05 Flame Red TJ Build

I got the sprockets swapped from the 2 SYE’s to get enough clearance for the chain. With a little help from @Wildman, I was able to check the functionality of 2, N, 4H and 4L. Fortunately, the chain didn’t rub anymore. Everything shifts well. Wildman, you were right, the selector was in the wrong orientation. Corrected now. It was nice listening to you since you knew all the nuances of the TCase. Good stuff. Helpful.

Got the case mating surfaces cleaned up and RTV applied very lightly. I spread it thinly with my finger. You don’t want gobs, because it will get in the case, break free and get in your filter for the pump pickup and clog it up. Had trouble getting the case back together, but it finally went together. It’s all cleaned up and ready to be installed tomorrow.

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Wildman said:
Looking GREAT and I'm glad I could help out. That is really what we are all here for....

You need to take a video of your reaction the first time you get to use the 4:1 reduction. You are going to REALLY really like it.
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I’ll be honest. I’m a little afraid about the rpm’s. The Tera instructions say don’t go over 2500rpm while in 4L in 4th and 5th gear, but everyone else keeps generally saying to not do it in any gear in 4L. It would be good to know. Bottom line, i’m going to have to learn to drive different.
 
JMT said:
I’ll be honest. I’m a little afraid about the rpm’s. The Tera instructions say don’t go over 2500rpm while in 4L in 4th and 5th gear, but everyone else keeps generally saying to not do it in any gear in 4L. It would be good to know. Bottom line, i’m going to have to learn to drive different.
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It's pretty awesome in 4:1. I find that I just shift to second and let the jeep idle. That is about the perfect speed for our tight trails in MI. When you get to a technical section, downshift to first and let it crawl. SUPER easy to drive with that low of gearing. You have time to react and think about what's going on.

I've had a set of 4.88's in my cart at a couple different places over the last couple days...I'm getting itchy. Don't know how much longer I can resist lower gears. 4.88's, a 4.02 first gear, and a 4:1 T-case would give me a 78:1 crawl ratio, plus put the engine in a better range for torque in 4-hi. I wish I didn't have so much Jeep stuff on my plate at the moment....that Tub swap is looming large.
 
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JMT said:
I’ll be honest. I’m a little afraid about the rpm’s. The Tera instructions say don’t go over 2500rpm while in 4L in 4th and 5th gear, but everyone else keeps generally saying to not do it in any gear in 4L. It would be good to know. Bottom line, i’m going to have to learn to drive different.
Click to expand...

It's really 2500-3000 RPM's and not for prolonged periods. You can rap it out to 3-4K RPM's for a blip of the throttle what they are talking about is the guy who is trying to get thru a 300' mud pit and has the engine redlined the whole time. You will be find just pay a little more attention to your PRM's is all.

I still snow wheeled with mine and I know I had it above 3K RPM's more than once. And what Mike just said.
 
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Wildman said:
It's really 2500-3000 RPM's and not for prolonged periods. You can rap it out to 3-4K RPM's for a blip of the throttle what they are talking about is the guy who is trying to get thru a 300' mud pit and has the engine redlined the whole time. You will be find just pay a little more attention to your PRM's is all.

I still snow wheeled with mine and I know I had it above 3K RPM's more than once. And what Mike just said.
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Ok, awesome, because I know snow wheeling you often get those RPM’s up there for wheel speed looking for little bits of traction. This gives me some peace of mind.

Mike_H said:
It's pretty awesome in 4:1. I find that I just shift to second and let the jeep idle. That is about the perfect speed for our tight trails in MI. When you get to a technical section, downshift to first and let it crawl. SUPER easy to drive with that low of gearing. You have time to react and think about what's going on.

I've had a set of 4.88's in my cart at a couple different places over the last couple days...I'm getting itchy. Don't know how much longer I can resist lower gears. 4.88's, a 4.02 first gear, and a 4:1 T-case would give me a 78:1 crawl ratio, plus put the engine in a better range for torque in 4-hi. I wish I didn't have so much Jeep stuff on my plate at the moment....that Tub swap is looming large.
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I’ll be at 81.x:1 crawl ratio. Super excited. Yeah, I’m sure the 488’s are calling your name. I’ve thought about it too, maybe even 513’s

Why do we get itchy? I know what you are talking about.

The tub swap will be great! Happy for you. It needs to happen.

Thanks for the advice and tips on driving with a 4:1. Helpful.
 
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JMT said:
Ok, awesome, because I know snow wheeling you often get those RPM’s up there for wheel speed looking for little bits of traction. This gives me some peace of mind.


I’ll be at 81.x:1 crawl ratio. Super excited. Yeah, I’m sure the 488’s are calling your name. I’ve thought about it too, maybe even 513’s

Why do we get itchy? I know what you are talking about.

The tub swap will be great! Happy for you. It needs to happen.

Thanks for the advice and tips on driving with a 4:1. Helpful.
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No more 4 low races on elephant hill for us 🤣
 
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@JMT

Great looking TJ. I have been ploughing through this thread, but so far only up to about page 12 so a lot, lot more to go. I see on your signature you reference a 3" OME lift. Is that different to the typical 2" spring based lift many on here suggest? Maybe different spacers or maybe it is just that it turned out at 3" on your Jeep. Any info would be appreciated.
 
UKTJ said:
@JMT

Great looking TJ. I have been ploughing through this thread, but so far only up to about page 12 so a lot, lot more to go. I see on your signature you reference a 3" OME lift. Is that different to the typical 2" spring based lift many on here suggest? Maybe different spacers or maybe it is just that it turned out at 3" on your Jeep. Any info would be appreciated.
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Thanks!

I have a spacer with the 2933 and 2942 springs. Things have changed a bit and I should update my signature, but the bottom line is my front springs are netting 2” (39lb bumper and 60lb winch) and the rear are netting 2.75” (hardtop, rear seat, bumper, no spare).

I have a 1.5” spacer up front, so 3.5” SL, and a 10mm spacer in the rear, so 3.125 SL.
 
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@DrDmoney. The 4:1 Tera Low is now installed and everything done except the skid plate. My boys helped me, so it only took about an hour and a half to get the TCase bolted to the tranny, the transmission mount, the vent tube, TCase sensor, Speedo sensor with brackets, crossmember, driveshafts and new ATF+4. I like to drive a few miles, check bolts and fluids before putting the skid on. Tomorrow’s my birthday, so I’ll do that tomorrow

The first test drive in front of the house. My boys with me, they were like, “WOW, that’s really slow! That’s way slower than before dad.” I got out and walked by the Jeep a few yards. My face was all grins bc I know the kind of capability this will give me when I need control. Game changer. 😊😊😊😎😎😎.
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Then we drove to O’Reilly’s to get some supplies. Everything looked good when we got home!
 
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JMT said:
@DrDmoney. The 4:1 Tera Low is now installed and everything done except the skid plate. My boys helped me, so it only took about an hour and a half to get the TCase bolted to the tranny, the transmission mount, the vent tube, TCase sensor, Speedo sensor with brackets, crossmember, driveshafts and new ATF+4. I like to drive a few miles, check bolts and fluids before putting the skid on. Tomorrow’s my birthday, so I’ll do that tomorrow

The first test drive in front of the house. My boys with me, they were like, “WOW, that’s really slow! That’s way slower than before dad.” I got out and walked by the Jeep a few yards. My face was all grins bc I know the kind of capability this will give me when I need control. Game changer. 😊😊😊😎😎😎.
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Then we drove to O’Reilly’s to get some supplies. Everything looked good when we got home!
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Welcome to the slower side, I’m glad it ended up where it can be appreciated, i know it will change the way you tackle an obstacle and your clutch will last longer. If you decide it’s not for you or you move up to an Atlas you can give it to someone else that will welcome it. BTW it fits in XJ’s too.
 
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DrDmoney said:
Welcome to the slower side, I’m glad it ended up where it can be appreciated, i know it will change the way you tackle an obstacle and your clutch will last longer. If you decide it’s not for you or you move up to an Atlas you can give it to someone else that will welcome it. BTW it fits in XJ’s too.
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Im very appreciative too. As I read about the Tera, I noticed it would also go in an XJ, so I imagine it will be in the family for a long time! My wife also tells me I need to find 2 TJ’s between $5,000-$10,000 in the next 6 months. One for each of my twin sons. Looks like there’s a lot to come. I’m encouraging my sons to get a YouTube channel and document whatever we do. They may need to find a 16 yr old hottie in yoga 🧘‍♀️ pants to make it work. Maybe they can get enough subscribers to actually make some money. Thank you, @DrDmoney, very cool mod. I may go hit a trail here in a little while!
 
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JMT said:
I got the sprockets swapped from the 2 SYE’s to get enough clearance for the chain. With a little help from @Wildman, I was able to check the functionality of 2, N, 4H and 4L. Fortunately, the chain didn’t rub anymore. Everything shifts well. Wildman, you were right, the selector was in the wrong orientation. Corrected now. It was nice listening to you since you knew all the nuances of the TCase. Good stuff. Helpful.

Got the case mating surfaces cleaned up and RTV applied very lightly. I spread it thinly with my finger. You don’t want gobs, because it will get in the case, break free and get in your filter for the pump pickup and clog it up. Had trouble getting the case back together, but it finally went together. It’s all cleaned up and ready to be installed tomorrow.

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Wait - I need to make sure I’m absolutely clear on this, and that my unbelieving eyes read this correctly...



...Rick was right???

😀
 
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someguysjeep said:
good job.
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Thanks. It was pretty fun sorting out the details. The tolerances on the chain are so close at the fork that if inverted on the bench the chain will rub. Not being under tension from the back half of the case doesn’t help either. When I laid it in operation position, it just cleared by a couple of mm.
 
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that's a cool little gizmo.
i think my only choices are an atlas or the rubi crawler. i haven't spent enough time looking into it/them.
the crawler gear box looks to be 30% less than the cost of an atlas,
TBH i'm not sure i'd really need the depth of an atlas gear box...........and my plate is already overflowed with need to be done projects.
 
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