Any hints on installing this thing. I have one inch body lift!

This is my new friends shop's first time doing an Atlas install.

Hints on clean install of shift levers?

There is concern that they have to hack into the Transfer/tranny skid mount? How do u avoid this? I have a CV rear so skid was never dropped due to lift.

Mine went together VERY easily....just had to "massage" :rolleyes: the floor board cause I put in a T18 at the same time and dont have the body lift. Make sure you seal everything good....ESPECIALLY the speedo gear.....mine leaks like crazy.

Mine was easy too.

No body lift. Had to hammer under the driver seat to make it fit.

Also installed the RE 5.5 Long arm, so the skid plate was different.

I don't think that anything needs to be done to the stock skid.

Once things get lowered back to the normal position, things start to align OK.

Question.. where in the heck do the Atlas II levers end up on the TJ. by the Passengers knees? or in the spot where the 231 lever was.

Do u keep the 4wd indicator lights on the dash or do u loose this feature? Not that it matters.. just curiouse.

Originally posted by coachgeo
Question.. where in the heck do the Atlas II levers end up on the TJ. by the Passengers knees? or in the spot where the 231 lever was.

Do u keep the 4wd indicator lights on the dash or do u loose this feature? Not that it matters.. just curiouse.

The levers end up where the 231 stick was. You have to work with them to fit if you got the bent sticks. You will have to cut out a bigger hole for the levers. Because I couldn't adjust mine to fit the old 231 slot, I have to make the console opening bigger. Now, you are going to get extra heat, so find a way to stop that from getting inside.

As for the indicator lights, just plug the connector into the Atlas and they will work like stock.

Good Luck.

Originally posted by dncswrk


The levers end up where the 231 stick was........... As for the indicator lights...........they will work like stock.

Good Luck.

Thanks..

PS... I just moved this way from Reno :(

Say Hi to Mike Shafer fer me.

OK. I was just at his shop an hour ago.

My 4wd indicator light wiring is to short, so I can't plug it in. I can always lenghten it...Ah, maybe someday.

71RCKCRZR and I put mine in. We did the shifter install and adjustments in about 20 minutes. So, if you have two people it is real easy. I would of hated doing that part by myself; it would of took forever. The rest of it is pretty much a one man job.

after a bellyed up skid, and a two inch body lift, mmy friend had the equvilant of a 3/4 inch body, a small portion of the cross member on the top of the skid had to be removed to accomodate the lower portion of the front out put shaft, not to sure about the auto but the shifter boots are useless, the bind up the levers if the stock console is used

Hi coachgeo,

Not being funny here but do you have the installation instructions? The reason I ask is that the TJ instructions that come with the unit are specific for the Auto Trans.

Yes you do have to hack the Transmission mount. The instructions tell you exactly how to do it. Where to cut, etc.

If for some reason you didn't receive the manual with the Atlas II go to this link

http://atlas-tc.com/

Then using the pull down list, click on "Download Atlas Manual"

This is a large but very detailed document. About 60 pages.

Do you have a belly-up skid plate? If so you will have to clock the Atlas to almost ZERO degrees (It's actually 7 degrees.). And you will have to cut the floor boards and floor board cross member to fit it if you only have a 1 inch body lift.

The cutting will be required to clear the top of the Atlas and the rear Shift Rod housing.

Let me know on this and I can Post a few pictures of the exact cuts you will need to make.

Again, the cuts are for a Tera Belly Up and a one inch body lift only.

If you have a standard skid plate you can get away with just banging the floor boards with a big hammer to get the clearance you need.

If you don't have the directions I strongly advise you download and print them. They are in PDF format.

Hope this helps you out.

Frank

Hello again coachgeo,

Here is a photo of what must be cut IF you have a belly-up and only a 1 inch body lift.

http://home.att.net/~email.id/atlascut2.jpg



This picture was taken from the drivers door opening looking in to the floor and the transmission tunnel.

I put a few labels on it so you can get a reference point.


If you need to cut or trim I would advise you to let the transmission down a bit from the jack and mount the Atlas on it with one or two nuts. Then jack it back up to ride height.

You will clearly see where it will hit. Take a Sharpe Pen and mark the floor boards.

In this case the floor channel under the driver side right bolt hole had to be cut out a bit more to get the clearance needed.

AGAIN PLEASE READ THIS !!!!!! You will only have to cut if you have a belly-up skid and 1 inch or less of body lift on a TJ.

If you have 1 inch Body Lift and the Stock Skid Plate, You can bang enough clearance out with a big hammer.

Frank

Hello again coachgeo,

One last thought and I will leave you alone for a while to do your install.

There are TWO DIFFERENT Shifters for the TJ installation.

The one you want is part # 303002L. If you have this part number the handles should fit nicely through the 231 shifter arm hole with a little bit of forward trimming. The console will need to be trimmed a bit too.

IF you have the Atlas II Shifter for the 5 speed (part # 303003L) you will be doing a lot of trimming to get it to fit.

You might want to check on this.

Frank

Originally posted by Daless2
Hello again coachgeo,

.......

IF you have the Atlas II Shifter for the 5 speed (part # 303003L) you will be doing a lot of trimming to get it to fit.

.......

Frank

Looks like I got the 303003L. Those bent shifters are nice and low (short), but they mean that you have to come up with a 'silencer' for that enlarged slot.

No pictures of mine, sorry.

Oh, Daless2, thanks for that list of things (another thread) to make sure are sealed with the Blue stuff. I missed the shifter bolts and it is a very slow leak that splatters everything.

FRank u da man!!!!!

Im not doint the work... a tiny litte new 4x4 shop (ONLY ONE of Two in a 35 mile radious) is doing the work... They have never done one before though. Im trying to keep this going to help them.. they appreciate it im sure.

Yes the instructions came with it...

Yes I have an Auto Tranny

No.. I dont have a Belly up.. (yettt)

Originally posted by coachgeo
FRank u da man!!!!!

Im not doint the work... a tiny litte new 4x4 shop (ONLY ONE of Two in a 35 mile radious) is doing the work... They have never done one before though. Im trying to keep this going to help them.. they appreciate it im sure.

Yes the instructions came with it...

Yes I have an Auto Tranny

No.. I dont have a Belly up.. (yettt)


I'm sure they will do fine for you. Everyone has to learn sometime. Last time I looked none of us was born with any knowledge.

If I can answer any questions I would be happy to. This is one topic I actually have some knowledge on! :) Imagine that!

You can email me at Email.ID@worldnet.att.net

Correction!!!

I need to correct a statement I made earlier.

With the automatic, you may or may not have to modify the transmission mount. Earlier I had told you you did.

You do need to modify this for the 5 speeds, but for some Auto's it is not required. Others it is.

Must be two types of mounts. It will be obvious to you if you do have to modify it. You won't be able to bolt it up without hitting the Atlas.

If or when you go to the belly up, please shoot me an email note.

I have pictures from the top and the bottom of the floor pan to show what and where it must be cut. I also have a set of templates in the shop defining the shape of the cuts.

My floor pan was refab'd with sheet metal and brazed in place after the install. I am planning on making a mold of it and perhaps making a few fiberglass inserts for the cut outs for folks who might want to go that route.

Good luck to you.

Frank

also don't second guess the breather elbow on the top, it is normal for a few threads to show. some have tightened down and can't get high range to engage. it will interfere if screwed in too far