70barracuda Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 So finally got the Comanche running and driving and now that all the maintenance and broken stuff is outta the way, I can look into upgrades. It has 210 thousand on it and the engine seems just fine. In the back of my mind is the ax4 though. I know they aren't the hardiest of trans so I'm looking to getting another. An ax5 will be a direct swap I know, but the ax15 will be stronger but also needs a lot more work. I've found a ton of resources on it and can definitely handle it. Hardest part will be tracking down parts though. My Jeep is a 2wd and will never see dirt ( hopefully the occasional race track soon). Question is should I bother with the ax15 behind the 2.5? Or will the ax5 suffice? Will be swapping in a 8.25 along with the trans when the time comes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglescout526 Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 Most of everyone on here will tell you to do an AX15 swap. Here’s the problem though. Locating a 2.5L AX15 bell housing. They are not easy to find. They came behind Dodge Dakotas between the years of 96-02 if I remember correctly. AX5 on the other hand is a fine light duty trans, you can’t beat on it as hard as you could with an AX15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjy_26 Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 For street use with, I assume, street tires and a stock 2.5, the AX5 should live a long and happy life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70barracuda Posted May 30, 2019 Author Share Posted May 30, 2019 Yup street use. I have 225 50 15s on it so quite small tires. And yeah I know about the Dakota bell housing. In the long run I would rather have a ax15 but I just got to driving it and really don't wanna tear it down for a lot of R&D now. Definitely later it will be a project. As for the ax5 finding a 2wd one is kinda tough... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 I AX15 swapped mine but my 2.5l is making a lot more power than stock and has to turn full size axles and 37" tires, so i wanted the extra strength. For a street truck, the stock trans should hold up fine. Personally i would rather have an AX4 than an AX5, they are basically the same but with the AX4 you never have to worry about 5th gear issues that somerimes kills AX5s, also most AX4 trucks would need an axle swap or regear to even use 5th gear anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Money_Pits Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 You mentioned that your truck is 2wd, and did not mention wanting to convert to 4wd. Assuming that is true, I believe that the dodge dakotas with the 2.5l and ax 15 were all 2wd only, meaning you can just snag the whole tranny, bellhousing included, and be good to go on that front. (I thought they also came with an 8.25, but the I4 dakotas came with the 7.25 axle). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70barracuda Posted May 30, 2019 Author Share Posted May 30, 2019 Yeah it's 2wd and staying that way. And that would be the best option but that Dakota trans is pretty rare from my understanding. At least the bell housing that is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 17 minutes ago, 70barracuda said: Yeah it's 2wd and staying that way. And that would be the best option but that Dakota trans is pretty rare from my understanding. At least the bell housing that is. Do a want ad for it I know that Pete just bought one I don't know if he's willing to sell it or not they are around you'll find them I'll check eBay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 Advance Adapters is another option, they make a kit to put the AX4/AX5 bell on an AX15, it's spendy but less work than tracking down the Dakota stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 If finding a 2wd ax5 is difficult, and finding a 2.5/ax15 Dakota is difficult, would the answer not end up being whichever option you stumble upon first? Dakota I'm pretty sure will be external slave, I imagine trying to track down an external slave wouldn't exactly make the search for a 2wd ax5 any easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega_rugal Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 the ax15 stands the torque of the VM diesels, a humble 2.5l won´t even scratch it, and the trouble of finding a dakota bellhousing... why not use some light duty GM tranny? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjy_26 Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 1 hour ago, omega_rugal said: the ax15 stands the torque of the VM diesels, a humble 2.5l won´t even scratch it, and the trouble of finding a dakota bellhousing... why not use some light duty GM tranny? A T5 *should* work, no? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega_rugal Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 6 minutes ago, benjy_26 said: A T5 *should* work, no? out of a s10 or anything with the chevy pattern yes, just mod/fab the rear support Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbulliwagen Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 If using a pure Chevy trans, there may be an issue with the crank sensor mounting, not sure that it would even have a place for one or if it did, be in the right place. be sure to research that before buying one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 already traded mine away. car-part.com can help you find a 2.5 dakota trans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMO413 Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 http://www.car-part.com/cgi-bin/quoteForm.cgi?type=i&sEmail=midwestrecyclers@msn.com&email=&part=Transmission Assembly&dbPart=400.1&dbSubPart=&model=Dodge Dakota&dbModel=22.14.1.1&year=1998&stockNum=21024&price=850&desc=STOCK%23 %2321024&name=Midwest Auto Recyclers&url=http://www.MidwestRecyclers.com&int=%40%3F%40D&broker=0&recycler=0&selleruserid=2754&miles=-1&condition=-1&userid=1000&uIMS=&seqNum=11000000094551493&userClaim=&userLang=&userZip=52501 The Dakota tranny's are out there. As Pete said car-part.com if you normally use your phone they have an app. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70barracuda Posted May 31, 2019 Author Share Posted May 31, 2019 The Chevy trans won't work because the CPS, at least it doesn't look like it. Also that would need some Fab work. Sticking with the ax15 would need different parts but it's all bolt on. Minus the driveshaft needing to be cut down. Looks like I will just wait for a Dakota ax15 to pop up. Tons of them with the 6 cylinder around me. Go figure. Eventually I would like to v8 swap it so if I get the ax15 now down the road I could use the trans and just swap bell housings back and forth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMO413 Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 Where are you located? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70barracuda Posted May 31, 2019 Author Share Posted May 31, 2019 2 hours ago, JMO413 said: Where are you located? Central Jersey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMO413 Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 http://www.tandeautowreckers.com/ These guys show a Dakota trans available. There are a bunch in New York. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega_rugal Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 On 5/30/2019 at 4:22 PM, dasbulliwagen said: If using a pure Chevy trans, there may be an issue with the crank sensor mounting, not sure that it would even have a place for one or if it did, be in the right place. drill a hole for it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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