Hi everyone. I have a 1998 Tacoma with some 4x4 issues. It has been diagnosed as the actuator on the side of the transfer case. It is about $2100 to purchase a new one and it is a Toyota only part. I have been reading and heard of people cleaning these actuators? Is there anything else to fix this one? I am also not against a transfer case swap to something simpler if possible, shortening and lengthening drive shafts will not be an issue or making adaptor plates and brackets, I am almost leaning towards this option to avoid further issues with the 4 wheel drive system. Does anyone know a viable option for a case if this is the route I have to take? Thanks for the help everyone!!

 

I'm looking at replacing it with a simpler manual shift transfer case now, would anyone be able to tell me if a manual shift case out of a 2000 4 Runner would work? I have been searching all over the web for the past couple days and it seems like there is a ton of different cases that may or may not work as far as the center diff lock that some runners came with etc. This runner did not have that. It is an auto transmission with the 3.4 and will be going into a Tacoma with a 3.4 and manual transmission. Any help would be greatly appreciated so that if it is possible I will be able to pick it up before it sells, thanks everyone.

 

That sounds like a lot of work. Have you explored the possibility of getting the actuator from a salvor?
I did a quick search on car-part.com, and prices for "transfer case electric motor" if that is what you are looking for, ranged from around $550 to $75.
I would definitely consider that option before swapping out transfer cases.

 

Perfect thank you