Topic: converting a 2.5 to 4.0 in Dakota chassis, Tranny/bellhousing issue

[Bigboi]

So after much deliberation, and much thought, i am going to buy another pickup truck and then use my dakota for a project... The Plan, Remove the 2.5 i just Rebuilt, find another chassis for it, possibly a dakota short box..

The 98 Dakota 2.5 LWB Single Cab AX-15 5 Speed Truck, Drop a 4.0 Jeep Engine, i know this isnt the forum for it, my truck is cross-bred but i am running Dodge Dakota  and will be swapping my 2.5 into another chassis, after i find a blown 2.5 dakota on CL

theres one problem, I need at least a bellhousing to fit the AX-15 2wd Transmission, at least i think so, the spline count is the next detail i need to find, i was told theyre the same, all i can find are 4wds, i am totally into doing it, no ones seen a Dakota 4.0 straight 6 5 speed...



**EDIT** i dont see a 2wd 4.0  5 speed transmision, im guessing thats a comanche transmission?**

[dwtaylorpdx]

All the wrangler 4.0 engines with a 5 speed had AX15's..
Maybe I'm misreading the issue? They also sold Cherokees,
with 5 speeds, 2wd and a 4.0...

[Jeffy]

You, might want to measure a 4.0L with accessories to make sure it would fit without major firewall surgery before starting.

Like what Dave said, look for a Cherokee or Comanche with 2wd and the 4.0L.  They weren't build in nearly the same numbers as the 4WD's so it might be hard to find one.  You could also look for a ZJ in 2WD but again, not too common.  2WD XJ's tend to have Sport wheels and not unlimited.  They could also have 9-slot wheels which are the base wheels.

Otherwise, you migth see what other transmissions that will bolt to the 4.0L.  I think the Toyota R154 is basically the same transmission with shorter gears.  I'm not sure if it will bolt to the AX-15 bellhousing though.  Would be cool to have a Tremoc T-56 Magnum XL.  That would take some research though.  They do have GM 90* bolt patterns bellhousings.

[sharpxmen]

any Jeep 4.0L bellhousing with 5 spd manual will fit your transmission, I did the other way around - used a Dakota bellhousing to adapt an NV3550 to the 4 cyl (same as AX15 though). I can't remember if there was an internal slave on the AX15 so watch out for that (just in case it was)

[dwtaylorpdx]

I "think" they all went external after mid 94.. ?? Mine is external on the AX5....

[Jeffy]

The 1993 Model Year was internal but different then the 1992.  In either case 1993 Model Year is a year unto itself.  1994 Model Year was an external unit.

The reason being, Jeep got a supply of bad slave cylinders in 91/92 and they tried to fix it.  They ended up changing suppliers.

[Bigboi]

All the wrangler 4.0 engines with a 5 speed had AX15's..
Maybe I'm misreading the issue? They also sold Cherokees,
with 5 speeds, 2wd and a 4.0...

My dad says the same, but ive never seen a 2wd 5spd cherokee, that is what im told ill need to do this swap

[Jeffy]

My dad says the same, but ive never seen a 2wd 5spd cherokee, that is what im told ill need to do this swap

A 2wd 4.0L 5-speed is a rare bird.  Most XJ's are going to be 4wd and most of those are going to be automatics.  In the later years just about all the 4wd, 4.0L's were automatics and 4drs.

[Bigboi]

i went on a search for a 4.0 2wd 5speed, and theyre all 1990-1995, my dad suggested i go carb, but i disagree, because id eventually like to turbo the damn thing one day.... ive kept this truck 2 years, ive never kept any vehicle over 6 months, but this dakota has made me well over the $850 i spend initially + 2 Engine Rebuilds

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/4806394104.html

they are $850-$1500 for a 2wd 5speed, but id still have the shell left over from the jeep, so id be able to sell that later