madmax Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Hi all. I just purchased a very nice 88 sportruck, 2.5L, with AX4 4 speed. It is a 2WD, SWB. The truck is remarkably original and clean, with only 76K miles. I am effectively the third owner, with the 2d owner owning the truck for 25 years and storing it for the last 5--10 years. I drove the truck approx 800 miles from western Ky to Jax, Fl and it ran flawlessly. Having previously owned a 1989 2.5L Comanche with a 5 speed (which was unfortunately t-boned and totaled last year) I gotta tell ya---I REALLY MISS THE 5 SPEED TRANNY!!! What I would like to know is how difficult is it to swap in the AX5 tranny? Is it a straight bolt in? Do I need to replace the bellhousing? What about the rear end, do I need to be concerned about the gearing? (I think it is a 3.55 according to the build sheet I found under the seat). Any comments, suggestions, etc., would be appreciated. I hope to get some pics up soon. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 You're a flat-lander, you'll be fine, swap it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmax Posted February 17, 2015 Author Share Posted February 17, 2015 Is it simply a matter of swapping one transmission for the other? Nothing else needs to be done? Will the bellhousing need to changed? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 They are the same transmission. The AX-4 just doesn't have a fifth gear cluster in the back part of the housing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 The AX5 came with 4.10/4.11 gears and the AX4 with 3.55s, apparently. Based on where you live, I doubt you'll know the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbulliwagen Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 If you don't swap the rear end you will need to take the speedo gear from the 4 speed trans and put it in the 5 speed to keep your speedo correct. It should just slide out the speedo cable hole and into the new trans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbulliwagen Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 If I were you I'd swap the 4.10 rear end in too as long as its OK from the wreck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmax Posted February 17, 2015 Author Share Posted February 17, 2015 Just wondering.....is it easier to change the gears in the differential housing, or simply swap out the entire differential? Thanks for all the helpful comments!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dando Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 Having done both, I would definetely say swapping the whole axle would be easier for me than doing a gear swap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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