Topic: junkyard swap or invest in rebuilt tranny??

[elpablodiablo23]

I have a question for those who have had experience with tranny issues.  I am trying to save money, but I need a reliable daily driver.  I really have close to no money, so I am willing to push "logical" in order to help my wallet...

My transmission has died.  Idk if it fragged, or what yet, I haven't tore it down or even pulled it out for that matter.  But I need my jeep, its  my daily driver.  my question is, should I:

1.  go to a junkyard and get a cheap tranny from a jeep, even though it might contain problems, too?  It feels risk would be high, but price would be low.

2.  Purchase a rebuilt transmission from someone.  price 500-750 it looks like (which hurts), but seems safe.

3.  Grab my trusty "complete jeep overhual manual" and attempt a transmission rebuild?  price:  about 200 for kit.


I have had the pleasure of having issues with the clutch/trans before, so doing the work doesn't intimidate me, but I was wondering what people thought would be the best bang for the buck seeing as I need to save money and complete this quickly. (and try to avoid this predicament again for a while...)

Thank you

[Jeffy]

I would pull one from a TJ.  Then you can get a newer one and depending on the year of your YJ, swap to an external slave while you're at it.

Rebuilt ones don't seem to last very long and you'll be better off getting one that's not been opened.

[elpablodiablo23]

Thanks for the advice.  It would bolt up to a '95 block in a '93...  Do you forsee any problems?  I'll start looking for threads about the swap

[Jeffy]

Your '93 should have a one off internal slave.  You should be able to get any AX-5 and swap it in.  You could reuse your hold clutch and bellhousing but if you're going to get your transmission from a later model Jeep, then you might as well get a TJ and use it's bellhousing.

[Bounty Hunter]

I've had great luck with used AX5 transmissions as long as I run Redline MT90 in them.

[sharpxmen]

I would spend an extra $200 or so to get an AX15 or NV3550 instead if you go the route of Junkyard - you only need a Dakota 2.5L bellhousing, a Camaro 4 cyl clutch disk, a flywheel pilot bushing and a 1'' or so longer clutch slave pushrod. You'll have to trade your t-case for a 23 spline input one so it matches the new tranny but most of the wreckers let you do it when you buy a transmission (you can negotiate). A bit more work but it's def worth it.

[elpablodiablo23]

Cool.  Ill have to see whats laying around the junkyard!