Possible? Installing a transfer case on a 2wd for 2Lo?

Is it possible?

I've been thinking about it for a couple of days: Is it possible to install a transfer case on a 2wd 3rd Gen TRD Off Road? I have no plans to convert it to a 4x4. . . My idea is to get a transfer case off a scrapped 3rd Gen 4x4 (or a new one, if I can find it) and basically install it as it I were converting it to a 4x4, but just not install the parts to make a 4x4

It would be really useful when towing or off roading. Theoretically, would this plan work? If so, has anyone actually doneit?

I hope you guys get what I'm saying, lol. Please fuel my curiosity!

 

In theory it would be like an older truck that you shift to 4lo but not manually locking the front hubs. I remember my brother with his old Chevy K5 Blazer doing just that on boat ramps but he had a locker on the rear.

 

You would need a 4wd transmission or a tail housing adapter to bolt transfer case up. If you go through all that trouble it’s not much more to install front differential and axles and actually and have a 4x4.

 

True, but doesn't doing that create more issues? Lol

 

some additional parts for preventative maintenance yes, aside from that not sure what issues it would create.

 

But, THEORETICALLY, would it be possible if I just did it as if I was converting to 4x4 but just forgetting the stuff in the front? (front diff, front axle, front CV--and just have the transfer case send power to the back?

 

Sure it would work. That’s a lot of work to get a lower gearing. You’d be better off with a 2 speed rear axle if that’s what your after.

 

Yeah, I don't really need 4wd . . . I'm just looking for 2lo for towing and stuffs

 

Where, exactly do I find a 2 speed rear axle? I'm already re-geared, so I don't want that to go to waste. Plus, since I have the 2wd version of the 3rd Gen (basically PreRunner), it already had a spot for the transfer case. Basically, all I need is a transfer case and some wiring harnesses . . . I think

 

Are you doing some Tractor Pulling Nationals? lol.

 

Lol. I thought 2lo would come in handy since I travel around the country, up and down mountains and stuff--sometimes hauling

 

Eaton or Dana make them. You’d need to make some custom hubs to get a 6 lug pattern. Swapping in the transfer case is a little more involved than that. You’d need to fabricate a new crossmember, procure. 4x4 driveshaft, and possible make a new crossmember for the carrier bearing. Then you’d need to trick the transfer case into thinking you had a front differential to be able to shift it into 4lo.

 

Or . . . I could just be happy with my re-gear!
Lol, in all seriousness, this could be my next huge mod

 

On a 2wd, having more torque by shifting into low ratio will just get you stuck faster.
Now what WILL help is having a rear locker for those slick places like the dreaded boat ramps, for which I usually don't even need 4wd, much less low range.
You can do that with air or electrons.

 

Couldn't you just put the shifter setting in a lower gear? Not trying to be a jerk just figuring it would save you money and kind of work the same lol.

 

What's different from the 2wd crossmember from the 4wd crossmember?

 

He should already have a locker, since it's an offroad.

 

I mean, yeah, that would kinda work too

 

location on the frame

 

Yeah, you will need one from the FJ cruiser however and have to cut your trans tunnel and find a way to rout the J shifter stick into the cab.

You will also need a new drive shaft from a 4x4. And possibly a 4x4 trans as the tail shaft may not be convertible.

This is because the electronic shifted transfer cases rely on several positioning sensors on the front differential equipment and the 4x4 computer without that the above is your only "semi-OE" option.

The transfer case will still spin the front shaft output flange but obviously nothing will be connected to it.

The other options is possibly a "Taco box" as a stand alone from Marlin Crawler but I think that actually goes between the trans and transfer case, or get a divorced case like an atlas case but again those are both manually shifted and would require linkages routed into the cab.

Your last option is effectively an entire 4x4 swap to include all sensors and computers with some wire mods to trick the system into believing the front diff is there and the ADD collar is locked into position.

In short there is no easy or cheap way to do it.

If you feel the need for a low range 2WD (which is kind of weird, like why?) you are probably best off buying a 4WD and removing the front shafts and cap the front diff and put on 2WD spindles.