1st gen Transfer Case Identifcation for Replacement / Swap

So, a month ago, I was looking for a transfer case and got a ton of help from a lot of people with information, leads to cases, etc. One of the things that was tough for everyone was identification of cases - as in, what to look for when replacing a case in order to ensure proper operation with whatever features/functionality your particular truck has/needs.

So, after a bunch of research, I put together these diagrams that try to help with the situation a bit. And of course, I wrote up my story (what happened, my solution), as specifics on how to actually do it (step-by-step).

If you're reading this in the future and have additional info to add, I'd love to update my posts - just include the info here and I'll get right on it.

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Good info, Dan. Thank you.

 

Nice write-up.

FWIW, I'm pretty sure I have seen a push button t-case on a manual trans.

 

There are definitely manual push button t-cases, I just couldn't find a (good enough to use) photo of one.

(a) let me know if you find one, it'd be cool to include
(b) I don't think I said that manual is always j-shift (or never push button), but let me know if I did, b/c I want to correct it.

 

Correct, you did not say it. We know that pics are what people see, and the graphic did not include that combo, so I thought it worthwhile to mention.

Unfortunately, I do not have a good pic of a push button t-case for a manual for you. But I did find the pics I saw of a truck with that combo.




A not very good pic of the t-case.

 

I think @cynicalrider has a manual and a push button.

 

next time that skid is off I’ll take a good pic, I just had that goddamn thing off recently too.

 

It might be worth mentioning that transfer-cases from manual transmission 4cylinder trucks (W59 transmissions) also have a different spline count on the input than cases from manual trans v6 trucks (R150 transmissions).

I believe that automatic 4cyl / v6 cases are the same, just manual trans trucks are different.

 

You are welcome to go through this link and use whatever you need to help with your write up
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/transfer-case-transfer-cases-in-first-and-2nd-gen-trucks.345652/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-4-wheel-drive-or-automatic-to-manual.702733/

 

FYI: you can buy a 4cyl 26 spline tcase and swap input/female coupler to make it work for your v6 or visa versa. Especially if you still have your broken tcase.

 

Thanks.

But (and sorry there's a but) - the important viewing/photo angle of the case is from above rear so that you can see all the sensors. Unfortunately, taking off the skid doesn't give you that perspective. Of course, if you ever pull the case and can get a good photo, that'd be awesome. I'm keeping my eye out on car-part (etc) as well so I can update the pics if I see one (so don't go pulling your case just for a photo, hahaha!)

I did mention this in both the linked write-ups, but it's hard to show spline count in the photos. Unless you have a good idea of how to work it in...

Thanks, I read through that thread - or parts of it, since it seems to cover a lot more than just t-cases - when I was doing my research. Definitely helped with my (still limited) education a bit. If you think there are bits I've missed or should mention explicitly, I'd love to hear - as I'm sure you'd know them off the top of your head as compared to me.

Oh, and I was wondering as I read your thread - are the 1st and 2nd gen t-cases all the same? Could I have gotten a 2nd gen t-case for my 1st gen Taco? (that would surprise me, given that little else (to my understanding) is compatible between 1st/2nd gen (at least as compared to 2nd/3rd gen).

Thanks!

 

I wish this photo wasn’t taken with such a bad camera.



From when my clutch was done.

 

Could have used this info a few months ago. Lol. Thanks for posting. Good stuff.

 

I've added another slide with a couple more examples, including the MT w/push button. Thanks!

It's better than nothing . I've added it, but if you have a chance to get a better photo, I wouldn't hesitate to replace it. Ideally, you'd even reinstall the tcase shifter on the top to make it extra obvious!

Seriously though, thanks for this photo, it's still the only one I've ever seen, and it's not terrible.

 

Bumping this thread up.

Can I put a j shift t case from a 4cyl automatic transmission, behind a 4cyl manual transmission?

 

No, the 4cyl auto tcases are forward shift.

You could probably make it work by swapping shift rails, but doubt that's worth it given the cost of a used case.

 

I might have just misread read something, but is a 4runner TC compatible as long as it isn't a multi mode? Or, are there other factors as well?

For instance, if original and donor both come from matching engine/transmission combinations, would they be direct swaps?

 

As long as it's not multi-mode, and has the same engine/trans, it should be compatible.

The 4Runner rear drive shaft will be a different length (shorter), but that doesn't affect the t-case.

 

Thank you! You just gave me a whole new area to find a j shift from!