Atlas, which one?

[BamaTJ]

This is several months out, but I would like to upgrade to an Atlas early next year. I am gonna put the buggy on the backburner because I like my Jeep as is and want to wheel a lot more! I am keeping with the idea of only making upgrades that I can re-use on a future buggy, because that makes sense. That said, my current NP231 has stock gearing with a SYE and HD rear output. My crawl ratio in first gear is 38:1 and that is all I ever use on the trails. I know how to drive that ration well because I have had it for a long time. Biggest decision is 2spd or 4spd. Cost difference is about $400.

Help me with the following:

• Is the 4spd worth the extra $, what are the cons beside weight and shorter dshafts?
• What ratio in a 2spd, 3.8 or 4.3

 

[BamaTJ]

Some specs:
2spd Long Tail = 110lbs and 13.8" long
4spd Long Tail = 125lbs and 17" long

 

[Speeding]

3.8 2sp with standard shifters. Y'know, if I were you. ;D


4sp is useless for you IMO. You've got an auto, you don't need stupid low gearing for...anything.

 

[BamaTJ]

The 4sp is more about options than anything. I would have 53:1, 38:1 (which I know), and then 81:1 and 145:1 for crawling in Clayton and what not. I like the flexibility if offers and the fact that I can get it back to 38:1 because I know it and I think it is dead on for most of the stuff we run. The 2spd 3.8 gives me 53:1 in 1st which might be too low and 30:1 in 2nd which I think is a little too high...

 

[blacksheep10]

with the 4speed you have the 2.72 range box on the front correct? that matches your current ratio? Do teh 4 speed, you'll be pissed if you have too much gearing and are in 3rd looking for wheelspeed.

 

[P]

I think you've already made up your mind... hell you already answered your own question bro !!

 

[tonka toy]

i like the 2 speed 4.3 that is what i have i don't need the 4 speed but that is my 2 cents

 

[Speeding]

I just see a four speed breaking... Klunes explode all the time and isn't the front half of a 4sp basically a klune?

 

[BamaTJ]

Yeah I did kinda answer my question, **** it's a long way off I am sure I will change my mind on it anyways. I would not put a klune and an Atlas in the same league. Klune sucks and so does their service....

Wngrog needs to chime in I think he has the 4spd....

 

[circuit]

Hey Matt talk to Big Nick he runs the 3 speed STACK might help in your quest

 

[Ken_00]

Matt,
I vote for 2 speed 3.8 case. I've ran both a 4.3 and a 3.8 & hands down I'd never go 4.3 again. For tires in the 40" area and 4.88 - 5.13 gears the 3.8 is just about right for Clayton & Hot Springs style wheeling....of course that's behind a healthy V8 too.

 

[BamaTJ]

That is good to know Ken, thanks for the first hand account that is what I need. No V8, but my auto has a good 2.74:1 1st gear. I am all about saving some coin and would love to have something that will work good in places like Hot Springs and Clayton, because those are the only places where I find my gearing struggles. Around here it is all about wheelspeed

 

[bigsilly]

Yes Nolen did get the 4 speed. I have to agree with a couple of other responses that a 2 speed with an automatic is all you need, but having the options of a 4 speed would be nice. For that small of a $$ difference why not go with the most choices??

 

[InDaShop]

Atlas II in the 6.0:1

 

[John Galbreath Jr.]

I looked hard at the 4 speed when I went with the 2 speed 4.3 Atlas in the Purple Jeep. They did not have the ratios I needed to make it worthwhile.

Here is a gear ratio calculator: http://www.intercotire.com/site58.php

I would have gone 4 speed if they wound have had a low "street Gear" My 4.56 gears on 44" on the street is way high. I just go from 1st to 2nd a lot ;D

 

[P]

Between the HP60 swap with Blacksheep and this thread..... Ive almost convinced my self to spend money on an Atlas. Ive always wanted one since I was a wee lil lad.

 

[John Galbreath Jr.]

Ive always wanted one since I was a wee lil lad.

There's your answer. Do it or not be happy, your choice

 

[Go_Vols]

Klune's suck? That's news to me... Between myself, Jay Albrecht (TTC '05), all the Blacksheep4x4 guys... I don't think one klune has had an issue... and they haven't been babied.

Too low? No such thing! I just installed the 6.0 Atlas behind my Klune 4.0... so I guess I have all the shitty parts! Have you guys already forgotten the beat down the Texas guys placed on you in Clayton? ;D

Matt, having options is definitely the way to go in a Jeep-based crawler... at least if you ever want to get away from the red clay mud parties in AL and go find big rocks to play on! Buggies are a whole different animal in weigh, approach, suspension, etc... where gearing is less important than horsepower and balance.

 

[blacksheep10]

Klune's suck? That's news to me... Between myself, Jay Albrecht (TTC '05), all the Blacksheep4x4 guys... I don't think one klune has had an issue... and they haven't been babied.

Too low? No such thing! I just installed the 6.0 Atlas behind my Klune 4.0... so I guess I have all the shitty parts! Have you guys already forgotten the beat down the Texas guys placed on you in Clayton? ;D

Matt, having options is definitely the way to go in a Jeep-based crawler... at least if you ever want to get away from the red clay mud parties in AL and go find big rocks to play on! Buggies are a whole different animal in weigh, approach, suspension, etc... where gearing is less important than horsepower and balance.

all due respect dude, come to 'bama or run an xrra east course and see how your "can't be too low" works out. I think matt's did fine there and Bens did very well, his driving style was just too much for a rockwell shaft and for those rocks. I have 5.4:1 and only see myself using it in a rock garden or disney/clayton. about 10% of my wheeling, and the same for those guys I suspect.

 

[Go_Vols]

all due respect dude, come to 'bama or run an xrra east course and see how your "can't be too low" works out. I think matt's did fine there and Bens did very well, his driving style was just too much for a rockwell shaft and for those rocks. I have 5.4:1 and only see myself using it in a rock garden or disney/clayton. about 10% of my wheeling, and the same for those guys I suspect.

I know, I know, low gearing is not for southeastern hill climbs... but I've got plenty of higher gears for those times when I need them too. Conversely, if you ain't got the gears, you aren't going rock crawling... so options are always a good thing.