now that my 89 yj isnt used to drive to work anymore i've been planning and gathering parts to go SOA. i recently aquired a mint 87 cherokee dana 44 for $200 and 3 dana 300 t-cases from my uncle for free. my intent was to flip the dana 300, but after a quick email to downeast offroad i learned that there would more than likely be a serious clearance issue with the front driveshaft. the dana 300 will work fine with an ax-15, but is that a good idea? is the AX-15 stonger than the TF999? i don't really have any preferance manual or automatic. i'm simply trying to do everything the best i can afford. i dont really want to buy any adapters if i dont have to.

I can't speak to the manual tranny... But I've run my TF999 with the AMC 360 V8, Dana 300, 4.56 gears and lockers in both axles, and 35" tires. I haven't done a lot of mudding (hate clean up), but it has been over a few rocks. I have an extra tranny cooler in front of the radiator. Never had a bit of trouble with the TF999.

CJs are passenger side front diff so i would imagine its no problem. My YJ is drivers side diff and i would be flipping the transfer case upside down. by doind so the front driveshaft is now running along the opposie side of the tranny. the exact email i recieved said:
"Dylan, Our kit will not work with 999 unless you have a lot of lift or a
very small diameter driveshaft. The front shaft and the side of the trans
are extremely tight, sometimes to tight...
Thanks Robert"
Now being spring over i guess i would have "alot" of lift, but...also does anyone know if a cherokee AX-15 is the same as a YJ AX-15? there are cherokees up the wahzoo at my local bone yards, but all the yjs are always raped.

When I replied about my TF999, I thought you were asking if the TF999 ws strong enough.

With your latest post, I see you're concerned about clearance. Yes, there is very little clearance on the driver's side of a TF999. In fact, the manufacturers of many brands of in-frame exhaust headers state they will not work with auto transmissions. I have headers on my AMC 360, but I couldnn't use an exhaust pipe that bolted to the header flange due to clearance restrictions. So I had to weld a straight exhaust pipe into the header outlet.

Now, how much clearance there is UNDER the TF999 tranny on the driver's side...I couldn't tell you, never having worked on a TF999 with a driver's side front diff.

that makes sense. i've seen a lot of headers that don't work with automatic transmissions. thanks for the information though. at least now i know that clearance is the only issue and that the tranny would be strong enough. i am going to keep my eyes peeled for a reasonably priced ax-15. through some online research i learned that the XJ and YJ AX-15 are the same except for the clocking of the t case bolt holes. i did find one write up online where the person made a template and was able to redrill holes in the tranny. i think another possibly better option would be to use a clocking ring to overcome this obstacle? the reason for the xj ax-15 being the sheer number of them available

Before drilling holes myself, I'd give Advanced Adapters a call and see if they sell a clocking ring.

adapter kit