Is Transfer Case also a Differential?

SOME Transfer cases have a differential built in. FJ Cruisers did in manual shift applications and so did other models [LC and 4 Runners] but Taco's didn't. Transfer case differentials [AWD] have been around for a long LONG time. Jeep Quadratrac [center diff] was a thing in the mid 70's.

All a basic center diff does is allow slippage between the front and rear drive train to equalize stresses that can build up instead of having a locked together front and rear drive train. Almost all modern systems use a viscous type of center diff. Simple, effective and filled with ''magic'' fluid that has sheer properties that change with stress.

 

Thanks. I owned a Subaru Forester for a couple years. It was fun to drive. Lower center of gravity with the flat four. It did seem to handle well. If you accelerated around a turn, it applied force to the road much better than a FWD or RWD. But, for a light wagon it got poor gas mileage. That's where I think AWD is, all things considered, not appealing. That's why I wouldn't buy a land cruiser, with all that weight, you're already bleeding gas. Adding AWD is just gratuitous.

 

Not really, most vehicles like Land Cruisers also have a center diff lock where you lock out the viscous center diff and allow the transfer case to operate like a non viscous type. For off road operation it works better while on road, the viscous diff in operation works better and is easier on the drive train. Since most of the spinny bits in a modern 4wd still spin while in 2wd unlike the older locking hub type where you took out the front axle, drive shaft and gears in the transfer case in 2 hi, you're power losses aren't all the much. It's also why you can put a vehicle in 4wd while moving at speed without unhappy things happening. Many people in the snow belt just used to lock in their front hubs and leave them locked through winter using 4wd by operating the transfer case lever as needed.

I would MUCH rather have locking hubs and a lever myself [plus a gear drive transfer case] over the Taco system but that isn't going to happen, people have enough issues with turning a knob now.

 

If you’re so inclined, a member makes locking hubs and CV axles to go with it, and swapping in a manual FJ case isn’t all too difficult. Would be pretty cool

 

You can't switch from 2wd to 4hi while moving in our tacomas?

 

You can. Just need to be going slower than 63mph as the manual calls for. Just lift off the gas as you switch the knob, it’ll pop in, and you’re on your merry way.

 

Lol thank God I thought I was messing my truck up for a second