UZJ100 us spec transfer case re-gear... Has anyone done this?

[NB100LC]

Been pondering this one for a while, but my google-fu is only finding examples of 80 series trucks that have done this. I'd like to know if anyone in the 100 series community has re-geared their transfer case low or high range? - OR - why not to?

$...
I purchased a set of 25% low range gears from @MarlinCrawler ~4 months ago,(MADE IN JAPAN) but haven't installed them yet. Paid $645 + shipping then, just checked and they're $749 now. There are cheaper sets out there now that didn't seem to exist a mere 4 months ago. Just checked @NirtoGear and they've got 2 offerings for the same task, at either $550 or $840.. I don't know the difference. @CruiserOutfitters offers them in a similar fashion. Just checked, CruiserOutfitters specify, the cheap option is "imported" and is super cheap @ $409usd, but the other option is MADE IN JAPAN @ $725

@MarlinCrawler Just remembered you guys from so long ago, badass bolt-on reduction gear boxes for the Tacoma.
@NitroGear you'll get my money someday...
@CruiserOutfitters You've received money from me. Excellent customer service! Called you and you set me up with all of the knuckle rebuild items I needed for this 2001 LC.

Why...
I bought them out of envy of the additional descent control a 5sp transmission 100 has over the 4sp in my 2001. At HIH8 it seemed I was always behind someone with a 5sp, and I was having constantly ride my brakes on steep descents, or disable 2nd start to drop to 1st which I hated doing due to the hard drive line shock if not done at anything less than stopped.

Unable to find much chatter about this subject, I am reluctant to install.

I would also consider the 10% high gear reduction set, but again not seeing any of chatter here. MY thoughts on doing this is to bring engine RPM's back to normal after going to 285/75/16 tires. Also even if this reduction is slightly below original, it would help improve trailer towing. Wouldn't hurt here either if I stepped up to 295 or 305's

 

[nukegoat]

Yes its been discussed at length and the cheaper sets have been on the market for a while.

 

[cmck]

I’m planning to do a hi and low range regear this winter/spring. I don’t have any real concerns but I don’t know what I don’t know yet. I think all the 80 stuff applies to the 100 as I believe the Tcase is the same.

Reasons: Hi-range will drop to ~456 and pull my rv trailer a bit better on 33’s. Low range is all about foot off crawl, decent with the 35’s off road.

 

[Skidoo]

In the first part of 2018 I installed the Marlin low range gear set in my 2000 (4sp A/T) and at the same time switched the diffs from stock to 4:88. Did the installs myself.
I have had the Cruiser since 2008 and have always run 295 tires first Nittos and then BFG AT.
Since gear installs then have run Cruise Moab, San Juan Mts (not for HIH this year, but all the same trails), and Death Valley.
I don't have a separate impression of the low range gears, since went 4:88 at same time.
My cruiser has front and rear air lockers, along with a shift kit in transmission.

Since the installs:
1) I find I don't use my lockers as much, low gear just goes
2) I use 2nd gear (with 2nd Start) for easier terrain that I would of used first gear in the past.
3) Due to the trans shift kit, in 4Lo the shift from 1st to 2nd is pretty jarring.
3) For medium speed offroad I go into 4Hi now
4) Downhill engine braking is really great

Ledges and climbs at Cruise Moab were much easier than previous years.
San Juan's didn't need the brakes much as compared to HIHs 2017.

Do you have any particular questions?

 

[NB100LC]

Do you have any particular questions?

Yes sir I do, but since you did both the transmission and differentials your responses may differ...


1. As for the transfer case re-gear, was there any perceivable increase in noise?

2. High range... I did a quick little study using GPS speedometer, and going from stock worn tires to 285/75/16, my speedo readings decreased, recorded delta between speedo and actual for every 5mph increment above 30mph. Average = 4mph relative to actual traveling speed. Speedo = 60, i'm actually doing 64
Can you provide similar post upgrade information? Even given you've got 4:88 and 295's... It would be interesting to know where you're at.

3 Any downsides?

 

[cmck]

In the first part of 2018 I installed the Marlin low range gear set in my 2000 (4sp A/T) and at the same time switched the diffs from stock to 4:88. Did the installs myself.
I have had the Cruiser since 2008 and have always run 295 tires first Nittos and then BFG AT.
Since gear installs then have run Cruise Moab, San Juan Mts (not for HIH this year, but all the same trails), and Death Valley.
I don't have a separate impression of the low range gears, since went 4:88 at same time.
My cruiser has front and rear air lockers, along with a shift kit in transmission.

Since the installs:
1) I find I don't use my lockers as much, low gear just goes
2) I use 2nd gear (with 2nd Start) for easier terrain that I would of used first gear in the past.
3) Due to the trans shift kit, in 4Lo the shift from 1st to 2nd is pretty jarring.
3) For medium speed offroad I go into 4Hi now
4) Downhill engine braking is really great

Ledges and climbs at Cruise Moab were much easier than previous years.
San Juan's didn't need the brakes much as compared to HIHs 2017.

Do you have any particular questions?

Not meaning to hijack but one? What is a trans shift kit?

 

[bwell]

I've wanted to do both the high range under drive and the 3.1 low range gears for some time. I just always have something else come up, and haven't spent money on it yet. I figure when I have a reason to open up the tcase I will do it then.

 

[NB100LC]

I've wanted to do both the high range under drive and the 3.1 low range gears for some time. I just always have something else come up, and haven't spent money on it yet. I figure when I have a reason to open up the tcase I will do it then.

Your only reason to open up the t-case will be to do this upgrade... I'v been monitoring the 100's forums for the last 4 years and cannot recall anyone complaning about t-case issues.

 

[NB100LC]

Yes its been discussed at length and the cheaper sets have been on the market for a while.

In the 100 series forum?
Like I said, I couldn't find any threads on this. Could you please post links to the other discussions? I would really appreciate it!

 

[Skidoo]

Not meaning to hijack but one? What is a trans shift kit?

Modified valve body, different shift points and snapper shifts, less shift flare.
Toyota A340 Series Modified Valve Body

 

[Skidoo]

Yes sir I do, but since you did both the transmission and differentials your responses may differ...


1. As for the transfer case re-gear, was there any perceivable increase in noise?

No increase in noise, actually a decrease but expect that was due to replacing two t-case bearings that had more roughness than I liked. Do not hear any noise from t-case now.

2. High range... I did a quick little study using GPS speedometer, and going from stock worn tires to 285/75/16, my speedo readings decreased, recorded delta between speedo and actual for every 5mph increment above 30mph. Average = 4mph relative to actual traveling speed. Speedo = 60, i'm actually doing 64
Can you provide similar post upgrade information? Even given you've got 4:88 and 295's... It would be interesting to know where you're at.

Speedo reads 75, actual is 70mph before 4:88 Speedo was reading 60, actual was 66mph.

3 Any downsides?

In 4Lo shift from 1st to 2nd is pretty harsh.

See answers above.

 

[abuck99]

See answers above.

Is the harsh shift in L1 to L2; is that related to the shift kit or gearing?

 

[gungriffin]

My 100 is regeared and has TC gears and the L1 to L2 or L2 to L1 shift is pretty harsh. It isn't so bad that I feel it is damaging anything though.

Also, I have the same deal with my speedometer that is over reporting the speed with both now because of the regear. I am on 34" tires and I thought it would be sorted out with 35" tires. I show about 10% over on the speedometer on the highway.

 

[cmck]

My 100 is regeared and has TC gears and the L1 to L2 or L2 to L1 shift is pretty harsh. It isn't so bad that I feel it is damaging anything though.

Also, I have the same deal with my speedometer that is over reporting the speed with both now because of the regear. I am on 34" tires and I thought it would be sorted out with 35" tires. I show about 10% over on the speedometer on the highway.

I would say L1 to L2 is harsh in stock form......put any LC in Low (test on road) keep going faster and it hits L2 in a very noticeable way. Not at all to like H1 to H2.

 

[gungriffin]

I would say L1 to L2 is harsh in stock form......put any LC in Low (test on road) keep going faster and it hits L2 in a very noticeable way. Not at all to like H1 to H2.

Ha ha thanks to the installed supercharger, L1 to L2 rarely happens at light throttle! Good to know that shift is like that stock. I bought this vehicle already modified.

 

[cmck]

Ha ha thanks to the installed supercharger, L1 to L2 rarely happens at light throttle! Good to know that shift is like that stock. I bought this vehicle already modified.

Nice, very few have super chargers....lucky boy....is it the toy trd one?

 

[gungriffin]

Nice, very few have super chargers....lucky boy....is it the toy trd one?

It is. It is the Nitro Gear's previous 100 series. Quite fun and quite high maintenance

 

[PabloCruise]

I've wanted to do both the high range under drive and the 3.1 low range gears for some time. I just always have something else come up, and haven't spent money on it yet. I figure when I have a reason to open up the tcase I will do it then.

You can under-drive HI? So if I went to 33s and my 4-spd is a little doggy, this could pick things up w/o re-gearing the diffs?

How difficult is it to rebuild these t-cases?

 

[cmck]

You can under-drive HI? So if I went to 33s and my 4-spd is a little doggy, this could pick things up w/o re-gearing the diffs?

How difficult is it to rebuild these t-cases?

Yes you can underdrive Hi range. I found a 10% reduction set that works out to 456.

Is it easy, well I don’t know yet. I’m planning this for the next few months.

 

[PabloCruise]

Yes you can underdrive Hi range. I found a 10% reduction set that works out to 456.

Is it easy, well I don’t know yet. I’m planning this for the next few months.

That sounds like a perfect way to deal with the 4-spd and 33s, a little underdrive and then a lower Low range so you can stay off the brakes.