Replace transfer case motor - what's involved?

[Qyota]

I found a replacement transfer case, but it doesn't come with the shift motor. I think my shift motor is OK, but how hard is it to swap it over? I'm not sure how the motor connects to the actuator arm...I thought the cases needed to be split to remove the motor.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Doc2012]

What year is your 4Runner?

You can use a manual "J" shift transfer case, and run the front ADD to a switch to activate it.

I've got a '99 limited, and I'm running a "J" shift t-case. I did the manual hub swap and converted the front diff to full time "locked" in.

As for your question, you need to swap the back half of the case to keep the ADD actuator.


FWIW, it's not a "shift" motor. It has nothing to do with shifting. It has to do with "power distribution" in a sense. Splits the power 50/50 for the front and rear.

 

[Qyota]

99 limited (see signature)

By shift motor I mean actuator motor.

So when an actuator motor has been removed from a transfer case at a yard, how likely it is that they split the cases to do that? Seems odd to me...that's a lot of work to remove a part that most people (I assume) want still attached when they buy a t-case.

 

[Doc2012]

I can't see signatures on Tap-a-talk. Lol.

If they took it off, then it can be put back on.

I had a hell of a time doing it. Hence why I just swapped to a standard J shift case.

 

[Qyota]

That's what I don't get. Why would a yard go through the trouble of separating the cases to remove the actuator?

Also - general rant on scrap yards. Good lord do they suck at communication! I've sent no less than 20 emails to different yards who advertise with their own web site, and through car-part.com, and received a response from about 3 or 4. And those responses have been atrocious. I'm starting to think this biz is pretty much just a joke, and people get scammed all the time.

I guess part of the problem is that I don't have good scrap yards in my region...so I have to take the "sales" guy's word for everything.

I honestly cannot believe how hard it's been to find a good-condition "complete" t-case for a '99 or '00 limited. It's been about a month of searching every day...nothing yet. Of course, there are all of those yards who haven't responded to my requests for quotes on parts they supposedly want to sell.

</rant>

 

[LittleCaesar]

If you are having trouble finding the T-case I'd PM fellow member Death Cougar (who is in Washington State) since he runs a salvage yard. I have never bought anything from him but others here have and have heard nothing but good things. He should be all over the classifieds.

Try posting in the classifieds if you haven't done so yet.

You have to get on the horn with most yards, email gets you nowhere for the most part. Usually some high school kid related to the owner is managing the website on the weekend.

Good luck.

 

[KidVermicious]

That's what I don't get. Why would a yard go through the trouble of separating the cases to remove the actuator?

Also - general rant on scrap yards. Good lord do they suck at communication! I've sent no less than 20 emails to different yards who advertise with their own web site, and through car-part.com, and received a response from about 3 or 4. And those responses have been atrocious. I'm starting to think this biz is pretty much just a joke, and people get scammed all the time.

I guess part of the problem is that I don't have good scrap yards in my region...so I have to take the "sales" guy's word for everything.

I honestly cannot believe how hard it's been to find a good-condition "complete" t-case for a '99 or '00 limited. It's been about a month of searching every day...nothing yet. Of course, there are all of those yards who haven't responded to my requests for quotes on parts they supposedly want to sell.

</rant>

You haven't spent a lot of time at junkyards, huh? These guys are not communications professionals and they're not part of corporate America. Customer service is not their forte. Generally speaking they're no-nonsense yard monkeys and don't much like people in the first place, and most of them don't have time for random emails in their inbox, assuming they know what email is. Pick up the phone and call them, or better yet walk in with your busted part in your hands and grease under your fingernails, and you'll have a much better shot at getting their attention.

 

[white_n_slow]

If you were in CO, I have a J shift case you could have for a song, but I don't think I wanna box this puppy up and mail it to Minnesota. :/

 

[jgue467]

OP - not sure if you want to buy off the net but ebay has several 1999 transfer cases starting at $110 & up. May be worth a look. Luck!

 

[Qyota]

Thanks for hearing my rant, guys! I appreciate the suggestions too.

I think I found it. At long last. A recycling yard in NC has a 2000 limited model t-case and it looks great. And most importantly, it has the actuator motor on it!

I agree that this biz isn't for communication pros, but if you are going to advertise on a nationwide online automotive part search engine, and request on your web site that people call or email, I expect at least a basic level of communication competency. It's a lot to ask, I know. Where I work, I can't be making calls during work hours, so email was crucial. Most yard hours are during my work hours. Walking in would have worked, but I don't have a yard anywhere close to me with inventory, not to mention they work the same hours I do...

Anyway, hopefully the deal with the NC yard goes through, and I'll have a new project to get done soon!