Help need part for 98 Tacoma SR5 automatic

My 17yr old son bought his first vehicle and the 4wd lever broke (shown in picture) looks like it has been previously welded, we had no idea! Ugh I have been trying to find the part... when I look on certain sites it's hard for me to understand all the part numbers and exactly what I'm getting.. can someone help?

 

I'm assuming this is the J-shift style 4wd? Not the push-button?

 

Looks like it was modified to accommodate the body lift. Otherwise the 4wd shifter rides VERY close to the edge of body opening.

 

Yes no push button

 

It was lifted when he bought it... not sure what to do or buy now

 

Part number, I believe, is 36360G.

 

Try to find used if you can, it's not cheap new.

 

Possibly have it rewelded? If you go this route, take the truck, so the welder can see the position and orientation it needs to be in. I wonder how it broke? Do you know? Trying to muscle it into gear because something else was keeping it from moving into position? Only asking to see how to help so it doesn't happen again in future, if you can help it.

 

I'd say this^

it shouldn't be a problem welding it, it's not structural or a vanity piece that can be seen under the boot

 

Yeah, that was my thought as well. I wonder how it broke in first place or why it was welded before? Only thing I can think of is the body lift puts that part of the shaft after the bend close to the body/tranny hump where the shaft passes through that opening in floorboard. Hopefully it was welded in the first place to adjust it for that contact or possible contact. Hopefully just a poor weld that finally gave.

 

My son just shifted it checking it out (which he's done before) and it snapped... it looks just like the stock piece and doesn't look like it needed to be altered for the lift... but the part number you listed is what I found but the sites are so confusing I wasn't sure what exactly what I was paying for lol was it the $50 piece or the $200? All I need is the rod

 

It has been modified for a body lift, can tell in the picture that it has a body lift as well. Ordering a new one will not really get you where you want to go.
As stated in another post if it is still in gear I would drive it to a real welding shop and ask them to reweld it.
Look like the last owner did not clean the metal properly and did a poor job welding.
Of if the pieces fit together in a way you know that's how they were you don't need to take the truck.

 

Yeah, it's a stock transfer case rod that looks to have been modified to accommodate the body lift. Might only be able to see what I'm talking about when you order the new one and see where it almost touches the driver's side of tranny hump where it comes through the floor. Then you can take it and have it cut, clocked a little bit counter clockwise, welded back up and then have some breathing room next to it's 2wd drive position.

 

Yeah, I dunno what I'm talking about.

Edit: don't worry I'm not butthurt, just being a drama queen

 

As others stated, it can be re-welded. Most good machine shops will take, visually match the parts together by the welds, mark it to re-align, clean and prep, then TIG weld it. That will make it plenty strong and will last a lot longer than flux core welded without prep.

 

Thanks everyone... I will see about having it rewelded... I know it had been lifted cuz that's what my son wanted Lol but I have no idea what it take to do it all.. I will keep everyone posted and in the mean time if the welding doesn't work may need to come back for more help

 

LOL I posted one minute before you so I had not read yours.
I haven't body lifted a taco so idk if a little clocking would work.
I was just thinking that if it had to be lengthened before there would be no reason for the OP to buy a new one then have it cut and welded.
Mise well work with what they have if its gotta be welded ether way.

 

Sorry, I meant to quote OP and not you brother. I also meant rotating the upper part of shaft after it was cut to avoid the contact at floor. My bad. All good though. Seems OP got the hint on the fix. And I only mentioned the new shaft as it seemed she was dead set on that being her fix.