Topic: Abusing Squirrels

[95yjman]

If you're attached to your YJ then consider putting a 2-speed Atlas in it and swapping axles.  Or at least swapping in a D44 or 8.8" in the rear.

Done 

[sharpxmen]

Done 

you might wanna cut them u-bolts flush with the nuts, gain another 1 or 2 inches of clearance

[neale_rs]

thats what puts in at a cross roads, I have a friend that has givin up on his scout project wants to practically give it to me which would be a source of d44s and a t18 trans (trans would go in a willys I think a 5 speed is better for the 2.5 with road use). but then its re gear lockers....  and the rust.. but the 2.5l has never let me down and surprised me... a 4:1 atlas would be nice. but then that gets low for the mud but rubi would be in same position. My indecisiveness is killing me right now. I know I have 1 more mod to do to the yj before it goes anywhere though  ....

Here are ratios with the NP231 (2.72) and with an Atlas (4.3), assuming 4.56 axle gears:

in 1st
48.74      77.06
in 2nd
28.90      45.69
in 3rd
17.98      28.43
in 4th   
12.40      19.61
in 5th
10.54      16.67

Unless you are running in mud in 3rd (you might as well be in 4hi, first gear) or 4th, the Atlas 4.3 will provide a similar ratio.  Also, the Atlas can be run in any gear but the 4:1 Rubi transfer case, due to the 4:1 planetary assembly, probably gets abused in the higher gears (like the Tera 4:1).

[95yjman]

you might wanna cut them u-bolts flush with the nuts, gain another 1 or 2 inches of clearance

Already done, just  a picture right after the swap happened heh

[sharpxmen]

Already done, just  a picture right after the swap happened heh

[jfrabat]

Here are ratios with the NP231 (2.72) and with an Atlas (4.3), assuming 4.56 axle gears:

in 1st
48.74      77.06
in 2nd
28.90      45.69
in 3rd
17.98      28.43
in 4th   
12.40      19.61
in 5th
10.54      16.67

Unless you are running in mud in 3rd (you might as well be in 4hi, first gear) or 4th, the Atlas 4.3 will provide a similar ratio.  Also, the Atlas can be run in any gear but the 4:1 Rubi transfer case, due to the 4:1 planetary assembly, probably gets abused in the higher gears (like the Tera 4:1).

I doubt anyone runs much in 3rd in the mud; I do cruise in 3rd between mud pits, though (sometimes even 4th).  But when I reach the mud, it's 1st (2nd if I'm lucky to get it up to speed to shift, but most often than not, it's 1st).

[chardrc]

usually use 2nd gear for deep mud, with the synchronized 1st downshifting into first is a possibility if you start to run out of power (unlike the willys). first gear low is abit low to get momentum built up. gaining speed to shift to second. in low range starting in 2nd is easy enough... the rubi would be nice but there is something to being different and surprising people.

[neale_rs]

usually use 2nd gear for deep mud, with the synchronized 1st downshifting into first is a possibility if you start to run out of power (unlike the willys). first gear low is abit low to get momentum built up. gaining speed to shift to second. in low range starting in 2nd is easy enough... the rubi would be nice but there is something to being different and surprising people.

It sounds like an Atlas 4.3 would work great for you.  You would still have that second gear ratio, only now in third.

[95yjman]

But now I'm wanting to throw the thing on tons  the D44 will last while I compile parts heh

[Bounty Hunter]

4:1 is too low for trail riding in the Midwest from what I've seen.  The Rubi's are always struggling with the hill climbs.  2.72 is pretty good if the axles are geared properly.

[neale_rs]

4:1 is too low for trail riding in the Midwest from what I've seen.  The Rubi's are always struggling with the hill climbs.  2.72 is pretty good if the axles are geared properly.

If there is a problem with running the manual tranny Rubis in 3rd and 4th in low range (and there very likely is, just like with the Tera 4:1), I can see how they would struggle.  But the 2.72 gearing is actually still there in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.  If these Rubis have automatic transmissions, then maybe there is no easy workaround and it is just too low.

[chardrc]

I just hate fallowing the rubis with their 4:1.  will idle in first gear the hole day so you have to stop wait pull forward and stop again... definitely the most anything part of the bighorns jeep jamboree since 98% of the jeeps where rubis.
as it is for hills i usually run 2nd gear low range maybe third. first is too low for hills (as mentioned above). actually when snow wheeling I had to go 1st gear high range to maker it up a few hills.

[neale_rs]

I just hate fallowing the rubis with their 4:1.  will idle in first gear the hole day so you have to stop wait pull forward and stop again... definitely the most anything part of the bighorns jeep jamboree since 98% of the jeeps where rubis.
as it is for hills i usually run 2nd gear low range maybe third. first is too low for hills (as mentioned above). actually when snow wheeling I had to go 1st gear high range to maker it up a few hills.

1st high range is almost identical to 3rd low range in a 2.5 YJ with the NP231 (within 0.35%) but using 1st in high range will protect the planetaries and would probably have less parasitic drivetrain loss.   I wonder how much loss there is?  It seems to be noticeable.

[aw12345]

I love the Atlas 2 speed, I can tach it out in low range in any gear, 5th in low range gives it a bit more oomp than 1st in high range so in essence I have a 10 speed tranny, The big beast definitely climbs long sand hills better than my little Jeep.
Where the little one chokes and digs in on ling hill climbs in 3th low the big one just keeps screaming and climbing in 4th low and has enough momentum left at the top of the hill to make a turn and climb another one

[FourbangerYJ]

Most of my wheeling I use the Klune (4:1) But I know how to use the tranny. 1st is pretty low for just a bumpy dirt road. I try and not go to slow if the trail is easy. I agree with others in just because you can go slow does not mean you need to. But with the auto crowd they don't have much of a choice unless they take it out of low.

I still say 2 boxes are better than one. 20 forward gears VS. 10.