Makes sense. Never dealt with a cracked case and didn't disturbed a good freeze plug if I did have to. Engine block dealing with water/antifreeze and have to worry about rusting from the inside. Can inspect the transfer case for rust on the inside. Rusted gears (which never had in a transfer...
I've always managed to use the slot for keeper on the non freeze plug. Use that slot to leverage the shaft back out pass the O ring. Driving it thru and out the freeze plug side the O ring has to slide thru everything.
Would still need to deal with the sixteen spline verses the nineteen spline tailshaft the split case input gear has to ride on. A cheap 60 series transmission and transfer was listed in the classified lately. The four speed top cover could be switched but with the V8 the 60 series is a better...
There is a early three speed with a different case.
Toyota used seven different versions of transfer case in the US. The early to mid 63. Mid 63 on three speed s. 1/74-4/75 four speed case. Four speed 4/75-4/77, 4-77-7/80, 8/80-9/82 and 10/82-9/83. The 4/77 shows as a sub for 4/75-4/77. I...
Personally would never trust an aluminum case that has a crack that long. Could never be sure that alignment of the idler gear and high/low gears was perfect. Would especially never pay for Sumo gears in a welded case. Spent than much would buy an Orion case.
I show those parts still available in Japan. Probably cost $1K for the four gears. Certainly not worth rebuilding. Interesting I see the 1/74-4/75 transfer case still available minus the input gear. That means will work with three of four speeds with correct input gear. Around $1,500. Guess the...