Is there a best drivetrain thread? I understand it's more or less a personel preference thing but I would be interested in seeing why people think their setup or a certain setup is the best. Basically I am swapping out the drivetrain in my YJ soon and would be really interesting to see this.

Thanks!

i remember seeing one about a month or 2 ago, search for drivetrain, ultimate,and other stuff

While I know it's not THE best, I loved my modified 350 / TH350 / Dana 300 drivetrain. On the same note, there is no such thing as the all encompassing "best drivetrain." Different situations and uses require different needs. Some situations need high HP, others need more torque. Some situations, such as steep decents, favor a manual, while others favor autos. Then, there is always the personal preference. Whatever works best for the individual

A well tuned fuel injected V8 with good low end and mid range power,(you will still make all the high end HP you need due to the self adjust nature of EFI power bands). A twin stick Atlas II, or D300. And a reliable slush box , with manual valve bodies. That seems to be the all around hot ticket, and is a very versatile combo with few limitations or short commings.
I preffere a manual, but its hard to try and win an argument about the virtues of a maual over an auto, if you really understand the capabilities of both.

i agree with h8. a fuel injected v8 is a great place to start. i ran with a carb for many years and when i finally swapped over to efi it took things to a whole different level. the auto verses manual debate will never be solved. my sugguestion is drive a couple of rigs that are equipped about the same but one with a manual and one with a auto. i ran a manual in my jeep for 11 years before swapping i was running a np435 for abotu the last 5 of those. i liked it. when i swapped in my new motor i decided iit would be a good time to try an auto. to tell you th truth i was scared that i would not like it. well that fear is gone now that i got it running and I LOVE it!! i definatly like it better than the manual. the autos have more that can go wrong though and that is the week point as i see it.

this weekend i finally completed my d/train. i think i have everything i want/need. i run a 99 vortec 350, th400, and an atlasII 3.8 with the 32 spline front output. i just got the atlas in this weekend so hopefully i'll get to go test it out next weekend. i can really tell the difference in the 3.8 low compared to my d300's 2.62 low. i really think i'm gonna like it. i also like the twin sticks. i went to a gravel parking lot, put it in front low, set my rear lever lock, cut the wheels, and gave her the gas, she piviots on a dime :D now i can't wait to go play!

one more thing i'll add about my atlas install. i switched over to 1350 joints and let me tell you the 1350's will not take the angle that the 1310's would. i even lowered my tranny/t-case mount when i added the atlas. i had to clearance the yokes to ensure they didn't bind at angles. they won't bind now but it is just something to remember if a similar swap is in your future

When my heep is finally going again I will be running a 4.3 TBI with a TH350 and an Atlas II(not sure between 3.8 or 4.3) I'll have a 14 bolt in the rear and a RC 60 up front...I went with the 4.3L vs. a 350 because of weight and size...the 4.3L is pretty damn short and in a heep that is crucial...my wheel base is going to be stretched about 9" in the rear and about 2" in the front...I think my angles will all be pretty good even with everything tucked way up...I went with a slushbox over a manual because I got two for free so figured why not:D:D:D

Why the 4.3 over a 4.0, just more power and lighter weight? I can't see a need for a V8 in my rig for it's application, just rockcrawling. I had the 2.5L until it blew which was actually ok with my gearing but still a little underpowered so I want to move to a V6. Light weight is great and I was eyeing a 4.0 for sale but still researching which tranny would fit it, it seems like no one keeps the AX15 when rebuilding their rig, I guess it's gearing is not up to par as my AX5 sucked. I've pretty much got my mind set on the Atlas so it's really just a decision between the engine and tranny.

I will be running 302/NP435/ dana300 or toy t-case . I don't NEED a V-8 for most of the wheeling I want to do but it won't hurt to have it and will make the occasional mud/fireroads a hell of alot more fun. if you can get a V-8 for the same as a 4.0 I say why not? it will get the same gas milage if you drive it nice.

"if you can get a V-8 for the same as a 4.0 I say why not? it will get the same gas milage if you drive it nice."

I'll get flamed for this but my wife and myself do a lot of traveling. She's a photography major so from here in West Texas we've driven to Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Cali, etc. to wheel and sight see.

The 2.5L got great mileage even with our heavy D44 combo. Any V8 recommendations that get good mileage or are they all basically the same?

Originally posted by attachcurrie
Why the 4.3 over a 4.0, just more power and lighter weight?

Well my Jeep had the 2.5L to start with so I would have to get new motor mounts with whatever motor I used...trannys are a lot more plentiful for the chevy 90* bellhousing than prolly any other motor...then if later on you decide to go with a 350 it is just a matter of changing your mounts and the rest of your drivetrain can stay the same with no adapters..but I think the 4.3L will put out plenty of power...and the 4.3L is shorter than the 4.0:D:D:D

:flipoff2:

Originally posted by attachcurrie
"if you can get a V-8 for the same as a 4.0 I say why not? it will get the same gas milage if you drive it nice."

I'll get flamed for this but my wife and myself do a lot of traveling. She's a photography major so from here in West Texas we've driven to Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Cali, etc. to wheel and sight see.

The 2.5L got great mileage even with our heavy D44/D60 combo. Any V8 recommendations that get good mileage or are they all basically the same?

if you have overdrive and a 302 you could easily get 20mpg on the highway, in a mustang they get 30mpg on the highway!!!

Originally posted by RokHeep
:flipoff2: :flipoff2: lucky bastard