Cougarfreak

I was just informed in another forum that the 3rd gen 4Runner and Tacoma t-cases are different... given the same engine and same tranny, different t-case??? ???. True or false?

Lysmachia

Yeah with all those rigs being parted out it is tempting huh? (We are on the other side - need a spare t-case for tc's 2nd gen 4 runner)

It is funny you ask this because I was wondering the same thing tonight!

Cougarfreak

I'm looking at Ballistic Fab's t-case p-brake kit as it is the first offered for the Tacoma, and I thought 4runner. Dana 60 rear is going in and I'm hearing all kinds of whining about the Eldo Calipers and was stoked to find another option.

sschaefer3

Well the exact same Marlin MC09 is used on both Tacoma and 4Runners. Joe's Tundra has a t-case from a Tacoma and Casey's 4Runner has a Tacoma case.

There are differences, like 23 and 26 spline and the motor actuated high range, the 2001-2002 4Runner case is different with additional sensors.

sschaefer3

What will cause you problems is getting the center pull lever in the 4Runner to work with that kit as the Tacoma has a pull forward lever under the dash.

That will be your challenge. I have the All-Pro T-Case parking brake on my rock buggy with a center pull VW Bug lever, but I am using a 1984 front parking brake cable. It works really well.

Also I know with my MC09 a T-Case brake on my 4Runner would not be possible as the gas tank would be in the way, you should check that area out on yours.

bflooks

i have always been under the impression that if you get an older 3rd gen 4runner (pre VSC system) it is the same as that of a tacoma with the same powertrain. i could be wrong, but i just swapped the tranny and tc from a 97 tacoma in to my 98 4runner without issue. once again though...same powertrain.

Cougarfreak

That is exactly what I thought... same power train same t-case. I am speaking of the 95.5+ 4Runner and Tacomas. Steve, is that 84 cable shorter, and is it a direct swap out? I was considering adapting the bracket to accept the cable housing end and eliminating all the linkages. It looks like there would be enough room to curl a shorter cable around and attach it to the actuator tower, but I wanted to make sure I could bolt the thing to my case. I don't want to reinvent the bracket, just modify the linkage to work with the existing bracket. I'll post a better pic of the room in front of the tank later.

sschaefer3

This in on my Rock Buggy which is built on a 1981 frame. So I dumped the 1981 cable and when to a 1984 cable.

All old stuff, so you'll have to do something different.

Cougarfreak

gotcha, thanks.

Cougarfreak

It has been confirmed by Ballistic Fabrication that the Tacoma and 4Runner of the same drivetrain do in fact have the same t-case. Pinion e-brake... here I come!!!! I'll post how I route the cable and any mods I do when I complete it.

Cougarfreak

I called Toyota today, and apparently they make 7 different t-cases for the Tacoma/4Runner. There is no distinction between Tacoma and 4Runner, where the differences lie are in the drivetrain, as I suspected. There are different part #'s if you have manual or automatic, 4cyl or 6cyl. The cases might be the same (I didn't ask and the parts dude probably wouldn't have been able to tell me anyway), and where the differences lie are in the internals, 23 spline vs 21 spline couplers, and such.

After some research and reading on the Ballistic pinion P-brake, I think I may hold off on getting it until they work out all of the bugs.