Transfer case swap into 2003 4dr

[barneymc]

Has anybody swapped a RF1A gear-driven transfer case into a 2003 V6 4wd Tacoma? I recently bought the 2003 and was hoping to swap in the Marlin ultimate dual-case unit from my mothballed 1983 pickup. The adapter plates look straight-forward, but I got under the 2 trucks yesterday and found that the front driveshaft on the 2003 is on the driver side, while it is on the passenger side on the old 1983. So as well as adapting the transmission-transfer case connection, I will also need to rotate the case to get the driveshaft on the correct side of the truck.

I have considered the SAS on the front with my old axle, but that looks like more work than I am ready for on this truck.

 

[Jeremy9A]

I have built dual cases in my 97 auto/ 3.4 4runner which uses the same adapters you would need.

They have changed the part numbers since i did mine a while back. As you know, you would need the MCTC-133 to adapt the RF1A to your Tacoma's trans (either R150F or A340F). This used to be called the MC07 from Marlin.
THEN- where I believe the confusion is in your case (no pun intended) - you do not use another RF1A case behind your RF1A reduction box. You use your oem chain drive case that resides under the tacoma now. I cannot find the proper adapter on either Marlin or Inchworms site at the moment. Marlin's part number was MC09 I believe.

There is this kit which should have everything you need to build the cases with the adapters https://www.trail-gear.com/TG/Tacom...to/i_0_0_1078/_107531-1-KIT.aspx#.VzRwEyMrKw8

If you call marlin, you might get someone useful on the phone who could sell you the right parts.

 

[barneymc]

You are right, I did not consider that combination. I thought one of the reasons for the swap is to get rid of the chain-driven stock xfer case. Also my old rear case has the 4.7 gears that I really want to use. But I will look into this as a way to get some use of my dual-case setup.

 

[Jeremy9A]

The manual shift chain case really isn't that bad, it's just that the gear drive case is legendary and very easily modified.

The push button chain drive case sucks in my experience and has a lot of extra parts to fail including the actuator. I had one in my 02 Tacoma and something came loose and chewed up gears in the planetary gearset while driving down the highway. (I think that is the only case with planetarys) I replaced it with a manual shift case which is a direct swap.

I've been running the dual cases in the 4runner for around 5 years now with long trips, trails, towing, and daily driving. (Stock reduction gear drive case into a stock manual shift chain case)

 

[barneymc]

My truck does have the electric actuator on the back of the transfer case. I really did not know as much about the Tacoma as I assumed I did. Thanks for educating me on the limitations/possibilities for my drive train. I need to do more research and soul-searching before I do anything down there. Maybe just some bumpers, sliders, mild lift and 33" tires. That will get me almost anywhere I want to go. And if I want to do something crazy, I still have my LandCruiser with 37's and a 6" lift.