Baystate Jeepers

so i was wonder how to find out what year and type of ax-15 i have (someone told me their are tons of different style ax-15's) because its out their sitting in the shed and i have so far 2 people offering to buy it and i was just wondering... shouldn't it just slap right on any ordinary 4.0 and be able to hook up to a preexisting ax-15 Tcase or is their more involved?

i do know the transmission is out of a 2.5 dakota or durango.. something like that also it didn't come with a t-case

Check tranny part number on the tag located on the top of the tranny by the shift tower.
Usually green printing on a silver foil tag.

53005360 1989-91
53005385 1989-91
53005386 1989-91
53007862 1992
53007863 1992-93
53007864 1992-93
53009528 1992-93
53009529 1992-93
53009530 1992-93
52108010 1993
53009526 1992-96
52108036 1994-96
52108047 1994-96
52108048 1994-96
52108050 1994-96
52109035 1994-96
52108465 1996
52107811 1997
52107812 1997
52108532 1997

thanks kurt, ill check that when i get home. so do they all have the same bellhousing setups or??

AFIK there were 2 different AX-15 bell housings.
The older ones were for internal clutch slave setups and the "newer" ones were for external slaves.

Don't know what Dodge used for setups. But I do know in Jeeps that early (89-91) AX-15's used a 5/8" snout on the input shaft and later all used 3/4" snouts. Jeeps also were all 23 spline output shafts. '94/'95 was when they made the switch from the internal slave to the external.

If it was behind a 2.5, you sure it's an AX-15 and not an AX-5?????

If it's a 2wd AX-15, you're not gonna be able to hook it up to a t-case (Yes Joe, I know it would work with a divorced mount case) The output shaft of a 2wd trans is LONG!!! And would require tearing down the case to swap in a 4wd shaft and 4wd rear case adapter.

johnsxj wrote:Don't know what Dodge used for setups. But I do know in Jeeps that early (89-91) AX-15's used a 5/8" snout on the input shaft and later all used 3/4" snouts. Jeeps also were all 23 spline output shafts. '94/'95 was when they made the switch from the internal slave to the external.

If it was behind a 2.5, you sure it's an AX-15 and not an AX-5?????

If it's a 2wd AX-15, you're not gonna be able to hook it up to a t-case (Yes Joe, I know it would work with a divorced mount case) The output shaft of a 2wd trans is LONG!!! And would require tearing down the case to swap in a 4wd shaft and 4wd rear case adapter.

i just remembered this... the ax-15 is out of aether a tj or yj and the bell housing is out of a 97-98 2.5 dodge with the ax-15... and the flywheel from the 2.5 dodge with the pilot bushing... and the clutch assembly out of an old camaro... idk why that but it works i guess lol

but idk if i should find an ax-15 Tcase or use the 21 spline ax-5's tcase with the 23 spline AA conversion kit

Just
Everyone
Else's
Parts

To re-use your existing 21 spline tcase you'd need to swap out the 21 spline tcase input gear with a 23 spline input so that it'll mate up with the AX-15's 23 spline output shaft.
Or... find a used 23 spline tcase

Kurt wrote:To re-use your existing 21 spline tcase you'd need to swap out the 21 spline tcase input gear with a 23 spline input so that it'll mate up with the AX-15's 23 spline output shaft.
Or... find a used 23 spline tcase

so the tcase i have on their now is a 231 J which are light duty and im guessing that the ones that come on the ax-15's are a medium duty Tcase so wouldn't it be better to find an ax-15 T-case? or not as cost affective as getting this http://advanceadapters.com/product/2468/716095.html


well just did some research and the ax-5 and ax-15 use the same 231 T-case do the ax-15 version just have stronger supports




Sources:
http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/ax15.htm
http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/np231.htm

I thought there was a different spline count on the output of the AX5 vs. AX15... Same for the input of the t-case.

JW

johnsxj wrote:If it's a 2wd AX-15, you're not gonna be able to hook it up to a t-case (Yes Joe, I know it would work with a divorced mount case)

wesley4x4 wrote:i just remembered this... the ax-15 is out of aether a tj or yj and the bell housing is out of a 97-98 2.5 dodge with the ax-15... and the flywheel from the 2.5 dodge with the pilot bushing... and the clutch assembly out of an old camaro... idk why that but it works i guess lol

but idk if i should find an ax-15 Tcase or use the 21 spline ax-5's tcase with the 23 spline AA conversion kit

Wes, is this the AX15 that I found from Chu? If so, it was already run behind a Jeep 2.5L. If you have the flywheel and clutch assembly, you're ready to rock and roll. The Dodge 2.5L was the same AMC mill in Jeeps, so everything should bolt right over. The only thing you might need to make up, is the clutch line from the master to slave (and take care of the t-case input spline).

wesley4x4 wrote:so the tcase i have on their now is a 231 J which are light duty and im guessing that the ones that come on the ax-15's are a medium duty Tcase so wouldn't it be better to find an ax-15 T-case? or not as cost affective as getting this http://advanceadapters.com/product/2468/716095.html

well just did some research and the ax-5 and ax-15 use the same 231 T-case do the ax-15 version just have stronger supports

The NP231J (J = Jeep) is the same unit as an NP231C (Chevy), and other manufacturers...The only major difference is the input spline count and input shaft stickout length. The four cylinder NP231 and six cylinder NP231 are just about identical and EQUAL in strength. I have never heard of a failed 21 spline input.


Why don't you make a list of the components you DO have (clutch, etc.) and we can finger out what you need.
Post up some pics too. This should be a straight forward swap. If you have to, Chu's a nice guy and I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you gave him a buzz for a couple questions.

ZAEDOCK wrote:

johnsxj wrote:If it's a 2wd AX-15, you're not gonna be able to hook it up to a t-case (Yes Joe, I know it would work with a divorced mount case)

wesley4x4 wrote:i just remembered this... the ax-15 is out of aether a tj or yj and the bell housing is out of a 97-98 2.5 dodge with the ax-15... and the flywheel from the 2.5 dodge with the pilot bushing... and the clutch assembly out of an old camaro... idk why that but it works i guess lol

but idk if i should find an ax-15 Tcase or use the 21 spline ax-5's tcase with the 23 spline AA conversion kit

Wes, is this the AX15 that I found from Chu? If so, it was already run behind a Jeep 2.5L. If you have the flywheel and clutch assembly, you're ready to rock and roll. The Dodge 2.5L was the same AMC mill in Jeeps, so everything should bolt right over. The only thing you might need to make up, is the clutch line from the master to slave (and take care of the t-case input spline).

wesley4x4 wrote:so the tcase i have on their now is a 231 J which are light duty and im guessing that the ones that come on the ax-15's are a medium duty Tcase so wouldn't it be better to find an ax-15 T-case? or not as cost affective as getting this http://advanceadapters.com/product/2468/716095.html

well just did some research and the ax-5 and ax-15 use the same 231 T-case do the ax-15 version just have stronger supports

The NP231J (J = Jeep) is the same unit as an NP231C (Chevy), and other manufacturers...The only major difference is the input spline count and input shaft stickout length. The four cylinder NP231 and six cylinder NP231 are just about identical and EQUAL in strength. I have never heard of a failed 21 spline input.


Why don't you make a list of the components you DO have (clutch, etc.) and we can finger out what you need.
Post up some pics too. This should be a straight forward swap. If you have to, Chu's a nice guy and I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you gave him a buzz for a couple questions.

yes it is the one from chu and thanks again joe ill take some photo's in the AM but here is what i have right now off the top of my head

Clutch:
+Driven Plate
+pressure plate
+AA 42" Clutch Line Stainless Hose
+New Release Bearing/Sleeve

Transmission:
+AX-15

Flywheel:
+Dakota 2.5 flywheel
+AX-15 Pilot bushing

Things i know i need

transfer case shifter bracket ($38.33)
http://advanceadapters.com/product/2565/715542.html

NP231 23 spline long input gear ($191.90)
http://advanceadapters.com/product/2468/716095.html

SYE
should i go with the teraflex extremely short SYE +TW ($529.95)
http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/tera-f ... -3788.html

or the Advanced adapters SYE +TW ($499.00)
http://advanceadapters.com/product/2609/50-7906-TW.html

i think i might need later on before the end of the build:

AX-15 Master rebuild kit ($359.99)
http://www.quadratec.com/products/52170_107.htm

np231 master rebuild kit ($129.99)
http://www.quadratec.com/products/52270_104.htm

wesley4x4 wrote: NP231 23 spline long input gear ($191.90)
http://advanceadapters.com/product/2468/716095.html

SYE
should i go with the teraflex extremely short SYE +TW ($529.95)
http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/tera-f ... -3788.html

or the Advanced adapters SYE +TW ($499.00)
http://advanceadapters.com/product/2609/50-7906-TW.html


np231 master rebuild kit ($129.99)
http://www.quadratec.com/products/52270_104.htm

Don't piece meal the thing. This NP231HD comes with every upgrade (6 gear planetary, 32 spline output, etc) available. Check these out for one stop shopping: http://www.jbconversions.com/index2.php?pc=1

Keep in mind the AX5/AX15 is supposed to be a PITA to rebuild... It may be easier to buy a new (to you) one.

JW

nostaw wrote:Keep in mind the AX5/AX15 is supposed to be a PITA to rebuild... It may be easier to buy a new (to you) one.

JW

well i got the ax-15 for a good price so rebuilding it is a good option even thow its a PITA

It's not that big a PITA.
Just need to have access to a longer than average puller for getting the gears off and a press to put them back on.
Then there are the usual snap rings to deal with.
A vice to hold it once the case is off makes it easier to work on. See pics below.
To make life easier I'd suggest you follow the step by step instructions in the FSM. There are a number of balls, springs and pins that you want to take out in the right order and of course be sure they get installed again.

A few pics of the innards after removing the front and rear case sections and a few other bits.