Topic: ax5 problem

[95jeeper]

It started about a year ago with the 5th gear not working. Now the tranny is about shoot. I still have 1st-4th but every shift is a grind. I can't even downshift without having everyone around looking at me thinging i can't drive a standard.  What shoud i do? Conversion? or get the ax5 rebuilt and probably go through the same thing all over.

I have looked into a conversion a little but am not sure. I saw i could go with the nv4500 or the nv3550.  I thing the nv4500 requires a body lift.

Any info would be great.

[Jeffy]

How much money, time and fabrication skill do you have?

If you have neither then put rebuilt AX-5 in there.  Sounds like the retainer clip broke on 5th gear and your syncro's are going.  Or else, your clutch.

In some way's it's easier to swap in a NV4500 since you can buy them as a kit.  I believe the parts are around $600.  Then you have to buy the transmission.  A NV3550 will require hunting down a bunch of parts and fabing upyour own brackets.  You could also go with a 4-speed like a SM420 or SM465, too.  Granny 1st but no OD.

[95jeeper]

my fab skill are okay.
I thought it was the clucth too so i got i replaced and found out it was not the problem.  

If you or anyone knows a website or info were i can find a conversion please reply

[Jeffy]

my fab skill are okay.
I thought it was the clucth too so i got i replaced and found out it was not the problem.  

If you or anyone knows a website or info were i can find a conversion please reply

Is the clutch blead properly?

What conversion are you looking at doing?  Maybe doing a search will help.  Most have been discussed and have links to other info.

[YJmechanic]

the 4500 is too big for the application. you'll never need that much tranny.  Plus the tranny is about $4k.  call high impact driveline and get their nv3500 conversion kit.  I is a complete kit for $2200 including the tranny.  Then you just need the drive shafts.  That is what I'm going to next.  For the time being I have a rebuilt ax5 because I didn't have the time or money at the time mine went.  If you rebuild locktight the fifth gear cluster pack and you won't loose fifth gear again.

[Jeffy]

the 4500 is too big for the application. you'll never need that much tranny.  Plus the tranny is about $4k.  call high impact driveline and get their nv3500 conversion kit.  I is a complete kit for $2200 including the tranny.  Then you just need the drive shafts.  That is what I'm going to next.  For the time being I have a rebuilt ax5 because I didn't have the time or money at the time mine went.  If you rebuild locktight the fifth gear cluster pack and you won't loose fifth gear again.

'Too big' and 'never need'?  Well, that all depends on what you want to end up with.  If you're thinking about doubling down with ultea low gears and big meat then it might be fine.  Also, if you're wanting to setup the drivetrain now and then eventually swap engines at a later day, it would make sense to do it.  You just have to decide your path ahead of time or else you'll be paying for things twice later on down the road.

Also keep in mind that you can get a NV4500 for around $1800 for the transmission alone. Not $4000.  Then $5-600 for the adapters and you're looking at only $200 difference from a NV3550 swap.  The only downside is that the NV4500 is heavy, very heavy and it's big, but you'll probably never need to worry about it again.  Although if you're not going to go with really low gearing or an engine swap it's all moot.

If the Jeep is mostly and you're not rockcrawling then I'd just swap in a salvaged AX5 and call it good.

[95jeeper]

i wouldn't mind going with a rebuilt AX-5 but will it hold up and is there anything i can do to help is hold the stress of pulling 33" tires.

[Jeffy]

5th gear retained clip probably broke from lugging the engine.  The clip doesn't like the pounding from being lugged.  (ie., keeping the transmission in 5th while at speeds slower then 45mph.)  The syncro's get beat up over time depending on your driving habits and how you shift. (ie., do you shift smoothly?)

[yellowta]

I see you're in Mississippi, I'm in Baton Rouge, LA. I've got a remanufactured nv3550 that I could be convinced to sell for $600. It's basically brand new, I never got around to getting it in. Now I'm cought up with building a house and need every spare minute and dime available! I've even got a dakota bellhousing to mate it to the 2.5 that I could throw in the deal  :D

[95jeeper]

I see you're in Mississippi, I'm in Baton Rouge, LA. I've got a remanufactured nv3550 that I could be convinced to sell for $600. It's basically brand new, I never got around to getting it in. Now I'm cought up with building a house and need every spare minute and dime available! I've even got a dakota bellhousing to mate it to the 2.5 that I could throw in the deal  :D

Wow, that's awesome. I live in picayune which is only about 2 hours away or so.  I'm instrested in the trans. how old is it? (if known) When you got it redone did you get the first to second gear thing done. I read that those trannys have a stiff shift through those gears and can be fixed. The bellhousing sounds like it would make a real deal :D

[yellowta]

It was purchased from pheonix remanufacturing last year. I then bought it from a guy here in LA4x4 after he changed his mind on his v8 swap. He didn't mention anything about the first to second gear thing, just that it had the 4:1 first gear and all. It has the throwout bearing retainer for a chevy and a chevy throw out bearing on it currently, and will need to be swapped with a stock jeep 4.0 peice. It's a pretty simple fix.  This piece:



Just a few bolts and you're done. Here is a pic with the pheonix reman plate, you can call them and ask about the number on it

[95jeeper]

If you don't mind sending me a email we can arrange a day of pick up and give directions. I'd rather have it done this way seems saver.  Please reply soon :wink: