How's an Atlas for long road miles?

DAA · Feb 21, 2021

You know what sucks?

This sucks.

So I need a new transfer case. Just shopping online this morning, reman 241OR goes for Atlas money. Used ones go for, a lot. Still, a used or reman 241OR is going to bolt right in, no new drive shafts of mounting modifications. It will be cheaper than an Atlas.

But, I should at least consider an Atlas, since I am where I am. I think it's not any longer than the 241OR but different enough I'm betting on drive shaft and mounting mods being needed.

How is the gear noise of an Atlas on long distance road trips at 75-80 MPH? I know, it's a Jeep, and it makes lots of noise already. But for that kind of money, if I ended up with gear whine on the highway that just drove me crazy for hours on end I wouldn't be happy.

Ughh...

- DAA

Kevin B. · Feb 21, 2021

Yike! Did that happen on the way home or were we driving around like that all weekend?

mbryson · Feb 21, 2021

Holy crap! I do think you are $3k and 10-12 weeks for an Atlas

DAA · Feb 21, 2021

Kevin B. said:
Yike! Did that happen on the way home or were we driving around like that all weekend?

On the way home. I-15 about 4500 S., doing 70 when she blew. It wasn't cool. And no driving it around like that, the front output is busted clean off.

Kevin B. said:
mbryson said:

Holy crap! I do think you are $3k and 10-12 weeks for an Atlas

Click to expand...

I probably need that long to figure out how I'm going to steal the money. I need to do a lot more research. But what I was seeing this morning, a used 241OR with less than 100K is going for over $1500 and remans for over $3K. Still think I'll end up with another 241OR, because it will be easier and less expensive, but, it's early, who knows...

- DAA

Pile of parts · Feb 21, 2021

Bummer! Expensive either way. Certainly more modifications to make the Atlas fit. Looks like this type of damage is common if the front driveline cv joint siezes at freeway speed.

RockChucker · Feb 21, 2021

I picked up a 241or that looked like yours for free a couple years back. I was able to get a new case (front and rear halves) for less than $1000. The rest of the case was still useable, so I assembled the parts and sold it to a buddy for basically what it cost me. So don’t give up on what you have yet...I’ve heard rumors that a jk case can have a tj tail housing, sensor and reluctor wheel added in. Might have to swap input shaft out too and switches.

Hickey · Feb 21, 2021

If you intend to keep the Jeep long term, I would go Atlas. It would suck to buy a used or reman 241OR and have the same thing happen in a year, especially with how remote you get.

jeeper · Feb 21, 2021

I don't have any helpful info on what way to go.. but I have been very happy with Conrads Transmissions in West Jordan if you are looking for a shop.

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N-Smooth · Feb 21, 2021

@skippy is an Atlas dealer and can give you a better idea of cost and how long it would take.

DAA · Feb 21, 2021

Pile of parts said:
Looks like this type of damage is common if the front driveline cv joint siezes at freeway speed.

I think that's what happened. Smooth sailing all the way down the canyon to Spanish Fork. But as soon as I got up to speed again on I-15 it started acting like it was trying to death wobble - not full blown but bad enough to white knuckle the wheel. Found I could drive through it and smooth out a lot if I kept it over 70 MPH. But still not all that smooth.

Have one front tire in pretty bad shape and figured it had gone bad or something. Pulled off somewhere and checked the tire pressures and lug nuts but all good. Going up Point Of The Mountain it started humming pretty loud. At first I thought it was bad tire hum and still thinking I had a broken belt in that front tire or something.

By about 90th south I was thinking it was drive shaft noise.

At about 45th south she went kablooey.

- DAA

Hickey · Feb 21, 2021

DAA said:
I think that's what happened. Smooth sailing all the way down the canyon to Spanish Fork. But as soon as I got up to speed again on I-15 it started acting like it was trying to death wobble - not full blown but bad enough to white knuckle the wheel. Found I could drive through it and smooth out a lot if I kept it over 70 MPH. But still not all that smooth.

Have one front tire in pretty bad shape and figured it had gone bad or something. Pulled off somewhere and checked the tire pressures and lug nuts but all good. Going up Point Of The Mountain it started humming pretty loud. At first I thought it was bad tire hum and still thinking I had a broken belt in that front tire or something.

By about 90th south I was thinking it was drive shaft noise.

At about 45th south she went kablooey.

- DAA

I bet you said bad words. With gusto.

Hickey · Feb 21, 2021

How much work is it to swap in a 231J while you wait for an Atlas? Those are a dime a dozen.

Mouse · Feb 21, 2021

I've seen 4 or 5 241's do this. The atlas in my TJ is pretty quiet and has done 70+ on the highway, no issues. the 42RLE overdrive is much louder

Mouse · Feb 21, 2021

Hickey said:
How much work is it to swap in a 231J while you wait for an Atlas? Those are a dime a dozen.

Would require a new rear drive shaft and probably work to set up the shifter (different from 241)

I Lean · Feb 21, 2021

I think an Atlas would finish up making this the perfect LJ.

And in answer to your original question, you shouldn't have any issues at all with road miles and an Atlas.

I kinda like @Hickey's idea of just slapping in a 231 for an interim Tcase, so you aren't grounded while waiting for AA to do their thing.

An Atlas would also allow you to choose a different low-range reduction too, if that's something you've ever wanted to alter.

UNSTUCK · Feb 21, 2021

Great! Now you got me wondering. My LJR has 180k on it and no idea what’s been done to it. I’ve put about 200 miles on it in the year I’ve owned it. My 16yo daughter will start driving it daily in April.

Is this a t case issue or a driveline issue normally?

What happened when it blew? Did tires lock up?

I need to make this Jeep teenage (girl) proof.

Stephen · Feb 21, 2021

DAA said:
...figure out how I'm going to steal the money.

I read this and imagined Dave, cigar in mouth, holding up a bank in rural Nevada.

Hickey · Feb 21, 2021

UNSTUCK said:
Great! Now you got me wondering. My LJR has 180k on it and no idea what’s been done to it. I’ve put about 200 miles on it in the year I’ve owned it. My 16yo daughter will start driving it daily in April.

Is this a t case issue or a driveline issue normally?

What happened when it blew? Did tires lock up?

I need to make this Jeep teenage (girl) proof.

I'd get your driveshafts serviced or maybe rebuilt asap. I should probably do the same.

DAA · Feb 21, 2021

UNSTUCK said:
Is this a t case issue or a driveline issue normally?

What happened when it blew? Did tires lock up?

I need to make this Jeep teenage (girl) proof.

I'm thinking drive shaft issue manifested as a transfer case issue. Whole lot of banging and clanging and loud snapping noises when it happened, Front output was (is) still attached to the front drive shaft and it was still spinning and clobbering everything within reach with the front output. Tires didn't lock up.

Hickey said:
I'd get your driveshafts serviced or maybe rebuilt asap. I should probably do the same.

Yup. I had that front shaft rebuilt about 65,000 miles ago. Guess it was in need of it again, but didn't get it in time.

- DAA

Gravy · Feb 21, 2021

The Atlas in my TJ isn't too loud. At least I can't tell any difference over my 35s...

Having locking hubs made more difference in noise + less driveshaft wear & a little change in gas mileage too.

How's an Atlas for long road miles?

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