DirtyComanche Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 So we all know that the factory felt the AW4 could handle a greater towing capacity than the AX-15, but does this actually hold true in the real world? Has anyone had a clutch or other AX-15 failure while towing, or while driving around with the truck loaded up heavy? I don't care about the other aspects of this. I personally feel that the AX-15 has no reason to not be able to tow/haul the same as the AW4, meaning that you could reliably tow more than was safe due to other limitations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted May 8, 2018 Author Share Posted May 8, 2018 I think I meant to post this in tech Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 Yep - moved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 Would have been nice if Jeep offered a beefed up torque converter with the AW4 as a factory option for the towing package. One that would better dissipate the extra heat generated by towing. The AW4 TC's were all the same throughout the XJ/MJ years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted May 8, 2018 Author Share Posted May 8, 2018 2 hours ago, HOrnbrod said: Would have been nice if Jeep offered a beefed up torque converter with the AW4 as a factory option for the towing package. One that would better dissipate the extra heat generated by towing. The AW4 TC's were all the same throughout the XJ/MJ years. That and a HD clutch option (for the AX-15), if they really thought the clutch was the limiting factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 Sometime back I read an article regarding heat Generation by an automatic, if I remember correctly the truck being tested was a Dodge Ram. Under load the torque converter was measured at over 320 degrees and the author stated 350° was not uncommon. With an already taxed cooling system, my last choice for Towing would be the aw4, not to mention the inability to maintain first gear. When I go small block Chevy I will be choosing the ax15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 For what it's worth As you may know I pulled it 4000 pound trailer through the mountains with my MJ in an ax5 for a year, probably about 20,000 miles, the clutch Never slipped and I put it right back behind the new engine it was fine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega_rugal Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 AX15 all the way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertRat1991 Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 Is it possible to retrofit an oil cooler to the AX-15? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted May 8, 2018 Author Share Posted May 8, 2018 13 minutes ago, DesertRat1991 said: Is it possible to retrofit an oil cooler to the AX-15? You could. NPT adapters on the drain and fill along with an electric pump. But why? Have you hit it with an IR gun or put a temp probe in it and found there was a problem? It's only fairly recent that consumer grade manual transmission trucks have oil coolers, and that's when combined with 400HP diesels that are rated to tow 24Klbs... I'd put a HD transmission in long before considering modding up the AX-15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega_rugal Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 5 hours ago, DesertRat1991 said: Is it possible to retrofit an oil cooler to the AX-15? it`s a manual, why would you do that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankTheDog Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 I pulled a VW Westfalia camper from Knoxville TN to Winsted CT with a 98 XJ with an AX15. VW plus dolly came in at a little over 5,000lbs. I didn’t know how much one weighed before I got Shanghai’d into the job. The XJ had 240k on it when I did that pull and now it has 457k on that same clutch. 243k total on the clutch. Luk gold clutch. With new master/slave at time of clutch change. I would not feel comfortable pulling that kind of weight with an auto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 Off Topic: Frank, what's the story on your avatar? An underwater Boston Terrier? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 2 hours ago, HOrnbrod said: Off Topic: Frank, what's the story on your avatar? An underwater Boston Terrier? That may have to be a whole other topic in the pub. But I far as I was concerned, especially with the 4banger jeeps, the manuals could tow more weight than the autos. I may be mistaken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 The AW4 was used in the Toyota Celica Turbo and dump trucks in Japan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega_rugal Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 On 5/10/2018 at 6:17 AM, cruiser54 said: The AW4 was used in the Toyota Celica Turbo and dump trucks in Japan. isn`t that a better AW4? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rokinn Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 I don't imagine the transmission discerns much difference between towing and hauling. Back in my farm boy days we had nothing but 5 speed manual transmissions for hauling 5000 lbs on a 1 ton dually or 10,000 to 12,000 lbs on a deuce & a half, which was usual the fare for hauling grain over pretty steep terrain (IIRC). The more important thing I was taught to look out for was the isolated sharp rock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 11 hours ago, omega_rugal said: isn`t that a better AW4? Not really. Valved differently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crash Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 The AX15 equipped vehicle were built more for economy. Yes, the AW4 is most likely rated at a higher HP capacity. Stock vs stock, I think the AW4 can definitely handle a larger load. Swap in some 3.55 or lower gears, and I think it's a solid runner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 so what would be tow rating on a 2.5l with an ax15? 2000lbs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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