O R I O N

[Weber Sarge]

I've looked at these case setups for awhile now with a lot of interest . My preference would be a completed unit with 4:1 low range installed . The short question is this - would it be worth the price to go this route since it's the only basic upgrade available other than seriously lengthening the driveline ?
I sure don't like reading basic issues such as o-rings that get cut during installation creating leaks , after all for the money this shouldn't be an issue . Or, is this just a random problem and most installs are free of issues ??
Sarge

 

[orangefj45]

The short answer is: the Orion is a great option for many reasons.

As to the idler o-ring "issue", that can happen with any of the one-piece cases and even the split cases. I've only seen a couple of orions leak there so the steps I take are more or less a preventive measure. I tend to get a little carried away with this stuff.

Hth

Georg

 

[Weber Sarge]

Personally, I don't think you can possibly get carried away with things like this . A gear oil leak going unnoticed can quickly ruin a nearly $2,000 case . I had issues with tolerances in aftermarket gears/shafts on the old Samurai and it cost me a $600 set of 5:14 low gears . Not going to let that happen again .
I might just call AA and see how they ship their complete units out , got some questions there....
Sarge

 

[Irish52084]

I agree,I tend to over build because I made the mistakes in the past and decided to build every thing the best it can be. Not to say it always works out that way. By the way I was talking about the turned down bolt that AA supplies with the special washer, Just thought an O ring might work. Irish

 

[Cdaniel]

For the record, I received the Torco fluid in my kit.
And IMHO AA needs to add edge breaks to the drawings for several parts, Not only for o-ring assembly, but it's just good manufacturing practice. The shift rod for my twin stick was dangerous to handle and impossible to assemble the o-ring undamaged until I knocked all the sharp corners off of it.

 

[Tokamak]

I also didn't get the shims or Torqo fluid,any one else have this happen? Thanks, Irish

I received a tube of red torco assembly lube with my kit. Just enough to put it together. Mine was one of the first ones AA shipped this yesr.

 

[Irish52084]

Anyone still waiting on a main shaft for there Orion? I have for two and a half months,back order they say at AA. Is this normal? thanks, Irish

 

[Poser]

I have them.

 

[Irish52084]

Is this why they are out? Ha Ha , I'll Call You tomorrow if that's alright. AA didn't seed the shims yet,this they know about. thanks for the information on the shaft. Irish

 

[orangefj45]

I stock the shafts as well .......

We all ( poser, AA, cruiser outfitters, myself and many others ) get the new main shafts from the same supplier/importer. They've been out of stock for a while.

Georg

 

[Irish52084]

Man,I wish I would have asked this question two months ago.wish AA had said get them from so and so . Guess I know why. Thanks Georg, Poser and all. Irish

 

[reddingcruiser]

OK, I've been through this thread and did not find what I was looking for, so here's the question. Among those of you out there that have the Orion behind an automaitc trans, are there any issues you have encountered that are different than the "common" ones found in this thread (i.e. popping out of gear). Any preference for the 4:1 over the 3:1?

 

[orangefj45]

There are over 400 posts on this thread and nobody has reported any "issues" related to running an Orion behind and auto vs standard trans. So I'd say you have your answer.
Twin sticks will be mandatory.

Hth

Georg

 

[miker]

I've been running a 4:1 Orion behind a Th400 since the Orion first came out. I was one who preordered and received one of the first ones. At least that's the impression AA gave me.

Anyway, no problems encountered. And I do run a single stick stock shifter setup although I did have to relocate the pivot point. Mine is a 4:1 and seems about right for gearing with the SBC and TH400 with stock stall converter. I run 4:11 R&Ps and 36" tires. I am thinking about going to 4.56 or 4.88 just for better on-road responsiveness when in high-range.

 

[1911]

Any preference for the 4:1 over the 3:1?

IMO, the 3:1 is not enough difference from stock to be worth the cost of the Orion, but it depends on where you like to wheel I guess. With an auto tranny you will get some slower low-range with the slip of the torque converter too.

 

[reddingcruiser]

There are over 400 posts on this thread and nobody has reported any "issues" related to running an Orion behind and auto vs standard trans. So I'd say you have your answer.
Twin sticks will be mandatory.

Hth

Georg

Georg, Thanks,

It was the fact that I didn't see but a few comments (issues) that had me curious about the experiences other people have had with the Orion behind an A/T.

My question wasn't whether or not to run one (which I plan to do), but what quirks, idiosycresies or "driveability" experiences others folks have had, mainly with the 4:1 and an A/T.

And, twin sticks are already on my "to do" short list.

 

[miker]

IMO, the 3:1 is not enough difference from stock to be worth the cost of the Orion, but it depends on where you like to wheel I guess. With an auto tranny you will get some slower low-range with the slip of the torque converter too.

Many times on the trails with the 4:1 low-range, I wish it was not so low, maybe 2:1 or 3:1. Then there are other times I wish it was lower.

So, the vehicle I'm building now will have a 3:1 Orion and a 2.28:1 Toybox for those times I need to go lower. This setup will be with a 700r4. I'm hoping it will provide the best of both worlds and enough gearing choices to get me all confused.

 

[orangefj45]

yup, a doubler is a great choice behind an auto but it ain't gonna happen in a 40 due to rear driveline limitations.........


georg

 

[PixelWrangler]

Many times on the trails with the 4:1 low-range, I wish it was not so low, maybe 2:1 or 3:1. Then there are other times I wish it was lower.

So, the vehicle I'm building now will have a 3:1 Orion and a 2.28:1 Toybox for those times I need to go lower. This setup will be with a 700r4. I'm hoping it will provide the best of both worlds and enough gearing choices to get me all confused.

yup, a doubler is a great choice behind an auto but it ain't gonna happen in a 40 due to rear driveline limitations.........


georg

Hmm, a noob off-road question, what about a 4:1 Orion with a Ranger Torque Splitter (overdrive) and the stock 4 spd (behind a 383 SBC)? Would that give you the best of both worlds? I ask because that will be my set up once funds become available to install the Ranger. I know miker is talking about a 700r4 and Toybox which would extend the drive train, just curious for my own situation. Not as dramatic as a Toybox, but...

 

[orangefj45]

Why not run an H55f with a 4:1 split case ....... Keep things simple!

Georg