so i wan't to go with the least expensive route, but also do it the right way so it will outlast the new motor. So basically, what is involved to swap in a AX-15? Can i just pull one out of a newer cherokee or what implications are involved?

JeepingDan

I'm going thru this to with my crappy tranny.
Got a AX15 from a 98 xj with a external slave mounting bell housing.
it's looks like a direct bolt in but you will have to get a t-case to go with it since the spline count on the amc np 231 is different.
Also I believe you will need a bracket for the 4wd shifter.

over all this is a good upgrade.

goneboating06

I'm sorry your going through the same thing... it really sucks! Ill start looking for a used tranny and tcase... ive heard though with a 91+ AX-15 the pilot bearing is different? Can you still use the same clutch and flywheel?

JeepingDan

The clutch and flywheel can be used with it. The pilot I'm trying to find out myself but if it is a different size it shouldint be a big deal to swap after the tranny is out.

The pilot holes in the cranks are all the same size on the 4.0s

goneboating06

oh thats good to know.... So if it is different can you just pick up the pilot at auto zone of napa?

JeepingDan

yea thats all. pilots don't cost that much. $20 the most?

goneboating06

sweet, also what about the mounts? would you need the cross member as well?

JeepingDan

if you got that big ugly mount that I HAD. Get rid of it and use the one that comes with the ax15

goneboating06

Haha, all right.... Well thanks a lot, ill start looking for a used AX-15.

5-90

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=70388

Here's where I keep steering everyone, since I'm hoping we can keep a monolithic resource on this (until I have a chance to cover it in detail somewhere - either on my site or in Swappology, or both.)