Im sure some of you have done this, how is it holding out for you? How is the shifter handle to get at? Thinking of doing this for my dad but need more info....Thanks in advance...Phill

I just got through rebuilding th ax15 in my Dakota short box with a 2.5 w/only 130,000 on the clock. Think a v8 would maybe be a litlle harder on it. And the gear ratios are f'n terrible

A few things, It's huge and will require A lot of work to make it work..2 it isn't that strong. Not a chance I'd put one behind a BB or even a hot SB. I have one in my 95 5.2 Dakota. and while the 1st one lasted about 130k and some hard driving that was only behind the stock 318. It started makeing a lot of noise around 100k.

Are you asking about the A535 (87-92 Dakota) or the AX15 (92-97 Dakota) or the one after that (I think it has an integral bellhousing)? Answers might differ depending on who's running what.

I've not measured one, but the A535 that I've seen looks to be similar in size to the T-5 as used in the Mustangs.

http://www.truckparts-specialists.com/catalog/transmissions/transmission-picture-index.htm