This seems to be asked a bit but im yet to find all the answers. I'm researching to install a 4wd box (w56 likely from later model LN130g surf?) into a 2wd yn57 hilux for the sole purpose of gaining the transfer case and lo/hi gears to be kinder on my clutch. For hill starting whilst loaded up. like pulling a heavy boat out of the water (and park it across the road). Rather than buying a $$$ 4wd which hardly gets any use. This has to be a bolt in affair for legality reasons. I currently have what i believe to be a steel case w52 box (listed in epc under 'general' ie not jdm or US spec) and it's noisy and needs replacement. So the time is right. The 4wd box swap has been done before to make a 2wd chassis into a 4wd crawler with SAS solid front axle etc. research shows people using the original g52 4wd box from similar year 4wd '84-'88 hilux? i assume the later w56 is interchangeable which is easier for me to source. cut holes in tranny tunnel for whatever transfer shifter position it has? I'm hoping someone has tried this particular swap and knows of any snags/modifications or extra parts required? im noob to 4wd stuff, dont hate me. I am to assume the output flange for the front drive shaft just free spins and is redundant? A 4wd g52 rear driveshaft has same 21 spline yolk as w56 but is there any variations in length of the transfer cases found on the various w56 boxes which would make the shaft wrong length? parts list off top of my head is: 4wd gearbox Y-W bellhousing matching 4wd driveshaft (shorter) or shortened 2wd shaft. LN5#/6# 4wd gearbox crossmember ? cut holes in transmission tunnel for extra shifter find/modify centre console to suit. thanks for any input
I would assume like any transfer case they are not meant to be shift on the fly. If it's possible I would try and find a splitter just like in semi's and other transmissions. I've seen a NV4500 with a splitter in a Dodge Cummins. Make that 5spd into a 10spd. That would be cool.
hmm but sounds like more work and custom parts? It's not a problem to stop the ute to put in and out of lo/hi. once boat is up the ramp i can run use Hi mode fine.
