203/205 better option over an atlas?

[Kiel]

Well I'm starting the new buggy, and am trying to research the drivetrain parts, but have gotten hung up on the t case choice. The plan was to just throw a atlas 2 speed at it and call it good. But to my disbelief, I was quoated anywhere from 26-2800 bucks for the one needed to match my turbo 400 and chev 350. I have looked at 203/205 doublers before, but decided not too due to the added weight and cost, but I believe I can build a 203/205 doubler with twin stick for around 1000.00 bucks. Which leaves money for other good stuff. What do you guys think, the only concern it seems to me would be weight and driveline concerns which I plan to run a 108 wb.

 

[I Lean]

Caleb put a 203/205 in his buggy, I didn't really like it. Besides the huge and heavy aspect, they're huge and heavy. Plus, their size makes them hard to deal with.

That combo is deceptively tall, which makes it harder to fit seats 'n stuff while keeping a low profile.

Have you checked into other Tcase options besides an Atlas? The Stak 2 speed is significantly cheaper, isn't it? (or you could get a 3 speed for about the same as an Atlas IIRC....)

 

[Kiel]

Thats the sad thing is that you think the atlas and stak cases aren't that bad then you find out it needs like 400-500 bucks in adapters to mate to your tranny. I think the base stak 2 spd is around 1899 without adapters. I would consider just using a plain ford 205 but I know sooner or later will need some more gear.

 

[78mitsu]

I run one with 112" wheelbase. Love it. my Front and Rear Drivelines are the same length, one spare :

 

[Shawn]

I think you need to shop around, that price is a bit steep.

 

[Kiel]

What case are you runnin shawn, I never looked? A stak case with th400 adapter and short shaft is 2210.00

 

[Tacoma]

Like Carl said, they're friggin' heavy. The 203 is tallish, but you can get them clocked flat. They are fairly long too, you'd be ok @108" but pushing it a little.

On the other hand, they can be cheaper than a Stak/Atlas, and you can also have the sweet ratio options.

Either or. If weight is an issue I'd steer away from the 203/205 maybe. The LoMax 3:1 kit is pretty sweet... but eh, you know.

 

[Shawn]

What case are you runnin shawn, I never looked? A stak case with th400 adapter and short shaft is 2210.00

A Dana 300.................... until it breaks........
Then I will go Atlas...

 

[Caleb]

Yep, I ran one in my buggy. I found it rather useless with an Auto. I was either in low low or mid low, but it didn't make much difference because I had the auto. Also as Carl said they are HUGE, and fairly tall. Next time I will for sure not do a doubler. The appeal to me was I could easily go from my chevy drivetrain (4.3L->T350) to a ford front 60 by using the chevy 203 and the ford 205. Until you've had to muscle one around I don;t think you;ll really realize how HUGE they really are

after being there and done that my opinion is to spend a little extra and go with the Stak or the Atlas

 

[Tacoma]

I just had to muscle mine around... with the TH400 attached...

It hurt.

 

[I Lean]

If you can do a Ford 205, then you won't need any additional adapters if you want to swap to an aftermarket 'case later.

 

[Milner]

Price the Atlas with Kurt/Cruiseroutfit or Kincade.

 

[Kiel]

If you can do a Ford 205, then you won't need any additional adapters if you want to swap to an aftermarket 'case later.

How does that work? Because that was original plan to at least get me by unitl I'm rich. I was planning on chev 350, th400, ford 205 to dana 70 rear ford hp 60 front.

 

[rockreligious]

I had a 203/205 in my last buggy, I built my own adapter and sent the shaft to moser to have necked and resplined. total build cost me $400 about three years ago back when the kits cost $1000, now that you can get them for half that I would just buy one. I had a 113 wheelbase,a v8 an auto and 3;54 diff gears and 38's and it worked well, should work well with your 108. they are somewhat big and a little heavier but so is a 350/400/1ton drivetrain. where do you draw the line. My new rig has a 4.0, auto and a teralow 231, way lighter but I have to worry about breaking a chain.

 

[rockreligious]

How does that work? Because that was original plan to at least get me by unitl I'm rich. I was planning on chev 350, th400, ford 205 to dana 70 rear ford hp 60 front.

also; if you are already going to run the 205, the only additional wieght and size of the doubler is the 203 range box and adapter, which is half the regular wieght and size of the 203 complete.

 

[Rot Box]

If weight is an issue I'd steer away from the 203/205 maybe. The LoMax 3:1 kit is pretty sweet... but eh, you know.

Would the LoMax give you something close to the crawl ratio your looking for? I don't know about the price, but it should be alot cheaper, and lighter than the alternatives.

Not that much more of a reduction though.....now I'm starting to think out loud :sick:

 

[spaggyroe]

Thats the sad thing is that you think the atlas and stak cases aren't that bad then you find out it needs like 400-500 bucks in adapters to mate to your tranny.

FYI
My stak to Th400 adapter was about $200 or $210.

 

[Meat_]

You can buy he 4spd atlas for about the same price as the 2spd... someone on here quoted one for $23XX a week or two ago. Sell your sami for the grand difference between the doubler and the 4spd

 

[Kiel]

Yeah the plan is too wheel the samurai while I build up the new one then sell the samurai to pay off my powerstroke

 

[I Lean]

How does that work? Because that was original plan to at least get me by unitl I'm rich. I was planning on chev 350, th400, ford 205 to dana 70 rear ford hp 60 front.

As I understand it, you run a GM-style 32 spline input in the Ford 205. I'm not sure what the adapter came from, but maybe there was a GM 205 with the round bolt pattern? Bryson knows the details, as well as all those parts for sale in the classifieds here.