NEED T-CASE help for 1994 FZJ80

[tetoncruiser]

need to find a t-case for a 1994 fzj80...this one is totally shot, any ideas or places to check out??

[Lka1988]

What's wrong with it? Your VC is more than likely burned up.

[Romer]

Lots of places, post in the wanted section, look up IRBIS and PM him, call cruiserparts net. look in the partuing out section, look in the main classified, thought I saw one there

[CJF]

Originally Posted by Lka1988

What's wrong with it?

x2...

[IdahoDoug]

TCs don't go bad on these - what's up???

DougM

[tetoncruiser]

this cruiser is a friend of mine's....clunking sound when shifting, hard clunk (metal on metal sound) and it does need a u-joint too.
4 wheel drive is not engaging at all...the mechanic did not open up the case, due to his experience with his driving diagnosis, in his own words...and this toyota tech does my work for me, currently putting in a new engine for me right now (all electrical equipment is operating, so it is not that)...asked him if it was the VC and said it could be but based on labor hours and parts and total cost, it would be cheaper to replace than to repair

[-Spike-]

Get a second opinion.

-Spike

[tetoncruiser]

this is the second opinion...her first mechanic said it was the tranny this mechanic only works on toyota and he has never had a misdiagnosis on mine

[-Spike-]

Four wheel drive never disengages, so saying that it doesn't engage makes me wonder. If the VC isnt working it can be removed cheaply, and isn't required. Its desireability is up to the owner. The LC is a very different animal from most Toyota products, so a Toyota mechanic could be just as lost as any other mechanic. You would be smart to find someone versed in LC's to check it out.

-Spike

[CJF]

Sure sounds like *way* more diagnosing need to be done before pulling the trigger on a specific "repair".

If you have access to the vehicle, why don't you drive it, check it out, and tell us much more specifically what's going on.

Curtis

P.S. Like Spike said, "4wd won't engage" doesn't really make any sense on an all wheel drive vehicle. Do you mean the shifter can't be moved/forced into Lo, or...?

[IdahoDoug]

Sounds to me like a broken front birfield. What specifically is the symptom? If its a 92 or older, then it's a stripped front drive plate (about an hour repair and $30...). This *might* happen on a 94 also. So, I'm telling you and others here are telling you it is NOT the transfer case and your friend is about to get hosed.

DougM

[-Spike-]

Gosh this looks a lot like a Tech thread.

-Spike

[bjowett]

I have two good units... make an offer.

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by tetoncruiser

this is the second opinion...her first mechanic said it was the tranny this mechanic only works on toyota and he has never had a misdiagnosis on mine

Then you need a 3rd opinion. As Spike, Curtis, and Doug have pointed out, this does not sound like a transfer case problem. It *might* be a transfer case but you have several things that need to be eliminated first.

Based on the very limited information you have given us, it sounds like Doug's theory about the busted flange or birfield. Those would both make a lot of metallic noise and the truck would "behave" strangely to a novice. The main thing they would notice is that it would move but it would move erratically and sometimes would lurch. This is caused by the VC trying to match front and rear outputs.

Please drive the vehicle and post more details. A few minutes here could save your friend several thousand $$$.

-B-

[-Spike-]

I remember the last thread we had about someone needing a new TC- I believe he had it replaced only to find out that the replacement was also 'broken', replaced it again, and I don't even remember what eventually happened.

-Spike

[IdahoDoug]

I'd say the TC is about the last thing that will break on the drivetrain, so unless this truck's been heavily wheeled with oversize tires and has worn out several sets of birfs and axles the TC is not the problem. I think we've made that point here, eh?

DougM

[ginericLC]

I realize that this is a pretty technical wanted ad, but the guy posted it in wanted because he wanted a transfer case. Moving it to tech might not help him get the transfer case if he still wants one.

Although a very well designed machine and 80s aren't known for TC failure, it could have happened. What if it was run dry? I'm sure that could cause problems. Or what if it was submerged in salt water? What if it really is toast.

[Romer]

Originally Posted by ginericLC

I realize that this is a pretty technical wanted ad, but the guy posted it in wanted because he wanted a transfer case. Moving it to tech might not help him get the transfer case if he still wants one.

Although a very well designed machine and 80s aren't known for TC failure, it could have happened. What if it was run dry? I'm sure that could cause problems. Or what if it was submerged in salt water? What if it really is toast.

Actually it started in tech and a uber mod moved it to wanted and I had it moved back.

[CJF]

Originally Posted by ginericLC

I realize that this is a pretty technical wanted ad, but the guy posted it in wanted because he wanted a transfer case. Moving it to tech might not help him get the transfer case if he still wants one.

He can start a "wanted" thread over there whenever he wants.

Meanwhile, a bunch of us would sure like to know what really is the problem. And yes, of course it could be the T-case after all; hopefully we'll find out one way or the other.

Curtis

[-Spike-]

Originally Posted by Romer

Actually it started in tech and a uber mod moved it to wanted and I had it moved back.

I was wondering about you. Way to shift the blame to a place I can't reach.

-Spike (and thanks)

[tetoncruiser]

first...thanks for all the input for my friends rig
just drove it and this is what i've found

1. when mechanic first looked at it, there was NO fluid in the t-case
2. 4x4 works in low range and high range...no clunks when engaging or disengaging
3. hard clunking sound when accelerator is pressed or depressed
4. no clunking sound between gears when accelerating
5. it does need a u-joint and these sounds are not coming from the u-joint

what could it be?

[-Spike-]

I hate to have to say it, but probably the u-joint. I just replaced my exhaust front to back 'cause it was making noise- but the noise was still there. Turned out to be my driveshaft (DC section) making the noise. An easy way to make sure would be to remove the driveshaft that has the bad u-joint, lock the center diff, and see if the clunk is gone. That's not 100%, but it will help diagnose what's going on. If the clunk is gone with the driveshaft removed, replace the u-joint and reinstall the driveshaft. If the noise comes back, all the previous advice in this thread applies.

The idea of the t-case being dry is concerning, but you still have to make sure it's junk before replacing it. 'Dry' is sometimes a subjective term.

The clunk could be a drive flange, birf, motor mount, exhaust mount, body mount, bushing,, or anything else that sees torque. I find it odd that it doesn't come up when put into gear, but only when on or off the gas. You would think something in the t-case (or driveline, for that matter) would make the noise when the driveline loads, when it is put into gear. I guess it needs the extra torque.

-Spike

[CJF]

Originally Posted by tetoncruiser

5. it does need a u-joint and these sounds are not coming from the u-joint

Change the u-joint ASAP. May or may not cure the clunking, but it's just silly not to since it needs it anyway *and* it's possibly related.

Old engineer's saying: "Fix what's wrong."

Curtis

[Beowulf]

Just to be clear, the transfer case uses gear oil, not automatic transmission fluid.

Could your friend tell why it was dry? There would have to be evidence of a major leak or maybe it wasn't properly filled? We keep trying to understand what is going on because transfer case failures are rare. We see the occasional viscous coupler failures (they are in the xfer case) but that is about all.
-B-

[Romer]

My transfer case went bad due to a bad bearing, it was scorned like it was dry by the PO for a while

[IdahoDoug]

Teton,

If that is the extent of the symptoms, I again would say it is not the TC. If a TC was run dry the first (by far) thing that would happen is the bushings would get trashed and start whining/yowling. Even when filled, it would whine loudly and you'd be reporting that as a symptom. A clunking from the TC would be GEARS (this is a tough unit that has no chain like mere mortal SUVs use - it's solid gears like the old days) worn so badly they had enormous slack, but I don't think the bushings could possibly last long enough to allow that much gear wear. Look elsewhere for the clunk.

So, again - your clunk sound to me is a textbook driveshaft joint issue, or drive plate. I'm taking the birfield off the table as it would make constant crunching/grinding even when not on the gas. I'd have a qualified OFFROAD shop do the driveshaft joints (most 'mechanics' are unqualified to replace a joint and it takes experience, not "I did one once" experience).

I'm assuming the clunk is repeated clunking while accelerating though you do not specify a single clunk as you press the gas or constant repeated. If you hold the truck in place and press on the gas does it do the repeat clunk? If yes - drive plate for sure. You can check the drive plates in about 20 minutes.

[ginericLC]

And don't bother with aftermarket U joints. They all suck. Suck it up and get the genuine Toyota ones or you'll be replacing the aftermarket one soon enough with the OEM Toyota U joint.