I don't think it's an easy job to replace the 4wd ECU with a homebrew harness. There are limit switches you have to worry about, as well as smoothly stopping the drive motors so that the shift rods don't jam up at the end of the stroke. People have had trouble with homemade harnesses for something relatively simple like the Toyota e-locker. This is quite a bit more complicated. Not saying it can't be done, but plan on some effort. Plus, Toyota doesn't offer any detailed documentation about how the shifting mechanism works.
VF4B Transfer Case Swap
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Rescue Runner
New member
That is a goof article, i have read it iver seeveral times. Within it is shows the shift fork limiters are build into the shift actuators.
This doesnt mean without the 4wd ecu you can make it run beyond its limit of allowable travel.
As long as it has some sort of signal wire, like telling the dash light to illuminate, you should be able to connect that to a relay that would then cut the power feed to the shift actuator once it has completed its shift. May have to have a time delay relat to make sure it completes the shift 100% instead of cutting power too soon and not meshing the gears completely.
might take anither year or so to complete my project but i will probably try to build my own harness and if i am successful i will share a how to on this forum somewhere.
For those interested in the internals and the differences of the Toyota part-time 4wd and full-time 4wd, this video has a good breakdown of the two systems and the internal gearing. It compares the transfer case of a 2nd Gen Tundra (Part Time 4wd) with a 4th Gen 4Runner (Full time 4wd center differential). The full-time portion starts at around 19:40.
Center Differential Transfer Cases - YouTube
Center Differential Transfer Cases - YouTube
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T4R-Barracuda
New member
VF2A to VF4B swap
Olá a todos!
I'm from Brazil, minha linguagem é o português. (Thanks Google Tradutor) :rockon:
Estou com um projeto de swap do transfer case.
Minha 3rd gen 4runner have a VF2A t-case (parcial 4wd).
Eu quero implantar a VF4B t-case (full-time 4wd com alavanca manual) sem sistemas eletrônicos. :hail:
Aqui no Brazil temos o Toyota Fortuner (fabricado 2005 - 2015), este modelo possui o VFB4.
Verifiquei que o VFB4 tem 1" de comprimento a mais que o VFA2. Porém, encaixes e buracos de parafusos são os mesmos. A flange que une entre t-case e câmbio (onde conecta as alavancas) pode ser usado o original do 3rd gen manual shifter.
Enfim, a única dificuldade que encontrei é que a original t-case VF2A nunca quebra!!!! :evil: E fazer essa troca só valerá a pena quando esta t-case quebrar.
A VFB4 t-case no Brasil é muito barato! (peça usada). Custa em média 400 dólares. Por isso vale a pena comprar para guardar na garagem até que possa ser utilizado no swap. :fishing:
Olá a todos!
I'm from Brazil, minha linguagem é o português. (Thanks Google Tradutor) :rockon:
Estou com um projeto de swap do transfer case.
Minha 3rd gen 4runner have a VF2A t-case (parcial 4wd).
Eu quero implantar a VF4B t-case (full-time 4wd com alavanca manual) sem sistemas eletrônicos. :hail:
Aqui no Brazil temos o Toyota Fortuner (fabricado 2005 - 2015), este modelo possui o VFB4.
Verifiquei que o VFB4 tem 1" de comprimento a mais que o VFA2. Porém, encaixes e buracos de parafusos são os mesmos. A flange que une entre t-case e câmbio (onde conecta as alavancas) pode ser usado o original do 3rd gen manual shifter.
Enfim, a única dificuldade que encontrei é que a original t-case VF2A nunca quebra!!!! :evil: E fazer essa troca só valerá a pena quando esta t-case quebrar.
A VFB4 t-case no Brasil é muito barato! (peça usada). Custa em média 400 dólares. Por isso vale a pena comprar para guardar na garagem até que possa ser utilizado no swap. :fishing:
Robb235
Senior Member
Ok, so 10 years after the creation of this thread, doesn't look like anyone has ever attempted to install the VF4 t-case into a 5th gen that originally had the VF2A t-case. I started researching this topic as I'd like to add a 5th gen to the stable, but wanted something that had the multimode similar to what my 3rd gen currently has (VF3AM).
Best I can tell, the 3rd gen 4Runner multimode t-case (VF3AM) will not bolt up to the 5th gen transmission, but the 4th gen multimode t-case (VF4AM) should bolt up. The 4th gen's VF4AM t-case would be able to offer 2wd, 4Hi (center diff unlocked, aka AWD mode), 4Hi center diff locked (true 4x4), and 4Lo with center diff locked or unlocked. Looks like the best candidate for this swap would be a 5th gen SR5 model that has the all electric 4wd selector, because the VF4AM is also all electric (no manual t-case shifters), and the SR5 already has an ADD front axle (Limited models with the VF4BM t-case do not have ADD because they are full-time 4wd). The stock 5th gen SR5 4wd ECU would need to remain in place, as it apparently talks on the CAN Bus network. The 4wd ECU that comes with the 4th gen 4Runners doesn't appear to connect to CAN Bus based on the wiring diagrams I've looked at. With some repinning of connectors at the t-case actuator, it appears that the 5th gen 4wd ECU in the SR5 controlling the VF2 t-case can control everything in the multimode VF4AM (ADD, Hi/Lo range selection) except for the center locking differential. It would appear that the center locking differential would have to be controlled outside of the 5th gen SR5 4wd ECU. This could potentially be accomplished the same way people use aftermarket wiring harnesses to control retrofitted factory rear elockers. When I retrofitted in my Toyota factory locking rear differential into my 3rd gen, I ordered an aftermarket wiring harness to control it. The harness is controlled by the push button RR Diff Lock on my dash, and uses the limit switches in the locking rear diff to know when to cut power to the electric motor. Such a harness could be easily modified to control the center locking differential in the t-case. Due to the longer length of the VF4AM multimode t-case, I believe one would need to source some 5th gen Limited front and rear driveshafts, since the Limited models came with the VF4BM (full time 4wd t-case).
All of this is theoretical based on the research I've done on the topic. I have no real world experience with this swap.
Best I can tell, the 3rd gen 4Runner multimode t-case (VF3AM) will not bolt up to the 5th gen transmission, but the 4th gen multimode t-case (VF4AM) should bolt up. The 4th gen's VF4AM t-case would be able to offer 2wd, 4Hi (center diff unlocked, aka AWD mode), 4Hi center diff locked (true 4x4), and 4Lo with center diff locked or unlocked. Looks like the best candidate for this swap would be a 5th gen SR5 model that has the all electric 4wd selector, because the VF4AM is also all electric (no manual t-case shifters), and the SR5 already has an ADD front axle (Limited models with the VF4BM t-case do not have ADD because they are full-time 4wd). The stock 5th gen SR5 4wd ECU would need to remain in place, as it apparently talks on the CAN Bus network. The 4wd ECU that comes with the 4th gen 4Runners doesn't appear to connect to CAN Bus based on the wiring diagrams I've looked at. With some repinning of connectors at the t-case actuator, it appears that the 5th gen 4wd ECU in the SR5 controlling the VF2 t-case can control everything in the multimode VF4AM (ADD, Hi/Lo range selection) except for the center locking differential. It would appear that the center locking differential would have to be controlled outside of the 5th gen SR5 4wd ECU. This could potentially be accomplished the same way people use aftermarket wiring harnesses to control retrofitted factory rear elockers. When I retrofitted in my Toyota factory locking rear differential into my 3rd gen, I ordered an aftermarket wiring harness to control it. The harness is controlled by the push button RR Diff Lock on my dash, and uses the limit switches in the locking rear diff to know when to cut power to the electric motor. Such a harness could be easily modified to control the center locking differential in the t-case. Due to the longer length of the VF4AM multimode t-case, I believe one would need to source some 5th gen Limited front and rear driveshafts, since the Limited models came with the VF4BM (full time 4wd t-case).
All of this is theoretical based on the research I've done on the topic. I have no real world experience with this swap.
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hoganbob64
New member
Chiming in on the vf4b or vf4bm transfer case swap. Here's an idea, install a driveline disconnect on the front driveline and you will have 2 wheel drive when you want it without having to try and modify the transfer cases to suit your needs. The chain will continue to turn but noting else and then you won't have a loss in mpg.
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