Transfer case's - 3 speed early, 3 speed middle, 4 speed split case.

[motovate]

Lots of transfer case info and I've looked at a lot of it.

I'm looking for some input & why's/ why not's if a case brakes.

I have a good 66 FJ40 with 3 speed vacuum shift which is I believe the early 3 speed case and a little lower ratio. I also have a a good stock 78 FJ 40 4 speed with the stock split(?) transfer case.

I'm looking at getting a 73 FJ 40 that has been modified. It has a 2F with a 4 speed (probably the 73's?) that has a 4 speed split transfer case - not sure what it came off. Don't know the shape of the t/c on the 73.

If the 73 case is bad is it worth the cost and hassle to adapt the 3 speed case which would include finding the parts to convert from vacuum shift to manual shift. just to get the lower ratio???

Or is it a better bet to just use the good split case 4 speed I also have??

Looking for opinions.

Thanks.

LBM

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All,

motovate, the pre-1980 t-cases are all the "one-piece" type, while the 1981 and later t-cases are the "split" type.

The "split" t-case is called that because it has 2 halfs that bolt together (think clam shell style.) The older "one-piece" t-case looks much different.

The 4 speed manual transmission did not arrive in US-market vehicles until the 1974 model year. Any 4 speed with a "split" t-case found in a 1970s era rig has been donated by a post-1980 Land Cruiser.

There is lots of info here on MUD about t-cases; the advanced search function can help you.

Regards,

Alan

 

[motovate]

Thanks for the clarity on the 4 speed case - I wasn't sure & that's why the (?)

Didn't quite get the "opinion" I was looking for but reading into it maybe there is not that much difference in 3 speed vs 4 speed pre 81 T/C's other then the difference in ratio's and possibly case strength. Although this did bring up another question. If the TC on the 73 FJ 40 I'm looking at on Craig's List which is listed as a split case goes bad or is bad, can I just replace it with the non split 4 speed case I have as a unbolt rebolt case or is there differences I have to deal with like main shafts or???

There is a multitude of info on cases as well as all FJ 40 issues and I use the search until I'm cross eyed before deciding to seek some opinions.

By the way is Josie the Black dog in your photo? I had a very good dog named Josie although she was an Air Dale Mix. At one time I was able to take her with me to work and when I did field work. She even saved the Office once. She was a quiet dog. Never made a noise , always friendly but quiet. The only time she barked is when someones computer caught on fire & belched smoke. Josie Stuck her head out of my office door when she smelled it ( I was in a meeting) and "woofed!". It surprised everyone who heard her and then they saw/smelled the smoke! Every one was so surprised one of them stuck their head into the meeting I was in and told every one Josie saved the office! She became the hero of the office. Sadly her reward was to be banned from the office when my boss found out I had the audacity to bring her into the office even though she was always in my single person office except when she came in or left with me and everyone really liked her.

Nostalgia and off topic - if you are Josie and not the dog I guess I guessed wrong!!!

Thanks for the info.

LBM

Hi All,

motovate, the pre-1980 t-cases are all the "one-piece" type, while the 1981 and later t-cases are the "split" type.

The "split" t-case is called that because it has 2 halfs that bolt together (think clam shell style.) The older "one-piece" t-case looks much different.

The 4 speed manual transmission did not arrive in US-market vehicles until the 1974 model year. Any 4 speed with a "split" t-case found in a 1970s era rig has been donated by a post-1980 Land Cruiser.

There is lots of info here on MUD about t-cases; the advanced search function can help you.

Regards,

Alan

 

[dohcdelsol93]

It's not really worth the money to adapt a 3 speed case in place of the split case. Unless you had all the parts for the swap on hand. If you have a 2F plus the split case i'm guessing someone has installed an entire power train swap from an FJ60.

The 4L is a little lower geared on the 3 speed case than the split case. The split case is stronger and you can also buy after market (8%?) overdrive as well as lower geared sets, i believe AA has them, which makes it a better on road/off road choice all around.. I only keep my 3 speed because i've yet to find a pto winch/gear to fit a split case cheap enough to justify the swap. I've ,knock on wood, never broken a 3 speed case but seen plenty of broken ones on here.

Id keep the split case, they are easy to find and plenty cheap enough to rebuild.

 

[motovate]

Great info - thanks.

LBM

It's not really worth the money to adapt a 3 speed case in place of the split case. Unless you had all the parts for the swap on hand. If you have a 2F plus the split case i'm guessing someone has installed an entire power train swap from an FJ60.

The 4L is a little lower geared on the 3 speed case than the split case. The split case is stronger and you can also buy after market (8%?) overdrive as well as lower geared sets, i believe AA has them, which makes it a better on road/off road choice all around.. I only keep my 3 speed because i've yet to find a pto winch/gear to fit a split case cheap enough to justify the swap. I've ,knock on wood, never broken a 3 speed case but seen plenty of broken ones on here.

Id keep the split case, they are easy to find and plenty cheap enough to rebuild.

 

[motovate]

Thanks again - I just got a little more info. The 40 I am looking at has a split case 4 speed (?) adapted to a 3 speed transfer case. I thought it was a 4 speed mated to a split case. So the 4 speed might be a later 81 on model possibly from an FJ60? I didn't realize there were split case 4 speeds and non split case 4 speeds????
I think I know that to adapt a 3 speed TC to a 4 speed trans a main shaft (?) has to be changed out then they bolt up. That being the case then if a 4 speed tranny can bolt up to an early modified 3 speed t case then it should just bolt right up to a non split case 1978 4 speed t case - is this correct??

Thanks

LBM

It's not really worth the money to adapt a 3 speed case in place of the split case. Unless you had all the parts for the swap on hand. If you have a 2F plus the split case i'm guessing someone has installed an entire power train swap from an FJ60.

The 4L is a little lower geared on the 3 speed case than the split case. The split case is stronger and you can also buy after market (8%?) overdrive as well as lower geared sets, i believe AA has them, which makes it a better on road/off road choice all around.. I only keep my 3 speed because i've yet to find a pto winch/gear to fit a split case cheap enough to justify the swap. I've ,knock on wood, never broken a 3 speed case but seen plenty of broken ones on here.

Id keep the split case, they are easy to find and plenty cheap enough to rebuild.

 

[dohcdelsol93]

there were 4 speeds that came stock in fj40's with the solid case. They adapted them from the factory this way. You can buy both aftermarket and OEM Toyota parts to adapt the 4 speed to the 3 speed case.

IIRC in order to put an fj60 4 speed into an fj40 you do need to swap shifter towers or spend a day modifying the shifter. I belive this is another reason you see many a modified fj40 without a front heater.

There is nothing wrong with the 3 speed case. I tow a 21 foot sailboat with mine, daily drive it, beat it on the freeway and off road. I've had them behind a v8 and and now a turbo diesel. Just keep in mind it's the weak point of the power train

Some people pay a good deal of money to swap in a 3 speed case to get that little extra low gear. I just don't think its worth the money for such little gain. In your case i'd leave it and enjoy it. Rebuild kits and braces to prevent case cracking are available for the 3 speeds. They are also cheap and sometimes even free to buy here on mud.

Compared to the split case they are much easier to remove and rebuild.