Orion/Orion HD?

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marks69cruiser

marks69cruiser

Joined
Sep 5, 2008
Threads
36
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475
Location
Lebanon, Oregon
Anybody buy the complete bolt in case from AA? Seems like it might be worth it if you are having shifting and popping out of gear issues. I have a stock fj40 case and am looking to upgrade. I would be pissed do drop all that money and not have a great case with no problems. Mark.:beer:
 
I am not aware of Advance offering a stock replacement Orion that is a bolt-in affair.

They offer the Orion HD, which uses a different main shaft in the transfer case, which is not compatible with the OEM rear parking brake assembly. Also, the HD unit uses a different front output shaft and nose cone assembly, along with a different front drive engagement system, compared to the stock Toyota one-piece Land Cruiser transfer case.
 
I just read the description on AA's website on the orion HD. Seems like the way to go. I have a gm 350, sm420 combo with the extreme bend's adapter. Do you guys know if I will have any problems bolting this up? I am assuming the outputs are roughly the same distance so no drive line changes will be needed but you never know. I would love a report on these t-cases. Thanks. Mark:beer:
 
On the parking brake assembly I have a disc setup sitting on the bench not yet installed. Is the new shaft not compatible with the disc set up? Thanks again for all your help. Mark.:beer:
 
marks69cruiser said:
I just read the description on AA's website on the orion HD. Seems like the way to go. I have a gm 350, sm420 combo with the extreme bend's adapter. Do you guys know if I will have any problems bolting this up? I am assuming the outputs are roughly the same distance so no drive line changes will be needed but you never know. I would love a report on these t-cases. Thanks. Mark:beer:
Click to expand...

When we did my swap, the SM420 and Orion combined allowed me to simply 'swap' the front DS for the rear. I am not so sure you will get that lucky, but it worked for me (:hhmm: not so sure it was the right thing to do, either).

And the quality of the Orion? No problems whatsoever with the product.:cheers:
 
spdwaver1 said:
When we did my swap, the SM420 and Orion combined allowed me to simply 'swap' the front DS for the rear. I am not so sure you will get that lucky, but it worked for me (:hhmm: not so sure it was the right thing to do, either).

And the quality of the Orion? No problems whatsoever with the product.:cheers:
Click to expand...

I've been thinking about an Orion with my SM420. Is the 1st-low too low? I have a Warden't adapter plate, which one did you use? Sorry it's a bit off topic.
 
Cruiserdrew said:
I've been thinking about an Orion with my SM420. Is the 1st-low too low? I have a Warden't adapter plate, which one did you use? Sorry it's a bit off topic.
Click to expand...

1st? I am not sure what that is, exactly :hhmm:: I only use 2nd through 4th on the road. Actually, first is PERFECT off road since you can pretty much avoid shifting into low.

My pops (before he sold it to me) bought/installed the adapter plate, which I believe to be AA.

If you need more specific information, I can get that for you, including pictures/measurements.:cheers:
 
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The hd is a nice unit. Several key upgrades that make it quite strong.
 
i finished an orion HD / NV4500 swap n a customers cruiser a while ago. great setup, trhe HD is a nice unit. he's got a couple thousand miles on it now but no major wheeling trips yet.
 
Has anyone running the Orion HD experienced the popping out of gear phenomenon or the overly hard shifting? Also I have the AA twin stick on my stock case with a long throw for low and Hi range and a really short throw for the front four wheel drive engagement. Is this normal? Is the Orion's setup the same? Any info would be much appreciated! thanks, Mark.:beer:
 
marks69cruiser said:
Also I have the AA twin stick on my stock case with a long throw for low and Hi range and a really short throw for the front four wheel drive engagement. Is this normal?
Click to expand...


Yes it is normal...

The front drive actuation rod on the nose cone of the transfer case moves less than an inch between being in and out of front drive.



The Orion will be identical...
 
I have an HD with the twin stick and an as yet to be completed High Angle Driveline disk brake kit (not too happy with that - but heck, I'm lazy and the issues are minor).

It pops out on loooooong steep decents. However, it slowly starts to creep out - and if you're aware of it (i.e. paranoid) it just becomes habitual to reach over and pull back on it once in a while - after the first time it popped out I develed the habit of checking it, and it's never been a problem since.

For anyone wanting to stay with an offset rear - this is the best t-case in my opinion, and the new nose cone is plenty beefy.

Be sure to factor in your 32 spline output flanges - they are not cheap, and even messier if you're going to run a disk brake kit.
 
There are a couple of threads regarding the HD. I have it and it does pop out at least on teh 4 speed ones, not sure on teh 3 speeds'. I use a bungee cord to hold it in. You have to come up with a new E brake. I went with Rear disc calipers and a line lock. High Angle is supposed to come out with disc kit but when I got mine there was not a lot of demand.
On the poping out, they are aware of it and are supposed to come out with a fix. Haven't touched base in a while. My understanding, not sure if this accurate or not, is they are setting themselves up to cut the gears in house and that is what the delay has been.

You need to change your speedo if you get one as it uses a VSS.
 
Thanks for the input guys! I am going to stick with stock for a while. I heard of a case saver, anyone running one? Where, who, how much? Once again any info would be appreciated! Thanks. Mark:beer:
 
I have a case saver that I got from Poser, but I think he is out. Also, Orangefj45 (Georg at Valley Hybrids) also had a bunch, so check with him. Since the 3 speed case is not all that strong, the case saver is a good idea. With an Orion, the case is made of cast iron, and breaking the case is no longer a problem.

The original case saver design was by Don Amway, just to give credit where it's due.
 
marks69cruiser said:
Thanks for the input guys! I am going to stick with stock for a while. I heard of a case saver, anyone running one? Where, who, how much? Once again any info would be appreciated! Thanks. Mark:beer:
Click to expand...

If you can not find one made by an IH8MUD member (I have one made by Poser), SOR sells them.

See the bottom of the page below.
Transfer Case Saver
 
i still have some, i'm also selling "nose-cone savers" as of the middle of next week.

georg @ valley hybrids

PS: the tc savers are not necessary when running an orion or orion HD. the nose cone saver would help with an orion but definetly not needed for the HD.
 
Cruiserdrew said:
I've been thinking about an Orion with my SM420. Is the 1st-low too low? I have a Warden't adapter plate, which one did you use? Sorry it's a bit off topic.
Click to expand...

i think that setup would be awesome. you'd be in second on most of the trail ( like rubicon) but first will be there when you need it. :grinpimp:
 
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