Transfer cases

Are j-shifters more reliable than push button transfer cases?

 

also, is it generally difficult to switch into 4HI when its freezing out? I've noticed this to be the case for me... (I have the j-shifter)

 

Dear Mike aka Vtframer,

Toyota used two different four wheel drive systems for their first generation Tacomas. They used an old four wheel drive system that uses a J-shift transfer case with manual hubs, and they used a new technology system at the time called ADD, which stands for automatic differential disconnect. The majority of first generation Tacomas came with the ADD four wheel drive system. After the production year 2000, there were not any Tacomas produced with the old manual four wheel drive system.

The old style four wheel drive system that uses a J-shift transfer case with manual hubs is an extremely old school four wheel drive system. The advantages of it is that nothing is spinning in regards to the front driveline or the front axle when the hubs are unlocked or in the free position, which means that there is no risk of wearing anything out the majority of the time the truck is being used. The disadvantage is that in order to engage four wheel drive, the manual hubs have to be turned to the lock position and the truck has to come to a complete stop before the user can shift the transfer case into four wheel drive. This system is not the most convenient system to use, and it is completely mechanical, which is why Toyota shelved it in favor of the ADD system.

ADD means that a first generation Tacoma can be put into four wheel drive intelligently from a computer without the user having to do anything except for hit a button on the shifter on the transfer case. The computer takes care of everything. This system is convenient and Americans love convenience, which is why Toyota implemented this system in favor of the old method. The disadvantage of the ADD system is that both the front driveline and the front axle are spinning all the time even in two wheel drive. When the user selects four wheel drive, power is transferred from the transfer case to the front end to engage four wheel drive.

As far as reliability, the old style of four wheel drive is more reliable, durable and will last a lot longer than ADD because there is less wear to the truck. This is because the front end is not working all of the time, and there are less moving parts involved in the whole four wheel drive process.

As we all know, Toyota builds SUVs and pickup trucks. Pickup trucks never really followed the engineering path of SUVs until about twenty years ago. SUVs that were being produced for the United States started to get extremely convenient to use about thirty years ago. Part of this is because manufacturers started to cater their SUVs to women, and the majority of American women were not going to have any part of going through and locking hubs when four wheel drive was needed. Americans became so sold on convenience that manufacturers followed this engineering path with their pickup trucks around twenty years ago, which is why manual four wheel drive systems are a thing of the past.

When it is cold outside and you first start your Tacoma, the transfer case oil is completely stagnant lying on the bottom of the transfer case. The only way it will begin to work and start lubricating is to drive the Tacoma for a few minutes, and then shift it into four wheel drive.

Good Luck,
Paul

 

I can't speak about reliability comparison as i have only owned the "J shift". I have not had trouble engaging 4wd in cold and snowy conditions. Maybe you should consider changing your transfer case oil.

Also, you can shift into and out of 4 high while driving provided you lock the hubs beforehand.

 

The J-Shift is more reliable because it doesn’t have a motor that can fail. Less moving parts.

 

Not sure this is completely correct. My 2001 has j-shift but I don’t have manual hubs. I’m guessing this is only the case in the 2001’s?

 

Because after 99, or 00, they no longer offered manual hubs. You can still convert, you just need to source all the parts.

 

This is the ADD system I'm most interested in. As I understand it, 2001 had J shift with ADD hubs but no push button on the shifter to engage the hubs? How does you're work?

 

J-shift no push button. Move j-shift to 4wd position and go.

 

Thanks for confirming. That's what I want.

 

Are you finally doing a 4WD swap?

 

Np man I guess earlier versions would be lock hubs then j-shift, while newer versions are just a push button?

 

Yes, as far as I'm aware have seen. Not sure which years had what though. I'm just not sure when the push button came out & when they stopped using manual hubs but whatever. I'm guessing 03-04 had push button?

 

Lol no but if I do that's what I want.

 

Why not

That’s no fun

If you do, I’ll come down there for a weekend and help you do it. Haha.

 

Cause I still want a T4R.

Appreciate the offer but you're way to far. Besides me & my buddies have all worked at or owned race shops so no problem on any help if I needed. My buddy is currently building a 6 car garage/shop at his house so if I ever do decide to convert I'll have the luxury of using his lifts.

 

My 98 has the J-shift and ADD.

 

thanks all for your info on this! so it seems like no push button is better from a reliability standpoint? mine has j-shifter with ADD, so I hope she lasts!

 

I put a manual trans and the xfer case from a 97 4-runner into my 98 Tacoma. What I did notice is that my old (stock set-up) that was in my Tacoma was harder to shift into 4H. I had to completely stop to engage. I can engage 4H in the 97 T-case while I am moving (under 25mph of course) and it shifts like butter.

The manual trans however (same R150F) out of the 4-runner is noisier though. Just some things I noticed after the swap. It regularly gets really cold where I live in the winter and I have never had a hard time shifting except in the old stock set-up. It was really beat on if that makes a difference.

 

If you have ADD you may not be able to shift into 4wd on the fly. The front stub will be disconnected and front driveshaft will not be turning to match the speed of the rear driveshaft.

I have manual hubs but if one or both are unlocked I cannot shift into 4wd while moving for that reason