Reading up on the 'Newbies read this crap before you even begin to think about positing' again, I found discussion on the reliability of the manual transmissions. So that got me wondering. The Jeep in question is a 96 5-speed with the inline 6 (of course). S0...which trans do I have?

I read that a 96 with a 5 speed could either be the junky AX-5 or the reliable AX-15. How do I confirm which transmission is in the rig?

Thanks,
s

 

I have good news for you brother. ALL XJs 91-99 with the 4.0 engine and a 5-Speed, have the AWESOME AX-15. They switched to the NV-3550 for the 00 and 01 years. That was the only change. So, if you have a 96 XJ with 4.0 and 5-speed tranny, you have an AX-15.

 

Since I'm on a roll asking stupid questions, how do I kno which transfer case I have? It is my father's rig so I can't crawl under it for easy identification. Again, it is a 96 5-speed. I figure it is either an NP231J (Command-trac) or the NP242 (Select-trac).

If I remember correctly, the shift pattern is: 2HI - 4HI - N - 4LO, which would make it the 231 (Command-Trac), right? If so, does this explain how to use the 4wd properly (does this explain it sufficiently: http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/how_syste.../command_trac/)? What advice should I give him with regard to proper 4x4 procedure? He uses his 4wd for slick conditions, not off roading.

s

 

This is what I do...

When the *** end breaks loose when its slick, let off the gas, rip it n' grip it into 4HI, then hit the gas. All done. Then to get it out, just let off the gas, throw it into 2HI, then hit the gas again. I do that constantly in the 98, it just won't keep any *** end traction to save it's life, so I end up shifting in and out of 4HI just to get going from stops. I'm busier than a one legged man in an *** kicking contest sometimes...

 

If your transfer case shifter does have 2HI, 4HI, N, 4LO, then you do have the NP231J Command Track transfer case. They claim this is a shift on the fly transfer case but I always stop to shift into 4HI or 4LO. Mine shifts kind of hard, though. I belive this is due to my cross member drop kit. Just my little extra bit of effort to ensure my equipment lasts a long time.

 

THe little reading I have done said you want toat least be rolling when you do it. (no more than about 3 mph when you put it in 4-Lo). Maybe it wouldn't be so hard to shift if you were in motion. If you try it, let me know how it works. That would help me too.

s

 

I always end up rocking the rig forward and backward to get it to go in as smooth as possible.

 

Mine's really *****y to get into 4LO, but it seems to like rolling forward at idle while I shift it in, but don't go over the 2-3mph warning. If it's in 4LO, you'll know it as soon as you tap the gas...