TRANSFER CASE SWAP 2001 v6 auto

My truck has an electric motor activated transfer case with the selector button on the side of the transfer case shift lever. Motor is burnt out.

Will a manual select transfer case from a tacoma or 4 runner work?

I have searched the forums and can not find any info other than a case from an fj.

Any help appreciated

Paul

 

X2. Im wondering the same thing! My truck has the electric actuator on transfer case and is i real PITA, have to turn truck off and back on for 4 wheel drive to work at all. Had an 01 with manual transfer case and it worked flawlessly, could engage at any speed or while turning. Would like to just be able to swap out t-case but has to be more to it than that. Hope someone has an answer

 

Subscribed for details. Nothing's wrong with my t-case currently other than it leaks badly and I have to add to it frequently so I'm going to use that as an excuse to convert to a proper J-shift manual t-case.

 

I am not sure it entirely answers your question, but I bought a R150 transmission with an attached transfer case. The transfer case was one of the electric ones it sounds like you have - button on the shift lever and an electric motor attached to the case. I removed it and replaced it with a basic J-shift case that was behind the failed auto transmission in my 4runner. The whole assembly went back into my 4runner. Have had no problems with it.

Based on my experience, I would say they are mechanically and physically interchangeable. Not sure if there are any electronic implications.

 

Hello Paul,

I do not have a direct answer to your question however I have two 4wd v6 auto tacomas one of which is a parts truck that I am dismantling. If you need me to check anything and provide pictures I am more than happy to help you out with that. Maybe a thorough comparison may be enough to help you decide what to do. I would start by unplugging the electric activator on the transfer case and see if the truck throws any codes. That would be the only issue I would see thus far.

 

When you say engage at any speed or while turning I am just curious about that. Does your 02 have full time or part time 4wd? My 98 has the mechanical transfer case and I have to switch into 4x4 when hubs are locked in and usually I do it at lower speeds. It binds up really good to if turning and not on a slick or loose surface. I don't do that just noticed it off road and had positive traction.

 

I don't believe they ever made full time 4WD Tacomas but I could be wrong.

 

I second that, no full time 4WD tacos from factory.

 

I installed an Inch Worm 4.7 Lefty into my '03... it hasn't thrown any codes. It is a J shift too, all manual except my auto trans.

I suggest calling Low Range Off Road (Inch Worm T-cases) or Marlin Crawler for definite answers.

Good luck.

 

old thread, but i just did this over the weekend, and all went well other then my flashing 4wd indicator lol. now i need to figure out how to get it wired correctly so the 4wd light works correctly.

 

Hey Everybody,
This is what I know about it from the limited research that I have done. All of the first generation Tacomas produced from 2001 until 2004 came equipped with ADD, which is Automatic Differential Disconnect. This system works on integrated intelligence either through the ECU or a separate system board. The transfer cases in these years are completely engaged and disengaged through the push button switch on your four wheel drive shift selector that is controlled though system board firmware. The transfer cases are still mechanical in these years, but they are not mechanically controlled. The transfer case in Beau's and my Tacoma is completely mechanical because they use manual locking hubs. All of the manual locking front hub earlier first generation Tacomas use completely mechanically controlled transfer cases. The ones without use the ADD system. I don't know if the transfer cases are interchangeable. I would guess that they are not because the ADD system most likely has some kind of embedded firmware somewhere in the Tacoma controlling it, which means that there would be some kind of electronic connection or interface on the transfer case itself for those first generations using ADD. The ones without ADD do not have any kind of electronic connection or interface on the transfer case itself. I am assuming this because the front differentials between the mechanical system and the ADD system are not at all interchangeable. They are two completely different animals.
The first generation 4x4 Tacomas equipped with the factory locker even have their own separate four wheel drive computer, which is how the computer controls the locker from only being engaged when the rig is four wheel drive low. The old television show Trucks did a nice special on the factory Toyota rear lockers about five years ago explaining Toyota's embedded intelligence on first generation Tacomas.
Paul,
I would just try to hunt down a transfer case from a first generation Tacoma that is 2001 or newer to save yourself from having to try and reengineer the older mechanical system with the newer technology. You will probably save a lot of money and time.
Good Luck,
Paul

P.S. Drop me some contact info if you want to talk to me directly about this. I will be more than glad to help you.

 

thats what i am going though now, i changed out my front add to a non add, and added locking hubs, adding the manual shift tcase was the last step. but now i might have to wire the 4wd light and or the locker too