9.21-Bronco AX-15 Swap

I love the AX15 transmission. I have one in my TJ and one in my Scout II. It is also a great upgrade for the Early Bronco. The kit offered by Tom's Off Road is very complete and they even offer a little threaded plate thingy to allow you to run a modern 5.0 with the old Ford Bellhousing. There are a quite a few steps, and I run through most of them in this video. I'm basically mocking up the whole drivetrain so I know where to cut my floor for the stick shifter.
Parts ordered:
Part Number: 3912 - Bell equalizer
Part Number: 3910 - Bell Support v8
Part Number: 3887 - Clutch Rod for 1-2” Body Lift
Part Number: 3895 - Clutch Rod Boot
Part Number: 3928 - Return Spring
Part Number: 3905 - Bushing Felt Kit
Part Number: 3975 - Boot
Part Number: 3980 - Clutch Bellhousing and Fork
Part Number: 5912 - Ax15 Conversion Kit
Part Number: 3946 - Flywheel and clutch
Part Number: 3952 - Throwout Bearing

[@CDAWake]

Great video, I am putting in my rebuilt 302/AX15/D20 this week. Very helpful to see you do it first, thanks.

[@Johntasticful]

Mr Cat reflex man, you sir are are kicking butt. So much skill. Truly enjoy your channel. Doing your own business is alway a challenge but so rewarding. Thanks for another great video

[@jasonlenihan9854]

Great video Matt, I love seeing the tear down and fit, this is where I learn seeing videos like this.

[@brianreilly6358]

Looks great, Matt! No apologies necessary. Take care of the family and enjoy all that life has for you! The Bronco and us viewers will be here when you have the time!

[@Halfwheelhell]

I'm not using this transmission, but I still watched to learn🙂. Great video, and thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@MattsGarage]

Thanks for watching! I watch stuff I’m never going to do also. Better than half of what’s “produced” on TV!

[@Rudyru3]

Thanks for the video. I'm in the process of installing this same transmission. Your video was very helpful. Good luck on the rest of the build!

[@brianfarrar3594]

Nice. I stuck my Chrysler Jeep4.0/Borg WarnerT-19/Dana20 as one unit in my Scout II. You look like a pro doing yours!

[@RatelLaw]

Thank you for sharing your expertise

[@codywillette3738]

Always amazing content bud!

[@chriszavadlov1632]

Matt looks like it is coming together. Didn't think it was possible to install the engine, trans and transfer as one unit into the Bronco. I have always done it in pieces

[@MattsGarage]

Why do it the easy way? That’s my motto!

[@LeztaylorLeztaylor]

Hi Matt I wondered if you could kindly share where the bellhousing is from? I want to do the same as yourself a Ford 302 to AX15 transmission, I know I’ll need the conversion adaptor but not sure what the bellhousing part number would be. I’m in the UK so to source these items is mighty difficult? Thank you in advance 😁

[@MattsGarage]

Hello, sorry for the late reply. It's a ford truck bellhousing from the 70's. Call Tom's Off Road They ship internationally. They know way more than I do so give them a call. They are alwys happy to help and wiill give you more information that you could need. Why are you going manual out of curiosity? Would you consider an auto? I'm second guessing my own decision.

[@LeztaylorLeztaylor]

⁠Hi Matt thank you kindly for your reply. I would very much appreciate if you could share the part number on the bellhousing this would be much simpler. I have made contact with Tomsauto who couldn’t help with my questions?? I would prefer the manual as my vehicle is already an AX15 manual - also stick shift I would say is preferred here in the UK over automatic. Thank you for the videos you sharing of them 👍

[@NightWrencher]

Is the Dana 20 a passenger drop or driver drop?

[@NightWrencher]

Nevermind, I just saw

[@tom4139]

Hey Matt - Great content thank you! My Bronco has a NP 435 that leaks like a sieve and the granny gear is useless and synchro's are shot). I'm looking to swap to an AX15. What year jeep is best for the swap or are that all pretty much the same? Also. I can't find the adapter plate on Tom O-R site. Are you able to add that to the description please?

[@MattsGarage]

AX15’s are all pretty much the same but the tj ones have the studs on the driver side shift tower. That only matters if you have a t-style transfer case. If you you have a j-Style transfer case you need a twin stick conversion for the Dana 20 anyway. You can buy the studs on eBay if you get a model without them. Here are the part #’s I ordered: Part Number: 3912 - Bell equalizer Part Number: 3910 - Bell Support v8 Part Number: 3887 - Clutch Rod for 1-2” Body Lift Part Number: 3895 - Clutch Rod Boot Part Number: 3928 - Return Spring Part Number: 3905 - Bushing Felt Kit Part Number: 3975 - Boot Part Number: 3980 - Clutch Bellhousing and Fork (whichever style works with Ax15 Kit) Part Number: 5912 - Ax15 Conversion Kit (can you credit the clutch out of it since it is included with 3946 below? Part Number: 3946 - Flywheel and clutch Part Number: 3952 - Throwout Bearing

[@denniswarriner55]

Did you have to add a body lift to get the transmission to fit

[@holmrick]

Would a Ford ZF5 transmission be better or worse than this Jeep tranny

[@MattsGarage]

Better in terms of sheer toughness. Worse in terms of fit, shift tower location and feel. The ax-15 is like butter and fits better.