OK I see lots of threads on this swap but couldn't find what I am after.
I want to replace my AX5 with a np435/205 combo.
I have herd a 96-98 dodge 2.5 bell is what I need any info would be great.
Part #s and years would be great.
Also I was concerned with what I will end up with now I have 2.5 /AX 5/ 231 with a 4to1 kit and 5.13 gears with 39.5 tires and it works OK. Will I have about the same when this is done?

3.92 (AX5 1st gear) X 4.0 (NP231) X 5.13= 80.44

6.68 (NP435 1st gear) X 1.96 (205) X 5.13= 67.16

You'll lose a good chunk of gearing, but gain a 'hella strong' peice of mind by getting rid of the AX5.

What did you do to put your np 435 in ?Adapt / bell ?

I have a np 435-205 ill swap ya for your 231 with the 4.1s in it.

Okay this is a shot in the dark, but why not just swap in a AX-15 in place of the AX-5. Then focus on a 231/300 doubler like Matt has in his TJ. Sound like a easy task since its all jeep parts but not sure how hard the swap is. Good luck dude.

It's a option but I'm looking for bullet proof.

I think it will be the same bell housing for AX15 or NP435.

You would lose the granny gear.

Yeah that why I was thinking doubler. You have the room since you have stretched the rear. Then if you need lower you can always add the low-max gears to the D300.

That maybe the way to go but not sure about the AX 15.

What I'm trying to do is get rid of the AX 5 and the tera low 4 to 1.

Going from trail to trail and high speed sections I have no middle of the road range. The high speed stuff is killing my tera low and in high range the jeep is a pig. I know the way to go is a bigger motor but I love my 2.5 and it likes to get beat on. That's why I was thinking a granny tranny to run from trail to trail and it would be stronger overall. Then I can let all the mice in the 2.5 out to play.

What did you do to put your np 435 in ?Adapt / bell ?

I'm using an AA belhousing. I got REALLY lucky and found it on eBay for $100, and it came with the clutch arm as well. I used the Jeep pressure plate, and had to use a 80's 1/2 ton Ford clutch disk. And a Willwood master/slave combo. You can't use the AX bellhousing. Novak has all the specs on what bell to use. http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/ford_to_amc.htm http://www.texasoffroad.net/galleries/ohv/album388/Tranny6

That maybe the way to go but not sure about the AX 15.

What I'm trying to do is get rid of the AX 5 and the tera low 4 to 1.

Going from trail to trail and high speed sections I have no middle of the road range. The high speed stuff is killing my tera low and in high range the jeep is a pig. I know the way to go is a bigger motor but I love my 2.5 and it likes to get beat on. That's why I was thinking a granny tranny to run from trail to trail and it would be stronger overall. Then I can let all the mice in the 2.5 out to play.

For between trails, with the 4.0, I stay in low range and use 3rd and 4th gear. If you are going to drive this on the street much, the granny may not be the way to go. The 435 is a WIDE ratio tranny, so you rev up in one gear, then shift and your RPM's go to nothing on the next. With a 4 banger, it'll be a dog on the street. I don't street mine, and never use hi range in the 205, so its fine for me. I'm going to put a 203 in front of my 205 in the next year, and I'll go from 70:1 to 70/140:1. Costs a bit, but I'll have all the gear I need and never have to think about strength. (Except the 44 up front.:D)

Thanks for all the info.
This jeep is also trail use only and it always stays in low range but thats why the tera low is starting to make noise.

Is there any issue with the AX-5 in there or are you planning ahead? Just a little food for thought. Bill has never had a issue with his AX-15. I have had to same one in mine for the last 3 years. Its my third but I blame my failure due street driving my jeep with big tires and stock gears and a shitty rebuild.

Street driving with big tires is still considerably less stress than crawling, I would think. I had a AX15 and it worked fine for me, too. The 2nd gear synchro was shot from hitting second real hard, but I never had a problem with the gears at all. I would hate driving mine on the street with the granny. It is essentially a 3 speed with huge gaps between gears, and long throws to shift. For off road use though, I LOVE my granny. If it was my choice to make, I would stay with the 4:1 and do the DD Machine doubler. With that much reduction, the AX5 would hold up fine, I think.

if your looking for strength/reliabilty, what about NV3550, it's stronger than the AX-15, and will use the same bellhousing as the AX-15's making ease of swap. It's the route I was going to run in my rig, until the 2.5L died on me.

What bell will work to hook up a ax-15 to a 2.5L?

I THINK, the 5 and 15 use the same bell, but I don't know. You'd have to do some homework on that one. IIRC the 2.5 has the same pattern as a 60 degree GM V6 (2.8L). So that may open up some possibilities for you. You're gonna have to spend a few $$ no matter which way you go. Best thing is to plan it all out before you start buying crap, then change your mind.

AX15 to 2.5 Bellhousing is from a Dodge Dakota I believe

So it should be the same bell as the NP 435 to a 2.5L right?

Where are you getting the idea that the AX15 and NP435 use the same bellhousing?

The bolt patterns at the transmission side aren't even close. The AX15 input shaft is something like 7.5" long and the NP435 is around 6.5".

You make it sound like you know what you are talking about then what Bell housing does he need share your knowledge.

You make it sound like you know what you are talking about then what Bell housing does he need share your knowledge.

Dodge Dakota:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181361&highlight=bellhousing

Greg

You make it sound like you know what you are talking about then what Bell housing does he need share your knowledge.

I have no idea on the 2.5 and AX15. Could really care less about anything regarding the 2.5. I do know about the transmission end of the bellhousing and that what he thought was the same isn't even close. Nice of you to try to tell me what information I should or shouldn't be imparting with your first post on this board. :rolleyes: Maybe it would be more to your liking if I said nothing at all and he purchases a bellhousing that won't work because nobody has said otherwise.

Pretty sure that the correct bellhousing has been mentioned more than once in this thread now though.

The 2.5 engine has the same bellhousing pattern as the GM 2.8 V6. The tranny side of those bellhousings are compatable with GM trannies. On the Novak site http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/ford_to_gm.htm is instructions to adapt Ford 4-speeds to GM bellhousings.

So from what I see, you need a 2.8 bell, and whatever is listed in the instructions on the Novak link to put the 435 behind the 2.5. I hope its that easy. I know Chevy grannies are used because they bolt straight up, but I'd like to see this done just for the novelty.:smokin:

The 2.5 engine has the same bellhousing pattern as the GM 2.8 V6. The tranny side of those bellhousings are compatable with GM trannies. On the Novak site http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/ford_to_gm.htm is instructions to adapt Ford 4-speeds to GM bellhousings.

So from what I see, you need a 2.8 bell, and whatever is listed in the instructions on the Novak link to put the 435 behind the 2.5. I hope its that easy. I know Chevy grannies are used because they bolt straight up, but I'd like to see this done just for the novelty.:smokin:


Thank you very much this is what I was after. Finally somebody not trying to talk me into a AX-15 (street trans).

http://advanceadapters.com/product/2208/712555NP.html

I was bored and was on AA's site. Looks like $220 to adapt the bell you've got to the 435. No pic on the site, but sounds like what you need. I didn't know they had something like this.

Thanks for being bored I didnt know they made that.

Good info!!

i did a ax-15 to 2.5 when my brothers ax-5 crapped out. you use a 98 dodge dakota bell and an 84 camaro 4 cly, 4speed clutch. i did the internal slave and would highly recommend the external. there is a right up that someone else did on here somewhere

contact zack at atoz fab (search) he has this set up in his buggy exept he went with an atlas I built the trans for him he supplied all the parts so my info is alittle fuzzy but I remember the input shaft ,clutch disc and pilot bearing being a real mix match of parts.

I remember the input shaft ,clutch disc and pilot bearing being a real mix match of parts.

I used the Jeep pressure plate, and had to use a 80's 1/2 ton Ford clutch disk. And a Willwood master/slave combo.

You have to use the Ford disk cuz the 435 has a 10 spline, 1 1/16 input shaft. The Jeep trannies use a 10 spline, 1 1/8 shaft. So you can't use the Jeep clutch disk. It will go on the shaft, but will be sloppy. And make sure you get the 1/2 ton disk, the 3/4 ton is too big for the flywheel/pressure plate. I used the bronze pilot bushing that came with my AA bellhousing, but Novak sells those too. IIRC I used the Ford throw-out bearing also, but the AA kit may tell you what to use. The AA kit may have everything included. My bellhousing had the clutch arm, pilot, and hardware. I'd call 'em up and pick their brain.

You have to use the Ford disk cuz the 435 has a 10 spline, 1 1/16 input shaft. The Jeep trannies use a 10 spline, 1 1/8 shaft. So you can't use the Jeep clutch disk.

Partially correct. The 76-79 CJ T150 and T18 had a 1-1/16", 10 spline input shaft so those applications would also work for the clutch disc and pressure plate.

im getting together allt he parts to swap in a sm420 behine my 2.5 using the chevy 2.8 bellhousing. then i have an aa adapter to a dana 300/np231/atlas. so i can swap my np231 for an atlas when i have the money. found info on here but this site was what pushed me to do it.
http://www.jeeptech.com/convtrans/sm420yj/
basically same thing in my tj, only i am going to use a mean green starter instead of cutting up my stock one. i am going for bullet proof reliability, since i take my kids with me wheeling.

chuck- when u pull that 4 to 1 out, assuming it still works (whining aside) ill take it. let riley know.

everyone else- if any1 wants more info on the 2.5/ax15 deal theres a huge write up on jeepforum.com about it, pics part #s and all. i know its my plan when my ax5 craps the bed.