full time transfer and front digs better than altas??

[Strange Rover]

In Australia an atlas is really expensive so when I built this tube buggy I just used a stock land rover discovery drivetrain.

Its got a 4.4L alloy V8 (similar to a buick 215 except more cubes) and 4 speed ZF auto and an LT230 transfer (Rover aluminium gear driven full time case with stock 3.3:1 low range). The transfer has got a centre differential and also a centre diff lock (like any other full time case) and a handbrake drum on the rear output. So to do a front dig all you got to do is unlock the centre diff and pull the handbrake (actually got a foot pedal hooked up to do this) and stand on the gas. It locks the rear output and spins up the centre diffs side gears and drives the front output.

My other rig (mogrover) has got a twin stick NP205 and mog 404 axles and front digs well - I use it all the time cause this mofo is 112in WB and 89in wide. Now whether this thing has an atlas or a twin stick NP205 it doesent matter - it will dig the same.

Now I will swear that my tube buggy with the full time case will dig circles around my mogrover. Unbelievable how much more versatile the full time case is. Basically the reason why its so much better is because a rig in fulltime 4wd with the centre diff open is much more capable than a rig in front wheel drive. You can do front digs while crawling up a ledge or turning up an incline. You can just cruise around over lots of stuff with the centre unlocked and dig whenever you want to with out having to muck about trying to get the rear out only to have to put it back in to crawl the front tyres up a 2 foot ledge (and then try to get it out again to keep digging) And also with the full time case you dont have to totally stop the rear wheels to do a dig - you can just slow them down a touch to bring the front around a bit more or you can lock them up and do a conventional dig.

The full time case will absolutely eat a rear disconnect in terms of manouverability and ease of use. The only downside is how long my full time case will cop having the side gears spun up under load but time will tell .

The other benefit of the full time case is when you lock the rear wheels the front wheels spin twice as fast (because of the side gears) so you can get real good wheel speed on the front end top spin it around

Not trying to say that an LT230 is the case to have but maybe some other full time case is. Worth a thought (maybe??)

Sam

EDIT:did have this posted in comps section but I "moved" it here so not really a cross post.

[Moab Austin]

i thi8nk it will ultimately blow the case up.
I have toyed with hte idea of clutching the outputs in an atlas so you just hit a button stay on the gass and it basically clutches or cancels the rear driveline, let off the bottun and you got 4 dig again.

never thought about the 2x wheelspeed from a diff though.

[Strange Rover]

Yep it will blow for sure eventually although Im going to keep an eye on it. Ill pull the centre diff before our next comp to have a look at it and basically try to break it between now and then.

I just think that a full time case has got a lot of advantages in a comp rig if you could find one that will be reliable.

The LT230 is doing OK so far though. The loads on the centre diff would be similar to doing a one wheel burnout in a rear wheel drive car and they seem to cop that for a fair while.

Sam

[BobBarry]

I like the idea, just because it is unconventional.

Seriously, though, a selectable central diff locker gives you more versatility over a straight part-time case, just as a selectable axle-diff locker gives you more versatility than a spool or welded axle. In the latest Off-Road Adventures, Jim Allen's "Lore and Lies" article speaks of the advantage of a full-time case in mud.

The only limitation will be compromises in strength, and adjusting driving-style to take advantage of the extra versatility.

[Mieser]

So are there any upgrades for the rover case, stronger models, whatever??

I remember reading somewhere about a 4 sidegear case or something years ago.

[64rovr]

Originally posted by Mieser
So are there any upgrades for the rover case, stronger models, whatever??

I remember reading somewhere about a 4 sidegear case or something years ago.

You can get 4.3:1 low range gears for it, and if you really wanted to there is a part time conversion kit available (replaces center diff with spool). it is a heavy duty, aluminum case, gear driven beast. depending on which model you select (what truck and what year it came from) you can get a 1:1, 1.22:1, 1.4:1, or 1.6:1 high range.

i think that if you used the 1.6:1 case in a comp buggy with an auto, that it would be pretty useful for whatever higher wheelspeed stuff you need.

[Mieser]

Just thought of something else....both diffs are offset. Not this offset....



...but it would be closer

So has anyone replaced the heavy drum brake with a disc?

[64rovr]

yeah i've seen it done, HandBuilt here on the board fabbed one up for his.

[yager]

hehe sounds like a trick setup...

on the side gears, never seen the internals on that case but thinking along the lines of a regular diff.... could you machine back the gear heads a bit and get a thin needle type bearing in there? also possibly a 2nd on the shaft part too ?

with the custome stuff that gets made im sure if its needed somthing will get made or created...

how does that brake hold up to all this use? defintly the disk woudl last longer...

keep us updated...
-mike