Is the AX15 that Novak and Advanced Adapters sells a direct bolt-in swap for the NV3550?

[Degoz]

I am a recent first time owner of a Tj and lacking in mechanical knowledge so i am looking for some answer on a transmission swap.

The vehicle in question is a 01 Sport with the 4.0 engine and the NV3550 transmission which is failing, so my question would be.
Is the AX 15 that Novak and Advanced adapters sell, a direct bolt in swap for the NV 3550?

I have read posts that say it is a direct swap and also seen comments around the internet that say it is not a direct swap and since i am not from the US and would have to order it from there, i would like to be sure.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Here's a good thread on that exact same swap. https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/nv3550-to-ax15-transmission-swap.43780/

 

[Degoz]

Here's a good thread on that exact same swap. https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/nv3550-to-ax15-transmission-swap.43780/

Thank you.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

By the way @Chris I never figured out the bottom line on that thread. Is there a simple yes-no answer to whether an AX-15 can be bolted in to replace an NV-3550? I had always heard it was a direct swap.

 

[Grant Lasson]

Yes. I did it with the Novak quite awhile ago. You reuse the bellhousing. All my electrical connections matched up. Mine was a 2004.

 

[HornedToad]

Yes. I have seen it done on an 03. There was nothing to it.

 

[TJ Starting]

Just did it on mine. The only issue I had was I had to trim the hole were the shifter comes thought the floor. The move the lower boot forward. And now the upper boot doesn't fit once you try to snap it into the console.

 

[mrblaine]

Just did it on mine. The only issue I had was I had to trim the hole were the shifter comes thought the floor. The move the lower boot forward. And now the upper boot doesn't fit once you try to snap it into the console.

Is your whole drivetrain in the stock location?

 

[TJ Starting]

Is your whole drivetrain in the stock location?

I wouldn't have any reason to think otherwise. But who knows, its had a long life before i got ahold of it. The engines mounts and trans mount have never appeared to be obviously out of wack..

 

[mrblaine]

I wouldn't have any reason to think otherwise. But who knows, its had a long life before i got ahold of it. The engines mounts and trans mount have never appeared to be obviously out of wack..

There is no difference in the shifter floor plate or the console from 97-04. In those years, the AX-15 and NV3550 were both used and I've swapped them both directions depending on what the owner read on the internet about which one was better. I've never had to hunt down transmission specific floor or interior bits to make the shifter work.

 

[Chris]

By the way @Chris I never figured out the bottom line on that thread. Is there a simple yes-no answer to whether an AX-15 can be bolted in to replace an NV-3550? I had always heard it was a direct swap.

The answer is yes, Grant just beat me to it.

 

[Degoz]

Thanks guys, i was about 90% sure it would work, but i just wanted to be sure.

 

[TJ Starting]

There is no difference in the shifter floor plate or the console from 97-04. In those years, the AX-15 and NV3550 were both used and I've swapped them both directions depending on what the owner read on the internet about which one was better. I've never had to hunt down transmission specific floor or interior bits to make the shifter work.

Just to follow up on this as it would be nice to resolve the issue. Body mounts appear to be straight.