Well, starting taking stuff apart in anticipation of my JB conversion short sye that should be here on tuesday. Dropped skid, drained, removed driveshafts, started cleaning up the front of the transfer case and uncovered through the grime that i have a tera-low. Not sure if thats good or bad, but it seems to work fine.
Surprise! TeraLow transfer case
- Thread starter Siwash89
- Start date
Yes these are very bad. You should trade tcases with me for your own sake
DirtDawg
TJ Enthusiast
I had a Tera-Low kit installed early on in ownership of my former from-new 2000 TJ Sport (Dana 30/Dana 44 with NV3550). Crawl ratio with combo of 4.56 gearing, ARB lockers and just 33" GY MT/Rs was stellar for controlled ascending/descending but at the RPMs those planetary gears spin, speeds in gear had to be monitored to avoid damage. Never had reliability issues or failures up to the point sold a few years ago, despite primary usage then being my dedicated trail rig.
Yes absolutely, noone should use them (except me).
I don't actually know but I'd be willing to risk it
Keep your foot out of it when in low range... If you look up the TeraLow online you'll find the installation guide where it warns you to keep your RPM's under 2500-3000. Don't keep your RPM's higher than that for extended periods.
https://www.quadratec.com/products/52254_101_07.htm
Instructions at the bottom of the page.
I had one behind my 4 cyl and used it all the time without any issues.. Did snow wheeling with it too and would wrap those 4 squirrels tight at times.
It's still going strong in a friends YJ in WY 19 years later.
I know it’s how TF states it, but are you supposed to factor the engine RPM with whatever trans gear you are in? Just seems like an odd limit to use since there’s a whole transmission between it and the thing outputting the RPM.
I'd have to go back and read the instructions... As I don't remember other than them saying to keep your RPM's down. But I also know I used to rev mine up above that but also wasn't bouncing it off the rev limiter or extended periods. They've been discussed on here a few times and a few members had one that exploded. I know @JMT has one in his Red TJ.
Per their instructions:
High RPM Warning Do not exceed 2500-3000 RPM for sustained periods of time when using the Low231 in low range.
Avoid high engine speeds when using the Low231 in low range in 4th or 5th gear with manual transmissions or with high gear automatics. This is common when driving in snow, mud, or sand.
Because the gears are turning 50% faster and with the high gear ratio, it is possible for input speeds to reach 6500 RPM and cause damage to the transfer case.
We recommend using a lower gear in high-range for higher speeds rather than running the Low231 at extreme RPM’s.
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DirtDawg
TJ Enthusiast
^^^ I always avoided hill runs from bottom in low range to prevent engine rpms x 4X (IIRC?) t-case planetary gear rpms exceeding TF's guidelines. Live with Tera Low long enough and its screaming whine will speak to you - loudly!
BTW, I often regretted not spending additional for an Atlas twin-stick...
BTW, I often regretted not spending additional for an Atlas twin-stick...
I'd picked mine up for $900 new off Ebay in 2005. I don't remember what a Atlas cost back then but it was at least double the price for a TeraLow.
Mine broke without warning in Moab this year. I was in 2wd pulling out of the Shell station when I heard a loud clunk sound. There were several large chunks of metal in there.
I now have an Atlas.
That's just a dust cover that is a press fit. It is not part of the seal. It can be removed with some gentle tapping using a wide punch.
Does not need to be removed though...
I really would have cleaned around your seal/yoke better before taking things apart. Try to wipe away and vac out all the rtv and trash, be careful prying out seal to not scratch bore and drive your new seal in.
Might want a thin schmeer of RTV on the outer ring of the seal where it contacts the bore and don't forget RTV on the threads of the yoke nut. Ultra Grey works great here. Black is good too but it really glues things together making future disassembly fun.
-Mac
-Mac
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