Atlas transfer case

[19 JLUR Bright Whit3]

So far. I'm getting the juice aint worth the squeeze. ?

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[J0E]

-Update for diesel fitment-
Advance sent a longer input shaft that my buddy swapped into the Atlas. Today we installed it and ran into a few more issues. The transmission heater on the diesel is completely in the way. It totally interferes with the shifters. And would likely also be too close to the front driveline. (Side note, the Atlas front output is 1” closer to the center of the transmission than the factory case). If you wanted to keep your transmission heat exchanger, you would have to modify the Atlas shifter bracket. And may have other issues, who knows.

You can see the gap between the case an the adapter, while the bracket is slamming into the heat exchanger.

The heat exchanger removed-

We are completely removing the coolant lines (I’ve seen others tying the lines together back near the transmission). We pulled them completely out and he’s capping them at the tees in the main coolant lines up front by the radiator. Tomorrow we have a tubing master friend come over to help us modify the tranny cooler lines to fit into the transmission ports.

We had cut the top of the adapter off to clear the heat exchanger lines before we realized it had to come out completely.


Every single step with the Atlas and fitment has been a total battle, here are two small examples of the constant frustration. The shifter cable hold down bracket that came with my friends would not work, no matter how hard we tried. So we dug into my parts and realized mine was slightly different, and it works perfectly. Just one more phone call to Advance (they are on speed dial now…)


The shifter cable “blocks” were also an issue. The one on the left was milled wrong and again, would not fit at all. Once again, robbed my parts to get his installed. Obviously not a huge deal, but if my parts weren’t here, it would be a total show stopper. And after all the problems we’ve had, it‘s just one more thing that adds to making this a total pain in the butt.

Every single step with the Atlas and fitment has been a total battle

Sorry I missed it, how much are you getting paid for R&D by atlas?

 

[1996cc]

No doubt. Not even a free T shirt yet ??‍ I actually feel like sending them an invoice. It’s a total joke. I’m a bit scared to tear into my 392 and see what other issues we will uncover with that one. I wouldn’t be surprised if they just won’t sell these any more to diesel owners. It’s a pretty big ask to tell a customer they will have to modify their transmission parts to make it fit… At least my 392 doesn’t have that part…

 

[1996cc]

Almost forgot, the adapter also doesn’t bolt up correctly. It’s about 3.75” off. Advance’s “fix” was for us to fab a plate to make it work. My friend used 3/8” as you can see here to move the t-case rubber mount forward.

Honestly, there have been so many issues to deal with, it’s hard to remember them all ??

 

[word302]

Almost forgot, the adapter also doesn’t bolt up correctly. It’s about 3.75” off. Advance’s “fix” was for us to fab a plate to make it work. My friend used 3/8” as you can see here to move the t-case rubber mount forward.

Honestly, there have been so many issues to deal with, it’s hard to remember them all ??

Sounds like not much has changed with AA.

 

[1996cc]

I started the install in my 392 today. I posted a new thread dedicated to it -

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/392-atlas-transfer-case-install.110309/

 

[AustinL911]

Anyone know if the 4sp is compatible with the JL/JT computer? Or a workaround?

 

[JeepinJason33]

I had one on my TJ and loved it. Bolted right in as they TJ had been out for several years by the time I installed one in my Jeep. However, nothing has changed with their communication and QC, the first unit they shipped me was not for the TJ and I did not notice until I had the TJ pulled apart. Took 3 weeks to get that right, the entire time they were telling me I was doing something wrong and should have taken it to a shop to swap out. Wasn't until I sent pictures that they finally admitted they sent me the wrong unit. No apologies are rush shipping were offered.

I don't know that I would put one in my JL unless (knock on wood) I blew up the transfer case I have.

 

[grimmjeeper]

Anyone know if the 4sp is compatible with the JL/JT computer? Or a workaround?

Depends on the transmission. A manual will be compatible since the computer doesn't do anything to shift it.

The automatic is another story. If the auto has an output shaft sensor and the computer uses that sensor to decide when to shift the transmission, then yes it will work.

Otherwise, the computer uses the wheel speed sensors to figure out when to shift. It has to know the low range ratio to do the math. And it's only set up to handle one low range. So no 4 speed and no workaround.

I don't know how the ZF transmissions are set up.

In the early JK with the 3.8, the 42RLE transmission had a tailshaf speed sensor so you could do anything with the transfer case. The 3.6 got the WA550 and relied on the wheel speed sensors so only one low range allowed. I had a 4 speed atlas on my JK with the 3.6 and manual transmission and it worked fine.

 

[AustinL911]

Depends on the transmission. A manual will be compatible since the computer doesn't do anything to shift it.

The automatic is another story. If the auto has an output shaft sensor and the computer uses that sensor to decide when to shift the transmission, then yes it will work.

Otherwise, the computer uses the wheel speed sensors to figure out when to shift. It has to know the low range ratio to do the math. And it's only set up to handle one low range. So no 4 speed and no workaround.

I don't know how the ZF transmissions are set up.

In the early JK with the 3.8, the 42RLE transmission had a tailshaf speed sensor so you could do anything with the transfer case. The 3.6 got the WA550 and relied on the wheel speed sensors so only one low range allowed. I had a 4 speed atlas on my JK with the 3.6 and manual transmission and it worked fine.

Sorry. I should have clarified. Truck is a 2021 6spd JTR. I've been thinking about adding one of these in the future because I love the idea of the 4sp. Not sure how much I'd actually use it, but I love it none the less, lol. I like how they integrated the twin sticks so cleanly for the 2sp but am wondering where I could work in the 3rd stick for a somewhat factory look.

 

[grimmjeeper]

Sorry. I should have clarified. Truck is a 2021 6spd JTR. I've been thinking about adding one of these in the future because I love the idea of the 4sp. Not sure how much I'd actually use it, but I love it none the less, lol. I like how they integrated the twin sticks so cleanly for the 2sp but am wondering where I could work in the 3rd stick for a somewhat factory look.

The JK atlas had a specific shifter for the range box. It integrated nicely next to the transfer case shifters. I don't know what they have for the JL.

I will say that the 11.7:1 was more than I needed. That uses the 2.72:1 range box and 4.3:1 in the main case. I found I mostly spent time in 4.3:1 low range. When I needed more I would shift int 11.7 and then start out in 2nd or 3rd gear.

The 10.37:1 (3.8 case gears) or 8.2:1 (3.0 case gears) are probably a better combo.

 

[AustinL911]

The JK atlas had a specific shifter for the range box. It integrated nicely next to the transfer case shifters. I don't know what they have for the JL.

I will say that the 11.7:1 was more than I needed. That uses the 2.72:1 range box and 4.3:1 in the main case. I found I mostly spent time in 4.3:1 low range. When I needed more I would shift int 11.7 and then start out in 2nd or 3rd gear.

The 10.37:1 (3.8 case gears) or 8.2:1 (3.0 case gears) are probably a better combo.

Yea, I think the 3.8 (10.37) is the one I'd go with for the most widespread, and useful range. I currently run 35s with 5.13 gears in the diff. Using your calculator (appreciate that, BTW), factory tire/gear crawl rate is ~84. I'm currently sitting at 105 with my setup, which is typically more than plenty for all but the most extreme stuff I would ever get into. A 3.8 4sp Atlas would get me 26/71/100/272. I could see the 71 being more useful to me than the 272 unless I'm wanting to crawl up a wall (doubtful) or pull out some stumps (or liquify my D44s).

This is mostly just a thought experiment as I doubt I would even consider putting one of these in for at least a couple years or so.

 

[azjl#3]

Hate to go sideways, I'm an old EBer here, with Advance adapters on an NV4500 in a 73 EB. Yeah, that adapter to SBF worked-ish as well. I had to look up front digg, thats just rear in N right? Atlas is a twin stick right? Why do this, other than make tight turns in a field? I'm seeing opportunity to explode a whole lot of parts using only one axle in D in the rocks...

 

[AustinL911]

Hate to go sideways, I'm an old EBer here, with Advance adapters on an NV4500 in a 73 EB. Yeah, that adapter to SBF worked-ish as well. I had to look up front digg, thats just rear in N right? Atlas is a twin stick right? Why do this, other than make tight turns in a field? I'm seeing opportunity to explode a whole lot of parts using only one axle in D in the rocks...

Yes, an Atlas 2sp is a twin stick. 4sp is a three stick.

Full disclosure: its waaaay more TC than I need. That said, I have a lot of fun things in life that I certainly don't need. I could find some utility in it. Having 2wd Low would be great for backing up trailers with the 6sp without smoking the clutch. Having two relatively useful Low gears (2.72/3.8) would be handy as well. 2.72 for when I need a little speed but some low end grunt as well. 3.8 when I need to crawl. The 10.37 would be way overkill for anything I do from an off-road standpoint, but it sure would make me giggle.

 

[grimmjeeper]

Hate to go sideways, I'm an old EBer here, with Advance adapters on an NV4500 in a 73 EB. Yeah, that adapter to SBF worked-ish as well. I had to look up front digg, thats just rear in N right? Atlas is a twin stick right? Why do this, other than make tight turns in a field? I'm seeing opportunity to explode a whole lot of parts using only one axle in D in the rocks...

Front digs are used off road to make tight turns. If you start going sideways on a hill you can just engage the front and have it pull you up straight. They're more effective if you combine it with cutting brakes. That's where you lock one rear brake (the inside wheel of the turn) to make the Jeep want to pivot.

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