Gee oh Dee

If you had an AX-15 and 231 out of an 89 XJ what would you do if/when rebuilding it?

I may be getting one to swap in place of my BA (garbage) 5 speed. I would like to make any possible upgrades since, for the time being, my trans is still working.

What suggestions do you have? Are there any parts available that would be an upgrade?

Thoughts?

s14unimog

I'm not sure about upgrades other than the Hurst shifter; which I love. I ordered a rebuild kit with all new blocking rings (what everyone calls syncros), bearings and seals from TransStar for ~$250ish. Here is what came in that kit (minus the oils of course)









After rebuilding mine, I realized I also had a worn 3-4 fork and so I replaced that; ~ $34. I ordered that from www.SouthernGear.com . They were incredibly knowledgeable and if I had known about them prior to buying my rebuild kit, I would have got it from them.



If you intended to do this at home, be sure you have or have access to a bearing press tool. You can't get those main shaft bearings off without one. My transmission shifts like new now.

Gee oh Dee

I have a friend who works for Trans Star.

s14unimog

sweet! Tell him to hook you up.

Gee oh Dee

Talked to a guy who quoted me $169.04 for bearings, seals, and syncros.

Seems fair. Did you have any quality issues that would have made you choose Southern Gear instead?

Price not included

PingPong

On the swap itself.. you will need to change your t-case linkage, as well as your x-member/ trans mount

Gee oh Dee

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/tho...ead-you-71217/

According to this the linkage is the only thing that will not work.

Can you shed some light on that, then? I would rather not be waist deep in the project to find out my crossmember doesn't work...

Gee oh Dee

This trans is coming out if a 'complete' truck, so I will have the old crossmember if that matters.

PingPong

I cant remember now which one it was.. but One x-memeber is just flat, and the other has a lil drop in the center. I would say I would go look on my rig, but cant do that... since I have a custom flat skid.


My issue with the t-case linkage was made worse by the fact that I as using a tj t-case as well. They are clocked flatter.

Gee oh Dee

Yeah, I've spent plenty of time under mt wifes TJ, I know the hard way the differences.

If this project goes all the way through I will indeed have both crossmembers, so hopefully I will be ok either way.

s14unimog

Not particularly. I just appreciated their knowledge base, the fact they stocked "hard" parts and he even send me a gear hub and said if I didn't need it just send it back. Turned out it was just the fork but all around just a great supplier, and great customer service.

allsierra123

yeah I am going to need to do this myself. but as it being my daily driver I dont know if I can have it down long enough for me to figure out how to do it.

Gee oh Dee

I am still interested to hear if any upgraded parts are easily available.

I came from a racing background where double syncros and beefed up shift forks are great things.

Are these available to us? Is it even needed?

I like to make things overkill if I can.