22 to 23 spline crawlbox adapter/coupling for Manual trans to 4.0L Marlin Crawler Tacobox

Still need to work on the cross member support for it but we're under shelter in place orders and I'm pretty certain the steel shop is closed.

 

@hoverlover did your crawl box come with the right adapter to a manual trans? Looking at trying to keep my stock transfer case with the crawl box.

 

Yes it did but my crawl box is kind of a bastard. It's an Inchworm case, Inchworm marked adapters made by Trail Gear and Marlin gears. If they offer you one, don't take it. The case quality sucks and the adapters don't seal worth a fuck. I'll have to break it all the way down and seal it up properly.

 

Just so we're clear, this adapter does not interface with the toyota case in any way. It connects the crawlbox to the trans. If you want to keep the tacoma transfer case from a manual and use it with a crawl box, you need to swap the input shaft on the tacoma tcase from an FJ case. Same thing you'd have to do to put an FJ case in a manual tacoma without the crawlbox. It's not difficult to do, it just involves splitting the case.

As far as the spline adapter, it sounds like you should be able to get everything directly from Marlin now at no extra charge. Unless they run out of adapters and you find yourself in my position, it'd be pretty silly to spend the money with me. I'm here if you need me but hopefully you don't.

 

I still want to pick up a spare from you but it's going to have to wait until things get better. I haven't been back to work since my crash back in December and this virus crap was cutting our business long before the quarantine.

 

I’ll be also looking for a extra one. Yeah the helicopter industry is not looking good. I’ve slowed down a bit at my job also.

 

Yeah, it's hit us pretty hard. But some good may come of it for me. I got my logbook and resume all up to date and just got accepted to Customs. Now I'm just keeping my fingers crossed I survive the interview/hiring process.

 

Still available?

 

I can call the shop and have either part made whenever but I do not keep these on hand and never will.

Do your wallet a favor and call marlin first if you need one. I am not sure if they sell the separately, but it's worth a try

 

Finally got my crawl box in. The adapter that came with it is a 22 to 23 spline adapter.

 

I see now that trail gear has started making crawl boxes for the Tacomas but only in the auto trannies. This might be another avenue for your coupler. After tax season I might be interested in one if you're still looking at selling them.

 

Funny thing about that is that my understanding is that trail gear sold their last box of old inchworm couplers to marlin.

I am happy to help anyone who needs these, but I am going to encourage you to call marlin first because I think they'd sell you one of the inchworm ones cheaper than you can have them made. You're paying for a lot of machine setup time to produce small quantities. If you go that route, you can work with my shop directly as I dont need to be the middle man.

 

Looks like Marlin sold their last IW coupler and are now out of stock...

 

What makes you say that? I think you're correct, just curious if you spoke to them recently and what they said.

 

Website says out of stock

 

That doesnt mean a whole lot with Marlin. 95% of their website has been "out of stock" for the better part of a decade.

 

I called Marlin a few months back and they said use the website "Notify me" feature for when they come back in stock.

Kicking myself for not ordering one when it was in stock.

I have a top shift case in my garage, just waiting...


I had dual cases in my old 94 pickup and I miss it.

 

Just FYI, Northwest Fab is in the crawl box game for the Tacomas now. It might be an option for someone looking for duals. I'm collecting parts and then I'll put mine together. I'm using their evo crawler mated to a FJ Cruiser case but they have other options available.

 

Yeah...dont hold your breath. Like many people, I have been waiting for my notifications from Marlin that various crawl box parts are available for over 2 years. Hes had that inchworm adapter as a template for over a year, so if he was smart enough not to sell ALL of them, all it would take is bringing it to a machine shop and ask them to make a few copies.

Save yourself some hassle and get on the NWFab waiting list. Unlike Marlin, they have a business model in which they actually produce the products they list for sale on their website. It's a really neat concept.

 

God I hope not. Inchworm stuff never fit quite right.
My buddy (who is a machinist) talked to mr inchworm himself about one of his adapter plates having some issues with dowel pin alignment. Dude refused to admit he had machining issues. He ended up scrapping the IW plate, and swapping for a marlin plate. (this was way back when we were in highschool and trying to pinch our pennies)