Should I go with a rebuilt BA10/5 or something else?

[Siskiyou Mike]

My Comanche has been a workhorse since I bought her in 1989. This week alone she has carried a few loads of gravel (at least 2500 pounds a load), moved topsoil, and carried a load of wood. She has about 170,000 miles, and the only sign of wear is that the BA10/5 transmission has been gradually getting sticky and a little bit more difficult over the years. I know that most everyone says that the BA10/5 is junk, and that it would be foolish to not switch to something like an AX15, but I just do not have the mechanical skills to do any transmission work let alone a complicated swap (I do my oil changes and plugs, but I have learned that sometimes it is best to "let the baker bake" rather than attempt to do something I am not trained to do). Anyway, I have seen that it is possible to buy a rebuilt BA10/5 for a reasonable price online and I was wondering if this would be the easiest route? Or should I ask a transmission shop what they would charge to switch over to an AX15? I assume either way that the transfer case should/would be rebuilt as well, and a new clutch put in? The truck has worked very well for me for so many years, so I do not mind spending a few thousand to keep her on the road, but I am unsure of what would be my best option. Lastly, would you wait until the transmission gets bad before addressing the problem or would you fix it before it breaks? Thanks for any input you have, and here is a picture of my Comanche working today.

[87MJTIM]

I swapped in an AX15 with an external slave cylinder several years ago.  My issue with the BA10 was the external slave cylinders.  In approx. 25 years, it was on its fifth slave cylinder.  Some lasted many years; one lasted just 2+ years.  My transmission was never a problem.

 

That said, if you switch to an AX15, there a several other parts needed for a conversion: a matching t-case (if 4x4), the cross member, the transmission mounting bracket, the exhaust pipe hanger, and the t-case shifter linkage (if 4x4).  If I missed something, other may add them.  If you convert to an external slave cylinder, you will need the correct bell housing, front bearing cover, release fork, and proper clutch kit. Also, you need the hydraulic clutch system.

 

You can find most of the parts in a local junk yard from a manual XJ.

 

i gathered all the parts then did swap in my driveway over one weekend - by my self.  I am not a mechanic, but I am "YouTube Certified."  Don't let it intimidate you.  It is just a bunch of nuts and bolts.

[Pete M]

over the years I've heard too many horror stories of rebuilt Peugeots not lasting. 

 

how old is the oil in the transmission?

[87MJTIM]

On YouTube, "the Fast Lane Truck" channel did a series on an MJ.  One episode had them pay to get a BA 10 rebuilt.  They spent about $2000 to rebuild it.  After that, it surprisingly was still a BA10!!!

 

 

[75sv1]

Last time I looked, the synchronizers for Ba-10/5 were $300. I think that was 20 years back. 

[Siskiyou Mike]

4 hours ago, 87MJTIM said:

I swapped in an AX15 with an external slave cylinder several years ago.  My issue with the BA10 was the external slave cylinders.  In approx. 25 years, it was on its fifth slave cylinder.  Some lasted many years; one lasted just 2+ years.  My transmission was never a problem.

 

That said, if you switch to an AX15, there a several other parts needed for a conversion: a matching t-case (if 4x4), the cross member, the transmission mounting bracket, the exhaust pipe hanger, and the t-case shifter linkage (if 4x4).  If I missed something, other may add them.  If you convert to an external slave cylinder, you will need the correct bell housing, front bearing cover, release fork, and proper clutch kit. Also, you need the hydraulic clutch system.

 

You can find most of the parts in a local junk yard from a manual XJ.

 

i gathered all the parts then did swap in my driveway over one weekend - by my self.  I am not a mechanic, but I am "YouTube Certified."  Don't let it intimidate you.  It is just a bunch of nuts and bolts.

Good point! I am still on my original internal slave cylinder, but I sure would hate to have to replace one soon on a rebuilt. Perhaps I could start collecting the needed parts and then locate someone with BA10/5 swap. Thanks for the input.

[Siskiyou Mike]

4 hours ago, Pete M said:

over the years I've heard too many horror stories of rebuilt Peugeots not lasting. 

 

how old is the oil in the transmission?

The oil in the transmission is old. It was replaced only once, which I believe was about 50,000 miles ago.

[Pete M]

time to get on that.    fresh oil can make a world of difference.  it takes a weird square metric bit to undo the plugs.  I just took an old 3/8" ratchet extension and filed it down a hair so it'd fit.  be sure to undo the fill first, then the drain.  that way if you have issues with the fill plug, you aren't stranded with a trans with no oil.  

[Siskiyou Mike]

3 hours ago, 87MJTIM said:

On YouTube, "the Fast Lane Truck" channel did a series on an MJ.  One episode had them pay to get a BA 10 rebuilt.  They spent about $2000 to rebuild it.  After that, it surprisingly was still a BA10!!!

 

 

Thanks for sharing the video. Perhaps I really should consider the AX15 swap (or anything with an external slave cylinder).  I believe I can purchase what I need to do the swap, but I would then only feel comfortable with using someone with enough experience to do the swap correctly. 

[Siskiyou Mike]

If a transmission oil change would help it shift better, well, I am all for trying it. Should I go with the original fluid? (I believe my owner's manual says to use 75w-90 gear fluid)

[Pete M]

yes, 75/90.   

[JMO413]

On 5/3/2022 at 5:43 PM, Siskiyou Mike said:

If a transmission oil change would help it shift better, well, I am all for trying it. Should I go with the original fluid? (I believe my owner's manual says to use 75w-90 gear fluid)

Red Line (50304) MT-90 75W-90 GL-4 Manual Transmission and Transaxle Lubricant - 1 Quart https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CPCBEQ/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_6X095PSP24HYXVWTH66A

 

I used this and it works great.

 

[ghetdjc320]

There are some complete swap kits also available I believe from DeadJeep. They include the mounts, transmission, bellhousing transfer case etc. Under 2k last I checked. Seen them in eBay several times as well.

 

That being said, I also never had a problem the the ba10 in my YJ. Wheeled it quite a bit and even towed with no issues but who knows  I’ve also had great success with Dana 35’s lol. 

[JMO413]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/284286961907?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=2xeLEv-2QuS&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=I_ogJV9bR2a&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

 

[Siskiyou Mike]

On 5/5/2022 at 7:20 AM, ghetdjc320 said:

There are some complete swap kits also available I believe from DeadJeep. They include the mounts, transmission, bellhousing transfer case etc. Under 2k last I checked. Seen them in eBay several times as well.

 

That being said, I also never had a problem the the ba10 in my YJ. Wheeled it quite a bit and even towed with no issues but who knows  I’ve also had great success with Dana 35’s lol. 

Thanks for the headsup about DeadJeep.