LWB Crawler chop! Long travel test

[toastmaster]

Finally took it out for a test crawl, tested out the NP231 T-case swap and the long travel rear suspension. Worked out pretty good other than needing to extend the bumpstops, I found out the caliper hits the frame with the fitting and breaks it off. Never ran out of travel or lifted a tire all day, the 2.72 gearing was barely enough for the 2.4L engine to turn the 35's but i have a doubler i need to install still for 7.4:1 low range.
Next time out i should have the 3 link done now that i know my shock geometry is right, so i should have even more travel. Here's the pics

[Macca413]

Hey Mate, looks tops. Its an awesome beast. Just a quick question, how much stronger is the NP231 transfer over the std Mit's case? And is worth while doing the swap without doing the doubler case mod?

[toastmaster]

The Np231 is not nearly as strong as the mitsu case and i won't run the 231 behind the doubler because it will grenade it. I'll be running the doubler with a Dana300 t-case, If you want an inexpensive stront-case the Dana 300 is the one to get. The plus side about the 300 is that you can run it upside down and then flip it back over when you SAS for using a toyota axle, the bad part of the 300 is that you might need to clearance the floor of your truck to fit.
If you just want lower gears i'd go with Marks4wd for the mitsu case, I have those in my other truck. If you consider the cost of the NP231, SYE, Driveshafts and speedo correction you'll probably have spent more than the cost of Marks gears. The NP231 was cheap for me since i made my own SYE and driveshafts and i don't need to know how fast i'm moving since the 2.4 can only get the truck moving 70mph wide open.
Another T-case that would be worth doing would be a NV241 Rocktrac from a Jeep Rubicon if you could find one reasonably priced, They are SYE already and they are heavier duty plus 4.1:1 low range.

[toastmaster]

Just realized you are from Mexico, you get north of the border often? I live in Phoenix and we've got a pretty large Mitsu club. You ought to come wheeling with us sometime.

[Macca413]

Hey mate, sorry I'm from Australia. Just put Mexico in for a joke. I've got the marks gears in my SAS'd paj but I keep stretching the chains in the transfers. Trying to figure out if there is a cost efective way to fix this problem.

[toastmaster]

Got it, i'd get a Dana 300. they are really tough and gear driven. If you're stretching chains that's the only way to go.

[MudRaider]

Toasty, I don't care which forum I'm on I don't get tired of those pics of you s t r e t c h i n g the little truck out!

[Macca413]

Got it, i'd get a Dana 300. they are really tough and gear driven. If you're stretching chains that's the only way to go.

Cool thanks for the info, does anyone in the states do a adaptor plate to mate to the 5 speed manual (V5m21). I would have to run it upside down permantly as I did my SAS with jeep gear I got cheap over here. I've also been looking at using a marlin transfer as you can get them in drivers drop but the cases are heaps expensive. Do you have any links to anyone who has done the swap before?

[arnijr]

Very interesting and very capable looking truck. Did you do a writeup of the build? I didn't find it, but I was in a hurry.

About the NP231 swap, did you have a look at swapping in an NP242? I realize you probably wanted the simplicity with the NP231 but I was wondering if you knew how the NP242 stacks up to the Mitsu box and what would be involved in a swap. I'm interested in the lower gearing but would like to keep the super select stuff.

[toastmaster]

Thanks guys, NathanC on 4x4wire made an adapter but i don't know if he's got a blueprint of it or anything. It wouldn't be a hard thing to have machined up locally. As for a build thread i'm working on it, mostly just little posts here and there of the progress of the engine swap and t-case swap.

[MudRaider]

Dude, that isa great idea of a build thread. You should do like recon did and just stay with one thread. Your stuff is some of the most informative and entertaining on 4x4wire. Just sayin.

[NJV6]

Your stuff is some of the most informative and entertaining on 4x4wire.

Link please!!

[toastmaster]

Big Thanks to NJV6 for help with this build too, by the way how is the REAL WMD going?


"WEAPON OF ASS DESTRUCTION!"




I'll get a build thread going here soon, but i might be getting a new Daily Driver soon and i might just have to part this out or sell it. The new truggy will be 3.5 DOHC!!!! I've got a long ways to go to catch up to NJV6 i haven't even started on the SAS

[NJV6]

By the way how is the REAL WMD going?

It's come a wee way....

Glen