Topic: Transfer case integrity after fire

[4runner17]

Hi guys just curious if anyone would have any input as to my gear drive Toyota cases being good after the truck burned down in a fire we had last year. There was still gear oil in them. It obviously smelt burnt but do you think the housing is still usable? Other than the shifter bushing on the sticks burning off they look fine. Yes of course I can find another case but if they are still usable with a rebuild why not use them right?

[helipilot77]

I would put a gasket and seal kit in it to replace any of the seals and paper gaskets, but I would think the hard parts would be fine. you'll be the first to know if it went wrong.

[4runner17 [OP]]

Yea kinda what I was thinking. I mean I really only want to use the front crawlbox for my TacoBox adapters on my 2000. MCR will mist likely be it’s maiden voyage and it would suck if it broke after a hour or two into the trail lol

[4runner17 [OP]]

It didn’t even completely burn off the fiberglass top on the back and my spare tire was in the back and it burned pretty hot

[blackdiamond]

When my adapter bearing failed twice (long story) my transfer case got crazy hot. I couldn’t even get my hand within 6 inches comfortably. I have a different adapter now, but the rest of it is the same parts and it’s been going since 2007.

[4runner17 [OP]]

When my adapter bearing failed twice (long story) my transfer case got crazy hot. I couldn’t even get my hand within 6 inches comfortably. I have a different adapter now, but the rest of it is the same parts and it’s been going since 2007.

Well that’s some reassurance!

[Dingman.]

So many people pulled cases and axles out of their Toyota’s. I didn’t bother with mine, just because it wasn’t worth the gamble to me of having the heat damaging the gears and breaking in the middle of a trail.  With that said, I will probably kick myself when everyone else has good luck and I could have reused my duals with 4.7 gears and chromo output, I just feel like it would always be in the back of my mind that the fire damaged the heat treatment of the gears.

[emsvitil]

I would think the aluminum cases would melt/warp before the gears were affected.

As long as there's still oil on the gears (didn't get hot enough to burn off or evaporate), I'd think the gears would be fine.

[blackdiamond]

My thought would be that I would expect the fluid to "burn" before the metal part would be damaged.  If the fluid didn't see to be burned, when you drained it, I'd feel pretty good about things.

[4runner17 [OP]]

It def smelt burnt but I would guess about 3 qts still come out when we drained it

[4runner17 [OP]]

It’s first real wheeling trip will be mcr and I don’t really want my trip to be cut short because the case exploded lol

[4runner17 [OP]]

On the lookout for a used case mainly just a cralwbox

[4runner17 [OP]]

Meh going atlas forget the toy stuff