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Newb transfer case suggestions please

The Unknown

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So my build has evolved and I am at a bit of a crossroads regarding my transfer case setup/needs. It is a long story but originally the buggy was going to be Toyota 7mgte powered, TH350, 4.7 dual Toyota cases on Toyota axles and 38's. I now however have a 4.8 LS, 1 tons and 40's. Am I crazy to think the Toyota cases can live somewhat reliably behind my drivetrain? The pros of keeping them is the good low ratio and the simple fact that I already have them setup and ready to go.. Cons are fairly obvious (strength) if my hunches are correct.

I don't really want to shell out for an Atlas if I don't have to and from what I can tell the wait times are ridiculous. I've been looking into an NP205 but will prob need a crawl box in order to get anywhere near a desirable ratio. At the moment that is about as far as I've gotten research wise but am needing to make a decision if I ever plan on finishing this build. Obviously going to a heavier duty setup is prob the best choice in the long run but I don't require maximum strength or the most baller parts as this is just going to be a rec wheeling rig. At the same time though I also don't want to worry about blowing up cases every time out either. What say you?

Any suggestions as to the route I should consider going whether it be something I've mentioned or something I've yet to consider? Whatever the case, thanks for reading.:beer:
 
Atlas.

If 2.72:1 low range is good enough then you might also consider an NV 241.
 
Ecobox/205

I know a bunch of people who put Toyota cases between 1 tons and V8 power. All but one ended up ditching them, except 1, he has 6.17s and the cases have every upgrade you can throw at them. So he would have been money ahead to run something else off the bat. The Toyota cases aren't that great of ratios anyway. The 4.7 is fine, but you really shouldn't even run just the front 2.28 in low much because it puts a lot of stress and heat into the cases. 2.7/2.0 is perfect for a V8.

Shit, even the guys who try to run them behind v6's end up ditching them. :laughing:
 
Heres the rub with doing the black box/205.

If you dont already own one half of the combo you might aswell just buy the atlas.
 
Atlas is about 4.5-5 months out. Order it. You’ll have it for Memorial Day. Once my Jeep is wheeling I plan for an atlas. There isn’t much reason to go with anything else.


I’m also a newb. This is my first rock crawler and I’m going to one tons after two trips.
 
The Unknown said:
Obviously going to a heavier duty setup is prob the best choice in the long run but I don't require maximum strength or the most baller parts as this is just going to be a rec wheeling rig.
Click to expand...
Famous last words. When you're out on the trail with a broken TC because you went hard on a line so you can impress your girl friend (or boy friend) you're going to wish you'd spent the coin on good parts. 40s and tons are heavy and require parts that can send power to them and withstand the shock sent back.
I've been contemplating my TC set up also. Doublers, underdrives, duals, all that good stuff. At the end of the day, Atlas seems like the best option because it's an all in one instead of having to piece together a TC and carry twice the parts Incase of breakage. I'd just rather spend money once than having to possibly spend money twice with a cobbled together TC.
But that's just my .02
 
For my $$$$ it's the late (85-91GM) model NP205.

YMMV depending on what you ultimately do with the truck, I wanted a NP205 for its strength and I use the PTO hole for powering a generator and fire pump in another truck.

The low ratio is not a issue for me but maybe for you.

NP205 = very strong gear type TC.
 
Ive been hunting around for 205s a lot lately and havent found a stock 32s under $1k at all. Every mouth breathing fucktard thinks 10 & 27spl are worth 5-900$ no matter how rotten.

I gave up hunting and just bought a 32spl input to stuff in a fig8 case.

I can find all manor of 205 but i havent seen a circ 6 gm posted in over a year.

So depending on buddy deals and options vrs just throwing cash at the setup you could do it $1500ish to $3k.

So lets say youre gona go budget on it.

Nfw eco is +$800
You need a 241 gm of your spline $100-250
And a fig8 205 $450ish
Input and boring to 32spl $300

Just throw cash on it
Ord magnum $1800ish
Built to order 205 from fb rebuilders $1300ish

Like i said, if you dont allready own one half of the setup, you might aswell just get the atlas.
 
YotaAtieToo said:
2spd starts at $3000, 4spd is $4000.

Have donor cases really gotten that expensive?
Click to expand...

Prices are about 500-800+ around here. Pretty crazy. The one I saw at 550 was gone in a day.



Probably doesn't mean much if you're already running tons but a 2 speed atlas is going to weight less then a 205/anything doubler and you're starting out with brand new equipment.
 
Screen shot dump
The $1 divorced is $750
And there is a $140 10spl.
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Ecobox 205. Sell those yota duals. I've gone down the exact same road and this is where im at. Glad I did.
Edit: I guess I should consider myself lucky for finding a big input bearing 205 from behind a getrag for 300 canuckystan Yuan. The 205 ecobox was 1000 US. I got 900 for my yota duals with mc07 adapter. Works out to a cheap upgrade imo
 
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My advise, look for a M1031 CUCV TRUCK.

They are the trucks that have the figure 8 np205 if that's something you want, you also get a pair of 1 ton axles, D60 and 14 Bolt. and a T400 transmission.
 
total newb said:
Ive been hunting around for 205s a lot lately and havent found a stock 32s under $1k at all. Every mouth breathing fucktard thinks 10 & 27spl are worth 5-900$ no matter how rotten.

I gave up hunting and just bought a 32spl input to stuff in a fig8 case.

I can find all manor of 205 but i havent seen a circ 6 gm posted in over a year.

So depending on buddy deals and options vrs just throwing cash at the setup you could do it $1500ish to $3k.

So lets say youre gona go budget on it.

Nfw eco is +$800
You need a 241 gm of your spline $100-250
And a fig8 205 $450ish
Input and boring to 32spl $300

Just throw cash on it
Ord magnum $1800ish
Built to order 205 from fb rebuilders $1300ish

Like i said, if you dont allready own one half of the setup, you might aswell just get the atlas.
Click to expand...

Remember when any 205 was $100, and they usually didn't need to be rebuilt.......

You definitely have a point, but I wouldn't bother with the ecobox that uses the factory input, just go straight to the integrated version. Although it's about $300 more, so it doesn't change your point.

I also don't think comparing a 4spd case to a 2 spd case is really fair. I don't think I would ever buy just a 2spd atlas myself. I use a ~2:1 low all the time.
 
An option that is around the same money as the toyota stuff is the dana 300. At least when you break that you already have the correct adapter for the atlas. When you destroy the toyota stuff you'll be buying a t-case and an adapter.
 
I got a used smw 203 doubler for gf jeep project.
Decent 465 $100
Decent 32spl 205 from pbb $300
203/doubler $500
10spl input/adapter $200 from pbb.

Im building another for my crew cab
Nv4500 $200 (yes for reals)
Iron tailhousing $180
32spl 203box $100
32spl 205 $400
New ord doubler $820
+$400 on 2 things i wound up not needing

So it can definatly be done cheaper if you have resources and freinds.
 
YotaAtieToo said:
I also don't think comparing a 4spd case to a 2 spd case is really fair.
Click to expand...
This is true too.
Youre def getting more gear selection for that $3000

But you also get your choice of lows with the 2spd atlas and youve got a transmission to shift that will get you the same 2:1 and your low +4:1 with a more compact case


Thrres a lot of factors to consider and a lot of options.

I do a pretty good job of finding parts and deals through friends and handjobs. If you got the cash to drop it can get you good options with the least amount of effort.


I keep bragging about my $200 nv4500. Right place, right time, willing to work to get it. If you think 205 are retarded right now you should try finding a nv4500, it would give corky a siezure and sloth would smash a pirate ship.
 
How much wheelbase and frame width you got? Can you cram a NVG271/273 in there behind a doubler?
 
YotaAtieToo said:
2spd starts at $3000, 4spd is $4000.

Have donor cases really gotten that expensive?
Click to expand...
My Atlas I ordered in September was just under $2,700. I did the math and it was cheaper than building the Dana 20 I already have.

Dana 20 Build

32 Spline Dana 20 output - $450
Low gear set from Jack O'Brien - $2,200
Twin stick kit - $150
Modified Shift rails and detent kit - $95
1350 front output yoke - $125

Total = $3,020

Alternatively you could go with the DIY NWF integrated doubler instead of the gears for $999 + $100 for a junkyard transferase to rob the planetary, but then you need an adapter from advance adapters for about $600 to mate to the C4 which overall would end up $500 cheap ($2,520 total), but then you have questionable strength with the stock gears. If you didn't already have a Dana 20, you would have to score one for less than $180 just to be even with an Atlas in cost, and at the end of the day you have a weaker setup.

That was the math for my personal situation anyway.
 
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The Unknown said:
So my build has evolved and I am at a bit of a crossroads regarding my transfer case setup/needs. It is a long story but originally the buggy was going to be Toyota 7mgte powered, TH350, 4.7 dual Toyota cases on Toyota axles and 38's. I now however have a 4.8 LS, 1 tons and 40's. Am I crazy to think the Toyota cases can live somewhat reliably behind my drivetrain? The pros of keeping them is the good low ratio and the simple fact that I already have them setup and ready to go.. Cons are fairly obvious (strength) if my hunches are correct.

I don't really want to shell out for an Atlas if I don't have to and from what I can tell the wait times are ridiculous. I've been looking into an NP205 but will prob need a crawl box in order to get anywhere near a desirable ratio. At the moment that is about as far as I've gotten research wise but am needing to make a decision if I ever plan on finishing this build. Obviously going to a heavier duty setup is prob the best choice in the long run but I don't require maximum strength or the most baller parts as this is just going to be a rec wheeling rig. At the same time though I also don't want to worry about blowing up cases every time out either. What say you?

Any suggestions as to the route I should consider going whether it be something I've mentioned or something I've yet to consider? Whatever the case, thanks for reading.:beer:
Click to expand...
3.8 atlas, get out of dumb toyota need all the gears ratios land.

cry once, plus with an altas can do front digs, which is a fun party trick
 
crazybluerider said:
An option that is around the same money as the toyota stuff is the dana 300. At least when you break that you already have the correct adapter for the atlas. When you destroy the toyota stuff you'll be buying a t-case and an adapter.
Click to expand...

D300s are good, but they've gotten semi expensive and chances are you'll need to do some upgrades or changes before you can run it.

4:1, 32 spline out puts, rebuild, correct yokes, shifters. By the time you do all that, you'll be damn close to the cost of the atlas. They seem to be better fit to medium power lighter rigs, unless you want to throw a bunch of money at them.

Plus why spend the money twice.
 
YotaAtieToo said:
D300s are good, but they've gotten semi expensive and chances are you'll need to do some upgrades or changes before you can run it.

4:1, 32 spline out puts, rebuild, correct yokes, shifters. By the time you do all that, you'll be damn close to the cost of the atlas. They seem to be better fit to medium power lighter rigs, unless you want to throw a bunch of money at them.

Plus why spend the money twice.
Click to expand...
Not to mention 32s d300 parts have been natoriously hard to get and youll sink $2500 into one just to blow the case apart.
 
205 and a titan= no braking shit, atlas and one bad bounce= broken parts every ware ask me and lots of other people. atlas is great id you can rebuild them all the time. If your buggy is light it will live but can still break
 
Midnight metalworks has D300s with upgraded parts if you want to go that route. But again, just about the same cost of an Atlas
 
if 2.72 works the 241 is a cheap option.
 
2.72 with a bit of axle gear would be a decent option. say 5.38
big thing about this case is build a legit skid plate to protect the case it will not survive any hits
 
BigWheel said:
Midnight metalworks has D300s with upgraded parts if you want to go that route. But again, just about the same cost of an Atlas
Click to expand...

It's a good chunk(almost $1000) more and only available in 4:1. But it's also not a year wait.

Aa's web site says 18-19 weeks and they never seem to actually make when they say.

I'm surprised that a company hasn't came out with a direct atlas competitor. The hero case Is bad ass, but it's more aimed at a higher level, in cost and strength. Seem like with a $3k+ price tag and a near 5 month wait, the door is wide open to make a competitive product.

Especially if it were an established company with a long reputation like Currie, dynatrac, arb, Yukon, ect.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions and discussion. As I expected I am ditching the Yota stuff. Still trying to decide which route to go. I had a 205 laying around for the longest time and sold it after the rig it was a spare for left the family. Kicking myself now as I think I let it got for $150 or something ridiculous like that. I was leaning towards the 205 and some sort of "box" but the Atlas is looking better by the day if only for the packaging. The wait time sucks but what is another 5 months tacked on to a build that will never see the trail? :laughing: Thanks again for the suggestions and perspective, it is a big help. :beer:
 
Here's what I did for my full figured American truck build. Picked up a 31 spline NV271 from a yard for $300, grabbed a 32 spline NP241 from a u pull it yard for $75 and then got a NWF ECO box for retail price. looing back, I wish I would have paid up for a 205 because the 271 is a massive beast and it came with some complications from its size and lack of aftermarket support. For reference a 205/ecobox is nearly the same size as an NP241. the ORD setup is even shorter I believe.
 
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