Auto to manual transmission swap (TF-727 to AX-15) in a 1991 Grand Wagoneer

[mdill]

The 258/360/4.0 all had the same bolt pattern/crank offset, crank bolt pattern ... Bolt up deal (there are a couple that might need work (~10:00 and 2:00 o-clock bolts, not used on the I-6 but are on the V8)

Originally Posted by msh227

I know this is an older thread....... but did I miss how you connected the bellhousing to the engine? Does the AX15 bellhousing bolt right to the 360 or did you have to make your own adaptor?

Thanks

[Jeepguy77]

You only need an adapter for the tcase. If you go with an NP231 you don't need it. But other NP cases and dana 300 cases need a spacer plate. I found that you can bolt a dana 20 to it with an adapter. Advance has them cheaper than Novak.

[mdill]

There is the wierd ~7/8" that pops up depending on what Jeep case to what tranny you are swaping. (I think Novak has the data on what needs it what does not )

Originally Posted by Jeepguy77

You only need an adapter for the tcase. If you go with an NP231 you don't need it. But other NP cases and dana 300 cases need a spacer plate. I found that you can bolt a dana 20 to it with an adapter. Advance has them cheaper than Novak.

[Carnuck]

When I test fit the NP208 and NP229 I had to an AX-15 and AW4 ('91 up for 23 spline) the spacer ring was 15/16" thick. Thinner than that and it would bind up the trans and/or tcase.

[fulsizjeep]

awesome picture!

[MtnYJ]

Originally Posted by msh227

I know this is an older thread....... but did I miss how you connected the bellhousing to the engine? Does the AX15 bellhousing bolt right to the 360 or did you have to make your own adaptor?

Thanks

The others summed it up pretty well. No adapter was needed on the engine/transmission side. It's been a while, I don't recall exactly which bolt, but one of the stock bellhousing to block bolts from the Waggy was too long to use with the AX-15; difference in thickness of the 727 and AX-15 bell housing castings in that area I believe.

Flint re-posted the picture of the only "adapter" required on that side!

[81cherokee laredo]

Awesome write up someone needs to add this to the archives

[jaber]

Thanks for the writeup.

[Lindel]

Should be the same between the 4.0 and the 360.

[Jonathan M.]

MtnYJ, Hey there, I was looking to do the same swap on my 83 Wagoneer. I have heard both good and bad things about the AX 15 I was just wondering how the swap has gone for you? Have you had any failures or other problems related to the swap?

[Carnuck]

Originally Posted by Lindel

Should be the same between the 4.0 and the 360.

Same pattern but different flywheel balance.

[Pillow]

Like! I just pulled the manual pedal set from the 73 J4000 to use on the 83 Cherokee. Let's see how that goes.

It looks like a factory hydraulic master exists from 79 on... Hopefully the old and new work together

Thanks for the write-up!

[rocklaurence]

I've got an AX15 in my 81 Cherokee with hydraulic TO bearing lever.

[j10jim]

since we are reviving the old thread, I would like to discuss the tcase shifter and such. I have a 208 behind my 727 and really want to move away from the flag shifter to one like you have. What shifter did you use and what other details can you share?

thanks

[acct21]

OP hasn't posted anywhere on the site in over 2 years. I would not recommend holding up your build until he does!

He did mention in one of the earlier posts in the thread that the linkage was recycled 727 shifter linkage. The shifter looks like any bog-standard straight shot floor shifter. You could really use any straight shot (or dog-leg) 208 shifter (or a universal, for that matter), just as long as you know the shift pattern on the 208 (assuming the shift pattern doesn't match what is written on the ball).

This is the Chevy shifter they used for decades. It has a dogleg/"z" gate plate, but only the handle pivots -- the linkage beneath just goes back and forth.

[bwwhaler]

I can get in touch with him and let him know you have questions about it...

[j10jim]

ACCT21 thanks for the info. I may have to go that route.

bwwhaler if you could that would be great.

Thanks guys!

[MtnYJ]

Originally Posted by j10jim

since we are reviving the old thread, I would like to discuss the tcase shifter and such. I have a 208 behind my 727 and really want to move away from the flag shifter to one like you have. What shifter did you use and what other details can you share?

thanks

Hi there fellas, it's been a while since I visited here! As far as the shifter goes, if I remember correctly I used the shifter out of the same J truck that donated the NP-208. I don't recall it even being as complex as acct21's pictures - I'm pretty sure I just used the pivot point that bolts to the floor. That pivot holds a simple t-case shifter rod, then the bottom end is connected to the modified 727 linkage pieces. I know that's still not a ton of detail, but it is pretty simple linkage, and works extremely well. There's no binding at all, I can pretty much shift into/out of 4WD with one finger.

We drove the Waggy nearly everyday until Fall 2015, when we lost a head gasket. The transmission swap never gave us a minute worth of trouble. We parked it and decided to build the wife a CJ. The Waggy is the next project, and will be getting an LS, NV-4500, and Dana 300.

[Pillow]

Originally Posted by MtnYJ

The Waggy is the next project, and will be getting an LS, NV-4500, and Dana 300.

Approved

[Rod2]

I want your 5th over gear to put in my T-18; of course I want you to do the engineering and the mechanicals.