Skorpyo Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 I've been doing my research and reading every article out there about swapping in an AX-15 (t-case parts etc) to convert my 89 eliminator MJ to 4WD and I recently found a '99 XJ with a manual tranny (assuming it's an AX-15) with only 11K on it. I'd love to be able to swap in this unit and transfer-case, but aside from the shifter and linkage difference, which I'm assuming is mostly cosmetic, what other issues would I discover using a '99 tranny for the swap vice one from a '94 - '96? Thanks! Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 If you're currently running a BA-10/5 (which I assume you are based on the swap at hand), you'll have to swap the master and slave cylinder system to match the AX15. Other than that, it's pretty much a direct swap. Keep your current flywheel, may want to change the pilot bushing though. I'd also highly recommend changing out the AX15's gear oil. Even though it's got 11K on the clock, it would be a good time to knock that out. RedLine MT-90 (API GL-4) is a very good synthetic oil that will provide smoother shifts at all temperature ranges, including freezing. Do NOT use GL-5 rated fluid as it will eat the brass syncros in the AX15. Make sure to grab the crossmember with the AX15 as it's specific to that tranny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankTheDog Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 The two issues that will affect the swap are pilot bushing and transfer case output shaft. The transfer case output is longer and a different style on the 96 and up transfer cases. This will affect your driveshaft length. Pilot bushing is just installing a different bushing. 73 CJ with a V8 I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 Pilot bushing is just installing a different bushing. 73 CJ with a V8 I believe. CJ with 304/5.0L V8. PB77HD is the part no. I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloride Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 :agree: With whats been said. You might consider ditching the plastic line from the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. I followed the braided line conversion that terrawombat did for my external slave cylinder. (The plastic line I put back on melted on the manifold. Yeah, live and learn.) terrawombat's write up: http://comancheclub.com/topic/28758-ax-15-clutch-slave-line-popped-out-now-fixed-with-pics/ Here's another similar. http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f12/ax-15-internal-external-slave-cylinder-clutch-line-write-up-592098/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skorpyo Posted November 27, 2013 Author Share Posted November 27, 2013 Guys, Thanks for the info! I'm not planning to do this swap for sometime and plan to just pickup the best parts when they become available. An AX-15 with only 11,000 miles on it seems like a great option for a starting point so I'm gonna see about picking it up and storing it until the spring. My main concern is the JY that has it is not 100% sure they'll have all of the linkages, pedal, and cylinders for it also. If I get them from a pre-97 XJ would they all match what was run with the newer style 97+ XJ? I'm not as concerned about the T-case as this point as any t-case from a mid '93 and up XJ will mate with the tranny and then I would just need to get the front DS, axle linkages etc from there to wrap up the front end. As for the rear I'm debating on going with an 8.8 or D44. Mainly I want to be able to tow and after my XJ I just don't trust the D35s. Being a manual I believe the MJ currently has 3.07 gears, would a jump to 3.54s really kill power? I know 8.8s are easy to come by but what gearing did they typically come with and should I be looking for a particular year/make to pull one from? Disc brakes would be a nice bonus too :-). Thanks, Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloride Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 I did what you're basically planning to do, stock piled the parts before actually tearing into it. Stock pile included AX15 with T/C from a '96 Cherokee, front and rear axle assy from '98 Cherokee, new springs all around, new clutch/pressure plate, slave cylinder, new shocks, new brake lines at the corners. I used disc brakes off a '94 Grand Cherokee for the rear. Got rid of the load sensing brake valve in back. Went to a adjustable prop valve. (had one left over from the GTO)... Changed the oil pan gasket with the front axle assy out. (You'll regret not doing that if you don't, IMO.) It was rusty so I Por15 the pan. New tie rod ends, track bar, drag link just to name a few others that fell on the stock pile of parts..... The TC linkage I fabed up. Its not pretty but works. The tranny cross member I fabed my own 'drop' portion for the AX-15. Oh, tranny mount was also new along with the shifter, shifter floor boot, bushings, gasket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skorpyo Posted November 27, 2013 Author Share Posted November 27, 2013 I did what you're basically planning to do, stock piled the parts before actually tearing into it. Stock pile included AX15 with T/C from a '96 Cherokee, front and rear axle assy from '98 Cherokee, new springs all around, new clutch/pressure plate, slave cylinder, new shocks, new brake lines at the corners. I used disc brakes off a '94 Grand Cherokee for the rear. Got rid of the load sensing brake valve in back. Went to a adjustable prop valve. (had one left over from the GTO)... Changed the oil pan gasket with the front axle assy out. (You'll regret not doing that if you don't, IMO.) It was rusty so I Por15 the pan. New tie rod ends, track bar, drag link just to name a few others that fell on the stock pile of parts..... The TC linkage I fabed up. Its not pretty but works. The tranny cross member I fabed my own 'drop' portion for the AX-15. Oh, tranny mount was also new along with the shifter, shifter floor boot, bushings, gasket. Good notes, did you use stock XJ suspension parts in the front or did you just use the front axle and aftermarket parts? I'm thinking if I come across a clean XJ with newer suspension parts I might pull them. I don't think the MJ is sagged much in the front, but 10yr old suspension parts might be better than 24yr old parts ya know?! Thanks for the info. Pilot bushing is just installing a different bushing. 73 CJ with a V8 I believe. CJ with 304/5.0L V8. PB77HD is the part no. I believe. Since I have a '72 CJ-5 with the 304 I rebuilt I'm definitely familiar with that one. I'll file that away under "parts needed" Thanks! Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloride Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 Stock parts basically. RockAuto parts mostly sprinkled with visits to Napa or Advance Auto (Napa & Advance have warehouses here in KC). Moog tie rod ends.................. Same parts was used through several make model years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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