spacemonkey067

Oh and I know he had it on a late 80's Wrangler that had the AMC 150 motor in it.

The unit did have one but it's not the right bell housing but I know that's just a few bolts to swap it out. I'm not sure how to test the clutch. How would I do that? Yeah the gas has me worried some as far as getting it out but I know I can get it out and get some fresh in there. Thanks!

Hey guys I haven't been on in like a year and a half, sorry about that. I am finally getting around to fixing my Comanche. Before I know when I asked about what was wrong with it it was diagnosed with a bad cross shaft main bearing. So after I get off work in the morning I'm going to pick up a rebuilt ax5. What all am I looking at when I go to do the swap? I just wanna be prepared as I'm working under a time crunch on it. I am also planning on putting in a new clutch kit that I have as well. I am planning on doing an oil change and re greasing all the grease points. Is there anything else you guys recommend doing while I'm at it. She's been sitting since Jan of 2009. The tires don't look bad and the body is still rust free, Thank God. Thanks guys! Oh and also it's a 1986 Comanche Custom 4x4.

you're welcome! best place, most likely a junkyard. where's your location? if you decide to do a replacement, I can still walk you through a trans rebuild after you've swapped it...once you've gotten it rebuilt, you can sell the rebuilt trans and get your $$$ back out of it, or use it as a good learning experience. after i rebuild it i'd just be putting it back on my truck instead of switching it. i'm in triangle va but i'll be in johnson city tn this coming weekend.

yes. it would also cause noises in every gear but 4th gear. in this picture you can see the input shaft on the left with the input gear to the cross shaft. the first gear on the output shaft (which connects to the input shaft) is 4th gear. when that is engaged, it slides a collar between the input and 4th gear, locking them together for a 1:1 ratio. the next gear is 3rd gear. it is run off the cross shaft...a collar slides and locks the the gear to the output shaft, thus connecting the cross shaft to the output shaft on 3rd gear 2nd gear is next in line, and functions identically to 3rd gear. 1st gear is next in line and closest to the midplate and bearing. it works just the same as 2nd and 3rd. matter of fact, I believe the syncros are interchangable between the 3 of them. 5th gear is an add-on on the other side of the midplate. an ax4 4 speed is the same as an ax5 5 speed except that instead of 5th gear, it has a mini balancer on it, and the slide rails are slightly different. reverse works by simply connecting the input shaft through the cross shaft and hooking the cross shaft to the reverse gear on the output shaft...which is why the reverse has an idler gear instead of a syncro and shift collar. so, I think your problem is that your bearing went out for the cross shaft on your midplate, which is why 1st gear no longer functions..it's running crooked. this would cause noises in all other gears except 4th gear. the other problem you could have, which is one that I've had, is that your input gear has sheared off from the input shaft and cross shaft. that would look like this: (it is the first gear on the right, directly behind the input bearing.) it'd be easiest to install a replacement, but you can build it yourself for less than $100 if you only replace what is bad and ensure that the syncros are all good. a VERY important thing to remember while you're working on this...there are ALOT of detents and springs in that midplate and on the slide rails. if you don't HAVE to take the rails out, don't. the only rail I ever removed when rebuilding three of these cases was the 5th gear rail...you can take it apart yourself if you're gentle without ever removing any other rails (though you may have to turn several of them) that is some really great info and pics! thank you so much for the help! i really appreciate it!!! where is a good place to get a replacement at?

so that would cause it to be popping out of first and now not doing anything when it's in first? if so then i'd love to be able to get some parts and fix it myself. i'm decently mechanically inclined. and i'm sure i can find some jeep guys in my area to help me with the rebuild. thanks! talk to you soon!

ok great! thanks! i'll start looking online for a offroad shop in the area. i'm a newb to jeep's. i got the comanche as my daily. i'm a mustang enthusiast.

hey guys. i am having some tranny trouble with the comanche. she's got the 2.8v6 with a 5spd. this all happened in one drive on my way home the other day. she started making a bad noise from the front driver what seemed to be axle and it was doing it in all gears except 4th. then it started kicking it out of first when i was attempting to pull out from a light and then i started it yesterday and it isn't doing anything in first. not kicking it out not stalling out when i had the clutch let out. what do you guys think is wrong and is there any good non rip off shops in the area that i could take her to? thanks for the help!