I got my first taste of rockcrawling yesterday. Here are the pics https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f100...ear-ca-152917/

Anyways, I found myself bouncing all over the rocks, instead of slowly being able to crawl over them. I have a manual tranny, but feel that I know how to use it and the clutch well. So my question is, would this problem best be remedied by installing a dual transfer case (marlin crawler or something similar) or by regearing, to something like 4.88?

I know that 31s should be geared to 4.56, but if I regeared I'd probably go with 4.88 since I would likely put 33s on later. I'm guessing that a lot of you will say that I should do both. Believe me, I would if I could! But realistically, I can't afford that. So, if I had to choose one, which should it be?

 

In your case, most definitely a Marlin 4.7

 

Regearing the diff will be a much larger benefit on road, the lower t-case will be much better offroad. Try getting a locker, like an Aussie, Lock Right or something (see my sig). Try also deflating your tires down to 15psi, the tires will flex more and allow smoother travel over rocks. Remember to have some means of inflating your tires. A pump that plugs into the cig. lighter won't cut it.

 

if your dd on the streets = regear diffs

trail rig = tcase with 4.7's if you do dual cases do not put a 4.7 doubler in it, you would be asking for trouble.

 

My 90 3.0V6, 5spd had 4:88's, 32"s and an ARB & Tru-trac. The 4:88's were better than stock, but not as low as I would've preferred.

My suggestion would be to go with the dual transfer cases or just regear the t-case you have. Here's the link from Marlin's site for T-case gears.
http://www.marlincrawler.com/htm/transfercase/gears.htm

Have fun

 

Not to thread jack but what is the advantage to having dual cases?

 

huh?

Dual cases with stock in one and 4.7's in the other is called an Ultimate Crawler for a reason!

Single 4.7 case is great while you're on the obstacle, but SUCKS all the other time.

Dual cases with 4.7 in one give you the option of 1:1 (high), 2.28:1(stock low), 4.7:1 (double low), and 10.2:1 (super low).

To the OP, your options and cost vary considerably depending on if you have a 4cyl or V6.

 

I think he meant having 4.7 in both cases.

 

No, Zuk did.

If I bought another stock transfercase could I mate that to mine?

 

I don't see were ZUK said anything of the sort. My guess is ZUK was recommending changing out the single case to a 4.7.

Depends... actually all of this depends just as TC stated. Marlin and duals and all of that needs to have 4CYL cases. If the OP or yourself has a chain driven case, your options change and generally costs go up.

 

Marlin now makes an adapter to use the chain driven case, but you can't change the ratio in it, and would have to do the 4.7's in the front case, which is generally not preferred.

 

thanks for all the input! How difficult is it to set up a dual transfer case? I'm fairly new to wrenching, but have friends with lots of experience. Is this something that could be a weekend project?

 

cheapest thing is to rear gear your single case to 4.7 but as TC said, it kind sucks with only that option for low range as even 5th gear is snail's pace between obstacles.

going to dual cases you need:
-extra case $100 average used price that I have found
-adapter $300-369 depending on who you go with (marlin, AA, Trail-Gear)
-dual cross member: $199-269'ish
-Drive shaft work (shorten rear shaft, lengthen front shaft) $200-350 'ish depending on the local market
-23 spline output shaft -$160 (recommended stronger, but not required)

check out http://www.marlincrawler.com/htm/tra...ickup_dual.htm
Trail gear has a good Video on the assemby: http://trail-gear.com/dualcase.html

23 spline cases are stronger, Marlin crawler has pretty much got the best adapter. I am going to be using my two 21 spline cases till something breaks

re gearing your Diffs will help both on road and off road with the increase in tire size....all comes down to $$$ and what you can do your self..

 

wow I didn't know that it was such a costly set up!! thanks for the info though.

I still have some confusion regarding the regearing of a tcase to 4.7. Does this only regear the low range? Or are both high and low ranges changed? Sorry for my ignorance!

 

4.7 changes low range only.

 

So the 4.7 gears from Marlin will fit the V6 t-case? And why is it not recommended to do so if it only affects the low range?

 

No, the 4.7 gears will not fit the V6 case. At least, not to my knowledge, but I do know Marlin is doing more with those cases lately.

It's not recommended because the 4.7 is really very low. Great for crawling, but not so good for "normal" wheeling. It's just inconvenient to keep shifting from 4H to 4L. It also can be hard to find the right gear for every situation.

If you can't afford dual case setup know, the 4.7 is definitely an option. I actually find myself using the 4.7 a lot of the time... but appreciate the ability to use stock low as well. You just have to be prepared for the downsides using a single 4.7 case.

 

I never really use 4Lo in off-roading except when I have to get someone unstuck. I want to start doing a little rock crawling as well, it's just that I want to learn more about it beforehand, right now I need a locker more than anything.

 

So would you say that a locker should come first? Before a marlin crawler?

 

Since your original question was what was the best way to approach obstacles with more control, then lower gears is still the better choice.

A locker however will reduce wheelspin and increase traction which are both very beneficial... but won't allow you to slow down to much. You will make more obstacles with a locker however.