Is it worth swapping in a NSG370?
- Thread starter bubbashubbs
- Start date
This is what lead me to believe otherwise:
97-02
03-04
But then I see this one listed as 97-02 and it looks skinnier….so I don’t really know. Maybe just the angle.
A fair point. I do my own wrenching but still learning about the TJ's and Jeeps in general. Long time admirer, first time buyer.
It does. Yours or a customer vehicle? Dare I ask which box was used? Clean installation, looks like it was there from the start. Nice to see a job done properly.
When you did this one, I’m guessing you used the plate/boot that came out of the jeep you pulled the transmission from? That would make sense, although I’m surprised that boot would not be torn 16-20 years later.
The bolt pattern looks very similar to my ratty '05...big differences being the material and the fastener location for the console.
Yeah, that’s 03-04. The TJ underwent a decent number of body changes in 2003. Newer dash, different roll cage, relocated emissions stuff to rear right tub corner, and some other stuff. I believe the floor shifter hole was updated that year.
03-04 manuals used that boot I posted that was gold with the rubber fastened to it. Despite Jeep selling you a 2-piece assembly, they only sold it that way. So you couldn’t just buy a new rubber boot to attach to the plate. And of course the funky bolt pattern means nobody sells anything even close to working. 05-06 used the one you have. You can still buy 05-06 but not 03-04. Both are the same size for the floor, but different rubbers to accommodate 5-speed vs NSG370 shifter stick locations.
97-02 was a metal plate with a 4-screw rubber boot fastened to it. You can still buy that boot. BUT, i believe the plate is larger than 03-06 and won’t bolt to the floor. It would be nice if the 03-04 owners needing a boot or 05-06 owners doing a 5-speed swap could use the 97-02 plate somehow and use the 4-screw fastened boot since it’s still available. And maybe they can, I haven’t ever messed with it before but the pics make me think it ain’t gonna work. And I believe that’s due to 2003 introduced body changes.
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Gah....seems like that one would make the DIY inner boot repairs a bit easier since it's metal. Figures...
Yep, 03-04 was a metal plate with the boot fastened to it but of course, Jeep only sold it that way so you couldn’t buy the rubber when it needed replacing. And it’s an odd bolt pattern so there is no product floating around on the market to replace it. I’m honestly surprised Crown didn’t come up with something to replace it.
OP
You have, indeed, and you likely had no idea how it would, uh, fester.
Speaking of swaps and the NSG370, a hypothetical for everyone participating...
Let's say you have a 2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (non-Rubicon) with ~114k on the clock in quite good mechanical and structural shape, and with the much-loved NSG370 transmission backing up the powerplant. And let's say that, gearbox niggles aside, you're quite fond of this vehicle and plan on keeping it for the long haul. While the aforementioned transmission is currently functional, for the sake of long term use and reliability, you're considering a swap. Intention is to swap the transmission only, keeping the NP231 transfer case. No immediate need or emergency for the swap, so you can make solid plans and acquire the necessary bits to affect a swap over time. Going on the assumption that either the AX15 or NVG3550 are the best options to consider for cost and compatibility reasons, which of these two makes the most sense/would be the best choice, assuming normal utility usage of the vehicle?
Apparently, the AX15 is the best option.
...
It does. Yours or a customer vehicle? Dare I ask which box was used? Clean installation, looks like it was there from the start. Nice to see a job done properly.
Some people will complain that the 04 Unlimited was only available from the factory with an automatic.
Some people will complain that the 04 Unlimited was only available from the factory with an automatic.
I did, as it made finding an LJ manual that much harder (still about a 4:1 ratio of autos to manuals), but I wasn't aware of Mr. Blaine's world...a world of better brakes, billet LED tails, gearbox swaps and other wondrous Jeep things...
Where's the shift tower?
It is a side shift, over on the left side where you can't see it in the picture.
You giggled like they don't exist. Just because I don't prefer them, doesn't mean I'm fully ignorant about side loaders.
I think the difference is just the angle...and that the second one still has the boot attached.
