New guy could use a bit of help with ax15 conversion

[Shanto]

Hi all,

had a mechanical failure and am now looking at converting from the stock 3 speed floor shifted transmission to a ax15.
Its a 69 model with a 302 from a 1980. T-shift D20.

I removed the transmission and the TC together. They both have about 1 inch of grime on them so i want to degrease and wash them before attempting to separate. As far as TC separation, i believe all i need to do is keep first gear engaged. unbolt TC adapter from transmission. then separate the two while standing vertically on the output side of the TC.
Does this sound correct? any advice or steps i missed?

Basically, i wanted to share with you the parts i am ready to order and see if there is anything i may have missed or suggestions of additional parts i should buy.

https://www.tomsbroncoparts.com/product/ax15-5-speed-overdrive-transmission-conversion-kit-w-adapter

https://www.tomsbroncoparts.com/pro...rod-v8-289302351w-66-77-early-ford-bronco-new

https://www.tomsbroncoparts.com/pro...wheel-kit-66-77-ford-bronco-late-302-v8-50-oz

The reason i have added a 50oz flywheel is because the block seems to be a rebuilt unit. the stamp above the starter indicates its from 1980 but the flywheel has the larger offset balance pad and the harmonic balancer also appears to be matching the 50oz style. so im guessing its a 1980 block rebuilt later on with 82+ parts.

My other concern is the leaky TC. I at minimum would like to clean and reseal it, but if its not too complex id like to inspect it and rebuild. i searched a bit, but could not find any comprehensive guides to rebuilding it. i have access to a good selection of tools and a 20 ton press, but nothing too exotic.

looking at the photos posted online, it sure looks like the ax15 shifter occupies the same space the tshifter handle currently lives. the current t shift handle sucks. its got a ton of play and its bent all weird and brazed together at the base. also the shift detent pawl is broken and doesnt lock in the plate. its also super hard to shift. you have to really work it before it moves, and in its current configuration it doesnt go into 4L before hitting the dash.
so obviously i have to do something about it.

i noticed the ax15 conversion kit also doesnt include the shift lever or knob. looking around online i cant seem to find any links of replacement parts. any insight would be appreciated.

i do have a ton of other questions, but at this point id like to order the parts and start tinkering with it and can ask as i get to that step. it seems like a pretty straight forward install. i hope so, since im doing the whole thing on my back.

thanks guys,
Shanto

 

[Pops68]

Have you read the tech article on the NV3550 conversion by Mars Chariot??? I think the AX15 should be a similar conversion. May help you. Very well done article.....used it for my NV swap.

You may want to consider twin sticks for your transfer case too......levers would then be relocated closer to the position of the 3 speed floor shifter (if you had one). Advance Adapters has a good kit - I think.

Junk yard for shift lever/knob.

I meant JB Fab, not Advance Adapters, sorry........THANKS hammer189 for the correction!!!!

 

[hammer189]

If going twin stick use JB Fab. They are on here. Great stuff!

 

[WILDHORSES]

Here's a video of AX15 preping for Bronco install. Also a link to a comparable kit. It includes the WH version of the JB fab twin stick. Make sure to scroll the whole page so you can see all the options.
https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/17808/AX15


[youtube]BQSqbkIGyp0[/youtube]

Jim

 

[Shanto]

thanks for the input guys. it looks like i have a little bit of reading and watching ahead of me tonight after work.

that link you posted is for a j-shift bronco. is that a conversion that needs to be made?

also, is it safe to say that a stock t handle has nowhere to mount to on the ax15 conversion? is it a necessity to go twin stick?

 

[Slednut10]

Unless you are 100% sure of the balance on that engine (gawd knows what the PO actually did) I would skip the flywheel and just have your current one resurfaced. The numbers on the block say what the factory did, but don't necessarily account for whats been done since.

 

[Shanto]

You make a very good point. I am pretty sure that its a 50oz setup, based on what ive seen online. But i will be removing the oil pan to replace the leaking gaskets and check the numbers on the crank before ordering anything.

 

[Buckhunterbill]

I have just completed this install. I kept the T-shift handle and cut and modified it with a round knob that had the shift pattern on it. It needs to be bent slight towards driver, but still clears the trans shifter. I purchased deluxe conversion kit from Wild Horses. I wish I would have bought a short throw shifter, may add later. I need to bend the 5-speed shifter slightly toward the back and driver to make more comfortable arm range. Follow the video from Wild Horses pretty straight foward. Just get some help and a good trans jack when you stab it in. I found a boot that should work with this setup from JB Custom Fabrication, haven’t ordered yet.

 

[SHX669]

I kept my T shift I just had to rotate the handle to clear the shifter.
A couple of years ago I got tired of dealing with the xtra effort the T Shift required and installed JBs twin sticks - quite happy with those.
When you're cutting holes in floor for your shifters make em as big as possible but so they still can be covered with the "boot" - you'll thank yourself if you ever go back to work on anything tranny, TC , or driveline related.

 

[Redbark]

Buckhunterbill,
Any chance you can post some pics of your retained T-shifter with the AX15 installed? I may go this route as I like the retro look of the T-shifter.

 

[SHX669]

Buckhunterbill,
Any chance you can post some pics of your retained T-shifter with the AX15 installed? I may go this route as I like the retro look of the T-shifter.

It takes about 5 minutes to try it yourself just to see how it looks . Loosen the allen head set screw for the " handle " and rotate the handle about 90 -110 degrees . if I remember correctly it's sorta spring loaded so hold on to the handle and let it come up just enough to be able to turn it. There is an "actuating rod " for the "lock in/ lock out plate " that goes into a slot in the handle but I don't remember that being much of a problem - that I remember anyway LOL .
I turned my handle enough to clear the tranny shifter - didn't have to bend it in my case - and also removed the " lock in/ lock out " plate on the bottom of the shift rod. I drove it that way for 4-5 years and never had a problem with it . I Only went with the twin sticks because of the benefits of doing that.

 

[Shanto]

thanks for all the replies fellas. feel pretty confident moving forward.
Once everything arrives i will take pics of the process and post them to the forum if anyone is interested.

 

[JB Fab]

If you decide to go single shifter, we have a sewn boot for that....

Also available at most of the Bronco houses.....

https://jb-custom-fabrication.mysho...smission-single-stick-transfer-case-p-n-nvaxs

 

[Shanto]

nice looking boot you got there. i will consider it once both shifters are mounted and i see what my handle situation is looking like.


can anyone tell me what size socket the yoke nuts on the D20 TC are? i know its SAE and the biggest socket i have thats close is a 28mm impact, but its a thick walled socket and it wont go down into the yoke far enough to engage. so i need to buy a thin walled socket, just need to know the size.

thanks

 

[mustanggarage]

I just went through converting to the ax 15 and rebuilding a j shift dana 20. I used the wild horses kit because it came with the clutch hardware and the twin stick shifter. I used a couple websites to help with the rebuild, but the most helpful were
billavista http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/PR-low20/index2.html

and matts garage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUwrEkCvf98

I also used http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/1802-rebuild-your-dana-20-at-home/

it was not that bad. but it did take me a while to get it all done. I am not sure, but I believe the yoke nut is a 15/16. but I am not certain of that.
the kit from wild horses also has the stock shift lever for the ax 15 so maybe they sell that separately.

here is mine as it sits.

 

[jmhend]

I just went through converting to the ax 15 and rebuilding a j shift dana 20. I used the wild horses kit because it came with the clutch hardware and the twin stick shifter. I used a couple websites to help with the rebuild, but the most helpful were
billavista http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/PR-low20/index2.html

and matts garage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUwrEkCvf98

I also used http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/1802-rebuild-your-dana-20-at-home/

it was not that bad. but it did take me a while to get it all done. I am not sure, but I believe the yoke nut is a 15/16. but I am not certain of that.
the kit from wild horses also has the stock shift lever for the ax 15 so maybe they sell that separately.

here is mine as it sits.

Great looking build. Hard to believe a frame can look that good.

 

[Pa PITT]

Are those conversions using our Original Bronco manual clutch rod type stuff.
It doesn't have to be changed to Hyd does it.

 

[WILDHORSES]

Are those conversions using our Original Bronco manual clutch rod type stuff.
It doesn't have to be changed to Hyd does it.

Yes, you can use all your stock linkage. No hydro needed.

Jim

 

[Rbuddy98]

Is a body lift needed to install the AX15. If so what size would be needed

Thanks

 

[mustanggarage]

Is a body lift needed to install the AX15. If so what size would be needed

Thanks

A 1 inch body lift is recommended