Novak bellhousing for converting 05-06 NSG370 to AX15
- Thread starter lbrooksnm
- Start date
I'm sure I could. It just would have been nice if I could use the one I already have.
As long as I can get color and texture to match, I'll live.
Placed the order today for a new AX15 from Novak. Went with them because shipping from Utah was $50 less than shipping from AA in California. They had it in stock.
My nsg370 boot is torn up and I have the old mustang boot to fix it so I'm gonna take a run at modifying the boot and making it work with the existing console. I like the 05-06 console with the deep pocket and the tray in front of the shifter and the lines are sharper in the later interior.
My nsg370 boot is torn up and I have the old mustang boot to fix it so I'm gonna take a run at modifying the boot and making it work with the existing console. I like the 05-06 console with the deep pocket and the tray in front of the shifter and the lines are sharper in the later interior.
transmission arrived from Novak today.
I like that it has a production sticker with the original part number and Japanese characters. I'm like a kid on Christmas.
I think I'm gonna buy a shift knob from a mid-80s Toyota just as an "easter egg" reference to having a transmission that's basically a combination of Toyota gearbox parts with a few special items to make it mount up to a 4.0 and an NP231.
I like that it has a production sticker with the original part number and Japanese characters. I'm like a kid on Christmas.
I think I'm gonna buy a shift knob from a mid-80s Toyota just as an "easter egg" reference to having a transmission that's basically a combination of Toyota gearbox parts with a few special items to make it mount up to a 4.0 and an NP231.
Completed my swap yesterday. It all went smoothly. So far it drives well and I am glad I did it.
I did buy a Luk clutch set and installed it.
The Novak bellhousing came with the clutch fork, clip, and pivot ball. I used the throwout bearing from the clutch kit.
With regard to the length of output shaft of the transmission going into the NP231, I did not measure them but the AX15 appeared to be out 1/4" to 3/8" longer than the NSG370 output shaft, there was plenty of clearance in the NP231.
The NSG370 transmission mount lined up just fine. I sent the one I purchased from Novak back as I did not need it. I also returned the
pilot bearing since I used the from the Luk clutch set. The picture below is looking up at transmission mount studs through the skid plate(AX15 as installed), the washer marks on the skid plate are from the NSG370.
I did have to notch the transmission mount to clear the bolts on the AX15 (the two bolts at the top of the picture below).
I did have to buy different 4 bolts, 7/16-14 by 1 inch, to attach the mount to the transmission mount to the bottom of the AX15, seen in the picture above.
The clutch slave cylinder bolted up and worked fine.
There were also three bolt that hold the shield to the bellhousing. 5/16-18 by 1/2 in. that I had to buy - the screws that came out to the NSG370 where a tapered metal screw that did not match the Novak bellhousing.
The other bolt I need was a 3/8-16 by 2in for the starter. The one that came out of the NSG370 was metric.
The Novak bellhousing has a second "port", I think for the earlier year model CPS position. I bent up a piece of sheet metal and covered that port. I secured it with two M7x1x20mm bolts and washers. Sealed it up with RTV.
I have order a boot to replace the inner boot and will adapt it to the existing one, which was torn.
The outer boot work fine.
When it was all said and done here is the list of what I had to purchase:
Novak:
Bellhousing $369
AX-15 w/shifter. $1690
Tax $0
Shipping $110
Rockauto:
Luk Clutch Kit - $159+shipping and tax
Local hardware store:
4x 7/16-14 by 1 inch bolts
1x 3/8-16 by 2 inch
3x 5/16-18 by 1/2 inch bolts
2x M7x1x20 bolt
various washer for the above bolts
AMAZON:
An inner boot yet to be tried out. $28 (I let you know how this one works out.)
Hope this is helpful to someone.
I did buy a Luk clutch set and installed it.
The Novak bellhousing came with the clutch fork, clip, and pivot ball. I used the throwout bearing from the clutch kit.
With regard to the length of output shaft of the transmission going into the NP231, I did not measure them but the AX15 appeared to be out 1/4" to 3/8" longer than the NSG370 output shaft, there was plenty of clearance in the NP231.
The NSG370 transmission mount lined up just fine. I sent the one I purchased from Novak back as I did not need it. I also returned the
pilot bearing since I used the from the Luk clutch set. The picture below is looking up at transmission mount studs through the skid plate(AX15 as installed), the washer marks on the skid plate are from the NSG370.
I did have to notch the transmission mount to clear the bolts on the AX15 (the two bolts at the top of the picture below).
I did have to buy different 4 bolts, 7/16-14 by 1 inch, to attach the mount to the transmission mount to the bottom of the AX15, seen in the picture above.
The clutch slave cylinder bolted up and worked fine.
There were also three bolt that hold the shield to the bellhousing. 5/16-18 by 1/2 in. that I had to buy - the screws that came out to the NSG370 where a tapered metal screw that did not match the Novak bellhousing.
The other bolt I need was a 3/8-16 by 2in for the starter. The one that came out of the NSG370 was metric.
The Novak bellhousing has a second "port", I think for the earlier year model CPS position. I bent up a piece of sheet metal and covered that port. I secured it with two M7x1x20mm bolts and washers. Sealed it up with RTV.
I have order a boot to replace the inner boot and will adapt it to the existing one, which was torn.
The outer boot work fine.
When it was all said and done here is the list of what I had to purchase:
Novak:
Bellhousing $369
AX-15 w/shifter. $1690
Tax $0
Shipping $110
Rockauto:
Luk Clutch Kit - $159+shipping and tax
Local hardware store:
4x 7/16-14 by 1 inch bolts
1x 3/8-16 by 2 inch
3x 5/16-18 by 1/2 inch bolts
2x M7x1x20 bolt
various washer for the above bolts
AMAZON:
An inner boot yet to be tried out. $28 (I let you know how this one works out.)
Hope this is helpful to someone.
I saw you were moving forward with you conversion. I just finished and I am glad I did it.
great post! the hardware stuff in particular is not documented elsewhere and can really slow down a swap like this. Thanks for posting that.
I will probably not be to far behind you. My transmission sounds terrible (marbles and ticking) and the shifting is getting notchyer (yes I used redline fluid). Sometimes when I go to put it in 2nd or reverse it will go halfway in and then I have to fight it in to gear by slowly spinning the trans.
Thank you for the documentation and hardware information. Good luck with the boot and shifter setup!
Thank you for the documentation and hardware information. Good luck with the boot and shifter setup!
I’m getting ready to do the same thing to the wife’s 2005… Could you please supply part numbers so I make sure I get the correct parts. Thanks! Randy
I used the AA bellhousing kit which was all inclusive and required no additional parts (other than a couple of fasteners I detail in my thread).
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/nsg370-to-ax15-swap.61396/
II just completed mine last week so I need to go update it some and I'll add some links or part numbers where I don't have them.
Here are the part no's
Novak:
Bellhousing:
52107552-K
Kit 52107552-K, Bellhousing, 4.0L to AX15 & NV3550, 93-04 w/ CPS in 10 loc., external slave. New aftermarket, enhanced casting,
early/late CPS prov, clutch release pivot ball, spring clip
AX-15 w/shifter:
TR-AX15 Transmission assembly, TurnKey, AX15 manual. New with all 1,690.00 0.00% 1,690.00 available updates and enhancements
Rockauto:
Luk Clutch Kit :
Amazon: $25.53
Inner Boot:
I cut the rubber out of the original boot and bolted in the new one using sheet metal to filled the voids. Sealed it all up with RTV. Seems to be working good so far.
Novak:
Bellhousing:
52107552-K
Kit 52107552-K, Bellhousing, 4.0L to AX15 & NV3550, 93-04 w/ CPS in 10 loc., external slave. New aftermarket, enhanced casting,
early/late CPS prov, clutch release pivot ball, spring clip
AX-15 w/shifter:
TR-AX15 Transmission assembly, TurnKey, AX15 manual. New with all 1,690.00 0.00% 1,690.00 available updates and enhancements
Rockauto:
Luk Clutch Kit :
LUK | 05901 (05-901) | Clutch Kit |
Amazon: $25.53
Inner Boot:
| Manufacturer | Crown Automotive |
|---|---|
| Brand | Crown Automotive |
| Model | Crown Shift Boot |
| Item Weight | 6.4 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 6.5 x 6.5 x 2.5 inches |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Item model number | 52078970AC |
I cut the rubber out of the original boot and bolted in the new one using sheet metal to filled the voids. Sealed it all up with RTV. Seems to be working good so far.
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Let me know what pictures you would like.
Transmission and conversion is working great. I like driving the AX-15 in TJ better (I do also have a 2015 with the NSG). Mileage is probably down by 1 or 2 mpg. I mostly driving in town but I do drive on highways at 55 to 75 mph. Still very happy with the conversion and I am glad I did it. Let me know if you have other questions.
I used the Advance Adapters bellhousing, but you might find the info you're looking for in my swap thread.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/nsg370-to-ax15-swap.61396/
DougyintheBushies
TJ Enthusiast
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