Building a Dana 300 or buying a StaK...

[Greg]

Just thinking outloud, my buggy project is slowly coming together and I've been thinking a lot about the gearing options. I have been planning on using a 231 reduction unit combined with a Dana 300. The gearing would be pretty deep, probably beyond useful honestly, especially with an auto tranny.

Here's the numbers- 3.07 (700R4 1st gear) x 2.72 (231 reduction unit) x 2.62 (Dana 300) x (5.13 axle gear ratio) = 112 to 1 without torque converter multiplication

I liked the idea of cheap gearing, but it probably won't be useful on the trail. That gear ratio will probably have the rig driving thru the brakes. :-\ Also I'd more than likely need to upgrade both front & rear output shafts, as I'll be running 40" tires and plan on doing front & rear digs.

After adding up the price of a Dana 300, the 231 and adapter, front & rear output shaft upgrades, etc... a StaK 2 speed t-case is just a few hundred dollars more. And the StaK will give me the right gear ratio, not something too deep.

Discuss!

 

[Caleb]

the Stak D300 replacement is what I'm planning right now, small, good gearing, and plenty strong.

EDIT:

here's teh link to the D300 replacement http://www.stak4x4.com/d300_transfer_case.htm

 

[mbryson]

For what you're doing, I'd go with the Stak. I don't regret going with the D300, but I've got a fair amount of money into it to adapt it, and don't know if I want to dump more into it to upgrade it (4:1, HD outputs). It's been fine so far, but I've been able to use it so much

 

[420willys]

i sold my last dana 300 and now i am saving for the stak, for 1900.00 dollars you cant go wrong, 4 to 1 ratio, stock 32 spline, up to 1410 u-joint at no extra cost, my choice of input gear ( for me 27 spline for the 700r ) and a realy sexy looking case. the D-300 would be worth building if i all ready had the 4-1 or the 32 spline upgraded yoke's, but the cost and leg work to do this is just does'nt add up, jason.

 

[Greg]

Just for reference, this thing will be running a 4.3 Vortec, Auto tranny, Dana 60's and 40" tires.

 

[Greg]

i sold my last dana 300 and now i am saving for the stak, for 1900.00 dollars you cant go wrong, 4 to 1 ratio, stock 32 spline, up to 1410 u-joint at no extra cost, my choice of input gear ( for me 27 spline for the 700r ) and a realy sexy looking case. the D-300 would be worth building if i all ready had the 4-1 or the 32 spline upgraded yoke's, but the cost and leg work to do this is just does'nt add up, jason.

You hit the nail on the head, the cost & the work to build a Dana 300 make the StaK hard to pass on.

 

[I Lean]

the Stak D300 replacement is what I'm planning right now, small, good gearing, and plenty strong.

EDIT:

here's teh link to the D300 replacement http://www.stak4x4.com/d300_transfer_case.htm

Why would you need 3 shift levers?

Stak>D300, Greg.

 

[Caleb]

Why would you need 3 shift levers?

Stak>D300, Greg.

if you have their three speed box...you just looked at pictures didn't you the lower half of their pages are all the exact same but the descriptions say you can get 2 or 3 shift levers depending on your needs.

 

[I Lean]

if you have their three speed box...you just looked at pictures didn't you the lower half of their pages are all the exact same but the descriptions say you can get 2 or 3 shift levers depending on your needs.

No, I wuz reading, really! I thought that page you linked was just for the D300, which doesn't come in a 3speed version AFAIK.

 

[rockdog]

Stak or atlas, either way I think your money ahead and a lot less work in the long run. By the time you buy 4to1's, up grade the outputs ect. I went with an atlas w/5to1's with 1350 yokes. It's gonna be about $2300. I don't know what a stak set up this way would be. But I know I'm sick of tcase problems. I'm looking forward to finding the next weak link.

 

[Caleb]

Stak or atlas, either way I think your money ahead and a lot less work in the long run. By the time you buy 4to1's, up grade the outputs ect. I went with an atlas w/5to1's with 1350 yokes. It's gonna be about $2300. I don't know what a stak set up this way would be. But I know I'm sick of tcase problems. I'm looking forward to finding the next weak link.

the Stak would be $1900 like that

 

[Devel]

I may be a Newb at this but i say go with the Stak:greg:

 

[rockdog]

the Stak would be $1900 like that

I wasn't in any way trying to say an atlas is better than a stak. I'm comfortable paying 2300 for my atlas. Thats local pickup. You need to consider shipping costs and if you're getting what you want. Does stak offer a 5.0? I honestly don't know. I just know that people I know with an atlas, haven't had trouble with theirs. So I went that direction

 

[rockdog]

Just checked their site. Caleb's right. 1900 with 5.44to1's Good deal

 

[mesha]

the d300 CAN be a lot cheaper if you buy one already built. I got mine with 4 to 1 and twinsticks for 500 bucks. It works great. the output may brake, but it hasn't with 4.10s and 38s. the stak is cool though. Either way has advantages and disadvantages.

 

[Shawn]

ya... I'm not into my D300 that much money and I have the 4:1, twins, heavy outputs etc. Just shop arround for the best deals. Now, I'm in no way saying that the D300 is better as I look forward to the day I install the Atlas...........

 

[Greg]

I'm going with the StaK... :greg: I'm sure I could get some deals on the parts, but the hassle of the upgrades & mods, plus the cost of the 231 reduction unit make the Dana 300 option more hassle IMO. Thanks for all the info guys.

 

[I Lean]

I'm going with the StaK... :greg: I'm sure I could get some deals on the parts, but the hassle of the upgrades & mods, plus the cost of the 231 reduction unit make the Dana 300 option more hassle IMO. Thanks for all the info guys.

2 speed or 3 speed? :greg:

 

[Greg]

2 speed or 3 speed? :greg:

I can barely justify the expense of the 2 speed, let alone the 3 speed! I'm planning on building the 700R4 with a reverse manual valve body, so I'll be able to put it in 2nd gear when I need the wheel speed.

 

[rockdog]

I can barely justify the expense of the 2 speed, let alone the 3 speed! I'm planning on building the 700R4 with a reverse manual valve body, so I'll be able to put it in 2nd gear when I need the wheel speed.

Greg, any particular reason your going with a 700r? Need overdrive? I'm just wondering why you chose it over a 400? Not criticizing, just curious.