Challenger lower low range gearing

[mnpalmer]

Friend of mine, has a 04 Challenger and was about to order the 68% reduction gears from Mark's 4WD adapters, but found out they stopped making them 4 weeks ago!!! How's that for timing....? Does anyone know where else can get them? Even overseas if need be?

thanks,
Mark

[Hekta]

I'm pretty sure the ones that Mark's Adapters were selling are the ones that Bitsamissin had commissioned and were made by Hardman Brothers in Melbourne.

Spewing that they stopped making them. They're the only ones I knew of for Mitsubishis.

[mnpalmer]

Thanks, will check it out.

[bish]

I'm sure I saw an add in the last issue of one of the big AU 4wd magazines that Marks4wd adapters just released reduction gears for Pajs but they won't fit a Challenger.

Guys in the US apparently have sourced some - check out the Montero Sport forum for info.

Reduction gears are on my list after the rear locker

Cheers,
Jon

[Bitsamissin]

Yes they are available alright.
2.85's for the 1.925 t/case and 3.15's for the 1.90 t/case.
The 3.15's won't work with the 5sp t/case though only the auto.
PM me for details.

[Ian Sharpe]

Yes they are available alright.
2.85's for the 1.925 t/case and 3.15's for the 1.90 t/case.
The 3.15's won't work with the 5sp t/case though only the auto.
PM me for details.

Gidday Frank,

Did Mark ever sort out the problem with the 3.15 gears for manual vehicles??

[Bitsamissin]

No not yet.
We are doing a mod with the selector shaft on a 5sp case with 3.15's that I will be trialling in the near future.
Mark wants to re-design the 3.15's for the manual t/case to achieve a smaller diameter low range gear so it will clear the shifter rail. The only prob is the ratio will end up being about 2.8:1.

[Ian Sharpe]

No not yet.
We are doing a mod with the selector shaft on a 5sp case with 3.15's that I will be trialling in the near future.
Mark wants to re-design the 3.15's for the manual t/case to achieve a smaller diameter low range gear so it will clear the shifter rail. The only prob is the ratio will end up being about 2.8:1.

Well 2.8:1 still aint bad since the manuals have a deep first gear anyway. What would the new first low be?? somewhere over 50:1 I guess??

[J Top]

I have just fitted a set of 3.15s to a manual, they worked out well, thanks Frank
J Top

[klrevo]

but thats a manual in the 3.5L paj yeh??? will that box bolt up behind the 3L or not??? is the lowest option for the 3L still the 2.85s??? ill seriously be looking for gears in about 6 months, is there any further developments with anything lower or is this not possible due to strength issues??? can you bolt up a different transfer??? the np205 is a passenger side drop isnt it? and it seems really popular with low low gearing...any options there???

dean

[NJV6]

I have just fitted a set of 3.15s to a manual, they worked out well, thanks Frank
J Top

Now I'm confused and will wait patiently........ If indeed the 3.15s fit a manual can I have a set tomorrow please.....

[Kiwijero]

Jtop's just finished fitting the 3.15 gears to my manual 5sp, so yes it can be done.....
However it does require machining of the transfer case where the shifter rail goes thorugh into the transmission, machining of the large gear to allow for a circlip, and also machining off the bottom of the shift lug which is mounted on the shift tail. So... it is not a quick job, as jtop will tell you, but it can be done.

The 3.15 gears give a better spread of ratios in the V5M31 gearbox (2.8 TDI and 3.5 ptrl) than 2.8 gears would, so I felt it was better to use the 3.15 gears than wait til the 2.8 gears had been made (also had the box out with a failed clutch so timing was right)

Hope to have it out in the mud this weekend, so will see how it goes !

[Ian Sharpe]

Jtop's just finished fitting the 3.15 gears to my manual 5sp, so yes it can be done.....
However it does require machining of the transfer case where the shifter rail goes thorugh into the transmission, machining of the large gear to allow for a circlip, and also machining off the bottom of the shift lug which is mounted on the shift tail. So... it is not a quick job, as jtop will tell you, but it can be done.

The 3.15 gears give a better spread of ratios in the V5M31 gearbox (2.8 TDI and 3.5 ptrl) than 2.8 gears would, so I felt it was better to use the 3.15 gears than wait til the 2.8 gears had been made (also had the box out with a failed clutch so timing was right)

Hope to have it out in the mud this weekend, so will see how it goes !

Hey Kiwi,

with the 4.90 diffs & 3.15 low gears , you must have a seriously deep low range!!

Mine with the auto is just a tad over 40:1 (BTW same as my old Series 2A landrover), so what is yours at ?? Must be close to 60:1??

cheers

[Bitsamissin]

Just let me clarify about the 5sp 3.15's.
Yes they can be made to fit but it needs somebody comptetent and with the gear to do so (like J Top).
It is not a straight foward gear swap by any means.
We are prepared to sell them to people like J Top who we feel can do the mods necesary for the install but we take no liability in any subsequent issues/failures.
The idea with low gears is to replace the standard gears in a relatively straight foward swap so that it could be done by the home mechanic.
We thought about supplying a modified shifter rail on a change over basis but Mark decided not to as it adds to the complication factor.
He decided to redesign the set so they would fit as is unfortunately the ratio will be around 2.8.
In the meantime we still have 6 or so sets of the 5sp 3.15's that we are prepared to sell to VERY COMPETENT installers who understand and can perform the necesary t/case mods to make them fit.

[Kiwijero]

Ian

yes very close guess, 61:1 ratio.... however with the 35" tyres I need it.

first gear std ratio is 36.8:1 with 3.15 gears this becomes 61:1
2nd gear std 20.0:1 with 3.15 gears becomes 34.6:1
3rd gear std 13:1 with 3.15 gears becomes 21.6:1
4th gear std 9.3:1 with 3.15 gears becomes 15.5:1
5th gear std 7.6:1 with 3.15 gears becomes 12.6:1
reverse std 33:1 with 3.15 gears becomes 54.8:1

What I like is the fact that with the 3.15 gears my 2nd gear (low) is slightly faster thanthe old 1st gear, but my new 3rd & 4th gears are slightly slower than the old 2nd & 3rd gears.

When I calculated the ratios out for a 2.8 crawler gear, it didn't work out so good.

I haven't had this off road yet, but expect 1st gear to suit slow winching up some of our slippery tracks here (and hopefully easier on the clutch !! )

[Adomw]

Bitza,

I would love the 3.15's but would not be able to perform the mods as you describe. Would either of you guys be prepared to fit them into a T/c and then send it over here for me to install

bit like a service exchange deal???

Just fishing

Ado

[Ian Sharpe]

Adom,

If you go with the revised gear set , you are still gonna have a serious low ratio over 50:1!!!

[loughma88]

This may seem like a silly question but ...
I have a NL 3.5 Auto Pajero.
I'm thinking about installing a set low ratio gears.
I know that this will greatly reduce gearing in low range.
This will make a huge difference when climbing and decending steep hills.
What I don't understand, is what will it be like to drive when I would normally select low range NOW, and find that standard low range seems to be about the right gearing?
Will my Auto gearbox change up through the gears to find a gear and speed that suits, or will I always feel like I am crawling along at walking pace with the motor roaring?
I hope you understand what I am trying to ask!
Thanks loughma88