Gen 2 Transfer Case Pump Broken?

I just discovered an issue with the 2009 ACLB 4WD truck I bought a month ago. It is a little embarrassing to me to see that I overlooked something this glaring but now I just need to understand the issue and fix it. So I am turning to the TW community for thoughts, guidance....

The transfer case pump mounting tabs are broken and the case has a leak as you can hopefully see from the picture. I have just bought all the Redline gear oil to change out transmission, transfer case, and differentials but don't want to change the transfer case until I do some more research. It's not dripping oil to the point that I see it on the asphalt when I park it but it was not wet when I bought it several weeks ago. I have only used the 4H once for about 15 feet and when I tested both 4L & 4H during the test-drive (~1/4 mile in 4H).

Questions: is this detrimental to the pump? I have found several new for ~$100 - can a mechanically inclined non-mechanic tackle this with too much worry? I need a service manual; is there any advantage to purchasing a Chilton or Haynes? No way can I afford the FSM.

 

That's the T-Case Actuator Motor avail as a unit from Toyota for about $900. The Actuator shaft runs into the T-Case and appears to have snap-ring grooves in it. Possible T-Case disassembly req'd.

 

Well, crap.... that takes out the possibility of me trying to tackle it. Many is the time that I have convinced myself that I can only to end up learning that I shouldn't have.

Thanks for the info, time, and response, Ron.

 

My advice is post in the WTB section of this forum.
(Here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/2nd-gen-tacoma-parts-marketplace-2005-2015.122/ )

Maybe one of the guys that did an FJ TC swap will sell you one cheap(er)?

If you want to know more about it.
This is a good place to start.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/transfer-case-transfer-cases-in-first-and-2nd-gen-trucks.345652/

 

Actually, I've already found a couple of China-based, flea-bay dealers selling new ones (part no. 36410-34015 according to parts.toyota.com) with a lifetime warranty for $170. I'm thinking that I take a chance with one of those, put it on a shelf while I save pennies, and take it to a reputable mechanic. That is, unless it causes problems soon.

 

I'm having the same issue and saw the same actuators on Amazon for about 160. Did it work pretty well? I can replace it my self but dont want to spend the 1000 bucks on one from Toyota also if I was going to spend 1000 bucks I'd do an FJ swap .

 

I haven't pulled the trigger yet. Quite frankly, I am not convinced that anything other than OEM is going to last because of the negative experiences I have read about here on TW.

I changed engine oil and differential grease last weekend and then did transmission and transfer case this weekend all the while pondering if I could replace it. I have watched two related videos and have all the tools - now that I have gotten my head wrapped around the situation - but I am still not convinced that I could replace it myself without a lot of headache or creating more problems.

The first thing I think I will try is cleaning the points/contacts like this post talks about:

 

What are those radiator clamps for in the picture? If they were present when you bought the truck I think lots of alarms would have gone off in my brain.Are those clamps there doing the job of the broken tabs? If so that would definitely been a holy shit I’m outta here moment.

 

I looked under it specifically on the ground, frame, motor, etc. for leaks, signs of intense cleaning and/or fresh paint (as if covering up for a leak or repair) and, no, didn't have a lie-down-on-the-ground-pull-out-my-creeper moment to do an inspection. It was overlooked just like the fact that the front brakes needed to be replaced. Was it something that could have been found had I taken it to a reputable mechanic? Yes but I didn't. It's one of the things that is possible when buying a used vehicle but I knew that buying a used Tacoma was a much better decision than buying a used any other brand...... been there, regretted that. The ~$6K cash I saved by not financing far outweighs anything I have seen that needs or needed to be done.