gun45boat's Build - 2004 Ram 2500 "rock crawler expedition build"

[gun45boat]

HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!! This conversion was a MAJOR pain in the ass..... about 30 hours of labor/fabricating to make everything work flawlessly... and man what a HUGE difference in suspension flex and steering feel..

Went with the full Feedback and self centering orbital valve (about $300 more than a regular orbital valve) and a 2.5" PSC RAM IT is a MAJOR difference and brought everything high off the ground and out of the rocks. LOVE the self centering feature....

MAJOR Fabrication to make this work.... It took me longer to do this than Truggy'ing and triangulating the rear suspension.....

after some back breaking work, and back to the drawing board 3 times. I finally found a way to make everything work while using the stock location of the factory track bar, under full flex on both sides.. .... The results are fantastic, and driving on the road is completely doable, as the feedback is impressive...

Enjoy the pics, and if anyone wants to go full hydro, please let me know, as I found all the "To do's and what NOT to do's) Got all the measurements and lengths/distances and all the hard shit worked out in case any of you want to do it to there's and save a ton of time and cursing..

[gun45boat]

It looks a little crooked in the pics,,, but the rear passenger tire was half full, thus making the truck body lean... AND the front diff skid got hit HARD by a rock and shoved itself over a bit making it look funny..

[Colibri]

That looks fucking fantastic gunny!!

[05PWrockcrawler]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk/hopefully somewhere Offroad!

[Mr.Smith]

My erection may last longer than 4 hours...

[gun45boat]

LOLOLOL Thanks... I will admit,,, My vagina was a little sore after this install.... Was a real bitch....

Thanks for the thumbs up

[gun45boat]

OK.. My stock T-case is giving up the ghost.... Should I go with an Atlas 2, or stick with another stock unit? The stock unit has endured STUPID amounts of abuse, and frankly I feel that I should stick with what works and keep at least some of the Mopar Drivetrain.... I feel that another NV (stock unit) should go back in since it has truly held up over stupid amounts of abuse. Any thoughts?

[azracer]

OK.. My stock T-case is giving up the ghost.... Should I go with an Atlas 2, or stick with another stock unit? The stock unit has endured STUPID amounts of abuse, and frankly I feel that I should stick with what works and keep at least some of the Mopar Drivetrain.... I feel that another NV (stock unit) should go back in since it has truly held up over stupid amounts of abuse. Any thoughts?

X2 The stock one really is a good unit. The only thing they need is SYE kit like is used on an OEM ford unit.

[gun45boat]

Yea. I am running the stock slip yoke, and it has held up great, and is balls tough, I think the bearings are giving up in it, anytime I drive faster than 50mph is makes all sorts of complaining (bearing wise) Plus it is a light-weight unit, and it bolts right up (which is a plus) So no driveshaft changes. But damn, I ran an atlas in my last buggy, and I LOVED that extra low shifter for crawling... But what is that old saying "if it aint broke, dont fix it" certainly would love to have a 400:1 (or more) crawl ratio..... But then again, I'm not much of a "crawler" LOL Does the SYE kit take some of the "strain" off the rear output shaft bearing?

[nts007]

I can't see it reducing strain. It still holds the weight of everything. Bearings gonna wear however it wants. But they last a long time and are tough. X2 on the 271 replacement

[Colibri]

I recently picked up a nv271 rebuild kit AND sye parts from transfer case express for about 3-400 shipped. I've been having the same dilemma whether to keep the 271 or get something more hardcore. It's a stupid strong case and light weight relatively speaking, I can't see an atlas holding up any better really, but front digs and 4 speeds are pretty fucking tempting lol. If I were to do something other than factory it would probably be a HERO transfer case which absolutely dwarfs the atlas. It's survived everything ultra4 and rock bouncers have been able to throw at it. Only problem is 4-5 grand is a hard pill to swallow

[nts007]

I recently picked up a nv271 rebuild kit AND sye parts from transfer case express for about 3-400 shipped. I've been having the same dilemma whether to keep the 271 or get something more hardcore. It's a stupid strong case and light weight relatively speaking, I can't see an atlas holding up any better really, but front digs and 4 speeds are pretty fucking tempting lol. If I were to do something other than factory it would probably be a HERO transfer case which absolutely dwarfs the atlas. It's survived everything ultra4 and rock bouncers have been able to throw at it. Only problem is 4-5 grand is a hard pill to swallow

I'd stay with the 271. I had this debate for a few years and between parts and availability when your 2000km from home.....I'll stay with the 271. If it was a dedicated rig then hell yea. Atlas that baby. But for a all round reliable I'd stay 271. It is pretty much the strongest tcase in a pickup. I just did a rebuild. Super easy. And If I needed a case I know that there's gonna be one or 2 in nearly every salvage yard. Also why I didn't go the sye way. Just in case

[bstefanic]

I recently picked up a nv271 rebuild kit AND sye parts from transfer case express for about 3-400 shipped. I've been having the same dilemma whether to keep the 271 or get something more hardcore. It's a stupid strong case and light weight relatively speaking, I can't see an atlas holding up any better really, but front digs and 4 speeds are pretty fucking tempting lol. If I were to do something other than factory it would probably be a HERO transfer case which absolutely dwarfs the atlas. It's survived everything ultra4 and rock bouncers have been able to throw at it. Only problem is 4-5 grand is a hard pill to swallow

Have you ordered a ds yet? Highly recommend Tom woods, however specify that you want a long travel shaft...which I did not.

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[Colibri]

Nope, haven't ordered a shaft yet, not even sure if I'm actually going to do the sye. What diameter and wall thickness tube? And what u-joints did you get? I have a tom woods shaft on one of the wranglers and it's a nice unit just didn't realize they did larger truck shafts.

[gun45boat]

Well Damn, It is easy to rebuild the case? If its that easy, I might just go ahead and pull the case and rebuild it, rather than buying a used one somewhere. I agree with you about these T-cases being everywhere. God I would love to have front dig,,,,,, I miss that from my last buggy.... Lightweight and strong is where I need to focus, so I think I am going to stick with the 271 and rebuild the current unit.. Maybe when this one finally gives up after this rebuild I will go with a Hero/Atlas for the front dig way;)

Any rebuild kits/companies better than others?

Thanks for the advise from everyone, and great ideas.

[Colibri]

Transfercases.com = transfer case express, online they are only set up for ordering reman units but if you give them a call they're super helpful and are happy to put together whatever you want/need. Prices are very reasonable and customer service was great.

Tha nv271 is damn near identical to a jeep np231 just much much bigger lol. It's very easy to rebuild, no special tools needed.

I'm with you gunny, when my stocker gives up the ghost it's front dig time!!!

[gun45boat]

thank you. I ordered up the rebuild kit from them,,,,, VERY nice people to deal with. Thanks again for the advise.

[gun45boat]

I am sure that I told you all that my t-case has been "complaining" So I order up a rebuild kit..... and then there is an event in Hardrock ORP in Florida. I say to myself "it should hold up for one more run.....

OOPS!!!!!!!

Full throttle with spray


BOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!

[gun45boat]

but it landed really nicely from a 5' jump at the top of the rock pile.... Just didn't let off the throttle in time.....

I have to admit. that T-case has been severely abused for 4 straight years under some VERY HARSH conditions I am damn proud of her...


Got another on its way from Texas from a "donor" 07 Ram with 67K for $540 shipped

[NovA ProspekT]

Got any video of that? Sounds like a damn good time.

Do they have any sort of upgrades for the T-case?

[FirerescuePW]

Fuckin BOOOM is right! Nice work by you!

[Colibri]

Hot damn! You just gained entry into a fairly elite club lol. Not many have grenaded a 271 and probably no one else with a hemi

The only "upgrade" I'm aware of is a sye from a ford 271. Otherwise your only options are cryogenic processing and REM polishing, perhaps shot peining or WPC treatment or some mix of those options. You can extend its life for a few hundred here and there, but in reality a case every 4 years is pretty damn good considering lol

[nts007]

Nice job!! That is definatly elite status. Personally I'd stay with the stock setup. You've abused it and know what it can take. Sye will let u stay In front wheel drive but so will a properly fitting cap from a brake clean can and some tape. Believe it or not that's how an old Chrysler tech does it and had me use to see if my rear drive shaft was causing problems. Just gotta keep the oil in.

[2wagons1driveway]

Lol that's fuckin crazy^^ I hope mine doesn't do this.... We still have yet to determine if I have a bent input or output shaft on my 271 :/ have you thought about cryo treating your stuff?! I had my shafts done as well as new chain.... Supposed to be really good for the chain and a 300% increase in strength on trans shafts...


Sent from Canada

[2wagons1driveway]

I am sure that I told you all that my t-case has been "complaining" So I order up a rebuild kit..... and then there is an event in Hardrock ORP in Florida. I say to myself "it should hold up for one more run.....

OOPS!!!!!!!

Full throttle with spray


BOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!

and btw what happened internally looks like chain skipped a tooth???


Sent from Canada