Has anyone on here done this? I can get a TH350 pretty cheap, and always get parts for it, my AX-15 is nearing the end of it's life and a man trans is sometimes a PITA off road.

 

I would go th350 or th400. That's what I plan with the SBC swap

 

Well i'm leaving the I-6 in it, but don't know if there are better t-cases to swap onto the back, or adapt the NP back onto it.

 

You can buy adaptors to do it, but by the time you do that, it may be cheaper to use an AW4, or a 727 from an older jeep. The 727 has lots of support in terms of aftermarket too.

 

the aw4 is a beast, i would just throw it in. Pretty easy to come by as well, IF you break it get another off craigslist for 100 bucks

 

THM350 generally came with GM V8 bellhousings - you'll need an adapter plate if you're going to go to the AMC six. There was an AMC-patterened THM400 in the late 1970's used with Quadra-Track (and a BorgWarner transfer case - model 1359, I think,) but the AMC THM400 is picky about tcases, and I think only the BW that came with it can be mounted to it.

The other problem with the THM350 is the lack of an overdrive range - 1988-up THM700R4/4L60 can be had in GM V8 and "Metric" V6 patterns, generally come paired with the NP231C transfer case (1.25" wide chain, vice 1" in the NP231J,) and are fairly rugged - rated for 6,000# GVWR. Avoid 1987-earlier units, as they have critical flaws for which the most appropriate "repair" is outright replacement.

Ca. 1994/1995 they went over to the 4L60E - which is the same box, electronically-controlled, and therefore more difficult to swap.

Also, if you're putting a slushbox behind the AMC engine, consider going with the AW4 from the XJ and MJ - correct bellhousing pattern, and you can make a "manumatic" out of it and get the best of both worlds (if you transfer the TCU with it and wire it up) or a "clutchless four-speed" (if you do not, and don't mind doing some electronic work.) The AW4 is probably in between the 4L60 and 3L80 in terms of strength and durability - it was designed by Toyota, and used in a number of their RWD applications (light trucks and the turbo I6 Supra, mainly!)

Being used to a manual, I'd go with a manually-controlled AW4 and a manual TCC override switch, making TC lockup available in all ranges (for low-speed "cruising" at greater fuel economy and lower transmission temperatures - WIN!)

Using the AW4 behind the AMC engine is also going to be a good deal simpler than adapting a GM slushbox to it - since it already has the correct pattern - and just as effective of a swap.

I presume you're going with the AMC engine, since you did not mention that you would be swapping out the engine as well.

 

Wwhhhooolllleee harness has to be swapped to run it though... computer and all... TCM and all... Not worth it...

A th350 sucks... Its the same thing as a 700r4 and 4l60e... All junk but probly fine for the 4.0 I guess... There are variations of 241 IFS chevys thatll bolt right up to the trannys listed above and will keep your drivers side drop... just rebuild the ax15... They are stout... Drop a racing clutch with it and itll be easier offroad...

 

What 5-90 said lol...

 

huntingman, since when has a th-350 sucked? huge aftermarket support, able to stand 800-900 hp continously when built right.... I do not want to stick with the ax-15, where I am there is no support for it, and a used one is almost as much as a rebuilt one.

Now 5-90 is the AW-4 what came in a cherokee stock?

 

The th350 has always sucked unless filled with aftermarket parts... The th 400 is much stronger... the 700r4 had a lot of problems with the added overdrive... The 4l60e is horrible... Every chevy guy wants the 4l80e instead (which is a electronic th400)

 

I wouldn't say the thm350 sucks, but, the input sprague is the biggest weak point, put a good aftermarket one in and it'll be trouble free, especially behind a 4.0.

The AW4 was stock in the cherokee, so no special adaptors or custom parts will be needed. You don't need to install the whole harness, you can splice as necessary, there's a write up on the AMC forum on putting an AW4 in a javelin, it gives you any wiring info you would need.

 

a th-400 uses a lot more tq to turn just as a c-4 is easier than a c-6. I do not want anyhting electronic, period, hence the reason I am also going propane, and a HEI distributor

Edit; am not worried about the wiring, as far as the work, I am simplyfying the truck to make it a real off road vehicle with minimal electronics

 

I also have a AX-15 In my 96 HO Cherokee Classic it's also on it's leg. I have an AW4 out of my parts Cherokee which is an 89 Cherokee Laredo. What all do I need to do to perform the swap?

 

Well if you want it to be a simple offroad machine, keep the ax. More reliable and basically maintenance free.

 

none, its done with toggle switches, or a shifter from http://radesignsproducts.com/default.aspx