"Stupid low" transfer case gearing - how low is too low?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Roseville, MN
My thoughts on the "what's wrong" is weight, complexity and cost for marginal usefulness (but a lot of "cool" factor!). The 4:1 is probably all he needs for rockcrawling (and if he needs 8:1 he's probably going to break those 1/2 ton axles).
If he's doing mud running or hill climbing, where wheel speed is a factor, then he'd need the 2:1. But if he's doing much of that the 1/2 ton axles might be marginal too.
The 2:1 transfer case ratio would be good for light duty trail riding or moving trailers around the yard, but either the 4:1 or 1:1 will work there as well. Personally the weight of an NP203 would be enough of a down side that it wouldn't be worth it for this usage.
So if it were me, I'd either skip the doubler, or if I thought I needed it for mud or hills I'd stick with the stock axles until I could afford to put a set of 1 ton axles in it.
If he's doing mud running or hill climbing, where wheel speed is a factor, then he'd need the 2:1. But if he's doing much of that the 1/2 ton axles might be marginal too.
The 2:1 transfer case ratio would be good for light duty trail riding or moving trailers around the yard, but either the 4:1 or 1:1 will work there as well. Personally the weight of an NP203 would be enough of a down side that it wouldn't be worth it for this usage.
So if it were me, I'd either skip the doubler, or if I thought I needed it for mud or hills I'd stick with the stock axles until I could afford to put a set of 1 ton axles in it.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Lawrence Swamp
upgrade
That's the F250 idea 4 the frnt. Rear is just the flanges & a weld. Machine wrk is cheep & plentiful here possibly do to the history. At any rate there's ur 1tuns. No heavy 60s (over kill like a 4BT swap-in).
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Roseville, MN
If I thought I needed almost 300:1 gear reduction I'd want at LEAST Dana 60s, and more likely 2 1/2 ton Rockwells.
The fact that this friend is putting 1/2 ton axles under a light weight truck with wimpy little 33s (yes, I have 33s on my Bronco) will help him a lot. He simply won't have enough traction to do as much damage as if this was all pushing a full size truck on 44s. But he's putting a lot more into the gearing than he is in the axles. I'm just saying I think he's out of balance. Put less into the gear reduction and/or more into the axles would be my thought.
But it'll still be cool!
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Joined: May 2006
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From: North Dakota
Guys run stupid low gearing in Yotas all the time. With stock Yota axles and big tires like 39s. Just sayin....
As for me, I have a 203/205 doubler in my Wagoneer for the 4:1 when I'm crawling and in the deep mud..... Ya, the mud needs 4:1 with the tractor tires I have. But I'm running a auto, so I can run it up into "D" if need be. To each his own, just because you think something is too heavy, doesn't mean it won't work perfect for another guy.
As for me, I have a 203/205 doubler in my Wagoneer for the 4:1 when I'm crawling and in the deep mud..... Ya, the mud needs 4:1 with the tractor tires I have. But I'm running a auto, so I can run it up into "D" if need be. To each his own, just because you think something is too heavy, doesn't mean it won't work perfect for another guy.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 71
From: Roseville, MN
I'm not saying it won't work for him. Just that I don't think he needs the weight of an NP203 when he's got 4:1 gears without it. If he had a 2:1 t.case and the 203 doubler was his choice to get 4:1 I'd feel differently.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jul 2014
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I have a set of 4.7 transfer case gears in my '85 4Runner - with that dinky little 2.4l, it's not too low 
. 35s and 5.29 diffs. I do miss have a standard low range though, if there's an option between adding lower gears and adding a doubler and you can't do both, go with the doubler.
Hav24wheel, anybody running 39s on stock Yota birfs is begging to shatter them on a regular basis.
. 35s and 5.29 diffs. I do miss have a standard low range though, if there's an option between adding lower gears and adding a doubler and you can't do both, go with the doubler.Hav24wheel, anybody running 39s on stock Yota birfs is begging to shatter them on a regular basis.
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