Orion and Atlas transfercases avail soon

[theyis]

Orion is a beefy version of the landcruiser t-case.

Atlas is an all new t-case. Problem is that it has a centered rear output.

You can get lower gearing with the Atlas and they also have a 4 speed version which is essentially a dual t-case setup in almost the same space as a single t-case. You can run that in L-L, L-H, H-L or HH. That gives you a bunch of options depending on terrain. The Orion is either going to be Low or high, no in between.

Kyon

 

[Dusty]

I would love a klun v. the gas tank would have to go but so what.

 

[e9999]

so what's the latest on simply replacing the gears in the 80 TC? or is that not possible for some reason?

 

[Grench]

so what's the latest on simply replacing the gears in the 80 TC? or is that not possible for some reason?

I saw a few posts and an AU ROTW where Rockhopper gears were mentioned. I've never head of a set making it to the US.

 

[e9999]

I saw a few posts and an AU ROTW where Rockhopper gears were mentioned. I've never head of a set making it to the US.

those were not that cheap IIRC, still, though, why aren't these all over the place?

 

[Hanna Quality]

IMO the Orion will be the easiest to put in a 80 as far as fitting, but the full time 4 wheel will not be there.

I have pushed my 40 hard with V8/420 manual trans and 38.5 Swampers, no problems with the Orion.

We have a cruiser in the shop with a 4BT Cummins diesel/ NV4500/ Orion. If that diesel manual trans doesnt break the Orion it will hold up behind a 80 with an auto for sure.

 

[Box Rocket]

Am I missing something? If this requires going to part-time 4WD (which I like btw) wouldn't that mean the shift pattern would need to change on the shifter to allow for 2H, 4H and 4L? How's that gonna work? Will we need to modify our center console to allow for different shift pattern/throw?

 

[Slomo]

Each of the respective t- cases will have it's own shift pattern. Not sure on the Orion but the atlas can use a cable shifting mechanism greaty simplifying the installation of a shifting means. The previous t-case shifter will be absent all together and one could easily fab a cover plate for the body/center console.

 

[theyis]

The Atlas has a cable operated shifter so you can mount it wherever you want. I don't know about the Orion but it would probably come out in close to the stock location. Bottom line is that most people who are going to be spending the money to put one of these in probably don't care about cutting up your center console if need be. I sure don't...

Kyon

 

[calstyl2]

I for one would love to have the Atlas, It has one major advantage to the Orion, that is front wheel drive only, pulling thr front end around, Im ok with part time 4wd vs awd, both sound great but the Atlas would be choice. I cant wait

 

[Nay]

I don't see any value in this. The reason the Jeep world is nuts about these cases is the stock stuff is too weak (except now in the Unlimited), so rather than do a SYE and low range reduction in an NVG case, you buy the Atlas and get rid of the chain drive and small output shafts.

The 80 stock case is already gear driven, already AWD, and with 7 pin can already be set up to run in AWD low to give you all the selectability you need (awd low is better than 2wd low). It literally lacks nothing except for a better 4lo ratio. You will not get better gas mileage by going part time - I had Warn hubs and a fully selectable case including AWD on my old XJ, and keeping it in 2H (RWD) with the hubs locked out made no difference except in 2wd an AWD rig gets very light steering, and you have to spend nice coin to lose your AWD capability.

So comparing a full case swap at well over $2K with possible driveshaft compound angle issues doesn't make any sense vs. lower gears in the stock case or a crawler behind the stock case. Slee says they are working on a bolt on crawler with no gas tank mods, which gives you stock low range and compounded low range as you choose - that is a better range of choices than just an Atlas.

On the big climbs, you engage the crawler for super crawl ratio, and then disengage for the time between obstacles in regular 4lo. Can't do that with an Atlas - you have to choose your ratio and live with it while in low range.

What am I missing?

 

[calstyl2]

you have your ideas correct, the front wheel pull in front wheel drive has benifits for my style wheeling, lock the parking brake and go sideways to obsticals, any crawler box as to be between the transmission and the t-case to get all ends to low range, I have a 4:1 transfer currently(fj-40) it improved the truck to no ends on trails, I love the 80 auto but going lower is right down my alley. It comes down to each persons desires

 

[Nay]

you have your ideas correct, the front wheel pull in front wheel drive has benifits for my style wheeling, lock the parking brake and go sideways to obsticals, any crawler box as to be between the transmission and the t-case to get all ends to low range, I have a 4:1 transfer currently(fj-40) it improved the truck to no ends on trails, I love the 80 auto but going lower is right down my alley. It comes down to each persons desires

I agree lower is sorely needed - an Atlas just doesn't seem to make much sense vs. a better low range utilizing the stock case. The average user gives up a lot to go to an Atlas and gains nothing but a lower low range.

I figure if both a crawler and Atlas take substantial mods (cutting the floor, etc), and both are in the same basic price range, then the crawler is the far better value. You may get a compound low range in the 6:1 area without having to drive in 4.3:1 for all of your low range usage, and you keep AWD low range. I know some part of the market is willing to ditch AWD, but for daily drivers in winter climates this is a significant drawback, and there are more of us than extreme users.

The ideal remains a 4:1 or so low range reduction in the stock case for around $1,500 max with no gear whine. Maybe it just can't be done, because if it could that is where the max demand would be by far, and the alternatives are so expensive that it would certainly command a premium for the actual materials.

 

[Dusty]

If there were lower gears for the great tcase we already have I would go there. But I havn't seen anyone over here (usa) running them. Rumors in AU about them but I still havn't seen a legitimate web site of reference. I know Christo has a set of AU gears (marks?) and they are to be tried in that killer 100 series they are building. If this works I'll go there if I can have them for less than $1500 and they are bolt in. If I have to change drivelines and gas tanks I'd rather have the atlas. I know it is bombproof. I dont know of a single person who has run that crawler box bolt on thing that costs more than an atlas. Who baught Seans box? If someone can convince me those Marks gears will work in our case I will buy them today. I WANT LOW TCASE GEARS(4:1 OR BETTER) RIGHT NOW!!!

 

[calstyl2]

If there were lower gears for the great tcase we already have I would go there. But I havn't seen anyone over here (usa) running them. Rumors in AU about them but I still havn't seen a legitimate web site of reference. I know Christo has a set of AU gears (marks?) and they are to be tried in that killer 100 series they are building. If this works I'll go there if I can have them for less than $1500 and they are bolt in. If I have to change drivelines and gas tanks I'd rather have the atlas. I know it is bombproof. I dont know of a single person who has run that crawler box bolt on thing that costs more than an atlas. Who baught Seans box? If someone can convince me those Marks gears will work in our case I will buy them today. I WANT LOW TCASE GEARS(4:1 OR BETTER) RIGHT NOW!!!

you have three schools of thought, mild, moderate an extreme, gears, Orion and Atlas,
I see the need for the awd for you snow/ice folks, for us rock hounds, I love to hear from non 80 folks that I cant take my 80 through stuff, and then prove them wrong, the cut and turn of the Atlas makes that real desirable, the Orion would be a bolt in part time transfer, and the gears are a easy soulution, I forsee the Orion as the first option to come to the market, maybe Christo has the gears and is holding that card close. But the Atlas is the ultimate for using your 80 series as a terrain killing monster, Im talking -5-6 trails

 

[Wrench]

If there were lower gears for the great tcase we already have I would go there. But I havn't seen anyone over here (usa) running them. Rumors in AU about them but I still havn't seen a legitimate web site of reference. I know Christo has a set of AU gears (marks?) and they are to be tried in that killer 100 series they are building. If this works I'll go there if I can have them for less than $1500 and they are bolt in. If I have to change drivelines and gas tanks I'd rather have the atlas. I know it is bombproof. I dont know of a single person who has run that crawler box bolt on thing that costs more than an atlas. Who baught Seans box? If someone can convince me those Marks gears will work in our case I will buy them today. I WANT LOW TCASE GEARS(4:1 OR BETTER) RIGHT NOW!!!

I did

 

[Hanna Quality]

4:1 gears just will not fit into the OEM 80 transfer case. To go lower one of the low range gears needs to be bigger. AA had to make a new case for the Orion, not only to be stronger using steel but it had to be bigger to fit the 4:1 gears.

Marks 3.11 low range gears are probably the lowest gears that will fit with a 1:1 high range.

link for marks 80 gears http://www.marks4wd.com/products/gearmaster/lc-80-100-extra-low-tc-gears.htm

I agree a "crawl box" between the OEM trans and the trans case would be the best solution for a utra low crawl ratio. A crawl ratio that would enable you to creep though sections without banging over rocks. Ever seen a mini truck with a 200:1 plus crawl ratio on the rocks? Much less stressfull.

Just a matter of time till a good crawl box is avalible for the 80...

Might be able to go a little lower than the Marks gears if the high range gears come down to a less than 1:1 ratio. A lower high range would also give the street driving of 35 in to 37 in tires, like having 4:88 or 5:25s. Unless you have a diesel everyone could use a lower high range and not need to regear the diffs.

The Samuri guys have such a gear set for there stock cases. 1.6:1 high range and 5:01 low range.

link for Samuri gears http://www.marks4wd.com/products/gearmaster/Suzuki-Sierra-extra-low-tc-gears.htm

 

[Nay]

4:1 gears just will not fit into the OEM 80 transfer case. To go lower one of the low range gears needs to be bigger. AA had to make a new case for the Orion, not only to be stronger using steel but it had to be bigger to fit the 4:1 gears.

Marks 3.11 low range gears are probably the lowest gears that will fit with a 1:1 high range.

link for marks 80 gears http://www.marks4wd.com/products/gearmaster/lc-80-100-extra-low-tc-gears.htm

I agree a "crawl box" between the OEM trans and the trans case would be the best solution for a utra low crawl ratio. A crawl ratio that would enable you to creep though sections without banging over rocks. Ever seen a mini truck with a 200:1 plus crawl ratio on the rocks? Much less stressfull.

Just a matter of time till a good crawl box is avalible for the 80...

Might be able to go a little lower than the Marks gears if the high range gears come down to a less than 1:1 ratio. A lower high range would also give the street driving of 35 in to 37 in tires, like having 4:88 or 5:25s. Unless you have a diesel everyone could use a lower high range and not need to regear the diffs.

The Samuri guys have such a gear set for there stock cases. 1.6:1 high range and 5:01 low range.

link for Samuri gears http://www.marks4wd.com/products/gearmaster/Suzuki-Sierra-extra-low-tc-gears.htm

So are you saying that reducing the high gears would potentially allow a better low range reduction? That becomes worth around $2K because you don't spend on diff regear. Only additional question is whether it can be done with no gear whine...

 

[alkaline747trio]

So are you saying that reducing the high gears would potentially allow a better low range reduction? That becomes worth around $2K because you don't spend on diff regear. Only additional question is whether it can be done with no gear whine...

...and in the driveway or garage without special tools.

 

[calstyl2]

I dont think any of the options being discussed here will be less than 1500 and most likley 2000-2500 when its all said and done, just my opinion, my first Orion was 1500 and dont think you can touch that again