Bkennedy's SAS and Rebuild Thread

[Kirby N.]

They just wear out from moisture, dirt, pressure and use. When I had 3/4” Heim steering- on my daily driver they would get sloppy in a year.

 

[BKennedy]

I'm fairly certain I already know the answer to this question. I haven't done anything to the Explorer for a while, and don't plan on any major changes for at least a few years. This question is for long term planning.

I have a 3 pinyon planetary set pulled from a NP231 I parted out years ago when I installed the Atlas II. I've been looking at Ecoboxes. The 3 pinyon is good for 600 lbs of torque, while a 6 pinyon is good for 1400 lbs. My drive train is currently low HP, but that could change. If I ever swap in a more modern, higher HP engine it will most likely be a GM V6, so still not high HP.

Even though this 3 pinyon planetary has the correct input gear for my 700R4, am I correct in thinking I would be creating a weak link using it in an ecobox to save a few hundred bucks?

 

[Rick]

Have to wonder if the rating is for engine torque, or full torque after it's been multiplied through torque converter and gear ratios. AA told me the output shaft of my manual trans might not be able to take the total torque of the system even with the stock 4.0.

Personally I would steer towards overkill.

 

[tdavis]

I'd also look at possible shock loads.. ie, you get a wheel "stuck", something lets go, it will generate a shock on the system. I have heard of transfer case internals shattering from this shock load.. It's always best to put a weak point where it's cheap and easy to fix..

 

[Kirby N.]

I would agree with @tdavis that a tcase is a pretty rough spot for a weak link. There is a lot of chance to be stranded with a broken tcase. I would rather have it in hubs or something and make the tcase as strong as possible. Is there any chance you can get junk yard planetaries that are the tougher version? I put 6 gear planetaries in mine for that reason.

 

[Rick]

After I stripped the center out of this planetary I upgraded to a steel 6 pinion.

 

[Kirby N.]

Does a stripped planetary leave you stranded or does it just mean you don’t have 4xlow?

 

[Rick]

Does a stripped planetary leave you stranded or does it just mean you don’t have 4xlow?

In my case the planetary was in the transmission. I was stuck with reverse only. No forward gears at all.

 

[BKennedy]

I don't know if a stripped doubler planetary would disable the driveline because they are in neutral when not being used, but if it blew it would ne engaged. No thanks.

I think I'll stick with the NWF iBox for long term doubler plans.