Atlas or Stak

[JeffK5]

Went big on this reincarnation of my project... I now need a transfer case.

2 speed-3 speed-4 speed?

I like the 5.44 3 speed Stak, ratios seem just right.

Two speed cases seem very limited..

Four speed seems like overkill and is big $$.

Anybody have ether and wish they didn't? Stak has both a good and bad reputation.. Bad- super noisy and pop out of 3:1
Good- super stout with no ad-on costs like Atlas cases.

And Atlas has a great history.. but costs mount when you add upgrades.

Any input?

Jeff

[TomH]

Considering the company behind it, I went with an Atlas. Plan "B" would have been to rebuild a 300.

With the slushbox, I'm happy with the 2-Spd.

YMMV.

[94Dodge Truggy]

I have owned 2 stak 3 speed monster boxes and think they are built tough! Mine have never whined but the 1st box in the old truggy would sometimes come out of gear in 5.4. Shifting is tough while it is new but gets better as it breaks in. I have talked to the owner a few times and really like the service and product. Only thing I have not broke wheeling is my stak. Remember a time recently when I had the motor reved up and jaming it into rear wheel while being impatient. The mini stak may work for your application and save some $. Atlas is great too. Good luck!

[carwash]

I like the STAK thus far, no problems as of yet... the gearing was good on the trip you were on with me... We didnt use the 5.44 hardly at all, but then again, my axles are 6.72:1 gears, so that helps.

I haven't had any of the issues that some have spoke of with the stak... smooth sailing thus far.

[JeepHD]

I say atlas, based only on my issues with a Stak. I've never been able to get any customer service. I have the popping out of gear issue on a 2 speed 4.3:1 box. Ownership has changed, but I still can't even get a return call. The only two times I could get a hold of them was with the old owner, tried thier fixes with no luck.

Wanna buy a good used stak?

[JeffK5]

Thanks for the input guys.. This thread looks like the 30 I found on the web...a couple guys love the Stak then one guy chimes in and says it pops out of gear...it leaks...it's impossible to reach Stak tech/support.

I'm having a hard time sending $2,700 off for a crap-shoot.

I've also been having no luck getting Stak vendors to convince me why I should drop my $$ on there product... I've had a couple prominent sellers on PBB refuse to comment on warranty and reliability issues.

Supposedly there was a design change awhile back for the Monster box ??

I might end up with a 3.8 Atlas with HD input/outputs

Thanks again , Jeff

[JeepHD]

Originally Posted by JeffK5

...it leaks...

Oh, yea, it leaks a bit too.

[carwash]

Yeah, mine leaks. Haven't diagnosed where from yet... or how badly.

[94Dodge Truggy]

No leaks on either of mine yet. New ownership may not be a good thing I am thinking.

[yellowjacket]

as far as cost goes... from time to time they machine the gears incorectly on the atlas t/c's, and will sell off noisy cases. full strength and warranty, but no returns for noise. will sound like a pete jackson gear drive- remember those? guy at aa i spoke with quoted me 1450 for a new noisy one. 3.8 or 4.3 i think, whichever they make the most of. they just cant sell them to your average tj guy cruising at 70mph. noise never bothered me, wish i had bought one.

[carwash]

my stak makes insane noises... sounds like it's coming apart sometimes. do these things need oil?

[JET455]

Originally Posted by carwash

my stak makes insane noises... sounds like it's coming apart sometimes. do these things need oil?

Not yours you are good!

[JeffK5]

Originally Posted by carwash

my stak makes insane noises... sounds like it's coming apart sometimes. do these things need oil?

It does make a bunch of noise..I know for a fact you put oil in it because it leaked all over my storage tote .

I did a bunch of searching and could find no complaints on the mini box..I talked to Greg at Stak today , he said that the smaller box is equal to an Atlas case strength wise and superior in the gear/shaft department. He also said they have several 500hp comp. rigs running them with no failures.

Only have 3 good friends who have that kind of money in their TC's and they all run Atlas's. I have heard many more bad things and complaints from the STAK crowd.

For a little more you get a tried and true product. Yes STAK is getting a better reputation, but IMO go with an Atlas. You will be happier.

[JeffK5]

Originally Posted by Brad@TORC

Only have 3 good friends who have that kind of money in their TC's and they all run Atlas's. I have heard many more bad things and complaints from the STAK crowd.

For a little more you get a tried and true product. Yes STAK is getting a better reputation, but IMO go with an Atlas. You will be happier.

The problem is I really like the 3 speed case idea...5.4-3.0-1.0:1 seems perfect.

The Atlas 4 speed is big bucks and offers odd gear spacing , if I run an Atlas it will be a 2 speed 3.8..

What I want is a Stak case with AA good reputation!

[8UP]

Don't buy new. Search Pirates classifieds, I've seen Atlas cases going fairly cheap in the past. I've driven my 2-speed Atlas cross country a few times, no noise and never a problem. I've never found myself wanting another gear, it's going to depend whats in the rest of your drivetrain and use.

[JeffK5]

Originally Posted by 8UP

Don't buy new. Search Pirates classifieds, I've seen Atlas cases going fairly cheap in the past. I've driven my 2-speed Atlas cross country a few times, no noise and never a problem. I've never found myself wanting another gear, it's going to depend whats in the rest of your drivetrain and use.

It's going in a yet to be built tube buggy.. Dana 60/70 , 4:56 gears , 40 tires semi-built LQ9 , built TH400. I tend to be a stab-n-steer driver , I'm hoping a 3.8 Atlas will be good middle ground for both slow and fast stuff.

I spend tons of time on PBB, trust me I keep my eyes on the for sale section.

I just got paid for my doubler I sold so I'm now on a real hunt for a T-case.

Jeff

[carwash]

Just be done with it and go Atlas... No wait, take a chance and go STAK...

nevermind, I'm no help... ha!

[nshefbuch]

just throwing this out their after reading this thread, why not use a 203/205 doubler? gives you your 3 speeds and has great strength

[JeffK5]

Originally Posted by nshefbuch

just throwing this out their after reading this thread, why not use a 203/205 doubler? gives you your 3 speeds and has great strength

Hah! ...I just sold an ORD doubler .. to get ether a Stak or a Atlas.

My doubler with extra crossmember weight 319 lbs and had no clocking provision and was just plain huge. . I was wanting to go for a smaller lighter package...with equal strength.

Jeff

[tubehead]

I would also say to go with an Atlas. I currently have a STaK and while it does seem to be ok now I've had trouble with it kicking out of gear. The first few times were in Moab when it was brand new. Once it kicked out coming down the last big down hill on Hells Revenge, I wasn't really paying attention and talking to my passenger when it poped out and off we went. After having both I would go back to an Atlas for the next build.