Atlas 4 Speed

[TJ Rider]

My Jeep sickness finally got the best of me and I wore the wife down. She gave me the nod to move forward on an Atlas 4 speed T-case for the 98 TJ. My Local shop in Longmont has closed the doors and I have been assured that I can do the install. I feel confident that I can as well. I should get it the week of the 12th or 19th of March. I want to have the Jeep ready for the Easter Jeep Safari.

The reason I am starting this thread is this. I have never installed a T-Case Much less an Atlas. I want to have all of my ducks in a row so when it gets here I am ready to put it in and know of any potential problems that I might have. If any of you know or just have knowledge about the install of the 4 speed you advice would be appreciated. I want to be able to get it all done before Moab.

I am worried about the following:

Drive Line mods (will I need to get the drive lines done) Advanced Adaptors is telling me that I might get by with out doing the front one but the rear will probally have to be cut down.

Clocking the T-case in the proper position for Clearence between the Rubicon Express Belly skid plate and the body. ( I am not apposed to cutting or taking a BFH to the bottom of the tub. Do you think I can get the clearence I need with out doing a 1" body lift?

Also the Middle section of the Rubicon Express Belly Skid Plate can come out leaving the 2 side pieces in place. Do you think there is room to do the install with out taking every thing off?

Running the Shifter Cables and installing them in the center Console. Looking for any ones good Ideas here for optimal functionality. Mounting positions and ideas.

And what ever else you can think of.

As you can tell I am a newbie but have jumped into the offroad lifestyle with both feet. I don't see many threads on this when I do a search on it. It may be because I am not a premium member yet. If there is more info on Locked threads for premium members please advise. I know I need to just sign up and send the money.

Thanks

[mike_wiz]

I can't give you any advice on install being mine went in a chopped up fullsize, but you will love the 4 speed, it was one of the best mods I did.

The 4 speed is longer so curious how they think the front driveline will reach. The 4 speed has a planetary in front of it so it will push the front driveline location back i would figure, it did on mine.

Clocking is pretty good and you have a range to go with, but with that tight space I would imagine cutting is almost necessary, but again, not a Jeep guy so just guessing

Remember you will have huge torque too so hope your axles etc are up to it!

Good luck!

[cheapyota]

should have no problem throwing an atlas in your jeep. A transfer swap is pretty easy. It was when I was still wheeling a jeep. I went with a stack monster box.

Before just cutting down your rear drive shaft I'd mock it up to see how much room you'll actually be loosing. Can also do this by measuring your current case and compare with the specs on the atlas. I'm not sure of the specs on the atlas but if its not too much longer you could possibly just go a little higher with suspension and solve that problem while making more room for bigger tires and that's never bad..

As for fitment on the tub/top side of the case... I'd go with cutting the floorboard then welding a larger piece to cover the hole. BFH probably wont work that well.

For the linkage on an atlas I'm not sure, the stack I ran came with an option to run stock linkage. Other than that you might have to change some yokes around on either the case or your drive shafts. let us know how it goes. Happy wrenching bro, cheers

[Jeeper8650]

hopefully you are stretched in the rear of the rear driveshaft is going to be insanely short. I installed the 4spd in my tj with a 1'' BL and was able to clock it nearly flat and in only hangs down about 1/2'' from the frame rails without cutting or beating the body at all.

[TJ Rider]

So it looks like I will have to do both Drive shafts from what I am getting from you guys. This is good to know so I will be ready for a fast swap. I am also aware that my Dana 44 in the rear and Dana 30 in the front will be subject to more torque but that was a good point I will have to watch the gas especially when I am bound up and make sure I have Spaires with me on the trail. I will eventually be running Spider Nines or Dana 60's but the T-Case needed to come first in my case. I have limited my self to 35" tires until I can do the Axel upgrades. I am not currently streatched in the rear. I was concerened about the rear drive shaft lenght. The techs told me it was no problem with the Double CV's that I am running. We will see But that is a valid concern. I really appreciate the imput. If any one else has anything it would be greatly appreciated.

[1BADKJ]

It's not hard to install but there heavy,a second person helping lift it in place is very nice.


Oh and those cable shifters are pretty slick,just don't tighten up the jam nuts on the cables until you have it adjusted properly.

[Jeeper8650]

be super careful with the 10 to 1 ratio with the dana 30. When I got my 4spd( `4 years ago) i was on 35's with a dana 30. Prior to that i never once broke an axle shaft within 3 months the 4spd ate through about 4 of them, leading to a one ton build that summer.

[Bike Guy]

I should get it the week of the 12th or 19th of March. I want to have the Jeep ready for the Easter Jeep Safari.

Not to throw a wrench in your plans, but I hope you ordered it awhile ago because they (A/A) are running very slow on their deliveries.
I just got my call from them TODAY saying that my 2-speed 5.0 Atlas II just shipped and it was ordered over 4-weeks ago (Their web-site said 2-weeks and they told me 3-weeks).
My understanding is that 4-speeds take about 2 weeks longer then 2-speeders + you have shipping time (roughly 3 business days).

I hope it all goes Smooth for you!

.

[1BADKJ]

Not to throw a wrench in your plans, but I hope you ordered it awhile ago because they (A/A) are running very slow on their deliveries.
I just got my call from them TODAY saying that my 2-speed 5.0 Atlas II just shipped and it was ordered over 4-weeks ago (Their web-site said 2-weeks and they told me 3-weeks).
My understanding is that 4-speeds take about 2 weeks longer then 2-speeders + you have shipping time (roughly 3 business days).

I hope it all goes Smooth for you!

.

Must be nice,it took almost 3 months to get my 4.3 2-speed.

[Bike Guy]

Must be nice,it took almost 3 months to get my 4.3 2-speed.

Dam!! Who did you piss off at A/A ?

.

[1BADKJ]

Dam!! Who did you piss off at A/A ?

.

They could not understand simple instructions,they kept calling and asking the same ? and I stated the same answer everytime till they got it.Basically they wanted to make the input one length when I needed another and they couldn't understand that.

[TJ Rider]

be super careful with the 10 to 1 ratio with the dana 30. When I got my 4spd( `4 years ago) i was on 35's with a dana 30. Prior to that i never once broke an axle shaft within 3 months the 4spd ate through about 4 of them, leading to a one ton build that summer.

I am expecting more broken shafts. I will have a full set of replacements with me. I want to do axel upgrades as soon as I can afford to. The Atlas is very expensive as you all know. It will take a while for me to recoupe from this commitment. But They Jeep won't be finished until it gets stronger Axels. That is a whole other subject for me. When i go with axels. should I go with them Full width or cut them down some. Decisions Decisions.

[TJ Rider]

I have been calling AA and they told me on Monday that all of the parts were ready for 10 more 4 speeds and I was Number 7 on that list so we will see. I will call again today to see if the story changed. Thanks for that heads up this is my first time working with them.

[Impaired]

Drive Line mods (will I need to get the drive lines done) Advanced Adaptors is telling me that I might get by with out doing the front one but the rear will probally have to be cut down.

Yes Both need to be modified...Figure $500 for New front and rear DS or $250 to have current ones Modified

Clocking the T-case in the proper position for Clearence between the Rubicon Express Belly skid plate and the body. ( I am not apposed to cutting or taking a BFH to the bottom of the tub. Do you think I can get the clearence I need with out doing a 1" body lift?

Had a 1" body lift on all 3 Atlas 4-speeds I have done on TJ's and still had to beat the floor board under the driver's side seat up 1.5" for about a 6" area.

Also the Middle section of the Rubicon Express Belly Skid Plate can come out leaving the 2 side pieces in place. Do you think there is room to do the install with out taking every thing off?

You will have to take it down. Easier to beat floor up. Needed to tighten all the bolts to tranny. Will make shifter install easier. Access to install doubler shifer next to passenger seat. You can heat up this shifter bar and shape it to fit around the E brake if desired

Running the Shifter Cables and installing them in the center Console. Looking for any ones good Ideas here for optimal functionality. Mounting positions and ideas.

They will fit in stock console opening to keep it looking stock. I thought it looked best this way. Don't be afraid to cut the the sheet metal under the console to a larger size to make things easier. Cover hole with new sheet metal and then rubber boot supplied by Atlas. Make sure insulate the patch you make as heat can radiate into cabb fairly easily. Then install plastic console back over metal patch and rubber boot for a stock look. Larger access hole will make it easier to tighten the top to bolts on case and adjust shifter linkage.

And what ever else you can think of.

Set up your shifters on the workbench using a vise to hold the shifter. Once everything is shifting properly, remove shifters from case and install 2.5 qt of fluid in case on bench and tip forward. No matter how good you think you are, you will not be able to install case with shifters attached to case. Just take them off, not a big deal since it is only the one nut and threaded rod to do so.

Be careful putting the case in to not damage the seal on the back of the transmission. This can be easily avoided by having a strong helper with you or a helper and tranny jack that is tall enough.

Thanks

Atlas has some pretty good instructions. sorry if some of this is repeat of things above, just started typing. Good luck

[Steve]

Buy, rent, or borrow a tranny jack. You'll be glad you did.

[mike_wiz]

Buy, rent, or borrow a tranny jack. You'll be glad you did.

This is good advice. I Welded a custom plate to a spare jack I had and used that but a tranny jack would be better for sure.

It took me 3-4 months to get mine years ago. I have serial number 97 so I think they were still learning how to make them

[Brownline]

I found a floor jack adapter at Harbour Freight that converts regular floor jack into a tranny jack. Ive now used it several times..just an idea

[TJ Rider]

I don't know how stupid I was but I purchased the Tranny Jack system from AA it hangs off of your frame rails. I also have a good Floor Jack. They make it sound pretty Slick. I called Drive Line Specialists today and they will modify both of my Drive lines for around $70.00 each.

I called AA today again and they said from the Housing of the AX-15 to the Center of the second Joint of the CV on (1310's by the way) is 17.068" over all. So the length from there to the center of the Yoke is how much I will need to shorten the rear drive line.

Then I questioned them again about the Front drive line. He said no it is good I will be able run it like it is. Then I said that is not what my fellow forum readers are telling me. So I asked him for the measurment. That is when the light bulb finally went off for him. When he went to get the mesurement and came back he said yeah your forum guys are right with the 4 speed the planitary sticks out an additional 4.25" So the front drive line will need to be mondified. He covered him self quickly and said he had the Atlas II on the brain and that one doesn't take the mod. So Kudos for you guy's Thanks for the heads up.

[sylgeist]

My 4-speed was more impressive than my V8 conversion. You'll love it!

The 4-speed with cable shifters is really not bad to install. Just make sure the cables are adjusted before you get it under the Jeep and you'll have it in quick.

[7.5unlimited]

Give me a call and I will head up and give you a hand. l also have the other parts that I need to get to you as well.

[74BuckinBronc]

I LOVE mine. You do realize there are two version of the 4 Spd tho. There is also a "Clock flat" version, which I got and NOTHING hangs below my frame rails. There was a fair bit of modification to the tub to get it to fit, but we're talking apples and oranges here. It sounds like you've already got your belly pan, so if it hangs down a little bit, probably won't be an issue for you. I used the standard shifters for the main box and the cable for the planetary. One thing we did, that I am so thankful for is, we supported the front of the shift rails off the tranny and that made the shifting much more solid. I have a build thread here somewhere. Ahh, here: http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/showt...ighlight=Atlas

DON'T modify your driveshafts until you have placed the Atlas where you want it and plan on building a rear t-case support. Have a good exhaust man? Oh, and mine was VERY hard to shift in and out of gear at first, but once I got it warmed up once, it seemed to loosen up a lot. So that's my suggestion. once you feel everything is ready, go for a good drive and get that thing warmed up.

J.D.

[TJ Rider]

Advanced Adaptors was a day shy of shipping it so I could have my T-case before the weekend so I would have time to put it in over the weekend. I guess I have some late nights after work now getting it done. It should arrive on Monday. I am going to take it now to my buddies house above Boulder. He has a full blown lift in his garage (must be nice) I would have Lying on the concrete floor to get it done.

[arctycfox]

take loads of pictures!

[74BuckinBronc]

He has a full blown lift in his garage

That will make it NICE! Sorry for the delay. I had to wait 6 months for mine!

J.D.

[TJ Rider]

So I am getting off easy with only a 4 1/2 week lead time. It is my fault I should have ordered it earlier. I Just kept choaking on the price. And when I made my mind up I had to convince the wife. She is getting really warmed up to the Jeep thing. I put her drivers seat when we finished Pritchett canyon last year. So she did that portion of Behind the Rocks trail to the Hiway. It scared her some but when she pulled off an obsticle she had such a rush she is hooked now. Now I have to share Drive time (its all good)

Funny story that makes me laugh when I think about it on that trip. We were on the middle of an obstical on a steep shelf and she was in the wrong gear. So she had to stop to collect her self and down shift (we have a manual). And I was giving her instruction on how to hold the brake, give it gas and slowly let out on the clutch so we could get going again. As I was telling her she looked at me with a very serious face (I could tell she wasn't joking) and she said "Which one is the Clutch". She was rattled and I could tell so I didn't even make the normal wise crack I would have and just pointed and said that one. We were in a pretty hairy spot and didn't have room for messing around. When we got to the top safely she looked at me in excitment and said "I think I just grew a testicle". I love that woman.

[74BuckinBronc]

Yeah, when I ordered, one of their gear vendors had passed away, so their supply just disappeared. It was a mess, but well worth the wait. If nothing else, the Atlas will help your wife drive easier. With the low gears, you don't have to worry so much about throttle, you can just let the clutch out until you hear the motor bog down, then release the brake and the clutch and away you go. I won a crawl-off at a bronco gathering in TX last year because of this box. It was pretty fun beating rigs on 40's with waaay more money into their rigs than I. However, they'd smoke me where it really counts...on the trail.

J.D.

[Bike Guy]

[QUOTE=TJ Rider;1617537]

So I am getting off easy with only a 4 1/2 week lead time.

It took me 4+ weeks to get my Atlas II (which the New 5.0 is in), so your 4 1/2 is really Good!

When we got to the top safely she looked at me in excitment and said "I think I just grew a testicle". I love that woman.

She sounds like a keeper! I'm also blessed with a wife that like this nonsense.


.

[Jeeper8650]

I waited almost 6 months when I got my 4spd but I pre ordered it when it first came out. I have number 23 if my memory serves me correctly.

[74BuckinBronc]

I waited almost 6 months when I got my 4spd but I pre ordered it when it first came out. I have number 23 if my memory serves me correctly.

Where's the number stamped at?

[Impaired]

Where's the number stamped at?

on the back lower center face

[ursman]

Buy, rent, or borrow a tranny jack. You'll be glad you did.

I went to H.F. and got an ATV lift for around $65 when I did my trans/t-case upgrade last year. It works great!!!

[Jeeper8650]

on the back lower center face

yup right below the "ATLAS" engraving.

[74BuckinBronc]

Mine says G05038.

[Oscar]

man you got took that the chinese ripoff copy

[74BuckinBronc]

LOL, you funny! Can't be, it's lasted 900 miles so far.

[TJ Rider]

I have it setting in place now. I just need to put the drive lines back on and Finish with the Adjusting the twin shifters. I got it stuffed in there with some Triming on the Tub and a BFH. So it fits in there nicely now with no Body lift and my TummyTuck Belly Skid. I dosn't hang below the Frame Rails Nice. The Trim is under my seat and I am fabing a patch over that. I guess to show pictures I have to have a on line photo account like Snap Fish or somthing. I did see how I could just up-load them on her from my computer. It has not been easy but easy enough. I hope to be driving it by Saturday Afternoon.

[74BuckinBronc]

photobucket is what I use. It's nice and gives you the code to share each photo. Easy peasy! Glad you got it in. I LOVED mine in Moab the last few days!

J.D.