hi i have a '98 wrangler with a 2.5L 4 cyl. and the three speed auto.  As most of you probably know its a bit sluggish.  Well i wanted to know an estimate of what it might cost to convert the auto over to the ax-5 or the newer NV-3550.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  

note: i am in college away from home and i would really like to do the conversion myself but i really dont see how it would be possible  

You're actually in a prety good position.  Many people with 2.5s wind up replacing the engine with something with more ommph.  Good for you, the AX5 is really not a favorite behind anything bogger than the 2.5, so those become available with just about every swap job.  The difficluty isn't bad, just get a full "kit" of factory bolt-on parts, and a shop manual.

I needed a replacement 2.5 and happened across an ebay auction where a fellow in MI was selling his 2.5/AX5 combo after a 4.0 swap.  Got the whole drop-in setup, clutch system and all for a really really good price.  run a search for "YJ transmission" or "AX5" or "AX-5" on ebay, and see what opos up.  The clutch release system is a hydraulic, so there's really no magic mystery to it.  You may have to hit a wrecking yard for pedals and such, though.  I'm not sure about drive shafts - you may or may not have to change them.

Good luck.