I am really having a hard time with a transfer case decision. Basically I had a doubler in my trail rig and I loved it. I have been following buggy builds for years preparing for my current project, and it strikes me that most get a 2 speed t-case. But most on here are building racers.
I have my opinions on what the best 4 speed setup is, and by the time I buy it and the required adapter, build shifters and upgrade the 205's bearing retainers, it is going to be sixes versus the 2 speed Atlas.
Now I know the 205 is stronger than the Atlas, and I am building a 4 seater and have the length to fit a 4 speed, so can anyone tell me why to not run a 4 speed for a trail buggy?
My chassis builder says to run a 3.0 Atlas, it is what the car is set up for. I am not building a racer so would lean towards a 3.8 case. I need to get something on it's way so I can move forward with things and I can't make up my mind.
If you can run low enough axle gears your high range can be much more useful. In that case you really don't need two low ranges. Unfortunately 5:13 or 5:38's aren't low enough to make your high range practical for real wheelin', just high speeds. I assume you have a th400?
When I ordered my 2 speed 3.8, AA told me that most guys that order 4 speeds told him that they never really end up using the super low gears. I have 5:38's and 40's and I my crawl ratio in first gear is super low. I almost always find myself in 2nd gear while crawling. I am also a rec wheeler, not a racer.
I have had both and if your not stressed over money the atlas 4 sp is bad ass and you wont use the doubled low gears every time you will be glad when you need them. I had the th400 and the 10.34:1 version atlas with 4:56 gears and 42's it worked really well.
Did not run one in a buggy but ran the 10.34 version. Every one told me i would not need it i was waisting my money. They were wrong, I ran it behind a turbo 350 and a tbi 350 with 4.56 gears in my k5. Was totally bad ass and would spend the coin for another one in a heart beat.
I had 231crawl box to a d300. which is 7.26:1
Was great for technical crawling I used it all the time real weak 4cyl I need it. Auto was nice I didn't stay in 1st very long.
Make sure you have good brakes.
But for the buggy I'm building I just went with a 5.0 atlas 2spd I'll see how that goes.
I could not live without my Atlas 4 speed. I went with the 2.7/3.8 version. People usually use the argument against the 4 speed that the double low is not useful. My response...who gives a shit (although it is useful occasionally). Having the choice between 2.7 and 3.8 is the fawking tits though! Pick a 4 speed with the two most useful low ranges to whatever terrain you will be wheeling and you will not regret it a bit.
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