Trading out my T-176 for a AX-15

[GatorBate]

I Thinking about replacing my T-176 in my 81 CJ5 (AMC 304 ) for a AX-15. The AX-15 has a little lower first gear and I'm thinking that the over drive would be handy because eventually I want to put low-max gear in the Transfer Case . I think this would give me a fairly good low end and with the over drive I would still have decent speed between obstacles as well as improved highway drive ability. What will it take to make the swap and what are your thoughts on this idea?

 

[73CJ]

Sounds like a good plan.

Check this one out:

The AX15 Transmission - Novak Conversions

 

[GatorBate]

So, it looks like I will need an adapter to go from the ax15 to my Dana 300 . What about the bell housing. Will the ax15 bolt up to my T-176 bell or will the ax15 bolt to the AMC 304 ?

 

[Kane]

Find out how much longer the AX-15 and Dana 300 adapter is compared to the T-176 because your driveshaft may become too short for practical usage. Your drive shaft is most likely only 17 inches now.

 

[GatorBate]

Well as near as I can tell the ax-15 setup will be about 4.5 inches longer than the T-176 . Would a lift kit give me enough room for the drive shaft? Has anyone out there tried this mod?

 

[stoney bones]

my question is, (im planning the same) is the NP 231 t case better than the Dana 300 ? i found a np231 attached to a ax15 for sale. would it be easier to install that combo? or does the np 231 come with new challenges for fitments?

 

[GatorBate]

I am no expert on the subject yet. but i think that the NP231 front driveshaft is on the left side and your Dana 30 differential is on the right hand side. Kane may have a point about the short driveshaft on my CJ5 . however your CJ7 driveshaft is about 10 inches longer than the CJ5 . I have not been able to find any information about a bell housing that will go between the AMC engine and the ax15 Transmission . I've sent an email to Novak asking if this can be done. They specialize in conversion kits for jeeps. I'll see what they have to say on the subject.

 

[Kane]

The 7 will have no issues with the 5 speed as they came stock with them but the np231 exits the wrong side for you passenger drop fornt axle. You would need another Dana 30 from a wrangler and then you most likely would have to reroute your exhaust to clear the new components.

Gator I have heard of 5 owners who put T-5 5 speeds in there vehicles before but they were stock height. Maybe you could get away with installing and electric fan and then moving your motor forward a few inches for the needed length. Also the early Dana 300 's had short output shafts. I cannot remember the exact years but I think it was 79 and 80. This would help as well. Maybe you have one now.

 

[GatorBate]

I just received a answer from Novak. They assured me that it is possible to put the ax-15 5 speed in a CJ5 and they sent a list of parts needed for this mod. The list included an electric fan. So, I'm thinking I will need to move my engine forward a few inches.

 

[red dog seven]

So I am new here and was searching different mods I would like to accomplish. I apologize if the answer is already there and I am missing it but I was wondering if you ever got this done as I was thinking about doing this in my 78 CJ5 .

 

[GatorBate]

:ww:
No I decided against this. with 3.31 gears in the diffs it is all the AMC 304 can do to push it down the highway. At the time I was thinking of putting 4:1 gears in the Transfer Case . I did not like the idea of lowering the top speed in low range and though that a 5th gear would give me back the speed. I went ahead and put in the 4:1 and found that fourth and under is just below first gear in high range. So, if I want to go faster I just shift into high range. It would increase my crawl ratio from 46.60 to 50.71 with it's lower first gear. But I can achieve almost the same crawl ratio by putting 3.54 gears in the diffs. (49.84)

I still have the parts list that Novak sent me. If you want it, PM me with your email address I will forward it to you.