Does anyone happen to have a picture of a cracked T1138 transfer case that they would be willing to share?
For example
https://www.steelsoldiers.com/showt...-Use-Low-Range-Reverse-with-939-s-Here-s-Why-!!
The T1138 housing is the known weak link. Was discovered early on in the M939's career while active duty (hence all the warning plates, MWO's, stated in the driver training, etc). Driving in low range reverse leads to the housing breaking apart. Will get lucky doing it at idle to some throttle for awhile but it will fail.
To restate what others have said:
The allison MT654 has a 10:1 reverse gear. T1138 has a weaker housing than it's predecessor the T138.
10:1 from the trans combined with the 1.6:1 low range of the T1138 gives 16:1, which (as proven numerous times) the housing can't take.
Doing the MWO to disable the auto engaged 6x6 in reverse reduces SOME strain on the tcase. As others have learned first hand, it doesn't reduce it enough.
Is it a pain in the ass to shift out of low range every time to back up? Probably (mines an m809 series with T138 so no concern there). But if the tcase is not a disposable item in your opinion then the smart choice is to shift to high range in reverse. If the T1138 is disposable to you, then by all means leave it in low range with reverse and eventually experience the broken tcase.