Transfer Case Compatibility

[Audacity]

So my transfer case is on the outs in my '99 Ironman and I've already dropped the diff, swapped cv's, checked prop shaft, etc. It IS my transfer case that is going.

Now that that is clear, is the Trooper transfer case with TOD compatible with the VX? I mean, can I drop my current transfer case, stick a TOD Trooper transfer case in, hook up driveshaft and drive off?
I've searched and found that it SHOULD be possible but a few Isuzu veterans have told me that it might not work due to the fact that the Vehicross is full-time 4wd whereas the Trooper has the switch to activate TOD under 50mph.
If that is the case, would I not be able to take the switch from the donor Trooper and install in the Vehicross to have a selectable beast?

Hopefully I'll be pulling a transfer case from a yard come Sunday and if it does work I'll be rebuilding my original transfer case anyways. This would be more of a 'to get me by' fix.

[Marlin]

Shouldbe identical, the difference with the selector switch is purely electronic, turning the TOD puter on or off. I would take the computer and switches if you are already there, would be much cooler with the swap.

PS-doesnt have to be a trooper, the acura SLX would also be a compatible unit, that is where I got my last prop shaft.

[Audacity]

When you say outer, which one are you referring to? Got a picture of it?
And Marlin, if this works, be expecting an Ironman to drop in and share a drink or two with you since you're the only one that could give me a straight answer sir!

[bartmanS4]

puter as in computer not outer.

[Marlin]

No problem. If you want to drive up to washington, we can talk shop all day.

[Audacity]

Got the transfer case today.
It's off of a 1998 Isuzu Trooper with TOD. Hoping to get it fitted soon. My only worry is that this one read 4422 000 004
whereas the Vehicross reads 4422 000 002
(there may be more zeros but the only digit that is off is the last one)

I grabbed the button too but couldn't figure out the wiring and need help with which computer it is that I need to grab. I have no clue as I normally deal with completely mechanically driven 4wd set-ups. Any guidance on that?

(I'll post pictures once I can get some off my memory card later tonight)

[Marlin]

Tod computer is located under the passenger seat.

[Audacity]

Wiring for switch should be ran from switch to that 'puter eh?

[Audacity]

Vehicross does not like the Troopers computer. Just tried it out, simply unplugged VX computer and plugging in Trooper and TOD lit up like a Christmas tree with the angel on the top being the CHECK light.

Guess that's a no go. I do have my button from the Trooper so I'll look into the write-up that someone did to have a homemade TOD-off switch and try to integrate that into my Trooper switch for a clean install. Anyone have that wiring diagram? lol

[Cable Bob]

Make sure that puter is grounded to the chassis, that's where I'd start.

[Audacity]

That sir, would be the reason it would have lit up. I didn't mount the 98 box, just unplugged it from my 99 and tried it. Guess those two screws ground it out?

[Cable Bob]

When you mount it, it grounds it to the chassis.

[Marlin]

Beat me to it, it needs to be grounded.

[evillecutter]

i talked to both borg warner and isuzu about the vx transfer case - other isuzu cases will work but the gearing is slightly different - the vx transfer case is completely unique to only the vx no other vehicle ever - confirmed this by both companies when doing my rebuild - so will another case work? probably - will it be exactly the same? no - and you'll prob always have a check engine light (which can be solved by taking the bulb out)

that being said i dont see any real benefit to having the actual vx transfer case compared to one off a rodeo - especially if you can maintain tod regardless of what the stupid dash lights say - would be much easier to find parts for the trooper or rodeo tcase in the future (like the seals i had to wait 2 months for because they had to come on that slow boat from japan - both companies confirmed they were completely unique seals to the vx tcase - actually, the borg warner guy found one of the 3 i needed in a current case they make for hd ford pickups but i still needed the other 2)

[Triathlete]

When/if mine goes I will replace it with a manuel tcase. TOD is just not something I require.

[evillecutter]

im not sure what exactly happened to mine - im guessing previous owner tried to use 4wd low on dry pavement or something stupid like that - the guys at the driveline shop said they rarely have problems with borg warner products especially in passenger vehicles

the only time i actually ever used tod was in the snow but it worked perfect - much better than any 4wd truck i have owned - always wanted to compare the vx to an awd subaru or something of about the same year to see which is better

[Audacity]

I'm wanting to keep the TOD as I live in Lubbock where they don't believe in a drainage system so the water that accumulates from the 76 degree day, freezes the next day when its 17 degrees.
I've got the case and I'm cleaning it up but I'll be out of town this coming week but next weekend I plan on putting it in. I just have to find a wiring diagram for my Trooper TOD button, so that should something go wrong, I can disengage TOD and be solely 2WD. (Though I've seen people caution against this, but I'm not sure what harm can come from it)

I got one from a Trooper, and while I love wheeling, I haven't been doing as much lately so gearing isn't a huge issue for me currently. I'm actually hoping to source out parts for a 5-speed swap soon. (In the midst of possibly moving)

Also, can someone PM how to change that info about my screen name? I've put 20k miles on my Ironman since I got it and I would like to claim it on here hah

[Triathlete]

Two wheel drive is just fine. I have manual hubs which I leave unlocked all the time unless I am off road and the VX functions just fine.

[Marlin]

I second Billy,just get manual hubs, as for never using TOD except in the snow, TOD is all the time in our trucks, unless you disconnect it. 4wd on pavement shouldn't matter either. The 4wd(low) is chain driven, and unless you were locked or haulin ***,it shouldn't matter too much.

[Jay Dunford]

I've been thinking about putting a Trooper auto transmission transfer case with the teralows in it in the VX. Anyone know if the driveshafts will line up with the Trooper case?

[bartmanS4]

I've been thinking about putting a Trooper auto transmission transfer case with the teralows in it in the VX. Anyone know if the driveshafts will line up with the Trooper case?

Yep. :yesy: You'll have to change the front prop shaft to the u-joint Trooper one and swap the flange on the front diff to match it. For the rear depending on the year of Trooper TC the flange on the TC itself needs to be swapped to mate to our drive shaft. The TC is I think a little shorter but so the drive shaft extends far enough with plenty of spline still inserted. I've got my new gear set ready to go in, just need to find the time to do it.

[Audacity]

Commencing the drop now.
Just figuring out which lines to disconnect and whether or not I'm going to have to remove the exhaust to get the case down and out. I'll do a write-up on removal and installation of the transfer case as well as if the TOD computer is needed.
Now then, that's a solid no go on the front driveshaft compatibility correct?

[simonsayz1]

Please take plenty of pics.......might have to do mine very soon

[Audacity]

I plan on doing a full write up of a removal, basically I'll take pics as I re-install mine and arrange them in the removal order. Stuck on the compressible front shaft at the moment though.

[bartmanS4]

To get mine to fit I basically used the front prop shaft from the TC donor vehicle along with the flange from the front diff. I say basically because my TC came from a '95 trooper and the rest of my parts came from an '01. The reason I didn't use the '01 TC is they have an electric motor on the TC to lockout 4wd. Then I also needed to swap the flange on the back of the '95 TC with a newer version ('01) of the four bolt pattern. Let me see if I can take some pics. Also, I didn't realize until I pulled off the front diff flange that it is the seal for the diff too so have a pan under it.
Scott

[Audacity]

Still need to get the front prop shaft out in order to get to the remainder of bolts out of the transfer case. That's all that's left and then re-install so the quicker I get that figured out the quicker I can make my "Transfer Case Replacement for Dummies" thread!:bgwo:

[bartmanS4]

Wiring is a piece of cake and you don't have to do anything with the TOD computer 'cept unplug it if you don't want the TOD dash lights. There are two connectors on the manual TC. One is speed sensor and the other is 2wd - 4wd indicator switch which is not used unless you do something custom.
As far as the exhaust goes I already had mine removed because I'd pulled the trans. I think the prop shaft comes off first though and then likely you'll need to pull the passenger side exhaust.

[Audacity]

Right, well I just need a tip to get the prop shaft out and then I can get after it.

[Audacity]

Well, thanks to that slip yoke not compressing I have to put off moving into the new place a day.
I have two bolts on the passenger side that I just don't have enough leverage to get off with a boxed end wrench. I'm soaking everything in PBlaster and hoping that it comes off easier tomorrow morning when it's forecasted to be 19 in the morning with a blistering high of 30

12:22AM
Got the last two bolts out, dropped the case and got it into the garage... The danged prop shaft is still connected at the transfer case. It can have it.
I swapped over my speedogear for continuity sake, and I'm waiting on daylight to get at installation.

[Audacity]

I can say that without a doubt the TOD case from a Trooper is a direct swap to the Vehicross.

EXCEPT:
The front driveshaft will be needed from the Trooper as well, due to the CV style joints in the VX driveshaft.

The only difference I noticed is the Trooper TOD shifter is angled back a tad whereas the VehiCROSS is straight up and down.


I'll be compiling my photos to correspond with the factory service manual directions over the next few days but be patient as I'm also moving into a new place:_shrug:

[simonsayz1]

OK, reading alot about transfer cases and I'm a bit confused. Just bought a rebuilt 98'-02' trooper TOD case. Some posts say I need a Trooper front shaft, others say I don't. Will the check engine light come on? I know the gearing is different but that doesn't matter to me. Will this work or did I waste my $$$?

Thx in advance

[Audacity]

I still have my VX computer in but no front drive shaft currently.
No check engine or check TOD light, but I did swap the flanges on the front (towards the engine compartment) so that I could use my VX drive shaft.
I think people mention taking the Trooper one so that the bolt patterns are the same.

[simonsayz1]

Thx, I'm planing on swapping both flanges so I can use VX drive shafts.

[bartmanS4]

OK, reading alot about transfer cases and I'm a bit confused. Just bought a rebuilt 98'-02' trooper TOD case. Some posts say I need a Trooper front shaft, others say I don't. Will the check engine light come on? I know the gearing is different but that doesn't matter to me. Will this work or did I waste my $$$?

Thx in advance

As long as it's a TOD T/C it should be a direct fit including drive shafts. You shouldn't have to swap flanges at all. A manual T/C is a different story.

Edit
Hmmm, I just reread Audacity's post and he does indicate the Trooper TOD front prop shaft is U-joint not CV like the VX. I guess I was incorrect thinking they both had the same CV style prop shaft.

[simonsayz1]

Thx Bartman. That's what's confusing me. I've read posts where some say it's a direct fit and some say it's not. I'm going to swap flanges any way.
Now.... is the length the same? Read somewhere that the trooper TC is smaller.

[bartmanS4]

Now.... is the length the same? Read somewhere that the trooper TC is smaller.

Same size for the TOD, manual is a little bit shorter but not enough to worry about.
Cheers,
Scott

[simonsayz1]

Thanks again Bartman! So I can cancel the driveshaft stretcher I found on ebay :bwgy::bwgy:?

[Nikad92397]

Anyone know what years trooper manual transfer cases will work on a VX ?
Thanks.. Butch

[simonsayz1]

Sorry, read it wrong

[Nikad92397]

Did you get this transfer case in and running ?
How is the gearing ? Higher ? Lower ?

[simonsayz1]

Just saw this post. Trooper TOD Transfer case has been in for a year or soo and working flawlessly. Don't notice a difference in gearing