Short Throw Transfer Case Shifter

Short Throw Transfer Case Shifter

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Introduction:

One common problem on 4WD Toyota trucks is the transfer case shift lever binding when shifting into the various 2H-4H-N-4L positions. The lever has to move quite far, especially to select 4L and often it can bind with the shifter boot or the sheet metal surrounding the shifter hole in the floor of the vehicle. This problem is exacerbated by a body lift, where you are raising the body up and away from the transfer case. With a 2" body lift, you need about twice the clearance around the shifter as you did at stock height, due to the increased length of the shifter from the shifter base (while the actual angle that the shifter moves through is unchanged with the body lift, the distance the lever moves is increased the farther up the lever you move).

So one option is to shorten the throw, or angle, that the shift lever moves in to affect the gear selections. One way to do this is to raise the shifter pivot base about 1" and add a 1" extension to the end of the shifter itself. This does two things, one is it raises the lever up 1", thereby negating 1" of body lift all together. The second thing it does is to halve the angle the lever needs to move, since the stock pivot is 1" above the end of the shift lever, doubling that to 2" makes the pivot twice as long and therefore you need 1/2 the angle to make it move the same distance. You can see below how far the stock shifter moves (lower left) and how much less it move with the short throw shift kit installed (lower right):

Stock throw: Standard shift lever...short throw: Short Throw Shift Lever

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What is it good for?

Short throw shifter in center console

What is it not good for?

I've only seen one other solution to this problem on the market, and I had one installed on my rear transfer case (careful observers will note I installed my kit on the middle case. I liked it so much, I wanted another one for my front case, but wanted something simpler than the cut-n-weld approach used on the solution offered by Marlin Crawler. So, I re-designed the system to be full bolt on installation. Not only is it lower cost but it is removable and transferrable to another vehicle. No special skills or tools are required for installation.

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On-line Ordering:

If you simply want to lengthen the shifter, we do have these screw-on extensions available here....

There are multiple versions of the short throw transfer case shift kit are available.

Gear-driven/Top Shift kit Gear-driven/Forward Shift kit Chain-driven/V6 Shift Kit
A: Gear Driven/Top Shift
Transfer Case Kit
'84-'95 Pickup/4Runner
B: Gear Driven/Fwd. Shift
Transfer Case Kit
'84-'95 Pickup/4Runner
C: Chain Driven (V6)
Transfer Case Kit
'88-'95 Pickup/4Runner
'96-'02 4Runner/Tacoma
T-100 / V6 T-case Short Throw kit Image pending DIY Short Throw extension
D: T-100/V6
Transfer Case Kit
'93-'98 T-100
E: 3rd gen Hilux Surf
54mm x 90/85mm pattern
F: DIY Kit
Shifter Ext. only
1979-20xx 4WD models

The forward shift t-case kit is for shifters that have a separate shifter base from the transmission. Some tranny/t-case combos such as the W56C/D and RF1A-FwdShift boxes have a shared shifter base between the t-case and tranny shifters. As such, it is not possible to raise the t-case shifter w/o touching the tranny shifter. Easy to tell which you have by pulling the shifter boots up and looking. If you see a t-case shifter with 4 bolts holding it down and a tranny shifter base that is separate with 4 or 6 bolts holding it down, you can use this kit. If you see one long shifter base held down by 6 bolts total, then this kit will not work, unless you convert that t-case to a top-shift unit. Note that the gear driven t-cases are most commonly used for upgrading with either lower range gearing (4.0 : 1 or 4.7 : 1) or for use in dual transfer case setups.

Cost of the kit, as pictured, is US$129.00 (riser plate, lever extension, mounting hardware: p/n: ST_Transfer) plus shipping via USPS Flat Rate envelope. Be sure to provide a valid mailing address for the order, and double check the address before submitting the order. Incorrect shipping addresses will result in delayed shipments and any reshipping cost will be at the customer's expense. Specify the type of transfer case shifter you need: top-shift, forward-shift or the V6/chain-driven style: SOLD OUT

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Dual T-case kits:

Dual-case short throw kit
Dual Case Short Throw Kit
Top-shift version pictured

And for owners of dual transfer case trucks or 4Runners, get a pair of short throw shift kits (one for each transfer case, p/n: ST_DualCase) for $199.00 + shipping via USPS Flat Rate envelope, specify top/top or fwd/top shifter styles: SOLD OUT

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SOLD OUT - US delivery SOLD OUT - Canada delivery SOLD OUT - Int'l delivery

For international orders, please provide a local telephone number for customs paperwork.

DIY Kit:

If you want to make your own custom short throw kit, a shifter extension is available as a separate item at a cost of US$60.00 + shipping. This extension should fit most Toyota gear- and chain-driven transfer case shifter ends. Designed for a 1" rise on the shifter base. To make the spacer plate, just trace the existing shifter base for the bolt hole locations and mark the center for the shifter hole. Cut a piece of stock to size, mark and drill the holes. A hole saw works well for the center shifter hole: SOLD OUT

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SOLD OUT - US delivery SOLD OUT - Canada delivery SOLD OUT - Int'l delivery

Notes:
Kits are built to order, allow approx. 2-3 weeks (depending on backlog) for fabrication and shipping. We've been experiencing unprecedented order volume the last year along with supply chain issues obtaining raw materials for these parts.
If at some point in the future you find you no longer need the short throw kit (body lift removed, drivetrain lift installed, etc.) 4Crawler Offroad may buy it back if it is still in good condition. Contact 4Crawler Offroad for details.

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Installation instructions:

PartsShort Throw Shift KitInstalled:Shift Kit Installed

Since you have halved the range of motion of the shift lever, it will unfortunately be twice as hard to move. I find it is not as easy to force the transfer case when it is bound up in a turn, for example. However, I don't think it is a good idea to be forcing gears to engage and disengage when they are jammed, so if this happens, try straightening out the wheels or reversing for a bit to unload the drive train before shifting. Once you get used to the smooth crisp feel of the short throw shifter, you'll never want to go back (but you can if you want, as my kit is fully removable).

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[Last updated: 07.December.2024 ]

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