AX-15 vs NV4500

[JtDan]

Makes sense. If wanting more power I'd definitely look into the 5.13 or 5.38 swap. 5.38 if you can do it with your axles and current lockers. 5.38 is a dramatic difference from 4.56. Use a good reputation gear shop if you do it, and look into revolution gears for the parts. Very few breakages, there are lots of Rubicon owners here on 35's with 5.38s on their D44s. Nothing but good results.

The whipple would be fun to add, but I'd do that after the fact. I had equivalent gearing as you with stock 3.55s and 31s. Same as 33/3.73, 35/4.10, 37/4.56. I definitely would not have wanted to drive that in the mountains.

I will add, if you are wanting more power.....the 4500 will be worse for that. The gear gaps are further apart. 1st is shorter but the rest of the gears 2-5 you're having to deal with gears being further apart which will make your issue even worse.

Hi, new to the form. I was looking at this thread due to me having an NV4500 in my 97 Jeep TJ with 4” lift. I will say it wasn’t that bad of an install with the AA kit. The biggest sacrifice is the rear driveline angle and it drives like a dump truck! Lol offroad it’s nice with the low gears and the overdrive is actually nice with the 4.88’s and 35” tires. My belly clearance is 4” below the rails. I’m looking at how to correct that and my next transmission possibly.

 

[macleanflood]

Hi, new to the form. I was looking at this thread due to me having an NV4500 in my 97 Jeep TJ with 4” lift. I will say it wasn’t that bad of an install with the AA kit. The biggest sacrifice is the rear driveline angle and it drives like a dump truck! Lol offroad it’s nice with the low gears and the overdrive is actually nice with the 4.88’s and 35” tires. My belly clearance is 4” below the rails. I’m looking at how to correct that and my next transmission possibly.

Body lift and motor mount lift might help.

-Mac

 

[JtDan]

Body lift and motor mount lift might help.

-Mac

Yeah I have a 1” motor and body lift.

Body lift and motor mount lift might help.

-Mac