I want to use the 3 speed t-case with a sm420 and 2f. Ive heard that the 3 spd case is weak/brittle, is this true?? Anyone had a problem with the 3 spd case?? ANyone heard of a 3Spd case breaking? Anything i can do to prevent breakage?? Replacement case to replace aluminum one??

You can search this one and get all the answers you want!..Try ih8mud.com too!

Ben, I hear(read)the early 3 speed t-case is weaker then the latter 3 speed t-case, not sure how much. there is a t-case brace sold. THe 4 speed t-case I think is stronger than any of the 3 speed case, but I think it can still have issue.

I run the 3 speed case in my 45 with 35's................no problems but I dont wheel it either ;) (waiting for butch to comment ;)

It is either the 9/69 and back or 9/72 and back that is the more brittle of the 2. The later models are great. If you plan 35"s or larger you will want the TC brace that is sold. They will break but ya gotta work at it. I run a later model case in one of the 40s and I beat the hell out of it and it is still going strong .

69 and earlier are grenades waiting to blow. Toyota used a different blend of aluminum, they were brittle and had less gussets for support.
70 thru 73 are the good ones the later being the best, softer aluminum and a lot more of it, much stronger, more reliable.

I've rebuilt several of these and I don't even waste my time with the earlier ones anymore. By the time they are ready to be rebuilt they are usually full of stress cracks.

The T-Case Saver is a good thing, It adds a lot of strength, it'll keep the case from breaking in half. :eek:
But then the next thing to go will be the nose cone :( FC 187 has a story about that. :D

I like what BKCruiser has been doing, using the late model split cases out of the 60 series, Those are BAD-ASs, TOUGH SOB Transfer Cases !

I like what BKCruiser has been doing, using the late model split cases out of the 60 series, Those are BAD-ASs, TOUGH SOB Transfer Cases !

I would like to run a split case behind my SM420. Though, I am told that the plate adapter I have won't work for the split case, and that I would have to use one of the 'long' adapters from AA.

I think that the best adapter for a split case to an SM420 is a toybox...

Isn't the only difference between a split case and a 3 speed case on the input side of the case, the spline count for the input gear? If so, someone should make that gear ;)

I find myself worrying about my t case a lot behind my 420 so I would be interested in being able to put a split case in.

I have been told that the cases don't normally fail from pure torque, but from getting bashed, so if a good skid is in place, you will be ok.

Is anyone still making an aftermarket nose cone? I tried getting ahold of Warden and he said he had one but never got back to me.

What are you'all planing to run with the orion case?

Isn't the only difference between a split case and a 3 speed case on the input side of the case, the spline count for the input gear? If so, someone should make that gear ;)

I find myself worrying about my t case a lot behind my 420 so I would be interested in being able to put a split case in.

I have been told that the cases don't normally fail from pure torque, but from getting bashed, so if a good skid is in place, you will be ok.

Cruiser Outfit should chime in here...
I think that the difference is the input gear, though it might also be bolt pattern. Only adapters available are either Toybox, AA long, or rockbox, and if I am going to loose 5" of driveshaft it should be worth it(GEARING).. :D

13 posts on Friday the 13th!! I don't want to mess with that so here is the link. Hope this answers your question Benjitis.


http://www.ih8mud.com/tech/cases.php

So, the aluminum is thinner/weaker on the early models. Does that mean that when you hit a rock it will break easier?? If i had a skidplate under it, along with the case saver, would that keep it alive?? Or will the damn thing break just from being used, the torque and forces going through the case??

I run against the crowd on this one.

I've run early cases only for 18 years and never broken one!

I've sold dozens of newer supposedly beefier cases to guys that have already broken one in half. I've rebuilt prolly close to 100 cases, and NEVER had one of my early cases come back!

Beadblasting to check for stress cracks helps a lot:

Two things will save most any Cruiser t-case...

First, an t-case saver....IMO, great bang for the buck.

Second, a THICK skid plate...none of this stock tinny crap that bends when you land on it...no, a 3/16-1/4" thick monster that completely protects the t-case from hits. 'm a FIRM believer that many t-case breakages were the result of prior hard contact...

70-73 are desired, but I ran a 69 for 2 years and busted 2 rear pinions but never had a t-case issue. I did shatter a nose cone off a 74 once tho, transition case with te goofy gear too....but that was the result of the shifter getting slapped from neutral to high range when some gear moved as I was towbarring at 60mph....uugh

I agree with Mark on this one. although most of the early cases I have seen were from 69-74ish, I would run an early one anyday over the later ones for wheeling. I have seen half dozen or so broken later ones, but only one in the 69-74 range. I dont know whats up with them but the castings seem to be a better aluminum...
The later ones are quieter for sure, but they have the crappy spline shape/design on the input that leads to failure.

And buy/build a good skidplate. The stock ones simply dont count.

Well when I rebuild a case... I use a nuclear powered magna flux with the essence of flouresence and mega powered black lights to expose those frisky little critters we all call cracks :flipoff2:

Seriously though, I think all the Toyota cases were designed and built well for their applications. it's the people who use them in their rock crawlers with the V8s, big tires and extra low gearing that throw the wrench in the works. All that stuff equates to extreme torque loads that were never intended. Not to mention how many times you see people pounding rocks without an adiquate skid plate. Then you add the guys who still think burnouts are cool, and let's not forget the un-intentional burnouts. That sudden attraction your tires have to pavement when you leave a patch of ice or snow or sand.

There's always going to be a weak link in the chain and when everything else is built to the max you'd better believe that your transfer case is built to stand up to it. Seems to me that's why people buy and sell T-Case Savers and alternative cases like the Atlas.

my .02 cents