How hard is it to replace t-case?

[4runnertank]

I have a 1989 sr5 3vze 5 speed. It would be cheaper for me to replace than rebuild, got a great deal on a used case. I just need to know what needs to be done to remove the old case and install the new. Difficulty level? I will be doing this myself in my garage.

Thanks!

 

[KidVermicious]

Remove the shifters, remove the speedo cable, unplug the 4wd light, unbolt the case, slide it back off the splines and lower it to the ground. Get a friend for the last part, or just be very very careful, they're heavy and ungainly.

 

[4runnertank]

That doesn't sound too awful. The only part that I would have to figure out is where the 4wd light is and how to remove the shifter. Not sure how to do either.

 

[KidVermicious]

It's laid out pretty well in the FSM. You'll have to take apart your center console, pull off the shifter boots, remove a sheet metal panel on the tranny tunnel and then four bolts holding the shifter base to the transfer case (are you top shift or forward shift? Forward shift might be slightly different, both shifters are on the transmission and there's a pair of shift rails coming out of the case going into the trans).

Forgot to mention the crossmember. You'll have to pull the crossmember underneath the tcase too, so don't forget to put a jack under the transmission or ratchet-strap it to the frame rails or something so it doesn't fall and tear out your motor mounts.

The 4wd plug is right on the side of the tcase, you can't miss it. Just unplug it.

 

[CAN-03runner]

Might be straight forward and common knowledge, but make sure that the 89 tcase you are going to buy is in fact for the V6 3VZE and not the the 4cyl 22re. Then it won't quite be bolt on, you'd need an adapter.....which brings me to...have you thought of lower tcase gears before

 

[brifri01]

And the drive shafts. I've changed them out of the truck but never with the tranny installed. Very easy job. Fill with gear oil through the shifter hole. Much easier.

 

[4runnertank]

Might be straight forward and common knowledge, but make sure that the 89 tcase you are going to buy is in fact for the V6 3VZE and not the the 4cyl 22re. Then it won't quite be bolt on, you'd need an adapter.....which brings me to...have you thought of lower tcase gears before

I'm going to school at Milligan College in TN and there is a great used parts place called Tri-Cities Auto Parts right across the street from the bristol motor speedway. The place has a t-case (that is for the 3.0 5speed) with 77k for $250. All their parts are tested and cleared before stocked.

I have thought about lower gears CanRunner, but with the budget I have right now being in college, it is not something I need. Good thing about getting this t-case is I don't have to pay for shipping and it is already disassembled from the truck-ready to bolt on.

I just want to make sure I do the job right. Any other input on this job would be great! Tips, tricks, and possible issues.

You guys on T4R are great, I appreciate all the help!

 

[sam24th]

Its pretty straight forward. A tranny jack would be nice if you have access to one. Ive taken my tcase in and out a few times. I can have it out and new one in in about 3 hours. The 4wd light should be on the side of the case, I just unplugged the pigtail going to it and left the sensor in place.

Here is the order in which I did mines:
-apply e-brake
-chock tires
-remove driveshafts
-climb in truck and remove center console and dust sheild
-remove shifter from the top (4 bolts on t-case)
-place tranny jack under transmission
-remove corssmember
-lower the t-case 2 inches with jack
-remove speedo cable and 4wd light
-unbolt tcase (6 bolts total if I recall correctly)
-slide t-case off splines

To reinstall, just follow the same order in reverse.

 

[nevada]

$250 seems like a lot to me.

maybe its because its a 3.0 t-case, but ive bought several of the gear drive(22r) t-cases for $25 each.

 

[4runnertank]

$250 seems like a lot to me.

maybe its because its a 3.0 t-case, but ive bought several of the gear drive(22r) t-cases for $25 each.

$25? Damn thats cheap

 

[KidVermicious]

That does seem like a lot of money. 4Runnertank, find your local wheeling boards and post up their in classifieds with what you're looking for. Somebody oughta have one laying around after a duals conversion, and they oughta charge you a lot less than $250 for it.

You're looking for the VF1A chain-drive case, find it on any 88-95 truck or 4Runner with the 3VZE and a manual transmission.

 

[rolling blackout]

I replaced my t-case about a year ago, only paid $50 for it. I've even seen a few chain drive cases for free on craigslist.
It only took me about two hours to complete the job by myself, its pretty straightforward.