Transfer Case Lever Swap???
- Thread starter TOY2G
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sandcrawler
Senior Member
the (2010-2012?) transfer case lever isn't "shifter looking", it's actually a mechanical, lever-actuated connection to the transfer case.
not gonna happen without a pantload of time, trouble and expense.
philsey
New member
...... And a guaranteed forfeiture of your warrantee-related components.
I was misinformed by a Toyota Tech, I was complaining about having the puck and not the shifter on my 13 SR5 and he (apparently falsely) told me the sifter was faux and they are the same. He even went in to some detail about it. Guess I really should have known better.
i dont need no warranty
Good question. I would think that if you can feel it grind and or pop into gear, there is no way it could be fake.....BUT why would they make two different transfer cases (one with shift levers and one with shift actuator) on a vehicle that no longer has any drive-train options other than the AWD on the limited?
crunchcity
New member
The lever felt real to me, just like my old Tacoma. I think because of the ADD it "invalidates" the manual lever to some because the 4WD is still actuated. The manual lever is still one less electric switch going to the transfer case i always thought maybe I'm wrong? So in that sense it's not totally faux. Which would make replacing the dial with a lever more involved I
would imagine.
would imagine.
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chitown4x4
New member
I would like to start this discussion back up. Just bought a 2014.. and did not spring for the Trail edition because I have already regeared the diffs and put in ARB lockers front and rear, it was a waste of money to buy the trail knowing I was going to do this. but The only thing I wish I had was a lever to engage 4x4 instead of the switch. I have had mechanical electronic switches fail on me in the past and would like to eliminate that possibility from the get go.
harper7
Senior Member
Still the same answer as above from Grant.....shifter, T-case, wiring harnesses, ECUs and who knows what else
The Limiteds have the VF4BM transfer case with Torsen differential that has an electric shift transfer with and ECU that controls it and a solid pass side front axle.
The TE'S have the VF2A part time transfer case with a mechanical shifter and an electric actuator(ADD) that locks front axles.It's manual shifter moves the forks that change the gears and a switch sends a signal to actuate an electric motor on the front axle that basically takes the place of manually locking in the hubs of many moons ago.
The SR5's as of 2013 have the VF2A with both the electric transfer shifter and the electric ADD front axle connector.
If it's reliability your worried about ,the VF4BM and it's electric actuator has been out over 10 years in hundreds of thousands of Toyota,Lexus and Land Cruiser vehicles and has proven to be very reliable. Now the seals on the shifter to transfer housing went bad in some of the older ones and leaked oil and the transfer case has to be torn down to change them which makes it a big job if done right.Supposed different/better seals were incorporated years ago and mine shifts instantly,smooth as butter and is dry as a bone. From what I've read,not many have failed to shift and leave you possibly stuck/stranded as in can't lock it into 4x4 on the trail.With your full time your always in 4x4 anyways in all 3 shift positions and your ARB lockers can be activated in all 3 too making it VERY reliable.
It's been discussed before and you can search on your own for ADD actuator problems on part time FJ's and they can and have left people without 4x4 as the electric actuator contacts are housed down on the front axle where it's vulnerable to mud,water, salt ect.
I wouldn't even know why or where to start to retrofit a manual shifter to a VF4BM transfer case but I'm sure somebody would switch(pun intended) you your full time for part time system and that would be the cheapest, easiest way if you REALLY need the manual shifter.:noidea:
FWIW, I had the shift select switch fail in my Sequoia twice. Not a good feeling to need 4x4 and not have it. I have added 4wd to 3 2wd vehicle so far, so I think converting to a manual shift T-Case would be doable.....I even bought an extra manual T-Case...but I Won't be messing with it. It just don't seem wort it.
I just got a second 5th gen a couple weeks ago, when I get a chance I may look at the two of them and see what all is different. Also my 2013 has the puck and it is not full time, but both my 4th gen were.
On a side note......how do you live I Fort Worth and we have never ran into each other?
