ftpiercecracker1 Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 Would you rather have an AX-15 or NV3550? Would you rather get an original one with 150k out of a junkyard for $500 or a 0 mile 'rebuilt' one for $1000? The ax-15 in my truck is going to go any week now and i need to figure out what i am going to do before it leaves me stranded. I like the NV3550 because it has a deeper 1st, taller 5th, and a synchronized reverse (i think). But i've been reading that shifting the 3550 can notchy/crunchy. Which ever is the smoother shifting transmission is the one i want. Also from what i have read the NV3550 is a direct bolt in, is this correct? ThanksFPC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88whitemanche Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 The Ax15 is the smoothest operating one Buddy of mine has a tj with the nv3550, at idle it sounds like a couple marbles rolling around and only from 1st to 2nd it has a weird grinding noise, he has to put it into neutral for a split second then put it into 2nd to shift smooth For piece of mind I'd go new, if it's junkyard or Craigslist I wouldn't pay over $200... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 what's wrong with the current one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankTheDog Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 For $500 I'd buy a complete XJ with an AX15 in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 Would you rather have an AX-15 or NV3550? Would you rather get an original one with 150k out of a junkyard for $500 or a 0 mile 'rebuilt' one for $1000? The ax-15 in my truck is going to go any week now and i need to figure out what i am going to do before it leaves me stranded. I like the NV3550 because it has a deeper 1st, taller 5th, and a synchronized reverse (i think). But i've been reading that shifting the 3550 can notchy/crunchy. Which ever is the smoother shifting transmission is the one i want. Also from what i have read the NV3550 is a direct bolt in, is this correct? Thanks FPC I have an MJ with the AX-15 and my 2000 XJ has the 3550. There is no question -- the 3550 is BY FAR smoother than the AX-15. You can't even really compare them. The AX-15 feels like the gears were carved by hand with a sledge hammer compared to the 3550. I bought the 2000 XJ new, and I fell in love with the transmission before I had driven five miles from the stealership. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crash Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 You can but reman zero mile ax15 for about 700 on ebay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftpiercecracker1 Posted March 4, 2017 Author Share Posted March 4, 2017 what's wrong with the current one? Grinding between almost every gear if you don't rev match perfectly. Third gear grinds especially bad and will attempt to slot in without the clutch or rev matching resulting in spectacular grinding. Third gear is becoming harder to find and today the transmission briefly got stuck in third gear for the first time. Extreme clutch chatter because the pilot bearing has been nonexistent for at least the last 30k miles. Which I will assume has destroyed my input shaft/seal. I did a very through trans flush about 15k miles ago. Probably the first one it's ever had, fluid was the most putrid rank vile smelling stuff you can imagine. But no metal. Flushed it twice with motor oil, then filed it up with Redline MT. I give 100% credit to redline for extending the life of the transmission this long and will definitely be using it on my next trans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftpiercecracker1 Posted March 4, 2017 Author Share Posted March 4, 2017 Would you rather have an AX-15 or NV3550? Would you rather get an original one with 150k out of a junkyard for $500 or a 0 mile 'rebuilt' one for $1000? The ax-15 in my truck is going to go any week now and i need to figure out what i am going to do before it leaves me stranded. I like the NV3550 because it has a deeper 1st, taller 5th, and a synchronized reverse (i think). But i've been reading that shifting the 3550 can notchy/crunchy. Which ever is the smoother shifting transmission is the one i want. Also from what i have read the NV3550 is a direct bolt in, is this correct? Thanks FPC I have an MJ with the AX-15 and my 2000 XJ has the 3550. There is no question -- the 3550 is BY FAR smoother than the AX-15. You can't even really compare them. The AX-15 feels like the gears were carved by hand with a sledge hammer compared to the 3550. I bought the 2000 XJ new, and I fell in love with the transmission before I had driven five miles from the stealership. What is your opinion on where I should look for a nv3550? JY or internet(ebay) rebuild? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 Would you rather have an AX-15 or NV3550? Would you rather get an original one with 150k out of a junkyard for $500 or a 0 mile 'rebuilt' one for $1000? The ax-15 in my truck is going to go any week now and i need to figure out what i am going to do before it leaves me stranded. I like the NV3550 because it has a deeper 1st, taller 5th, and a synchronized reverse (i think). But i've been reading that shifting the 3550 can notchy/crunchy. Which ever is the smoother shifting transmission is the one i want. Also from what i have read the NV3550 is a direct bolt in, is this correct? Thanks FPC I have an MJ with the AX-15 and my 2000 XJ has the 3550. There is no question -- the 3550 is BY FAR smoother than the AX-15. You can't even really compare them. The AX-15 feels like the gears were carved by hand with a sledge hammer compared to the 3550. I bought the 2000 XJ new, and I fell in love with the transmission before I had driven five miles from the stealership. What is your opinion on where I should look for a nv3550? JY or internet(ebay) rebuild? I would start with JY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 I've got a nv3550 in my MJ and It shifts fine . If you get one more than likely it will be from a TJ and I would recommend clocking the tcase to the XJ/MJ position so the 4wd linkage bolts up correctly . The TJ shifter will work but it hits the console a bit because of the offset in the shifter base ( which can be fixed with a Nv3550 XJ shifter or a Hurst shifter ) . Everything else is straightforward ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 what's wrong with the current one? Grinding between almost every gear if you don't rev match perfectly. Third gear grinds especially bad and will attempt to slot in without the clutch or rev matching resulting in spectacular grinding. Third gear is becoming harder to find and today the transmission briefly got stuck in third gear for the first time. Extreme clutch chatter because the pilot bearing has been nonexistent for at least the last 30k miles. Which I will assume has destroyed my input shaft/seal. I did a very through trans flush about 15k miles ago. Probably the first one it's ever had, fluid was the most putrid rank vile smelling stuff you can imagine. But no metal. Flushed it twice with motor oil, then filed it up with Redline MT. I give 100% credit to redline for extending the life of the transmission this long and will definitely be using it on my next trans. are you absolutely super duper sure it's not a failing clutch system? I'd hate for you to go through all that effort for a bad slave cylinder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftpiercecracker1 Posted March 5, 2017 Author Share Posted March 5, 2017 are you absolutely super duper sure it's not a failing clutch system? I'd hate for you to go through all that effort for a bad slave cylinder. Well the clutch seems to work fine hydraulically, never had an issue with pressure leaking down. The pedal has always engaged and disengaged smoothly with good return pressure. Not really sure how a bad clutch system could cause the problems I am experiencing, especially with 3rd gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftpiercecracker1 Posted March 5, 2017 Author Share Posted March 5, 2017 I've got a nv3550 in my MJ and It shifts fine . If you get one more than likely it will be from a TJ and I would recommend clocking the tcase to the XJ/MJ position so the 4wd linkage bolts up correctly . The TJ shifter will work but it hits the console a bit because of the offset in the shifter base ( which can be fixed with a Nv3550 XJ shifter or a Hurst shifter ) . Everything else is straightforward ... Re-clocking a t-case will require drilling and taping something yes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftpiercecracker1 Posted March 5, 2017 Author Share Posted March 5, 2017 I would start with JY Even if it has 150k? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftpiercecracker1 Posted March 5, 2017 Author Share Posted March 5, 2017 What do you think of this one? https://sarasota.craigslist.org/pts/5997140358.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 What do you think of this one? https://sarasota.craigslist.org/pts/5997140358.html Why would you intentionally buy a rebuilt transmission that the seller admits was rebuilt incorrectly and doesn't work right? I'd rather get one from a junkyard with higher miles and a 90-day warranty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 http://www.high-impact.net/transmission_and_gear/stick_nv3550.htm New OEM NV3550, no core charge, $1250 I'd go this route if I could find a Dakota bell. Specs are also shown in the link above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Mesa XJ Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 You can try car-part.com & Hollanderparts.com for the bellhousing. had no luck with that rout, every time a bellhousing come around it was gone before I could call. Scalped on eBay I bet. Finally got one off eBay for a reasonable price, it was mislisted but with the part # in the picture. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 I picked up a used 2 wheel drive AX15 last summer from a Comanche Club member for $100, complete with bell housing. I was told it worked well and it will go in my 86 diesel MJ shortly. But if I have a problem with it - I will get it fixed or replace it with an Aisin AR5 and still be $$ ahead. If you change your current AX15 to an NV3550 are you going to change from an internal slave to an external slave? Gear Ratios: NV3550 First Gear 4.01 Second Gear 2.33 Third Gear 1.39 Fourth Gear 1.00 Fifth Gear 0.78 Reverse 3.57 Gear ratios for the AX15 are: 3.83, 2.33, 1.44, 1.00, 0.79, for first through fifth, respectively. Not much of a difference at all in the gear ratios worth picking one over the other. I "think" the Aisin AR5 will swap over using the AX15 bell housing and the AX15 input shaft. But I need to actually try it if the AX15 doesnt work out. Gear ratios for the Aisin AR5: Gear ratios (Canyon, Colorado, H3): 1 2 3 4 5 R 3.75 2.26 1.37 1.00 0.73 3.67 Keep me in mind if you get the NV3550, I may just want to buy your old bell housing and AX15 input shaft to experiment with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftpiercecracker1 Posted March 5, 2017 Author Share Posted March 5, 2017 What do you think of this one? https://sarasota.craigslist.org/pts/5997140358.html Why would you intentionally buy a rebuilt transmission that the seller admits was rebuilt incorrectly and doesn't work right? I'd rather get one from a junkyard with higher miles and a 90-day warranty. The ad says it pops out of second on occasion. I figured if i got i could spend another hundered bucks or two to have 2nd gear fixed and i would have a freshly rebuilt nv3550 for $700. To optimistic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftpiercecracker1 Posted March 5, 2017 Author Share Posted March 5, 2017 I picked up a used 2 wheel drive AX15 last summer from a Comanche Club member for $100, complete with bell housing. I was told it worked well and it will go in my 86 diesel MJ shortly. But if I have a problem with it - I will get it fixed and still be $$ ahead. If you change your current AX15 to an NV3550 are you going to change from an internal slave to an external slave? Gear Ratios: NV3550 First Gear 4.01 Second Gear 2.33 Third Gear 1.39 Fourth Gear 1.00 Fifth Gear 0.78 Reverse 3.57 Not sure what I am going to do about that yet. Whatever is cheapest probably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 What do you think of this one? https://sarasota.craigslist.org/pts/5997140358.html Why would you intentionally buy a rebuilt transmission that the seller admits was rebuilt incorrectly and doesn't work right? I'd rather get one from a junkyard with higher miles and a 90-day warranty. The ad says it pops out of second on occasion. I figured if i got i could spend another hundered bucks or two to have 2nd gear fixed and i would have a freshly rebuilt nv3550 for $700. To optimistic? YUP! Way too optimistic. How often do your stars line up just right? Mine don't line up very often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuit Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 If a "rebuilt" trans pops out of second gear, I'd be leery of other sketchy crap going on inside it... I'd hope that a rebuilt transmission would be able to stay in gear, but I suppose that's expecting too much of our friends at High Impact Transmission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 what about just rebuilding yours? I've read it's pretty easy as transmissions go. it might just need new synchros. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex06 Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 The AX-15 is pretty easy to rebuild although personally it sounds like your clutch isn't fully disengaging anymore. I would recommend swapping to a new external slave and see if it fixes the issue before investing in a new tranny. Fwiw, I rebuilt my AX-15 a few months ago and upgraded to an external swap. Spent a little more than I wanted but came in around $500 if I recall. Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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