np 205 or dana 300 or...?

[BlaZeus]

So I'm finally starting the willys build. My 55 Willys has a twin stick np205 behind a th350 and 4.3l v6 rolling 39's. I have an opportunity to pick up a Dana 300 from a guy for about $200-300. I am mainly considering this to get lower gears without lengthening the drivetrain, as right now my rear drive shaft cannot get any shorter...
The np 205 is bulletproof i know, but it is big and heavy and im kinda stuck with the gearing in it (no room for a doubler setup) which sucks for a dedicated crawler. The Dana 300 can get 4:1 ratio which would be pretty sweet. Any thoughts? Besides spending thousands on an atlas, not even sure if one of those would fit, but also read that after building the dana 300 with new gearing and everything i would be close to even? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

You can spend more upgrading a Dana 300 than you would on a new Atlas, so you'll have to decide how far you need to go.

If you need the low gears, bigger outputs, replacement case, rebuild, etc., the Atlas makes more sense.

 

[6.2Blazer]

Best bet is to research the Dana 300 upgrades and then decide which parts you would want. I'm not an expert on this case but from talking to guys in our club most of them decided to go with the Atlas. Start adding a 4:1 kit, HD outputs, twin stick, rebuild kit, etc... to the 300 and it starts adding up.

 

[BlaZeus]

You can spend more upgrading a Dana 300 than you would on a new Atlas, so you'll have to decide how far you need to go.

If you need the low gears, bigger outputs, replacement case, rebuild, etc., the Atlas makes more sense.

Best bet is to research the Dana 300 upgrades and then decide which parts you would want. I'm not an expert on this case but from talking to guys in our club most of them decided to go with the Atlas. Start adding a 4:1 kit, HD outputs, twin stick, rebuild kit, etc... to the 300 and it starts adding up.

I was just thinking of doing the 4:1 gears, hoping I can make my twin stick that I have for my th350 work with the 300?

 

[MTBLAZER89]

NP241 with a SYE an option? 2.72:1 ratio so sorta lands in the middle of the 1.96:! and 4:1 options. Plenty strong and light.

 

[blazinzuk]

You can spend more upgrading a Dana 300 than you would on a new Atlas, so you'll have to decide how far you need to go.

If you need the low gears, bigger outputs, replacement case, rebuild, etc., the Atlas makes more sense.

This x a thousand. Upgrading a Dana 300 is not cheap. Seriously look at an atlas