electric to manual t-case mod?

M

Motoaxe

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I have a 1997 Limited edition with the electric actuator on the transfer case. Me list to say the actuator has bitten the dust!... With the prohibitively expensive replacement part I am forced to wonder if there is a cable or lever or otherwise actuated workaround that would give me a manual solution to this automatic problem?

Cheers!
Ron
 
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I ahve not done this before, but I would think it would be easy to swap from the electric to manual J-shift transfer case. The are a direct swap ad far as fitment is concerned.

The only thing that comes to mind immediately is the location of the vehicle speed sensor and it is located on your current t-case. If not, you could simply yank yours and throw in a manual j-shift case. If your VSS is on your t-case, there might ba little mroe to this.

I don't have any personal knowledge on VSS equipped t-cases as mine is not one of them.
 
If I'm not mistaken, all 4Runners use the ABS system for the speed. This might not be true on the older 3Rd gens, but I know it is on the newer ones.

That said, you CAN use a tacoma transfer case on a 4Runner. That's what I was running. I need to get another one. Thats how I run my speedo.
 
Doc2012 said:
If I'm not mistaken, all 4Runners use the ABS system for the speed. This might not be true on the older 3Rd gens, but I know it is on the newer ones.

That said, you CAN use a tacoma transfer case on a 4Runner. That's what I was running. I need to get another one. Thats how I run my speedo.
Click to expand...

Ah, you may be correct. I was recalling the details from threads over on TTORA for Tacoma's. I think they may have the VSS on some of their t-case's.

That said, yeah, you certainly can use a Tacoma case. My transmission now is out of a Tacoma, and my t-case is my stock 4runner one.

If you take a look at my transmission swap thread in my sig, there is a picture of an electric shift case out of a Tacoma. Just be sure not to get one of those.
 
Doc2012 said:
If I'm not mistaken, all 4Runners use the ABS system for the speed. This might not be true on the older 3Rd gens, but I know it is on the newer ones.

That said, you CAN use a tacoma transfer case on a 4Runner. That's what I was running. I need to get another one. Thats how I run my speedo.
Click to expand...

You had a taco transfer case but you tacoed it, so now you have a 4runner transfer case...
 
I can tell you with certainty that my 97 gets it's speed signal from the wheel sensors... No change after the re gear proves it... And I'm in the same boat I'm about to ditch this electric tcase because the servo keeps sticking
 
I had the multi-mode case in my 02 runner and swapped to the j shift case once I destroyed my electric shifter. The only things I had to do to mine is swap both drive shafts since the multi mode case is longer then the stock and also some crafty wiring to get the front diff to shift properly and to get the dash lights to work.
 
Thanks for all the help guys! I've been looking around and it doesn't seem too difficult to find a "j" pattern transfer case out there... This is all a great insurance plan however I am some what surprised that there isn't some slick manual way to actuate the shift Rod in the transfer case once the motor has given up the ghost...
I'm going to dig into it a little further this weekend and will report back to here with my findings!

cheers and thanks!
Ron
 
Hey Broker,

I just did a electric to manual transfer case Swap in my 1996 Limited SR5 4Runner(E Locker).
I have everything installed and it all works perfectly but 4 HI. When I move the shift lever to 4 HI it feels like the transfer case shifts but the front axle does not engage. I do not get a light on the dash showing me that it is engaged either. I have all of the sensors(switches) in the right spot on the transfer case.

When I shift to 4 LO it all works great. Light comes on and the rear locker works as well.

What did you do to your rig electronically (wiring) when you swapped the transfer case?
 
Has anybody figured out if the swap is doable yet? I have a 97 Limited and just picked up a 97 SR5 with the "J" T-case.. can I swap them straight across or is there issues? Thanks
 
Broker said:
I had the multi-mode case in my 02 runner and swapped to the j shift case once I destroyed my electric shifter. The only things I had to do to mine is swap both drive shafts since the multi mode case is longer then the stock and also some crafty wiring to get the front diff to shift properly and to get the dash lights to work.
Click to expand...

I need to know what craftiness My actuator is stuck i have the flashing lights on my 01 and i cant get it off ( pause lol) so im seriously considering swapping to a j shift but need to understand the scope of wiring work.


as well what drive shafts did you use?
 
Folks, if I am understanding this right, he is trying to fogure out if there is some simple way to rig up a lever or cable to manually actuate the linkage(s) originally manipulated by the electric servo. He is not, however asking if it is possible to swap the entire T-case out with a J-shift version.

Basically, he is looking for the $5 solution, as opposed to the $500 solution (and I certainly don't blame him! I'd honestly kinda like to know as well...).
 
Lmao, considering a full transfer case swap instead of replacing some actuators. People do the dumbest things in the quest to save a few pennies.
 
I took the T-Case solenoid off MAF cleaned it check for continuity and bam it worked but to answer some of the negative comments. I'm looking to swap them because I'm tired of having to be moving to engage awd. Maybe mine is messed up but I want to engage it when Iwant to engage it lol is that so hard to ask for. I'm just looking for different option trying to collect all the information and make the best decision for me.
 
beliboy32 said:
I took the T-Case solenoid off MAF cleaned it check for continuity and bam it worked but to answer some of the negative comments. I'm looking to swap them because I'm tired of having to be moving to engage awd. Maybe mine is messed up but I want to engage it when Iwant to engage it lol is that so hard to ask for. I'm just looking for different option trying to collect all the information and make the best decision for me.
Click to expand...

AWD means multi-mode. Is there a TC that gives you J-shift and multi-mode? I thought you only got 4WD with J-shift. The center diff is built into the TC so if you put in a J-shift that only has 4WD you lose the AWD.
 
beliboy32 said:
I need to know what craftiness My actuator is stuck i have the flashing lights on my 01 and i cant get it off ( pause lol) so im seriously considering swapping to a j shift but need to understand the scope of wiring work.


as well what drive shafts did you use?
Click to expand...

Just fixed this issue a month ago...turned out to be the front actuator. I did verify the 2 pin indicator switch on the transfer case was ok while i was at it. I also removed the actuator cover on the transfer case and did an inspection/cleaning/regreasing. Also, once the actuator cover is removed, you can push the actuator shaft in and out to verify is moves...might be a little clunky but if it moves in and out that a good sign. Just make sure you put it exactly back to it's original position. There are some good how-to's on this if you search around a little more.

However, I too would be interested in a manual shift conversion if one were available
 
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