Been having a devil of a time trying to brake turn with my Tera 4:1 Dana 300 because it's impossable to disengage the rear at times due to binding.
I'm going to take advantage of the ATLAS sale going on this month and wondered if anyone has an opinion from experience on this.
I'm going to go with an automatic trannie this time and and running only 35-35 inch tires will allow me to make up some for some low gearing in my axels.
So if the higher (cheaper) geared ATLAS is indeed easier to pull out of gear I will definately go for it.
Thanks ...

My 4.3 atlas isn't hard to pull out of gear. I'm not sure if my manual trans would have any impact on it. In fact, before I clearanced the floor boards around the shifters it would pop out of gear itself. :mad:

A friend has a 4.3 in an auto and hasn't had any problems either. I know he had a little hassle the first time out trying to shift it into 4-lo, but that was just getting used to it. I think he's fine now.


So, if you're looking for crawl ratio and going Atlas, I wouldn't see any reason to not run a 4.3.

Hey Jaffer,

I run a 4L60E and the 3.03 Atlas with 42's and I feel that it is just low enough. I want to regear the diffs to 5.29 since I can't use OD on the road.

I have a hard time shifting out of rear at times too. Mine binds. A manual would definitly help things.

Hell, if I had a 4.3 I could not stop mine at idle with my current brakes!

i run a th400 with a 3.8 and with the auto there are times when the sifteres seem to bind and it is hard to shift the t-case. i have found sometimes i have to put the tranny in first or reverse and then back to nuetral to finally get it to shift. other times it shifts easy. i do think with a manual you could slip the clutch and not have these problems.......not that i would switch back to a manual though. i love the auto!!!

I'm still running my stock 300 with a twin stick. I've got an auto trans. If you're still rolling you can blip the skinny pedal while keeping tension on the stick- pops right out. In the worst bind up situations I just stand on the brake (Don't want back up penalty) and hit reverse while I'm leaning on the stick, works like clockwork. seems to be even smoother after doing this a few hundred times.

Jaffer, if you like your 300 aside from the shifting you may just work on a better twin stick setup and practice technique. The Atlas gets bound up too but does seem to be smoother on average- just not $2,400 worth of smooth for me.:eek:

Originally posted by G02Guy

Jaffer, if you like your 300 aside from the shifting you may just work on a better twin stick setup and practice technique. The Atlas gets bound up too but does seem to be smoother on average- just not $2,400 worth of smooth for me.:eek:

I'm running a NV4500 in front of your clocking ring and Tera'd Dana 300, GO2Guy.
I'ts a fresh build, has Currie sticks and shifts smooth as silk during normal straight foreward driving.
But in a typical gate binding is usually so bad that IF I can move a stick I've learned that if I go to neutral the front comes out easier, then I can disengage the rear, apply the rear brakes, then re-engage the front ... then ... if I can remember to do so ... put the trannie back into gear!
By that time I've lost a point for stopping for all that ... then usually have to back up and take another 2 point penalty anyway!:mad:
Anywho, the D 300 is fine for now, I just need a LOT more practice!
That new ATLAS is for the new Stock Modified TJ project which will have a 350 auto.
I watch the other guys in the comps and some can go into and out of brake turning mode so easily it makes me sick with envy! ... but they've been doing it a LOT longer and have refined both their equipment and technique ... :)
All I know is that until I can do a LOT better job at turning I'll never do that well, points wise, in competition.

Jaffer, I know I'll see you in 2 wks- what about Reno?

It may be that i leave my Jeep with Jake and let him haul it for me.

Haven't decided on Reno yet but I could sure use the added experience and will just spectate and shoot pics at SuperCrawl ...
UROC's 36" tire and other rules puts me at too much disadvantage. Plus, I'm betting it's going to be one of the toughest coarses ever...
They are going to have to do something to weed out the chaft!

You are welcome to full shop facilities while you are here in case you need them ;) ... that goes for every one else here too.

Jaffer- very nice of you, hopefully I don't need to take you up on that- be sure to come around so we can meet.

Here's some pics of the shop and new project.
Lots of elbow room ... :p
Just look for that blue CJ, probably with no hood ... or maybe one in primer ...

Jaffer's Jeep Lab (http://www.monsterslayer.com/jeep/TJCrawler/TJCrawler.htm)

http://www.monsterslayer.com/jeep/TJCrawler/OnTrailerInside.jpg

My 3.8 was a biotch to shift at first, but now after about 10 runs or so it shifts killer! :beer: