Warren99 Posted August 9, 2020 Share Posted August 9, 2020 I got the new ax15 and np231 all bolted up, pretty much all that's left is to put everything else back in place, but I have an issue. For one, the rubber exhaust bracket thing is about 4 inches too far forward, and two, the transmission mount only has two studs where as I need the four for the cross member. I've thought about swapping over the whole plate from the ba/10 trans, but I'm not sure if the rubber trans mount on it would be strong enough to support the extra weight of the transfer case. MAIN QUESTION: Are the mounting plates from the YJ's the same as the XJ's/MJ's? My problem is there are only two studs coming down from the YJ's trans mount (rubber part), but I need to add a different rubber mount so I can have 4 studs for my cross member. On top of this, I need to relocate the exhaust bracket a few inches back. So, if it can be done, the easiest solution I can think of is to put the old mounting plate on, which would take care of the exhaust bracket, and see if I can find a new rubber trans mount for that plate that has 4 studs. Also, I bought a rubber trans mount already, but the two holes where it mounts to the plate are too far apart, by 3 or 4 inches maybe. Even if that did work, I would still have to figure out the exhaust bracket, which I would probably just cut it off and weld it further back. Don't think its important but I'll include pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted August 9, 2020 Share Posted August 9, 2020 I don't know about a YJ bracket ,but the TJ bracket is close except for the exhaust mount . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren99 Posted August 9, 2020 Author Share Posted August 9, 2020 8 minutes ago, Strokermjcomanche said: I don't know about a YJ bracket ,but the TJ bracket is close except for the exhaust mount . Yeah the one on the bottom looks like the one that came with the YJ, but it has 4 studs instead of 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted August 9, 2020 Share Posted August 9, 2020 2 minutes ago, Warren99 said: Yeah the one on the bottom looks like the one that came with the YJ, but it has 4 studs instead of 2. Got a picture? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted August 9, 2020 Share Posted August 9, 2020 is it possible to simply drill some holes where you need them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren99 Posted August 9, 2020 Author Share Posted August 9, 2020 17 minutes ago, Pete M said: is it possible to simply drill some holes where you need them? I thought about that, not entirely sure but I'm trying to figure out all my options first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted August 9, 2020 Share Posted August 9, 2020 do you have an AX-15 crossmember? and which holes/studs did you use to mount it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren99 Posted August 9, 2020 Author Share Posted August 9, 2020 No, I have the cross member from the ba/10 still. Do I need to get a different cross member? I don't think it would be different since technically it mounts to the transfer case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren99 Posted August 9, 2020 Author Share Posted August 9, 2020 Here's some pictures of the mounts. AX-15 with NP231 BA/10 with no transfer case (previous trans) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren99 Posted August 9, 2020 Author Share Posted August 9, 2020 Oh I should mention, the passenger side stud holding the cross member broke, so I couldn't take it off, just swivel on the broken stud. So if you're wondering why it's sagging to the drivers side that's why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 the AX-15 crossmember has a drop in the center and I believe mounts to a different location on the frame. 1 hour ago, Warren99 said: I don't think it would be different since technically it mounts to the transfer case. nothing mounts to the transfercase but the driveshafts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren99 Posted August 10, 2020 Author Share Posted August 10, 2020 43 minutes ago, Pete M said: nothing mounts to the transfercase but the driveshafts. The plate under it that bolts on with 4 bolts. It bolts to the bottom, on the transfer case, right after the trans ends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 can you snap a photo of what you're seeing? because normally the transmission mount bolts to the transmission. sometimes via a weird plate, but still to the transmission. the t-case hangs off the back of the transmission. are you trying to use a YJ transmission mount plate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren99 Posted August 10, 2020 Author Share Posted August 10, 2020 15 minutes ago, Pete M said: can you snap a photo of what you're seeing? because normally the transmission mount bolts to the transmission. sometimes via a weird plate, but still to the transmission. the t-case hangs off the back of the transmission. I was wrong, it's on the adapter thing in between the trans and transfer case. I marked where I assume the actual transfer case starts, and the four bolts that hold the plate on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiatslug87 Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 Can't see your pic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 Install the proper 4bolt mount on the plate and install the ax15 crossmember and you'll be good to go . Your crossmember will be 3/4 inch higher than what should be on there . Then you can make a bracket to hold your exhaust up . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 3 minutes ago, fiatslug87 said: Can't see your pic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren99 Posted August 10, 2020 Author Share Posted August 10, 2020 12 minutes ago, Strokermjcomanche said: Install the proper 4bolt mount on the plate and install the ax15 crossmember and you'll be good to go . Your crossmember will be 3/4 inch higher than what should be on there . Then you can make a bracket to hold your exhaust up . So what has the proper crossmember for an ax15? Do I have to wait until I find a Cherokee with an ax15, does it also have to be 4wd? The crossmember from the YJ was basically a huge skidplate, I doubt that's what I need but I don't know what I'm talking about so that's why I'm asking for clarification. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 A Cherokee and Comanche crossmember are the same . Unless you see this indent in the crossmember it's not an ax15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren99 Posted August 10, 2020 Author Share Posted August 10, 2020 12 hours ago, Strokermjcomanche said: A Cherokee and Comanche crossmember are the same . Unless you see this indent in the crossmember it's not an ax15 Ok thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren99 Posted August 10, 2020 Author Share Posted August 10, 2020 I'm going to take the mounting plate from the BA10 and swap it onto the bottom of the AX15 and see how everything lines up. If it does, the only two problems I could think of are the cross member is still like an inch too high, and the rubber part of the mount from the BA10 might compress easier than it should, but until I consider doing any serious offroading, I don't think either of these issues are significant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren99 Posted August 10, 2020 Author Share Posted August 10, 2020 The plates don't mount with the same bolt pattern. So what I should have asked earlier was not where to get a proper crossmember, but rather what about the plate the trans mount and trans sandwhiches? Are they all the same on any XJ/MJ with an AX15? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 You need the AX15-specific crossmemeber as mentioned, plus the AX15 specific mount plate that the mount attaches to. Either MJ or XJ, 2 or 4WD, doesn't matter, they are all the same. You'll also need the AX15-specific shifter assembly, basically everything for the shifter except for the handle part. Don't forget the shifter bracket that bolts to the trans/TC at the flange on the driver's side as well as the tunnel bracket and the shift rod. They are all specific to the AX15 and others will not work, to put it simply. That's if your keeping your shifter all stock, if you go aftermarket then disregard. edit: we really need a sticky for this (if there isn't one already). This topic comes up with some regularity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 The crossmember and mount are the same for both MJ and XJs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren99 Posted August 10, 2020 Author Share Posted August 10, 2020 2 minutes ago, mjeff87 said: You need the AX15-specific crossmemeber as mentioned, plus the AX15 specific mount plate that the mount attaches to. Either MJ or XJ, 2 or 4WD, doesn't matter, they are all the same. You'll also need the AX15-specific shifter assembly, basically everything for the shifter except for the handle part. Don't forget the shifter bracket that bolts to the trans/TC at the flange on the driver's side as well as the tunnel bracket and the shift rod. They are all specific to the AX15 and others will not work, to put it simply. That's if your keeping your shifter all stock, if you go aftermarket then disregard. edit: we really need a sticky for this (if there isn't one already). This topic comes up with some regularity. I got all of the shifter assembly, it was from a YJ tho. I'm sure it will fit without having to hammer or cut any metal, not sure how well it will fit through the plastic though. I will worry about that later. Because it was a YJ the mount, crossmember, and bracket are different. I'm not worried about the crossmember being too high though, and if I was I could literally cut the middle or put washers under the bolts or something. I just need a new bracket/mount, only problem is I RARELY see manual cherokees, let alone AX15s. So I will probably just combine elements of the YJ bracket, with my old MJ bracket, and try to make room for the new trans mount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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