[Fapple]

I will be (in a month or so) installing an Atlas transfer case in my wifes 03 TJ. This will be my first Atlas transfer case install, so I am really just looking for some words of wisdom from those who have done it already. Any and all coments are welcome.


Thanks,
Frank

 

[Jerry Bransford]

The best Atlas ratio choice will vary by if you have an automatic or a manual transmission. What tranny do you have? Basically, a lower Atlas ratio works best for a manual, a higher Atlas ratio works better for an automatic transmission.

 

[Fapple]

Sorry, I really should have given you more info to go on. As of right now I'm planning on buying a 5.0:1 Atlas. My wife's Jeep is a Manual 5 speed, and she has 3.07 gears in the diffs. I figured this will give her a 58:1 crawl ratio. I'm trying to keep her Highway gears for now but if we do change them 3.73:1 will give us 71:1 crawl ratio. My real question was what to be aware of during installation. I have worked on cars all my life but I am new to the Jeep world.


Thanks,
Frank

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Wow, that 5.0 ratio would turn her Jeep into an awesome rock crawler. What kind of offroading are you into? What size tire and lift?

There is a bit of work ahead of you, the Atlas is not a pure bolt-in job. I'd probably go to the Pirate4x4 forum and do a search as there are a lot of threads there having to do with installing an Atlas.

Be sure you really want/need that 5:1 ratio, that's a pretty steep-low ratio for most needs and it'd be a bad ratio choice if you are into anything like mud where wheel speed is needed at times. But for rock crawling, it'd be ideal. Good luck with your installation, that's the one remaining major mod I am dreaming of for my TJ.

 

[04moneypit]

That's something I'd like to add to mine, so let us know how the install went. Had you heard about the new three range xfercase yet? saw one in 4 wheel and offroad, it has high, low, and superlow. The best of both worlds.

 

[Fapple]

Yes Jerry.... my wife is into rock crawling. Katherine loves the way my Rubicon can crawl over rocks with no throttle, and is looking for the same or better crawl ratio with her Jeep. Her Jeep has a 3" suspension lift right now, and 33" x 9.5 BFG AT tires. Next weekend (if the weather is good) she gets 1" body lift and 1" motor lift. That's to get ready for the 33 Engineering skid plate that I'll do at the same time I do the atlas. All I can say is...... I wish I had a garage to work in. The driveway is pretty cold this time of the year.


Got to run,
Frank

 

[4Jeepn]

Did you look into the Klune-V? best of both words, keep your stock low range and then if need bring in the 4:1 or lower with it.Of course some modding there as well.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Have you looked into Tera's 4:1 transfer case mod?

 

[stu]

Can you swap in a rubi's t-case....with that sort of low down wouldn't you really be concerned doing in the diffs.

 

[1BLKJP]

Can you swap in a rubi's t-case....with that sort of low down wouldn't you really be concerned doing in the diffs.

Yeah, but I bet the twin stick is way cool to have with the Atlas.

 

[Fapple]

the reason for the atlas is that she needs a SYA and wants 4:1 Tera lows but that's about $1700 - $1800 combined before all the work of installing these goodies. with an Atlas the work is done. Just have to install it (that sounds easy..... right?)

Yes I know with a 5:1 her U joints, drive shafts, diffs, and axles will be feeling the stress from the extra torque. As things break, we'll repair with bigger and better. After all a Jeep is a never ending project

The main selling point was when I told Katherine that the twin sticks will give her an edge over other members in our club.... she can be very competitive sometimes

The work starts this weekend! The wife jumped on a rock this past weekend dented the belly pan and moved her trans up by about 2 inches....


Frank

 

[Freaky TJ]

I just installed a 4.3:1 in my 99 TJ with an automatic. It was one of the easiest installs I have ever done. I love it I couldnt believe the difference it made. It is as close to a staight bolt on as you can get. The only modifications were around the shifters, I had to trim a little sheet metal. The instruction are great. Read them all the way through before you start and you will be fine.

 

[Fapple]

after all my research, I desided to go with a StaK 4x4 2 speed monster box (this is my way...everyone else turns right I go left). I know the Atlas is a great transfer case but I like the 2 speed option. This will give my wife 3.75:1 and 5.44:1 gears, low gears for mud and lower gears for rocks. Specs seem good... I'll keep you all informed how it works out. I'm seeing alloy axles in Katherine's future

http://www.stak4x4.com/2speed.htm

Thanks everyone for your input,
Frank

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Frank, you're getting an awesome t-case. I've seen the Stak and it's a beautiful piece of machine work.

 

[1BLKJP]

Hey Frank, based off of the specs for the Atlas are you still going to need new driveshafts made?

From those pictures that does look like a helluva piece of machinery.

 

[Fapple]

Yes, the front drive shaft gets shorter and the back gets longer. I'll let you know by how much when I'm done. It's going to be a while though... delivery on the StaK 2 speed monster box won't be until April.... the wife is not happy!!!



Frank

 

[325]

Hate to break it to you Frank but that 2 speed is the same as the Atlas (it's a two speed too, as well as your stock transfercase). If you want two options as well as the 1:1 you need to get their 3 speed transfercase.

 

[Fapple]

Greg,
Your right! I read your post and went back to StaK's website. I didn't understand why there is 3 shift levers on the 2 speed monster box.... there isn't!! They had picture of the 3 speed box marked as their 2 speed box. They just fixed their site (a bunch of new pictures) and in the process dropped the price on the 3 speed. They are not shipping the 2 speed boxes until April, production starts in March. The 3 speed we can get right away. The wife is getting a 3 speed. Thanks for straitening me out on that. I would have been shocked when I got the new case and it was missing a shift lever.

Thanks again,
Frank