Here is a post I started on Pirate.

Anyone know about this or have any comments?

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=809594

I posted this on the pirate but thought I would post again here just in case.

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.

I'm guessing that you want to do this because you either want the strength of a trans other than the AX-5 and you might be working to find a lower crawl ratio?

I do like the 2.5 and I think it will be staying if we go the route we are thinking.

Problems with the v-8 is keeping everything cool, HP that we don't need alot for what we do, they are noisy, also its to easy everyone puts v8's in . The 4 banger is nice for trail riding but it would not be good for Mud or racing but I'm OK with that. My toy has a 327 in it and it works good but the extra time and money it takes to make it work correct and not overheat I don't think is worth it for a trail rig. And it makes it hot in the cab and floor. There is something to say about comfort in wheeling.

I was just on pirate and some one finally told me what I wanted to know.

Its the GM 2.8 v-6 that has the same pattern as the 2.5 I have and you can easily adapt a NP435 to this gm bell if you follow novaks instructions.

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/ford_to_gm.htm

Now I think I'm getting somewhere.

Sorry Chuck my assholeness kicked in on MR Knowitall but you got your info so screw it...

Well this job will be put on hold for now but I will still be doing this swap sometime maybe a winter job.

The reason it is on hold is Chris and I worked on this the other nite to change fluid and when I went to take out the drain plug in the transfer case the whole case almost fell out all the bolts were loose and some were out completely.
I don't know why the whole thing didn't fall out last trip but glad it didn't.
With the bolts tight now no noise FM. After this coming weekend I will take them all out and re loctite them but should be good for the weekend.

cool I like an easy fix.