Convert Transfer Case to Manual Levers

Pretty sure it's what most consumers want. I also think that, if all of a sudden most consumers would want a brand new 1978 Land cruiser with 1978 tech, Toyota would gladly make it but man is it gonna cost you.

 

I agree. I think the general public prefers the knobs, or buttons on the dash. It's a convenience, like power windows (which I do prefer).

This makes me wish "most consumers" wanted the 40 series back. . Or, at least a US version of the 70 series. But, as much as we talk about these things on these forums, it's such a small number of people who would actually buy them. That's why Toyota doesn't bother.

 

I know right?
I loved the 1970's and 80's. The simplicity was wonderful but the world has changed. Just like people.
This Tacoma I am sitting in now is like a spaceship compared to my first Toyota. Lol but my 1984 4runner had manual windows, manual hubs and manual transfer case. Maybe that is what the OP wants?

 

I would guess they went to electronic for a few reasons:

• Console space
• Making it “smart” to protect against poor choices by drivers
• Catering to the general consumer (not enthusiast)

I don’t equate wanting a manual lever with wanting everything else also being antiquated.

Power windows give you the ability to roll all the windows up or down while driving which is both convenient and safe (reaching across to the passenger door while driving sucks, is unsafe, and you can’t really reach the rear doors at all).

Fuel injection was a huge improvement to everything because carburetors simply can’t keep up to changing environments, while EFI can. Carburetors just plain suck lol.

headlight dimmers on the floor died by boot slush/salt/mud/whatever, so putting them on the steering column or dash I see merit to.

HVAC levers worked okay until the cables died, so I can see the merit to the vacuum operated actuators and then the electronic versions they switched to from vacuum. I don’t really see a reason to choose electronic over vacuum though, they both seem about the same and vacuum is slightly more reliable, although we probably have better control over our hvac system with electronic which isn’t a bad thing.

but a transfer case, I just don’t see a benefit to. And yeah, I am the weirdo who would prefer to ditch the ADD and have locking hubs as well, so I guess wanting a manual t-case lever goes with the territory.

I like the rest of the truck how it is, technology-wise, though.

honestly, if I never saw a failure on here or elsewhere with the electronic setup, then I’d have no concerns. But it definitely is a semi frequent failure point and it can be a bad day if it happens. So for me, I’d prefer the lever. I’m hoping that using my transfer case fairly regularly, (especially using 2low) keeps the transfer case and its actuator exercised so that it maybe has a better chance of not failing. Some would argue using it more will just wear it out quicker but I don’t think that’s the case when you’re talking about electronic motors operating a t-case that doesn’t want to move after it hasn’t been used in a while. In that case, it has to fight against a stuck transfer case and I imagine that’s when problems come up more often than not.

 

Agreed! I'd never trade power windows and locks for manual ones.

Even though I don't want this, you're not alone. It's been discussed on 4runners.com as well.

 

I could live with manual windows, but I’m sure about manual hubs.