BA10 to AX15 swap

[thug3]

I know this has to have been asked a thousand times before but, I have an 89 MJ 2WD 4.0 with the BA10 that I desperately want to swap in an AX15 with external slave. My only question is, Is there someone out there that has modified or modifies the crossmember to fit the AX15?   Is it even possible?  I thought I read once that someone did but can't seem to find any info on it anymore. 

 Thanks for any help or advice, Tony

[87MJTIM]

I don't think you can easily modify the BA10 to fit the AX15.  The AX15 crossmember has a drop in it to fit the "taller" trans.  Unless you can cut and re-weld the pieces, it would be easier to find the proper crossmember.

[thug3]

yeah, that's what I'm afraid of. can't seem to find one...

[MiNi Beast]

umm pretty sure you can use the same crossmember if move back a hole. Also would need new trans mount. 

[Pete M]

in theory you can use the peugeot crossmember with an AX-15 mount, move it back to the new holes, and use a 1" t-case drop to accommodate the height difference.   

[JustEmptyEveryPocket]

14 minutes ago, MiNi Beast said:

umm pretty sure you can use the same crossmember

And you can cut the floor out of your truck and flinstone it down the road. Not that I would recommend either option. At least not without very careful consideration and numerated reasoning.

 

On to the OP's question:

 

Reliable sources agree you need the AX-15 cross member for the aforementioned step-down portion. However, there is a way around it. Check out THIS THREAD for photos and explanations. Although, let me emphasize again that an AX-15 cross member would be best. To find one, I highly recommend searching and calling people through car-part.com. Check out THIS LINK to see different cross members. Note there are automatics and manuals mixed together, so do a little searching. But I bet you can find one semi close and get it shipped in for fairly cheap.

[Liketosmash]

I used a modified BA-10 cross member mounted to the same holes when I did my AX-15 swap.  This is also the same as the AX-5 Cross member I have.

 

In my experience, I had to notch out the cross member to the weld seam and then weld a plate on top.  I then used a Daystar KJ01006BK poly mount connected directly to the transmission and cross member.  That polymount seems to be shorter than the comparable rubber mount but the rubber one would compress more.  So maybe there is no real difference.

 

It was a pain to be honest but part of that was my transfer case was also being clocked too high as the ax-15 I have was off a wrangler and I used the transfer case from the MJ.  I am sure there is a better way.

 

I believe you could space the cross member down just as easily and that might be the better option.  I was just too stubborn as I had already hammered up a portion of the floor to clear the corner of the transfer case.