Hello all, I'm new here.

I drive a Tata Safari, unknown to the USA (but here is a pic) it's a nice piece of machinery with a Mercedes Benz engine off a truck and DANA transmission. Only 115bhp from a 3 liter TD but the engine is virtually bulletproof.

Here's my question:
I have a 5-speed manual and often griped about steep climbs and crawling behind bigger trucks. Often, 2nd gear is too slow, but the engine will stall in 3rd.
As with all 4x4s, "low" requires me to stop and flip the switch, so even with freewheeling front hubs it's often a time-wasting option.

I have been wondering about fitting the epicycle box off an automatic transmission between the standard gearbox and the transfer case... (not the whole auto box, I don't need the torque converter, just the 3-speed box and I would manually select the desired gear)
This would allow to quick-shift between "high" range and "medium" range, without losing momentum.

Of course, a fully synchronized transfer case would be a much better option, but I've never heard of one...

Any ideas?

Thanks

Maurizio  

http://www.gearvendors.com/cg2wdt.html

these are awesome units, I have one behind a th400 auto with a 205 t case, make that a six speed th400  

I was just thinking about what your getting at..hmm
gear vendor does have between units..heres what they say ...

http://www.gearvendors.com/4x4.html

"Fact is, when you are in 4X4 there is very little desire to use GearSplitting and overdrive unless you are racing (and we do make the in-between kit for that purpose)"...

all good and true except for those with all wheel drive. with a viscous t-case it wouldnt be a good idea to have a vendor hanging off the back.

so, I dont think yer barkin up the wrong tree..lol yeah I saww the others.., just need to find the right application.  

So let me get this straight. This will allow you to have a high, medium, and low  vs. the the standard high and low?  

what the vendor does is nearly splits the gears you already have...making a th400, for example, a 6 speed automatic.

so yes, it will make a third (medium) range when the auto switch is manually tunrned on.


TH400  
 
   
1st   2.48    
Over 1.93    
2nd   1.48    
Over 1.15    
3rd   1.00    
Over 0.78  

I haven't looked at the site, but is this something that goes in the tranny or what? That seems like an awsome set up but I have never heard of it. Other than a manual tranny with a high and low like on a 2 1/2 ton truck.  

yep, they have between versions for 4x4's, they have been a popular tranny for hot rodders and tow rigs, I love mine! It wan't till the allison and the duramax came along for any other auto to match the combo.
mine mounts to the output of the 205 and actually is only for 2 wheel operation and when the front hubs are unlocked in low range.

I think the wranglers are to short to run a vendor, but if you were stretching and modifying it could be a good option especially for desert type racing.  

What would be the right wheelbase for this setup? I am getting ready to start on my cj7 and was going to change the wheelbase. It would be a trail vehicle and wouldn't see the steet very much.  

I'm not really sure, kinda depends on the length of the gear vendor..they are a bit spendy also..2500 bucksl  

Wow. Not sure that I need one that bad. Its always an option I guess. Next time I have $2500 laying around, I might pick up one....problem is I never have $2500 laying around. Thanks for the info.  BTW, I saw there were alot of post for the Hammers rally. Hope it made an impact on the decision makers.  

yep, It's a better option for a tow rig or even a fullsize 4x4 chevy to get rid of the 700r4..they are awsome trannies, just not for a heavy or a rig that spends alot of time in front of a trailer..

yeah, the hammers faired about 1400 posts in just 4 hours, the posting barely solwed down when the admin locked the forum. I hope it makes a difference also.  

Thank you Mudb8 and Jeepnut.

I had also examined the option to install a 5 or 6 speed auto, but it's just too complicated and expensive, modern autoboxes have too much electronics in them, AND I'd have to go to the local District Vehicle Licensing Office to have the car pass scrutiny and register it as an automatic rather than manual...

An over/underdrive option is very interesting, $2500 aside (and shipping !!! 4% customs !!! 20% VAT on box+shipping !!!)

Thanks all.