Trail/TRD vs SR5 transfer case shifter.

[3wbdriver]

I've seen it posted again tonight that the Trail shift lever is only a lever and the shifting is actually done by electronic actuators. I have spent the last hour doing different word combinations in Bing trying to find ANY pictures, diagrams, model numbers or ANYTHING to confirm this. The pictures and links just don't show anything definite for the 2010 and up model to know I am looking at one.

I have just come inside from laying under my Trail on a bed of pine needles in the dark with a flashlight looking and prodding around on mine. There is a rubber boot in the area of the tunnel where the swifter should come down, and there feels like a shaft going into the top of the transfer case. I have not become so OCD I had my wife working the lever while I felt it (she shakes her head at me too much when I go on these Crusades already). Can anyone cite me a link showing the electrical actuator, or pictures, or even what the model number of the transfer case is, so I can continue my search?

I don't want to doubt anybody, but when I can look down and see that shifter moving around with regular road movement, and when I can feel feedback from the gears engaging/disengaging while I am using it, well I am pretty much convinced it is a direct mechanical linkage. I just want to KNOW. Call it my dad's Missouri "show me" side.

The only photo I could find online that almost looked right was the one below, and my transfer case does NOT have the black electronic actuator box on the back of it. ANYBODY? :dizzy::twitch::mmph:

 

[tykkor]

I definitely don't see how it could be anything but a mechanical linkage.

Like you said, you can see the transfer case shifter move under load/going over bumps, and feel the gears when shifting.

Edit: Just happened to find an answer. Looks like the shifter is a mechanical linkage, but there's an electronic disconnect on the front axle as well.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/208255-4wd-problem.html#post2158802

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I can't remember if the SR5's used the same VF2A Transfercase that the Trail Edition does. If I remember right they may have, but the Trail edition uses the VF2A.

With the VF2A unit, it's a mechanical linkage into the transfercase (meaning when you shift the lever it shifts the fork in the case directly.) The reason it is not a "true" manual 4WD is because the front output shaft of the transfercase still goes into the same ADD (Automatic Disconnecting Differential) Actuator that almost all Toyota 4WD systems have used for the last decade. Meaning you still need a 4WD ECU to tell the vehicle to go into 4WD completely, even though the transfercase is engaged (think how you had to use old school hub locks, it's just controlled by an actuator now.) The ADD locks the ring and pinion with the axle shafts so that the front axle turns under load from the transfercase.

 

[3wbdriver]

I definitely don't see how it could be anything but a mechanical linkage.

Like you said, you can see the transfer case shifter move under load/going over bumps, and feel the gears when shifting.

Edit: Just happened to find an answer. Looks like the shifter is a mechanical linkage, but there's an electronic disconnect on the front axle as well.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/208255-4wd-problem.html#post2158802

That's the thread that got me looking. And thanks [MENTION=66389]BlackWorksInc[/MENTION], I'll see if can find some pictures based on those numbers. I did know about the ADD in the front, but that actuation thing had me discombobulated......

At least we have a thread with a title now to maybe be searched or added to the FAQ?

 

[3wbdriver]

Hmm. The thot plickens..... According to this the VF2A was only used from 84-95. More research needed.

Toyota RF & VF Transfer Case Specs

95-2003 shows a VF3AM

http://www.manualtransmissionpart.com/TransferCase-Make-Model.html

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Hmm. The thot plickens..... According to this the VF2A was only used from 84-95. More research needed.

Toyota RF & VF Transfer Case Specs

95-2003 shows a VF3AM

: Transfer Case ID by Make & Model: Manual Transmission Parts - Online

That's weird since the FSM calls out the VF2A...

Other options are VF2BM (Part-Time 4WD with an ADD and a Transfercase Actuator) and the VF4BM (All-Time 4WD with Transfercase Actuator)

 

[Jeremy556]

Hmm. The thot plickens..... According to this the VF2A was only used from 84-95. More research needed.

Toyota RF & VF Transfer Case Specs

95-2003 shows a VF3AM

: Transfer Case ID by Make & Model: Manual Transmission Parts - Online

Well, the Toyota FSM for 2010 lists the VF2A or VF4BM. On the VF2A you can see where the lever enters the transfer case, and the lack of an actuator motor, compared to the VF4BM with actuator motor.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

[MENTION=78273]Jeremy556[/MENTION] On a side note, how do you edit/cut up the .pdf files? Do you use a free program?

 

[3wbdriver]

Thanks guys!!!!

 

[Jeremy556]

[MENTION=78273]Jeremy556[/MENTION] On a side note, how do you edit/cut up the .pdf files? Do you use a free program?

Techsmith SnagIt - utility for capturing and editing screen captures. Invaluable in my day job.

 

[mo_mo]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/197815-transfer-case-differences.html#post2024998

 

[3wbdriver]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/197815-transfer-case-differences.html#post2024998

Thanks mo_mo. I was active when that thread started but I don't remember it. And I went out of the forum to look. :doh:

 

[nb rob]

Techsmith SnagIt - utility for capturing and editing screen captures. Invaluable in my day job.

I've been a registered snagit user for 15 years. What a great piece of software.
I also use it constantly, all day long.

I use "spotlight and magnify" for stubborn people with narrow attention spans.

 

[pdx650]

I suppose the next thing to ask is: What part of the VIN tells customers what kind of transfer case it has. Knob rotation that has an electric motor activation or lever with shaft connection?

 

[BlueRunner428]

I suppose the next thing to ask is: What part of the VIN tells customers what kind of transfer case it has. Knob rotation that has an electric motor activation or lever with shaft connection?

Can't you just look inside?:becky:

But also if you know your models, at least in terms of the current ones, SR5s and Limiteds use the dial,TRD Off-Roads and TRD Pros use the lever.

 

[pdx650]

Yes, thank you for adding that here. I am familiar with the third gen. I am learning about the fifth gens. And ‘Trail’ trims/editions use the lever too. I appreciate you adding that part. I did not know. The reason I ask is because I am not physically close to most of these 4Runners and would like to know by seeing the vin if it has a lever or dial. I will search for ‘Trail’ and ‘TRD’ trims instead then.