I've been wanting to swap in an ax-15 for a while now but there doesnt seem to be too many cherokees in the junkyards around here with a 5-speed so my question is could i get one ouyt of a wrongler or something else and swap it in with no major problems

 

The AX-15 was found in -

-1988.5-1998 XJ w/6-242
-1988.5-1992 MJ w/6-242
-1988.5-1995 YJ w/6-242
-1997-1998 TJ w/6-242
-1993-1994.0 ZJ w/6-242

-1993(ish)-up (I don't recall the cutoff...) Dakota w/LA238 V6

CAVEATS:

The XJ and MJ have the same transfer case adapter, so the case will be "clocked" to the same angle as the BA-10 (although you can't swap the BA-10 housing onto the AX-15 - it don't work.)

The YJ and TJ have the transfer case "clocked" flatter up against the underbody to improve ground clearance and breakover angle. You'll have to do sheetmetal work to make the YJ/TJ AX-15 fit into the XJ, or find the proper transfer case adapter housing.

I believe (but have yet to confirm...) that the ZJ AX-15 has the same "clocking" for the transfer case as the XJ and MJ.

I believe (but have also yet to confirm) that the Dakota AX-15 will have the same clock as the XJ/MJ, but I'm not sure. However, you will have to change the bellhousing, as the LA-block Dodge pattern won't bolt up to the AMC pattern on the back of the 6-242 (or have an adapter plate made.)

It should also be noted that the AX-15 is originally a Toyota transmission, which means it can be found in Toyota pickups and SUVs - I just don't recall which ones offhand, nor do I recall the Toyota designation for the thing. However, Toyota didn't use NP/NVG transfer cases (so they may require an adapter housing swap) and you'll damn sure have to swap the bellhousing, since the Toyota pattern is nowhere near the AMC. (Or have an adapter plate made, if possible. I'm not sure - I haven't compared the two for feasability of this.)

Also note that 2000-2001XJ and 1999-2006 TJ (both with 6-242) came with the NV3550 gearbox - similar clocking issues apply, but the NV3550 uses the same bellhousing mounting pattern and related parts as the AX-15e (1994-up,) so you could make an NV3550 work with an AX-15e bellhousing if you need to. I believe the NV3550 was also found in Dakota w/LA238 V6 (of similar vintage,) and may have been put in some V6-262 S10 pickup/Blazer as well. Again, I don't have my notes to hand, so I'm not totally sure about this.