Teralow 4:1 kit is in

[jtw2]

got the 4:1 kit installed in the 231 today and it's gonna get a shake down starting tomorrow at CORE all weekend.

Had Hillside 4x4 do the swap for me and found that I had broken the passenger side motor mount on the motor side. Seems the MORE bombproofs are bombproof but they moved the weak link to the stock aluminum motor mount. It's now replaced by a steel one.

I'll post up my impressions of it and how it performs probably sunday night.

Here's the link to CORE: http://www.coloradooffroadextreme.com/mapsdirections.html

[Joe Dillard]

I have a bunch of friends who either run or did run the Tera 4:1 in their NP231, all of them liked the improved low gearing it provides.

Did you go with the 2low option?

[Karma]

HI Joe,
Not to hyjack but I thought I would chime in on the subject. I installed a Teralow 4:1 on my ' 89 YJ about 6 months ago. I DID opt for the 2 low option. I did the installation myself. It's a simple install once the Xfer case is out (then back in). I bought a transmission jack from Harbor Freight to help my old back handle the weight.

Impressions: I love the reduced ratios. A big improvement over stock. I have more mixed feelings about 2 low. There is a downside and not much of an up side. First, I have only used it a few times, mostly for testing. Next, 2 low requires an added detent position on the shifter but the total throw is the stock length. That means the detents are closer together. Before, I would get the shifter into the low range slot and pull down until it stopped to get 4 low. Now if I do that I pass right thru 4 low and end up in 2 low. At that point I must fiddle with the shifter to get 4 low. Typically, I pass right by 4 low up to neutral. Then back to 2 low. It usually takes several tries before I finally find 4 low.

The detent feel is terrible. I find myself depending on the 4wd indicatior to tell me when I find 4 low. The whole thing works but I can't depend on fast shifting. This could be a problem in some situations. Most of the time it is just a pain in the arse.

If I knew all this would I choose the 2 low option again? I don't know. Probably yes. I'm hoping the shifting will brake in and the detents will become more definitive as things smooth out. I don't have that many trail miles on the 4:1 yet. Things are still pretty stiff. Time will tell.

Overall, I love the 4:1 mod. Next to my front/rear ARB's the Teralow is probably the most useful mod I have installed and that's saying a lot. It's right there with the Howell injection. I can now run with you guy's that have the later injected YJ's. In fact, the injection and the Teralow work extremely well together. Under load the engine will now run with power down to below 300 RPM. With the 4:1 engaged that's rock crawling slow. It's really a good combination for a Jeep that is not built for dedicated rock crawling.

Sparky

[jtw2]

nice, I'm looking forward to giving it a go today. taking off here in a little bit.

Nope, didn't go with the 2 low option since I didn't really see a time/place I would use it since I have a 4 banger and I think I just wouldn't have enough power in 2 low so I wouldn't use it. we'll see!

Next is installing the NV4500 tranny. might just swap in a SBC motor at the same time so that might be down the road a bit.

[Karma]

Couple of questions:

Does the Teralow kit change the length of the t-case?

What does it cost?

HI,
No, the length does not change. The only way you will know the 4:1 is there is by the shiny new rear case half. It looks and fits identically to the stock unit. However, while the only thing changed is the rear half, the install requires a fairly complete diassembly of the interior of the Xfer case. The instructions are pretty good but not perfect. I had to read several sections a few times to catch the meaning. But, I'm slow. You may have an easier time.

Another option is to have a 4WD shop do the install if you don't feel comfortable rooting around inside gear boxes. Compared to transmissions, it was a piece of cake. No special tools are required.

Cost? I don't remember exactly but I think it came in at about $750. Do some google searches. It is offered by many suppliers and the price is not fixed. You can find deals.

Sparky

[Joe Dillard]

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. :)

Although I don't have a Tera 4:1, I do have 2low and a twin stick. I use the 2low from time to time, and it's nice to sometimes do front digs.

[jtw2]

holy crap what a difference that thing makes! I don't have to touch the gas at all when I let the clutch out and it just goes. crawling is so much easier. If I would have known that it would make that much difference I would have done the tera kit a long time ago!

Highly recommended!

[Karma]

holy crap what a difference that thing makes! I don't have to touch the gas at all when I let the clutch out and it just goes. crawling is so much easier. If I would have known that it would make that much difference I would have done the tera kit a long time ago!

Highly recommended!

HI jtw2,
Smile, :)

I knew you would like it. Congratulations.

Sparky

[mikibbee]

i wanted to do the tera low kit on my yj but also wanted to do a sye kit on it at the same time. do those things overlap, will i be buying the same parts twice.
(i figure only take it apart once)
what do you guys think.

[jtw2]

nope, they don't overlap. The teralow is basically the forward section of the case and the SYE replaces the cone part on the back. All it essentially does is shorten the output yoke from a slip type to a fixed yoke which allows you a longer drives shaft which cures your drive shaft vibrations. I had to do a SYE because I kept pulling the seals out but I never had any vibe problems.

I would do it all at once if you have the $$. SYE mods can be done a number of ways from a hack n tap to a full on kit. Mine has the Advanced Adaptors SYE and it's been great but I've heard people liking their hack n taps as well.

[mikibbee]

i dont feel comfortable tearing apart my own tcase because it's my only transportation. so if this can save me money on labor charges, thank God.