bkdrocks Posted February 1, 2010 Posted February 1, 2010 I'm tring to decide which way I want to go.I have a almost dead BA10 and need to make a decision soon.. lets hear the pros and cons on each AW4 and AX15 the truck will be used on and off road. Also I have a 1988 MJ so what year's AW4 do I need to be looking for or is there a difference? Also the truck I have was a automatic in an earlier life so is the wiring that I need already there?
Geonovast Posted February 1, 2010 Posted February 1, 2010 AX-15. But I'm HEAVILY biased toward a 5 speed, especially in light of recent events.
SuperWade2 Posted February 1, 2010 Posted February 1, 2010 I'd swap my AX-15 for an AW-4 TODAY, in a second, without a second thought if I could...
Geonovast Posted February 1, 2010 Posted February 1, 2010 I'd swap my AX-15 for an AW-4 TODAY, in a second, without a second thought if I could... Drive out here, we can trade.
SuperWade2 Posted February 1, 2010 Posted February 1, 2010 I'd swap my AX-15 for an AW-4 TODAY, in a second, without a second thought if I could... Drive out here, we can trade. I don't beleive it would make it (engine) even if I had enough free time for a 5 day round trip... :cheers: Wade
Geonovast Posted February 1, 2010 Posted February 1, 2010 Here's a good thread with plenty of pros and cons for both, and some good debate. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=18408& Quote from that thread... I'd swap my AX15 for a Auto in a second if I could...
SuperWade2 Posted February 1, 2010 Posted February 1, 2010 Here's a good thread with plenty of pros and cons for both, and some good debate. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=18408& Quote from that thread... I'd swap my AX15 for a Auto in a second if I could... At least I'm consistent! :waving:
bkdrocks Posted February 1, 2010 Author Posted February 1, 2010 Thanks for the replies,Now to the tech side of the question,Whats years on the automatic or does the transmission matter,I know I will need a TCU and trans harness , I would assume it needs to be out of a renix era vehicle?Ive seen several 1997 cherokees around cheap,If not one of them I have a couple of junk yards around with a ton of cherokees.
Geonovast Posted February 1, 2010 Posted February 1, 2010 I'm not 100% on this, but I think a 87-95 AW-4 will work as long as you get the correct Torque converter and TCU. 96(97?)+ has the ECU and TCU built in... ECM controls motor and transmission.
Pete M Posted February 1, 2010 Posted February 1, 2010 the auto-vs-manual debate is mostly about personal preference. what do you prefer driving. I'd swap a stick into my minivan if I could. :waving:
krochus Posted February 1, 2010 Posted February 1, 2010 it depends on the usage. For me on a Jeep that's primarily a street/dirt road vehicle I'll choose the ax15 hands down for the added acceleration, simplicity and fuel econ But I wish my YJ had a AW4 a vehicle that spends a large portion of it's time in low range on trails
Geonovast Posted February 1, 2010 Posted February 1, 2010 Just a bit of tech... if you're considering offroading applications.. AW-4's first gear is 2.80:1 AX-15's first gear is 3.83:1 Assuming a factory 231 and 4.10 axles... Crawl ratio will be AW-4 = 31.1108 AX-15 = 42.5551
johnnyc Posted February 1, 2010 Posted February 1, 2010 If you want the tranny to hook up to your present transfer case, you'll need to find a 87-89 (?) AW4. These will have the 21-spline output shaft. Later years had 23-spline output shafts.
krochus Posted February 1, 2010 Posted February 1, 2010 Just a bit of tech... if you're considering offroading applications.. AW-4's first gear is 2.80:1 AX-15's first gear is 3.83:1 Assuming a factory 231 and 4.10 axles... Crawl ratio will be AW-4 = 31.1108 AX-15 = 42.5551 True but in my opinion having a torque converter makes up for this. You really can't compare auto and stick crawl ratios by the numbers alone because the torque converter acts like a lower 1st than it really is. You can roll up to and have a obstacle stop you with an auto, you can't do that with a stick.
Geonovast Posted February 1, 2010 Posted February 1, 2010 True but in my opinion having a torque converter makes up for this. You really can't compare auto and stick crawl ratios by the numbers alone because the torque converter acts like a lower 1st than it really is. You can roll up to and have a obstacle stop you with an auto, you can't do that with a stick. I'm aware :thumbsup: Just putting up the facts so someone could show the other side.
Lenard Posted February 1, 2010 Posted February 1, 2010 Thanks for the replies,Now to the tech side of the question,Whats years on the automatic or does the transmission matter,I know I will need a TCU and trans harness , I would assume it needs to be out of a renix era vehicle?Ive seen several 1997 cherokees around cheap,If not one of them I have a couple of junk yards around with a ton of cherokees. i got an 88 like yours with auto, tried replacing my TCU with one out of a H.O., didnt work. :doh: (i could manually shift it, but put it in drive it would start in 3rd) so if you have a renix and go with the AW-4 make sure everything you get is renix.
bkdrocks Posted February 1, 2010 Author Posted February 1, 2010 If I get a later model transmission and transfer case can use it ?I would need a TCU from a renix motor? Is this combo possible? Later model autos are easier to find complete,and there a ton of earlier doners for the TCU and all the other parts. Ive found a few AX15 trans here with transfer cases for around 700$ The only reason I'm even considering an auto is the last wheeling trip over half the vehicles were running automatics...I remember when no one ran an automatics. So If I'm going to spend the money and time to change it I only want to do it once...But I still can't decide....
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