Probable a stupid question but what is this part?

 

some kind of dampener counter balance thing ???

 

Looks like it is right next to your cat and transfer case or transmission from underneath the truck looking towards the front. Correct??

Tranny mount of some (WEIRD) sort???

 

It's a vibration damper similar to the one that is on the front of the crankshaft. It's bolted to the t-case to reduce driveline vibrations.

 

Its a harmonic balancer

 

From Wikipedia

"A harmonic balancer (also called crank pulley damper, crankshaft damper, torsional damper, or vibration damper) is a device connected to the crankshaft of an engine to reduce torsional vibration.

Every time the cylinders fire, torque is imparted to the crankshaft. The crankshaft deflects under this torque, which sets up vibrations when the torque is released. At certain engine speeds the torques imparted by the cylinders are in synch with the vibrations in the crankshaft, which results in a phenomenon called resonance. This resonance causes stress beyond what the crankshaft can withstand, resulting in crankshaft failure.

To prevent this vibration, a harmonic balancer is attached to the front part of the crankshaft. The damper is composed of two elements: a mass and an energy dissipating element. The mass resists the acceleration of the vibration and the energy dissipating (rubber/clutch/fluid) element absorbs the vibrations.

Over time, the energy dissipating (rubber/clutch/fluid) element can deteriorate from age, heat, cold, or exposure to oil or chemicals. Unless rebuilt or replaced, this can cause the crankshaft to develop cracks, resulting in crankshaft failure.

There has been a trend at times by some "performance enthusiasts" to remove the harmonic balancers on their cars, usually when the balancer is attached to the crank pulley. The argument is that they aren't necessary and their mass reduces the performance of the engine. Others[who?] argue that this is not worth it, because the danger of damage to the engine from the vibrations the damper is intended to prevent is too high. Certain cars, however, do not come equipped with an external balancer on the crank pulley, and as such, can have the pulley replaced with a performance oriented product.

While net engine output can be increased without harmonic balancers, in professional race cars harmonic balancers are still commonly equipped, for reasons ranging from safety concerns to regulations. Almost all modern car manufacturers, even "performance" car makers and specialty tuners, include a harmonic balancer on their vehicles, and removal voids vehicle warranty.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_balancer"

 

Its just a vibration dampner, nothing special. I doubt it would even matter if it was on there or not.

 

Thanks for replies.

 

Yeah, Toyota decided to put it on just for the hell of it.

 

Harmonic balancers, as per your posted description, mount on the crank. Thats on the back of the tcase. But you are still correct, it is designed to balance out the harmonics of the drivetrain.

 

Isn't that a muffler bearing?

 

no sheesh

Thats the blinker fluid container

 

I was wondering where that was at haha

 

Often times its confused with the Muffler bearings, or even the knutsen valve!

 

I think I blew out the Knutsen valve on my truck.....HELP!!!!11!!!!!!!

 

I think they make a difference...I always leave mine on......

Yes, toyota did put it there for a reason....apparently Toyota is one of the only auto makers to do this....confuses the hell outta some Domestic mechanics lol