Still working toward a flat belly... (clocking the factory transfer case)

[jkeith.w]

quick update on my flat belly progress: you guys have already seen the tank relocation and rear bumper work, and I'm closing in on a high-clearance transmission crossmember design as well.



However, this morning I was finally able to test fit the prototype clocking ring for the J-shift transfer case:

pretty stoked about this, to be honest.

 

[theesotericone]

quick update on my flat belly progress: you guys have already seen the tank relocation and rear bumper work, and I'm closing in on a high-clearance transmission crossmember design as well.



However, this morning I was finally able to test fit the prototype clocking ring for the J-shift transfer case:

pretty stoked about this, to be honest.

Solid work as always.

The funny thing is I've just been wheeling the shit out of my non-flat bellied rig. The only place I ever get hung up is the rear diff. Everything else just slides right along my skids. Do you really think this will give that big of an advantage in big rocks?

 

[Thebeastlives]

Solid work as always.

The funny thing is I've just been wheeling the shit out of my non-flat bellied rig. The only place I ever get hung up is the rear diff. Everything else just slides right along my skids. Do you really think this will give that big of an advantage in big rocks?

I agree the best solution I've seen is guys building custom armor over the transmission n transfer case and they just slide or bounce over big rocks n never worry bout damage to their armor because it is cheap to repair or replace

 

[jkeith.w]

Solid work as always.

The funny thing is I've just been wheeling the shit out of my non-flat bellied rig. The only place I ever get hung up is the rear diff. Everything else just slides right along my skids. Do you really think this will give that big of an advantage in big rocks?

I think of it in terms of equivalent lift height - this is worth 2-3 inches of clearance without the additional 2-3 inches of lift, so the CoG stays low. Sliding on the skids is fine, but clearing more stuff might be good too.

also, while our 3rd gen 4Runners are blessed with a good wheelbase; my 1st gen Taco extended cab is not. This is good for the goose and gooder for the gander. (?)

 

[papabeach]

quick update on my flat belly progress: you guys have already seen the tank relocation and rear bumper work, and I'm closing in on a high-clearance transmission crossmember design as well.



However, this morning I was finally able to test fit the prototype clocking ring for the J-shift transfer case:

pretty stoked about this, to be honest.

I was excited to see this thread, you do solid work. Now to see this with dual cases!!!

 

[midcoma]

Do you really think this will give that big of an advantage in big rocks?

I agree the best solution I've seen is guys building custom armor over the transmission n transfer case and they just slide or bounce over big rocks n never worry bout damage to their armor because it is cheap to repair or replace

It's not that the belly gets hung up, it's that it gets hit. It also has the potential to cause high centering if it does get hung up.

As someone who has ran a flat belly, it's definitely worth it if you can accomplish it. Just like a portal axle would keep your diff off the rocks at the same ride height. Sure you can bounce and bang your way through a trail, but why do that if you can make it without the belly touching anything?

It's especially nice if it's a daily driven vehicle. There's a lot less bumps and bangs that make you worry if you broke something or not.

 

[jkeith.w]

Still working toward a flat belly...

I was able to test fit the transfer case this morning:

this is with a 1.25" body lift, of course.

 

[jkeith.w]

Still working toward a flat belly...

Installation involves drilling out the 4 m8 threaded holes on the transmission to 5/16" studs and spotfacing the cast surface for the nuts, and cutting down the passenger shift rail on the transfer case to just beyond the seal mark so that it will clear a boss in the transmission housing when assembled.

I used a cutoff wheel to chop the shift rail as well as spot facing the transmission housing.

I'm working on the shift lever relocation today as well.

 

[jkeith.w]

Still working toward a flat belly...

shifter relocation is going to work out fine as well - this will involve cutting the transfer case shifter at the bend, then welding the new plate between the two halves to relocate the shift lever to it's original position:

(kind of a long day today, but successes all around, so I'll take it!)

 

[phattyduck]

I was able to test fit the transfer case this morning:

That's pretty close... What are the trans mount+body mount plans to keep those from contacting? (or just a bit love to the floor?)

I'm very curious how the shifter is going to feel with that offset bracket in place.

Cool stuff!

-Charlie

 

[jkeith.w]

That's pretty close... What are the trans mount+body mount plans to keep those from contacting? (or just a bit love to the floor?)



I'm very curious how the shifter is going to feel with that offset bracket in place.



Cool stuff!



-Charlie

I have the 4xInnovations trans mount and Energy Suspension body mounts installed already (in preparation for this modification.)

I have no doubt there may be contact from time to time wheeling, but I doubt it will be much.

Similarly I doubt there with be any perceptible change in shifter feel - it’s only around 4” offset.

[emoji4]

 

[clearock]

U working out something that will use the OEM trans cross braces or getting even more clearance by removing said and making a new system.

 

[jkeith.w]

U working out something that will use the OEM trans cross braces or getting even more clearance by removing said and making a new system.

both factory crossmembers are going away.

 

[T4topher]

both factory crossmembers are going away.

Will this crossmember work with single and dual cases?

 

[jkeith.w]

Will this crossmember work with single and dual cases?

yes, ultimately I want to use it in both my T4R with the single clocked case and in my 1st gen Tacoma with the duals/Lefty setup, so I'm setting it up to work both ways.

 

[jkeith.w]

Here’s the seal relocation ring (just got the prototype today):

 

[absalom]

Argh, this is so cool. Flat belly is what makes things like King of the Hammers feasible. Definitely looking forward to a completed flatbelly setup for 3rd gen.