Topic: Which one first?

[neale_rs]

Looking for some opinions here on what to do first.  The YJ is on 33s and has a rear dana 44 with an ARB locker.

The two mods I've got in mind are:

Atlas 4 speed (about 10:1)  and
Front locker with alloy shafts

The plan has been to add the Atlas 4 speed first to be able to crawl slower but now I'm thinking it could lower the reliability too much due to the much higher torque that could be placed on one rear axle shaft. So it might be better to add the front locker first and then save up again to get the Atlas.

[FourbangerYJ]

Atlas first. Bring spare front shafts  They are cheap and easy to swap (IF) you brake one.
With the ARB open the one tire not getting traction will spin. You should be fine with that as far as breakage. Since you get a better crawl ratio you have time to hit the switch to lock the rear.

[Mozman68]

Agreed...the atlas will give you benefits right away while the shafts will just give you peace of mind...low risk I think...

[neale_rs]

Thanks for the opinions...unanimous among those who answered.

Thanks

[aw12345]

Problem with the Atlas 4 speed is that it's being redeveloped, so no telling when it becomes available and it's huge. It's what I wanted, ordered it and then got told it could be up to a year before they put them back in production. Still a 5:1, 2 speed is not bad

[neale_rs]

Not good to hear that it could take that long.  I researched the length and it seems that with the short output option it would actually be 1" shorter than the NP231 with standard length SYE.  I would probably be ordering it about February of next year, we'll see how it goes.

Thanks

[neale_rs]

Just read on the Advance Adapters page that it is now 1.75" longer than before, so it would now end up 0.75" inches longer than the NP231 with standard SYE.  The good news it that now it can be built with 2.72 and 4.3, which was not available before.

[FourbangerYJ]

Problem with the Atlas 4 speed is that it's being redeveloped, so no telling when it becomes available and it's huge. It's what I wanted, ordered it and then got told it could be up to a year before they put them back in production. Still a 5:1, 2 speed is not bad

  

[drunkencityworker]

I would say lock and chromo the front. Maybe hub conversion if you can swing it. Thats if you use on the street and drive it to wheel. If trailor queen you can get away with taking more risk and practice for the world record in swapping shafts.

[Jeffy]

Hmm, I'd go with the transfer case.  It will do a few things.  Give you a SYE and give you additional strength (gears as well as HD shafts, 2WD HI).  If you do a 5:1 you wouldn't be in a bad place.  Do a NV4500 later and you'll have your ultra low granny.  The only downside is losing 2.72:1 which is really nice when you don't need to be crawling so slow.  Or wait on the 4-Speed and get the front locker.

[Torch_Ind]

do the t-case first!!

you could even run it with stock shafts.  see how it goes.

[TahoeYJ]

The only downside is losing 2.72:1 which is really nice when you don't need to be crawling so slow.  Or wait on the 4-Speed and get the front locker.

I like Jeffy's idea 

[neale_rs]

It looks like the 4 speed TC is getting the most votes.  Thanks for all the replies.

[neale_rs]

After some research:

A stock NP231 is about 20.5 inches long

An NP231 with standard SYE us about 16 to 16.5 inches long (this is my current setup)

A 4sp Atlas is 18.8 inches long according to Advance Adapters.

This means I could lose as much as 2.8 inches of rear driveshaft length compared with my current setup (but still about 1.7 inches longer than the stock driveshaft).
I think it could work out well enough.  Any opinions on this?

Thanks

[Jeffy]

I don't think anyone's going to say not to get the 4spd.