Is it worth swapping in a NSG370?

Zorba said:
Automatics are an answer to a question few were asking. They have their place, but the American love affair with automatics annoys me. If it were me, I'd stick with the NSG - the rebuilt ones reputedly don't have the problems we're all familiar with - and - despite its 1st gear not being low enough, its lower than the others mentioned. With that said, the NVG3550 has a lower 1st than the much vaunted AX15 - for whatever that's worth.

If I need to rebuild mine, I am going to pursue the possibility the so-called "wide ratio" version - if I can find anyone who has the parts and knowledge which may be impossible as the thing is apparently unicorn tears.
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Evidently you can retrofit the front half of a TJ NSG370 to the back half of a JK NSG370. Just costs a lot of money.

https://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/adapters/engine-to-transmission/gm/kit-375
 
williambmac said:
So, I wonder why it costs a lot of money to retrofit. I mean if you have a beat tj NSG370, the only expense would be to buy a decent JK trans and swap parts.
Unless there is machining of the case involved.
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I wondered the same thing. I assumed it was something with the retrofitting, but there’s no details, so 🤷‍♂️.

I talked to AA today, and they said they don’t have any recommendations for good reman/rebuilt NSG370’s. They said they were getting several swapping to the AX-15.
 
chili_pepper said:
You have, indeed, and you likely had no idea how it would, uh, fester. ;) That said, best of luck with your planned swap.

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?
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This is a great question, and not hypothetical. I think my clutch is getting close to the end of its life, and I’ve also recently noticed some of the aforementioned issues with the 370 (popping out of reverse, marbles in a can noise). 80k on the odometer.

It still drives well, but if I have to do a clutch, is it worth it to put a new clutch in a borderline NSG370, or better to swap it out? I have an AX-15 in a YJ and it’s fine.

Maybe I can DIY the clutch to save $$ and see how long I can run the NSG370. Perhaps the new clutch /TOB will correct some of the minor issues it is starting to display?
 
JMT said:
I wondered the same thing. I assumed it was something with the retrofitting, but there’s no details, so 🤷‍♂️.

I talked to AA today, and they said they don’t have any recommendations for good reman/rebuilt NSG370’s. They said they were getting several swapping to the AX-15.
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Same. "lot of money" is relative and subjective. Buying an extra transmission and not having a complete one remaining to get your $1500 core charge back would be expensive to a lot of people. Having a part custom cast or forged and then machined would be a lot to most everybody.
 
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chili_pepper said:
You have, indeed, and you likely had no idea how it would, uh, fester. ;) That said, best of luck with your planned swap.

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?
Click to expand...

Ax15 over the nv3550 hands down. It can be bought new and has good parts availability,unlike the nv
 
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