FJ transfer case swap

[UnJeep]

I've owned a 2007 Limited for about a year and the 4-lo has never worked. It only 'beeps' when I try it. I've read the "tap it with a mallet on a hot day" threads and the "keep trying it" threads. None of this worked. I took it to my mechanic and he attempted to "put it back in phase" (as series of pulling it back, rotating and putting it back). He mentioned he failed to fix one only once before... Well. Twice now. :frusty:

I asked him to look into the cost to replace the actuator. He said he could. Although, he recommended swapping out the T4R transfer case for an FJ transfer case. "Hmmm. Interesting" I said. Basically, it would render the dial selector obsolete as the FJ is a manual selector. I said, "I'm listening". He recommended it as I will never have the faulty actuator and the $2000 - $2500 issue again. I like the idea and was wandering if anyone has done this and what their experience was like.

Thanks in advance for any comments on this...

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Except you still have an actuator for center diff lock if I recall... Also there's the whole having to cut a hole in your floorboard, lose most of the center console and cup holders, and figure out how to make that look nice.

Not to mention you didn't specify if you're is a V8 or V6, if it's V6 you'll also have to rewire the set-up so the ADD recognizes when you put it into 4WD and actually engages the front axles (it probably won't be plug and play since it gets those signals from the actuator if I recall correctly).

 

[Inv4drZm]

Read through this thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/116561-has-build-20.html

 

[UnJeep]

Except you still have an actuator for center diff lock if I recall... Also there's the whole having to cut a hole in your floorboard, lose most of the center console and cup holders, and figure out how to make that look nice.

Not to mention you didn't specify if you're is a V8 or V6, if it's V6 you'll also have to rewire the set-up so the ADD recognizes when you put it into 4WD and actually engages the front axles (it probably won't be plug and play since it gets those signals from the actuator if I recall correctly).

Thanks for the pointers. Yeah. It won't look pretty for sure. It is the V6 and as far as the wiring, I'll bring it up with my mechanic. He's done these before. I'm assuming he knows the details.

 

[blackoutt]

Swap it! and then buy my ypipe (shameless plug)

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-t4r-items/239639-fs-doug-thorley-y-pipe-4th-gen-fj-tcase-fj-2wd-4th-gen-%24200.html#post2723262

But in all seriousness it depends on what you're going for with your rig. A-ha's thread shows what space you loose in the console on post 355 if you make some offset levers. Sounds like for the V6 it's way to much wiring work though, just replace the actuator and use it.