Topic: Whatever happened to Lefty Transfer Cases?

[TeamJake]

A lefty was a great option for those of us with driver-side drop transfer cases that wanted the strength, reliability, and gearing options of an RF1A gear-driven transfer case, but did not want to make major modifications required to run the passenger-side drop case. Inchworm, Marlin Crawler, and even Trail Gear all had leftys we could purchase, but all of them went away a few years ago. Now the only way to get one is by finding one second-hand (which is nearly impossible).

Whatever happened to them? I know Inchworm had some big government contract and is doing that full-time now, are they coming back to the transfer-case business when the contract is done? What about Marlin? I believe I would eventually buy one but their disappearance has me concerned.

[T-Revv]

Marlin lefty cases were made with inchworm adapters, and they had issues, so Marlin stopped using them.  Selling rights to inchworm was sold to Low Range Offroad, but inchworm was still doing their own machining.  But Im not sure what has happened to Inchworm since Low Range sold to Trail Gear. 

[TeamJake [OP]]

Marlin lefty cases were made with inchworm adapters, and they had issues, so Marlin stopped using them.  Selling rights to inchworm was sold to Low Range Offroad, but inchworm was still doing their own machining.  But Im not sure what has happened to Inchworm since Low Range sold to Trail Gear.

Is Marlin planning to make their own adapters in the future, or are leftys pretty much dead?

[T-Revv]

Is Marlin planning to make their own adapters in the future, or are leftys pretty much dead?

No plans to make a lefty gear drive case.  The left hand output chain drive cases are pretty strong, and for gearing reduction on those you can use a TacoBox.

[Wilbur]

No plans to make a lefty gear drive case.  The left hand output chain drive cases are pretty strong, and for gearing reduction on those you can use a TacoBox.

Not to bring up an older thread but some of our platforms have limited space which requires some fun times with gas tanks.  It kind of sucks but guess that’s the name of the game with dual cases


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[T-Revv]

Not to bring up an older thread but some of our platforms have limited space which requires some fun times with gas tanks.  It kind of sucks but guess that’s the name of the game with dual cases


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Unfortunately with the original lefty case there was issues and there has not been a solution for those issues yet, so it doesnt make sense to make a product that isnt right. 

[eimkeith]

Unfortunately with the original lefty case there was issues and there has not been a solution for those issues yet, so it doesnt make sense to make a product that isnt right.

What were the issues?

[T-Revv]

I'm sorry I misspoke about it not having a solution.  the main problem with them was output shafts breaking, because the modern vehicles (especially 4runners and FJ cruisers) are heavier than older vehicles, so it the factory gear drive output shafts weren't cutting it and the Bobby long output shafts of the time were stronger but did not pump oil so they would burn up.  Marlin Crawler 30 spline shafts solved both of those problems. After speaking with the "head honchos"   , there is a possibility of the lefty case coming back.  Ask and you shall receive.    but no for sure answer or timeline. 

[eimkeith]

I'm sorry I misspoke about it not having a solution.  the main problem with them was output shafts breaking, because the modern vehicles (especially 4runners and FJ cruisers) are heavier than older vehicles, so it the factory gear drive output shafts weren't cutting it and the Bobby long output shafts of the time were stronger but did not pump oil so they would burn up.  Marlin Crawler 30 spline shafts solved both of those problems. After speaking with the "head honchos"   , there is a possibility of the lefty case coming back.  Ask and you shall receive.    but no for sure answer or timeline.

Good to know!  I'm building up my Lefty right now, with Marlin 4.7 in it (behind a stock-geared crawl box) - what else do I need to be aware of, strength-wise?

[T-Revv]

Good to know!  I'm building up my Lefty right now, with Marlin 4.7 in it (behind a stock-geared crawl box) - what else do I need to be aware of, strength-wise?

Nothing, other than that its just like a normal gear drive transfer case, should have no issues.

[eimkeith]

so just to clarify; these starvation issues aren't attributed to clocking, per se?

[T-Revv]

so just to clarify; these starvation issues aren't attributed to clocking, per se?

Sure, if you clock it far enough you can starve it of oil. Tcases aren't designed to run sideways or upside down.  I personally wouldn't go more than about 10-15°. 

[TeamJake [OP]]

there is a possibility of the lefty case coming back.

That’s what I like to hear!!