there are ways to adapt the ax15 (from the 4.0) to a 2.5 4cyl (where a ax5 or other was) using a dakota bell housing that originally came with a 2.5 and ax15 combo.. search PBB for the exact swap info...
"For those curious to the differences in Cherokee's and Comanche's:
Manual Transmissions
AX4 - 4 speed manual - manufactured by Aisin - used 86-92 with 2.5L I4 and 2.8L V6 engines and 2.8L turbo-diesels
T4 & T5 - 4 & 5 speed manual - manufactured by Borg Warner - used only in 86 with 2.5L I4 and 2.8L V6 engines
AX5 - 5 speed manual - manufactured by Aisin - used with 2.8L V6 and 87+ with 2.5L I4
AX15 - 5 speed manual - manufactured by Aisin - used with 4.0L I6 engines"
This says that 86 came with both an T4 and AX5? How can I tell which I have? Also a cherokee with 4.0 only came with an AX15? Am I reading this right?
The reason I didn't post that link is because he said 2wd. I suppose the swap can be done with the Dodge parts but he'll still need the 2wd output housing for the AX-15.
To use with 4 Cylinder:
Bellhousing (96-98 4 cyl Dodge Dakota)
Pilot Bushing (AA conversion pilot for nv4500)
Clutch Disk (Napa RCF4198, 1984 Chevy Camero with a 4 Cylinder and 4 Speed Trans)
"Both the AX5 and AX15 use the same release bearing and fork as the NV3500, so your stock slave cylinder will bolt in place on the Dodge bellhousing. We also used an Advance Adapters stainless steel braided hydraulic slave cylinder hose (PN 716130H and two PN 716130TJ) to replace the factory plastic unit."
From www.jpmagazine.com
The T4 is a toploader and the AX4/5 is a split case.
Ok heres the deal. I've got the 86 2wd 2.5 4speed comanche. It was free,runs good and I'd like to put as little money in it as possible. At the moment it needs a clutch/pressplate, and bearing. I would like to make it 4wd, not a wheeler, just 4wd. I've done some searching and it seems that the 2.5 has the same bellhousing as chevy V8s. So would that mean that I could use any chevy tranny/tcase combo? Maybe it would be easier to just find a 4or5speed chevy tranny/tcase from an older S10. Then some axles from a cherokee which should be a somewhat easy swap . Is there anything I'm missing here? I've build several K5s from the ground up so I'm not scared of a little work, but I'm somewhat a noobie to the Jeep brand. Also if you have any of these parts you would like to donate I can pick up and bring .
Sounds like a plan. I've got a TJ D30 housing that I am about ready to move for next to nothing. I know a guy that has some XJ 260 shafts that will work in it that is also asking next to nothing. They'll work if you are not gonna wheel it.