I am looking to possibly swap my ax-5 out in favor of a different and stronger 5-speed, but want something different, but stay 5-speed.

What options are available. I know the ax-15 is an option, but what others are available?

Toyota? Ford? Chevy? I do not need an NV-4500 as it is just a 4-banger, but am curious what I can do.

Thanks.

OK, background since I know someone is grumbling. I do not wheel hard, but enjoy some rocks, snow, mud, scenic mountain passes. I want the availability to have lower low range.

Nv3550.

If you want lower range why not a different TC (or doubler)? Or else regear?

because the Ax-5 suks. wether you just want lower gearing or not.
Edit: If you plan on running larger than a 35" tire the 4 cylinder wont need a 5 speed. even if you go to 5.38s it will have a very hard time pulling the tires above 50 MPH.

because the Ax-5 suks. wether you just want lower gearing or not.
Edit: If you plan on running larger than a 35" tire the 4 cylinder wont need a 5 speed. even if you go to 5.38s it will have a very hard time pulling the tires above 50 MPH.

He is right, you may as well go to a 4speed. A SM420 or SM465 Will give you the low gearing you want. While you are at it a 9lb inerta ring on the flywheel will do wonders. I have the parts to conect a SM465 to a 4.2 and 231 TC. Contact me if intersted.

I agree with nv3550. I like the Toy 5spd swap but it gets involved with the Tcases. You will need to swap inputs on the 231 with the 3550.

NP435! Probably wouldn't go well with your gearing though.

currupt4230, why not? Too low on the first, too wide a spread on the rest?? I have that transmission and t-case.

Appilachian offroad, what needs to be done to swap to the toyota tranny and t-cases? Do they offer a drivers drop? Or is it another kit to swap to drivers drop? or can they be flipped????

I'm preping for a stronger engine swap in the future, and planning out what to do with my tranny as well. The Jeep is currently my DD, and I drive 30 miles on the highway to and from work, but I don't go all that fast and don't mind taking a little bit more time not having overdrive if I do have granny low.

I'm taking a strong look at the SM420. It seems like a solid transfer, and it has the excellent granny low which is what draws me to it. I'm currently running the stock gear ratio (4.10) on a front 30, rear 35 at the moment.

I figure at some point I want a D44 front, and a 8.8 rear, and when I do that and re-gear, then I'm going to look for a tranny that will be able to handle a stronger engine as well.

Trying to go one step at a time isn't easy though, when all you want to do is dump it all in asap.

Here's a good write-up on the SM420 swap:
http://www.jeeptech.com/convtrans/sm420yj/

I was thinking about staying 5 speed as well, and currently I use my Jeep for basic offroading, but that's because I can't handle the bigger stuff yet. I really suggest thinking about how you want to use it, because if you don't do much fancy, I really suggest grabbing an ax-15 and being done with it. It's stronger, and can handle the 2.5L fine for what it sounds like where you are going with the rig.

just my 2 cents.

currupt4230, why not? Too low on the first, too wide a spread on the rest?? I have that transmission and t-case.

Appilachian offroad, what needs to be done to swap to the toyota tranny and t-cases? Do they offer a drivers drop? Or is it another kit to swap to drivers drop? or can they be flipped????

The reason I said it wouldn't be a good choice is because it's a 4 speed, and 4th gear is 1:1. It worked great with me when I ran 35's on the highway with 4.10's, but I see you have 4.88's. Just thought the RPM's might be a touch high. I think it's a great tranny, albeit a little heavy, you won't ever break it (conceivably you could, but it'd be hard).

Read this: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=559102&highlight=NP435

I had a 90 yj 2.5l it pushed my 36's up to 65mph until I hit a hill droped down a bit but would get back up there so if u can't get over 50mph maybe u should look at ur motor maybe getting to weak to push anything so just my 2 cents maybe try and get more power from ur motor like intake exhaust or electric fan less $ but can improve a lot

If you plan on running larger than a 35" tire the 4 cylinder wont need a 5 speed. even if you go to 5.38s it will have a very hard time pulling the tires above 50 MPH.I have a 4-banger and run 37s with 5.13 gears, and I run 55 in 4th.