I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts about installing a two lever Atlas Transfer case instead of regearing my axles. That way I could have two wheel low, and a couple of four lows to choose from. I am thinking about 35s on a 3.6 six speed with 3.21 gears stock. I know six gear would be much use under 60 mph. I would still maintain highway gears.

 

It's gonna be a bitch getting those wheels rolling in 1st with 3:21's
6th gear is almost useless in a manual with 32's

 

The design of an Atlas isn't ideal for a daily driver without locking Hubs. If you're determined to avoid gears or axles, swapping in a Rubicon transfer case would make a world of difference offroad and it would be much cheaper. $500 + your t-case and you'd have a 4:1 ratio. Pretty easy job too.

 

Why? (To the daily driver part). If you're just using 2Hi with 1:1 ratio, does it matter whether it's the 241 or the Atlas? Not challenging the logic, just trying to understand.

 

The atlas is a gear driven transfer case not a chain drive like the factory case and tends to be noisy when the front driveshaft is turning and it is in 2wd. And I think the op is thinking 3 stick not two if he wants more then one set of low gears. I would not do an atlas instead of regearing axles unless you have a dedicated trail rig.

 

Thanks for the opinions. I really wanted some goods and bads. I really don't have a problem with the 3.21, and 32" tires right now on road. I use six gear over 50 mph all the time except for steeper hills. I really wanted more of a gear choice off road. Maybe the best bet would be to do both, a gear change & the Atlas. That is what my friend did - 5.13 gears, Atlas case, and 37s on his JKU. If I do 4.56 gears, with 35s to start it should be good for a little while. I would really like a 2LO. Sometimes I just don't need 4LO, but have to use it because I need a slower trail speed over rocks and rough terrain. I never really heard any whine from his atlas at highway speed, but 37s do make enough noise by themselves. Thanks Again.

 

Its not really a whine but I can defiantly tell when I forget to unlock my hubs on the highway.

 

I have had 315/70R-17 on my 12 JK manual with 3.21 gears now for a while, and I really do not understand the pulling out issue people seem to have. On the highway at 65-70 it pulls sixth gear fine, unless I hit a large hill. I really don't use it much on the highway. Passing is easy since I have always dropped two gears to pass anyhow. Getting the same gas mileage 18-19 mpg.
After driving it for a while I have decided the atlas will do what I want. My friend has one, and the noise is minimal. If I really want to go some where long distance on the highway, I take my 98 Cherokee anyhow. It gets better mileage.