Used AtlasII from a TJ- Will it fit my XJ?

[Handlebars]

A local guy is getting rid of an 3.8 Atlas II out of a TJ. Will this fit right in my '97 XJ? I have an AX 15, I'm not sure what trans he has. Will the TJ shifters work?

 

[Jes]

Should work, both rigs should have 23 spline outputs. The shifters would most likely need a little bending. I believe Mark Hinkley is using the TJ shifters in his newer style XJ.

Jes

 

[Handlebars]

Sounds good, Jes. I just found out the TJ is a 99 w/ a 5-speed. Is that the NV3550? If so, is the transfer case a direct swap to my AX15?

 

[Jes]

Ya, should be the NV3550, everything should be exactly the same as an AX15(bolt pattern wise).

Jes

 

[XJJPR]

Alex,

It won't fit, you better give me the guy's number becasue it wil fit my MJ!








It should work fine, you might need an adapter from AA if he doesn't have it. The shifter with some cutting will work fine. If I remember we used the ax15, the AA spacer for the auto, and turned the seal in the tranny around. Just make sure to silicone the to thing together and plug the weep hole in the adapter. Just check trans level after a while, it might deposit some fluid in the void and you'll need to top off the tranny.

Hope that makes sense.

mark
orgs mfg

 

[Jes]

Thanks Mark, jarred my memory.
Alex you have the AX15, you will need to use a 1" spacer. Also you'll need to take 1/4" out of the trailing edge of the tranny mount and notch your crossmember to clearance the Atlas.
Good tips too, make sure you clean the weep hole on the AX15 adaptor housing(on the passenger side facing forward) and seal it up good.

Jes

 

[Handlebars]

Thanks Jes and Mark!

That makes sense to me now... I might just post back with some more questions when I get my grubby little hands on the t-case and start the swap.

 

[Static-XJ]

Aren't TJ and XJ cases clocked differently? If so would an Atlas be clocked for either, or are atlas's different?

 

[SeanP]

I have the TJ shifters in my 97. I cut the console a bit and torched the shifters hot so I could bend them where I wanted them (away from my right knee!)

SeanP

 

[Jes]

Aren't TJ and XJ cases clocked differently? If so would an Atlas be clocked for either, or are atlas's different?

A driver's drop Atlas is a driver's drop Atlas, they're all the same(externally). They have four clocking positions.

Jes

 

[Mike L]

I have a 96 w/ an AW4 tranny. What spline count would it have 21 or 23, I have heard it could be either. ANy way to check without pulling it apart and counting.

 

[XJJPR]

I have a 96 w/ an AW4 tranny. What spline count would it have 21 or 23, I have heard it could be either. ANy way to check without pulling it apart and counting.

23 spline.

mark
orgs mfg

Man, just getting all your posts today!

 

[Mike L]

Thanks Mark, what about that new Rock Track in the Rubicon? Piece of junk or good deal as well?

 

[Jes]

The t-case in the Rubicon is nowhere near as good of a case as the AtlasII.

Jes

 

[Mike L]

I figured that. I heard the Atlas, since it gears, is pretty noisy. I'm not real concerned with that being my DD but was curious. Mark or Jes? Any wear problems being a DD? I put at least 25-30k on it per year. How long u guys been running them? Don't you both have manual trans? 3.8 or 4.3 w/ the AW4?

 

[Jes]

The Atlas isn't noisy at all when in 2-hi and in 4-lo it makes a really cool gearwhine noise. I have about 15,000 miles on mine so far, no problems and yes, I have a manual transmission. You'll want the 3.8 if you have an auto as I've heard from several others that the 4.3 can be difficult to stop.

Jes

 

[Hunter-LynchburgVa]

i feel the atlas has the 241or in overall beef as well as shifting options but for 500 bucks less + the fact that you dont need to touch your driveshafts or modify/make a crossmember its another less expensive option in the stronger than shit t-case catagory.

Hunter