How low is too low??? (7 Viewers)

[66fj40x2]

I'm currently running an H42/4.7TB/Splitcase in my 40 which puts me about 155:1 IIRC. This winter I'll be installing a Vortec 5.7, most likely a SM465 (cuz I can't afford a NV4500 right now) and Atlas II. I've been looking at the 2 spd and 4 spd boxes and to get close to what I have in a 2 spd I'll need to go with the 6.0 box. In the 4 spd I can get close to what I have with a 5.44 box...... but then there's the OMG stupid-low 10.3 that would put me at 277:1.

With the 10.3 I could easily justify dropping in 3.73 gears in the diffs to help make up for not having the OD with the NV4500.

So how low is too low? Just looking for some input before I pull the trigger. Not sure AA's lead time on these but I think I would need to get the order in sooner rather then later.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[mookie]

can't remember the exact ratios here but i've got a sm420, aa rockbox, 3 speed t-case and 3.73 diff gears.....it works out to around 200:1 it's plenty low enough but with a good variety of gearing. traction sux here most of the time so i rarely use the rockbox. and i think the 3.73 diff gears have helped my r&p live a little better

 

[Mace]

I am at ~ 200:1 as well. there is no need for more gearing than that.

You keeping the stock axles?

 

[brokenparts]

I am at ~ 200:1 as well. there is no need for more gearing than that.

agreed

 

[66fj40x2]

I am at ~ 200:1 as well. there is no need for more gearing than that.

You keeping the stock axles?

For now.... They are FJ60 axles with 30 spline Longs (inners, outers & hub gear) and Poly Performance 4340's out back w/FJ40 diffs. They should hold long enuff to get tonners located :fingerscrossed:.

What drivetrain set up are you running?

 

[Mace]

2F/sm420/Dual mini tcases/D16/14 bolt

 

[wngrog]

There is no "too low" as long as you have an option to not be that low. As long as you have a ration you can pick to bump it or peel out, you are fine. just don't box yourself in a corner....

 

[66fj40x2]

There is no "too low" as long as you have an option to not be that low. As long as you have a ration you can pick to bump it or peel out, you are fine. just don't box yourself in a corner....

That was kind of my thought process...... but my thoughts are sometimes off a bit .

I guess this leads to the Atlas 4-spd with the 2.72, 3.8 & 10.3:1. I like the some of the options of the Stak, e-brake & VSS output, but the lowest they go is 3.05 & 5.44.

So either 82.1 & 146.4 with the Stak & 4.10 diffs. or 65.9, 92.8 & 251.6 with 3.73 diffs with the Atlas..... Seems like an easy decision.

Have there been any issues with the Atlas 4-spd case? Any reason not to go with it?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[peesalot]

yeah, and Nolen's advice to me was,
" when boxed in a corner just rev it to 3 or 4 grand and side step the clutch and hold on."

But that was when he lived in Texas, he may not feel that way now. I heard he got a Zuki.

 

[66fj40x2]

yeah, and Nolen's advice to me was,
" when boxed in a corner just rev it to 3 or 4 grand and side step the clutch and hold on."

But that was when he lived in Texas, he may not feel that way now. I heard he got a Zuki.

I thought he only did that in camp with the bash buggy or whatever it was. Thought he sold the Zuk already.... I may need to update my score card

 

[CreeperSleeper]

No such thing as too low.

 

[TBIFJ40]

by reducing the gearing, youre not only going slower, but youre multiplying torque, and by quite a bit. Easy to break stuff by shear torque the lower you go, but if you use the stupid pedal sense-ably, the slower crawl will save stuff. dropping the clutch @ 3-4k rpm will deffenitely rip stuff to shreds. The more ratios you can aquire, the better; seperate t-cases are always better and offer a low and a super low ratio. (Hope Im not stating the obvious or sounding preachy) If youre having to wheel with the t-case engaged, and the tranny in 4th gear kinda doesnt make sense.

 

[Tapage]

Let me ask .. coz we never gotta need those king of gearing down here .. but I love have and underestand the hole picture.

Thought, it's better to run in 1st or 2nd on the tranny and only one t'case engaged ( low ) than 5th gear on the tranny and both cases engaged in low ..

Due to the 5th pinion strength .. ?

 

[66fj40x2]

I've run into that with the toybox/splitcase a couple time where low/low was too low and wound up in 3rd or 4th gear.

I think with the Atlas II 4-spd box I'll have as many options as I do now and the durability to hold up to the V8. We've got a lot of mud boggers around here but that crap's too messy to clean up..... I really do H8Mud

 

[kling-on]

sm420, rock box, 3speed case, 456's and 180 to 1... stupid low as I call it ...great when you need it most of the time I run 1 low range only, Katemcy is really the only place I need it ... and I do love that place..... did I mention I like havin 4 shifter to mess with everyone too

 

[wngrog]

The Atlas 4 speed 10:1 is the best choice.

 

[Poser]

420/4.3 Atlas II and 4.88's....7.05x4.3x4.88=147.9....I cannot recall ever needing more gearing...

 

[66fj40x2]

Just an update..... I found an NV4500 for $450 . So, as long as everything is in good shape in the NV, I'll be putting it between the Vortec and the Atlas 4-spd. I managed to sell enuff stuff to buy the Atlas but it looks like we may be getting relocated in the next few months.

The down side is I'll be looking for a job and won't be dropping $3k into a t-case right now. The up side is we'll be in an area we've wanted to be for several years, a lower house payment, enuff land to build a shop and park my junk on with the HOA patrol hanging tickets on me every week.

In the mean time I still need to study up on the NV and figure out what all I'll need to mate it all together. I'll need to come up with a shifter, bellhousing, throw-out assembly and adapters for the Atlas.

 

[Domek]

mike where are you moving sir?

are you coming to Tx.?

good luck

 

[D'Animal]

You could always sell you longFields and your Poly rear Axles.

What bellhousing are you looking for?

AA is having a Black Friday Online Sale that goes on until 11/30/08. 15% off. I think they will have the adaptor you need.

I still need to study up on the NV and figure out what all I'll need to mate it all together. I'll need to come up with a shifter, bellhousing, throw-out assembly and adapters for the Atlas.