Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to experience the difference between my NP231 transfer case with a 2.72:1 ratio and a transfer case 4:1 in the rocks. I want to make a change but welcome the collective thoughts of this beehive of user knowledge.
A bit about my Jeep:
My random thoughts and questions that I have pieced together so far…
I am always trying to think ahead about the cascading effect of upgrades to my Jeep, but I sometimes miss the obvious. In your opinion, what am I missing? Why would I not want to do this?
A bit about my Jeep:
- 1997 Sport 4.0
- 32rh Transmission
- Dana 30/Dana 44 that are locked and trussed with 30 spline chromoly axles. They are geared to 4:56.
- Black magic 15” brake kit.
- Custom belly-up skid.
- What I do - My Jeep lives tucked into the garage corner. It comes out to explore the southern California mountains and desert. I run on everything from fire roads and mild trails to the Rubicon Trail, Moab, Johnson Valley, etc. I most enjoy the rocks. We love to drive it around town in the spring and summertime and don't want to decrease that pleasure significantly.
- What I don't do - I do not intentionally take my Jeep in the mud. I actively avoid it and always will. I do not play in the dunes and have no desire to.
My random thoughts and questions that I have pieced together so far…
- I see two obvious ways to reach a 4:1 ratio: a 241 transfer case or an Atlas 2-speed. I am leaning towards the Atlas for the additional capabilities of a front dig in particular *Edit: The comments are putting more emphasis on this than my real world use will (and just because I can).
- However, I am unsure if one approach or another requires significantly more cost or effort.
- I see the Atlas is available with a 4:3:1 or a 5.0:1. Will the 5.0 be overly limiting when it comes to the time on the trail spent in between major obstacles where 4hi is too high and 4 low (with 5.0 ) is too low and slow?
- I seem to run across more Atlas conversions than 241 conversions. Any idea why? I believe it is likely related to item #2.
- I understand the swap will produce significantly more stress in the drive line. Given my setup (see above), what will likely be my new failure point?
I am always trying to think ahead about the cascading effect of upgrades to my Jeep, but I sometimes miss the obvious. In your opinion, what am I missing? Why would I not want to do this?
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