Solid Axle Swap BS Thread

I just really liked having multiple low range options when I had duals in my tundra. i have a 5-speed myself so the more low range options, the better. What shifters do you have?

Thanks for the info. I really would like to save at least a little money and headache by using the traditional style shifters, but I don't want to buy them and end up needing cable shifters.

 

I have the regular mechanical shifters that came with it. Apparently they have a better design now - though some people keep saying that the cable shifters are better. Dunno...haven't installed it yet. If mechanical shifters don't work well I'll get the other ones. Hopefully they'll let me exchange them and pay for the difference if needed.

I hear you about multiple low ranges. It's a cool thing to have...though at times it's not something you really end up using all the time. I think guys with auto trannies tend benefit more from it. With the manual tranny you can always upshift if more wheel spin is needed. HOpe I won't regret the 2spd! I got the lowest gears they had available (5.0) My final crawl ratio will be around 101:1 That's not super mega low as with multiple low ranges but it should be plenty low for most situations.

 

I've actually heard that the atlas brand cable shifters weren't that great and that there were a couple other companies that made a far better cable shifter setup for them. I'm sure they all work fine when properly mounted but just the simplicity of a regular mechanical shifter makes me them that over cable shifters.

From my experience and my readings, auto guys generally stay with a higher low range gear because of the reduction from the torque converter alone.... But the manual guys want the lowest gearing possible to prevent stalling, which can be annoying, embarrassing, and dangerous. I've also read that the ideal low range for a manual is around 200:1. I'm going with the 11.7:1 which should but my lowest low around 212:1

 

200 is crazy stupid low. I'm in the 170s with dual toy cases (4:7s in the rear), manual Trans, 4.10s, and 37s. Most of my crawling has been double low 3rd gear with the occasional 2nd gear for extra control.

 

So I guess there's different theories about the shifters for the Atlas lol. Well, I hope the mechanical ones I have will work out well.

What I meant about guys with Auto trannies is that having multiple low ranges is easier than just having Hi and Super Low only - which is more manageable with a manual since you can upshift from a dead stop in case the gearing is too low and you need more wheel spin.

Interesting. I imagine there are not very many situations in which you will be in low-low and 1st gear.

 

I use lo lo 1st when im leading a bunch a jeeps or guys with two speed cases...

I use double low all the time, cant wait to see how slow it is with the 5.29s!

 

Here's all my available ratios with a 11.7:1 and 10.34:1 Atlas 4 speeds

 

Damn, that gave me a headache lol That's a shit load of options and gearing.

Well...I hope mine works out long term. It's too late now to change though.

 

Chomping at the bit, getting closer!

 

Bad... Ass...

 

That is sooooo beautiful!!!!

 

SOLID keyed knuckles with Artec steering arms. I have the exact sep up...gottla love how they use bolts instead on studs

 

They are pimp, so fuckin beefy and well designed. SOLID makes some awesome shit.

 

Well have my eye on a Ford F-250 front and rear Setup for $1450 at a junk yard. Any inputs would be great. I was told to just get a 14 bolt rear but idk

 

Originally I wanted to go with Reid knuckles. But my axle builder introduced me to the SOLID brand. I immediately like their keyed studless design. The knuckles are just massive and beefy. Not saying they are better than Reid's but they are certainly different.

The Artec arms are just insanely pimped out lol. I havr never seen steering arms that impressive. And with the tie in kit for thhe double shear setup the whole thing becomes a tank.

What year axle? Is that a super duty axle combo? Need more details.

 

I'll post a few pics tonight ow what i did. I ordered the "universal cable shift set because i didn't want to spend hours building shift arms to clear other shifters.
they say you have a little more shifting resistance but as long as nothing is bound up they shift just fine in my opinion. I went with the 2.73 in the front box and 3.0 in the rear box and in all honesty i like having that small split and when in compound low it's still stupid slow with the auto trans.

it's actually not that hard to get a small hole and a good seal with the cable shifters

 

to bad you don't live near me i can get both front and rear axles with drive lines out of an 98 f350 for $400

 

I'm not going to buy those axles for $1450. I wish I lived closer to you also cause $400 is a great price for both

 

The 98 wouldn't be the same as the 05+. There are differences

 

Yeah just saw that. For some reason I thought I read 08