Why re-gear both differentials if it is possible to re-gear the transfer case? Or buy a deluxe after market transfer case that would give a good crawl ratio?

It would be very convenient to have a transfer case shipped to me, and have it waiting on the floor for me to install at my leisure. Instead of turning my axles or truck over to a grease monkey to work on at his leisure.

 

You can do that. Most regear the axles because it is cheaper and you get better on road performance where installing a new tcase does nothing for your high end. It only lowers you low end.

 

Cheaper? I've seen some scary expensive installation charges. I could do an install on a transfer case. I've opened transmissions before. But I don't think I could install gears/lockers.

 

$1200 for a regear and $2000+ for a tcase. You do the math. It still would not address the crappy on road capabilities.

 

like stated above, cost is a big issue - at 2,000 + misc items for an atlas, its alot more than paying the $1200 for the usual gear install. And the aftermarket t-case is only going to help your low end (when wheeling) its not going to give you that "lost power" back that bigger tires took away. As far as at a grease monkey's leisure?? You can have the gears shipped to your house and get them installed when you want, most shops make appointments.........and usually will get the install done within two days, which judging by your question is shorter than it would take you to install an atlas.

 

I'ts my understanding that the t-case reduces the overall gearing. Not just the 4-low, 4-high. Am I wrong? I have an X with the B trim level. I have no tow package, so my gearing is way too tall. I can rarely use 6th gear with the stock tires. I'm just looking for alternatives. I live in a small town. About 25,000 people.
The nearest big town is 90+ mils away. So I have few choices here. I am also cosidering getting 'built' axles with lockers, to eliminate the D30 But that is another scary expensive alternative. I'm not even sure what the price range is for built axles.

 

The only time the transfer case gears come into play is in 4 low, 4 hi it is still at a 1:1 ratio in other words, your ratio will be the same as the transmission ratio of the gear selected ie 1st, 2nd etc....

The only way to reduce OVERALL gearing is in the differentials

 

That is true on a Samurai or a toyota, but not a Jeep.

 

Like IGOFSHN said, your statement is not 100% accurate. The Samurai tansfercase was not 1:1 in 2 or 4 wheel high. I know our Jeeps don't do that, high gear is 1:1 in Jeeps. However, I don't see why a good machine shop couldn't make a set of gears to give a reduction at the transfercase. I can't imagine the gears costing more than $300 to $400. If you could drop them in yourself, then your total cost would be less than half a traditional diff re-gear. Hummm.... I think I might need to start talking to a few folks.

 

Keep us informed. This is a most Intriguing idea.