YOu theorhetically can't have your cake and eat it 2 in your rear end axle ratio. Some want acceleration/power/offroad prowess, and some want a bit more fuel economy at the expense of maybe a tiny bit of performance.

But what I wonder is this - do they make transfer cases for people who tow to make things easier?

For example, say you had a transfer case case ratio called 2 HI for your normal driving around town, light towing, whatever. Similar to what you probably drive now in a daily driver say. And then if you want to tow or just have more RPM's off the beaten path but dont' need 4 wheel drive, you have a say what, 1.2 to 1 or 1.3 to 1 transfer case 2 "LO" ratio. This ratio would be good for people who tow, almost equivilent from going to 4.10 to say 4.88 rear ends with the switching of gears in your transfer case (Haven't done the exact math but you see my point). Yes it would cause things to rev up a bit, but it would make your engine's job so much easier, and since you're not going fast anyways when towing or hauling heavy you'll appreciate the extra oomph from the towing transfer case gear on top of probably better fuel economy when towing. Has something like this ever been created or considered? I'm just curious, that's all....

 

IMO, there's always O/D off which achieves the same thing. On newer transmissions with 5 gears (usually mated to stronger engines) it's even better because the reduction isn't so great, so you are feeling the same 1.2-1.4 ratio.

As far as retrofitting older cars, I guess it could be done. Just depends if the cost is justifiable. Do I smell a patent pending?

 

Well Marko, here is the thing - every vehicle manufacturer is touting their towing capacities on their trucks (ful size especially). But then everyone also wants a truck that gets descent mileage (for a truck anyways). Lots of vehicle manufcaturers often up tow capacities of their trucks for competitive reasons by just switching axle ratios. For example the only reason the Ford F-350 with the diesel, when properly equipped, can tow in the neighbourhood of 20,000 pounds if I'm not mistaken, is because of it's 4.30 axle ratio. But then a 4.30 axle ratio might not be the best for fuel economy if you're not towing hard and just highway driving or crusin. Imagine you could have your cake and eat it too though? That's what I'm asking with respect to this idea. Also, not everyone tows on the highway. Some have to go through town in a lot of stop and go driving. Acceleration when towing is what puts a lot of stress on your motor and sucks a lot of gas. Stock 1st-3rd or 4th gear ratio's with a 1 to 1 x-fer case ratio won't achieve what I am hypothesizing with a 1.1 to 1.3 to 1 x-fer case ratio for improved mileage and an easier time for the engine in stop and go driving/towing. Plus, imagine this, say you want a little more oomph in city/stop and go traffic. Just pop your x-fer case into 2 "Lo" (maybe more correct to call it 2-mid) and you're getting off the line quicker if you need that, or getting better stop and go gas mileage becuase your engine is having an easier time with the gear amplication of toroque.

 

I see what you are getting at...seems like a stout idea.

But, how hard would it be to make reality? How much would it cost?

In regard to making this possible, how about just adding a second (switch controlled) torque converter?

 

They make dual and triple case set ups, but as far as I know for toyotas, the major options are the stock 2.28, 4.0, and 4.7 gear reductions.

I've thought about this too, but going to dual cases wouldn't help in this situation, it would give you 2wd LO, but you wouldn't be able to tow. It would be like 4LO is stock without the 4. And you can't go more than like 25-30 even in 5th gear in 4 low.

It's very possible, albeit a little expensive. But the problem is finding a such a tall gear ratio for the 2wd LO case.

 

Another option, although meant for a full size big 3 (Ford, Dodge, or Chevy/GMC), is the Ranger from Advance Adapters which is available with either a 27% overdrive or a 17% under-drive. This unit mounts between the tranny and the engine.

 

If you have manual hubs you kind of have a 2LO if they are unlocked

 

slosurfer, but that is too low, 2LO, if you get what I'm saying. I'm talking about something you can drive around town in normal traffic that just causes the engine to rev a bit more and thus help amplify torque. Stock transfer case ratio for Toyota trucks is 2.57 to 1. If you could have 1.2 or 1.3 to 1, it would give you more torque, but still allow you to reach highway speeds for pulling on the freeway, and still be practical around town. If I used what you were describing, I would be in 5th gear at about 25 MPH!