Evolving into a REAL crawler
 

Ive made it my goal to be able to leave the familiar obstacles and rock piles of the local OHV park, and head to some real trails this summer. Ive been dreaming of the 'con for quite some time now. Living an hour away from world famous trails has gotten to me I suppose. Sure, the Detroit in the rear, a set of 35 inch tires, 5.29s, and a decent suspension set up has gotten me through a whole lot. But its time to step it up. I intend on locking up the front, as well as finding a new set of 37s with some tread on them by the summer time. But the main goal id like to tackle, is a dual case setup. Ive done as much research as possible without asking questions as I can, and id like to confirm my finding. Im in an 84 Extra Cab= G52= Forward shift case. To simplify what ive learned, basically what id need to do is find a forward shift case for the front (reduction box), a dual adapter second, and a forward-top shift conversion for the rear case (of course driveline modification, x member, relocate shifters, etc..). Please fill me in on any mistakes made, I have some time to learn, and want to be ready to roll as soon as the funds permit. I appreciate any help in advance.

You could just leave your forward shift case where it is and get a top shift for the rear case so you don't have to convert it, and unless you have it already, I would suggest doing a 23 spline adapter with 23 spline 4.7 gears at the same time.

That would certainly be awesome to do, but ive got a whole lot going on right now and just dont quit have the cash for that setup right now, but hopefully down the road it will happen. It looks like youre just running the 4.7s, how do you like that setup? Seems pretty unanimous that most would choose duals over the simple 4.7, but not going through the hassle of driveline, xmember, and tunnel modification is looking pretty sweet for the time being. And thanks for the advice..

If you are going dual cases and 4.7 gears it is a waste of money to not do it all at once as the 23 spline stuff all has to be done together. You can't convert 21 to 23 it is all new parts. Save your pennies and do it once and right the first time.

:wabbit2:

thanks Wab, i appreciate the advice. the difference in spline count is a factor i hadnt even concidered until now. i think i need to do a litte more research and figure out which application would be most suitable for me. i guess thats the first step, any input? im not looking for a setup to brag about much, just something that will get me through the trail without worrying about toasting my clutch. i personally enjoy the challenge in having to put the effort into getting over an obstacle.

I love the 4.7 gears, I can drive most trails in 3rd gear usually and be fine. I did just the 4.7 gears because like you said you don't have to do a ton of mods and I was using it as my DD at the time, but like Wabbit said, do it all at once, I regret it now because now when I do go dual cases I have to either stick with 21's, leave the 4.7 case in the front or source the parts for 23's.

Obviously theres much better setups besides the single 4.7 option, but how does it treat you on the trail? I DD my rig as well, and as much as id love to devote it just to the trail, im not in the position to do so at the moment. I dont need the spooled, triple cased rig on 42s yet, just something to get me through the trail without hurting the truck TOO bad. It would be nice to have, but I couldnt really imagine my truck needing more than the 4.7s... Id really LOVE to see a rig with just a 4.7 case to see how it does... hmmm time to search youtube!

On the trail, I love the 4.7's much more control than before and I don't have to use the brake at all on decent down hills while in first or second

This is right after I did the gears

http://youtu.be/Df2QszrP64s

and this is on the trail

http://youtu.be/HdHjx2ZGcs8

Haha thats funny, maybe 30 seconds before i read your post, I saw a video of a guy walking his pickup with 4.7s.... yes, it was you hahaha. I think you may be the only person on youtube with a single case 4.7 video haha.

Yep, every time I try to look up 4.7 gears on youtube only comes up with TG instructional video and me.

Sorry to butt into your guys thread but do the single t-case 4.7 gears affect drivability on the road in 2wd at all?

I know stupid question but I'll be darned if I can't find the answer!

Sorry to threadjack, I RARELY do so.

Nope. Just the Low range. :)

Oooh oooh im this will be my first piece of advice ive given confidently on YT!:bigok: Haha. But no, they wont. Only when youre engaged in 4lo.

Of course.. you beat me to it by less than i minute! I was pretty excited there.. :(

Sorry :chairfall

Ok that's what I thought. A buddy put lower range gears in his Suzuki Samurai and now he revs so high just to drive 45mph. I believe he must have put them in his transmission I guess.

The samurai T-case is different. Its a divorced t-case. When you get gears for those it reduces your overall output, so high and low range are lower. Lots lower.

Ya those lucky samurai guys rarely need axle gears. Im jelous of that for sure, but my yota doesn't tip over if you look at it wrong.

Ah appreciate the help. It makes sense now! lol


Trying to put this back on topic...

Now that that is all straightened out, why do people always go with a dual t-case set up over 4.7 gears? It seems to me the dual set up is more work and a higher cost due to the 2nd t-case and the having to change driveshaft sizes...

IMO mostly so you can have a normal 2.28 low range reverse. Instead of bein stuck in super slow reverse. Unlike forward were you can always use a taller gear.
And with duals one case can be 4.7 and the other one 2.28 for a super low almost 7 to 1 ratio.

Duals just give way more options. Sometimes 4.7 is to slow but 4hi is way to high. So the factory low range is nice to keep.