Hey TJers,
So last weekend I discovered how awesome it was to have a doubler in my Kubota diesel powered TJ Wrangler. I'll admit I installed the Northwest Fab Eco Box doubler on my Wrangler without fully understanding how powerful of tool it would be offroad.
I discovered how great the double was last weekend when I helped my father-in-law build a bridge so we could connect our two properties. There is a small creak that runs between our two properties and it's just too deep and more importantly too muddy for me to be able to cross in my TJ.
While carrying down the woods and supplies to build the bridge, I discovered how I could use my doubler and transfer case to both help me ascend and descend the hills to get to the creak!
So the doubler allows me me to have the following ranges. I have high range of 1:1 and low range of 2.72:1 in the doubler and then all the position of my NP231 transfer case as well which has a 2.72:1 low range as well. This gives me the following ranges:
High Range - 2-High = 2wd 1:1
High Range - 4-High = 4wd 1:1
High Range - 4-Low = 4wd 2.72:1
Low Range - 2-High = 2wd 2.72:1
Low Range - 4-High = 4wd 2.72:1
Low Range - 4-Low = 4wd 7.4:1
My favorite range while I'm on very tight technical terrain is 2wd-Low with my transfer case is 2-High and my doubler in Low Range. This allows me to crawl through trails while not having to worry about binding my front axle with quick lock to lock steering.
Also if you notice I have two ways of getting to 4-Low now. They both operate the same way and feel the same as well, though I find I prefer going to 4-High on my transfer case and just leaving the doubler in Low Range. This is great when I need to quickly change my steering and I want a tighter turning radius.
However for going down any obstacle Low Range on the doubler and 4-Low on my transfer case is my favorite. I have engine braking in first gear on my AW4 automatic, so I'm able to crawl down steep grades using the drivetrain to slow my TJ instead of relying on the brakes and possibly loosing steering input on slick/muddy surfaces!
I'll admit I'm keeping my eye out for a Rubicon case. It would give me even more ranges and ratios to play with!
Let me know what you think!
Thanks
Grant
Here's the video if you want to watch it: