36 OCTOBER 20194-WHEEL & OFF-ROAD 4WHEELOFFROAD.COM
JUNKYARD T-CASE SPOTTER’S GUIDE
SOURCES
ADVANCE ADAPTERS
800.350.2223
advanceadapters.com
ASHCROFT TRANSMISSIONS
ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk
DRIVEN 4X4 PARTS
602.269.3969
drivenautoparts.comGLOBAL ROAMER
604.925.1260
roamerdrive.com
JB CONVERSIONS
337.625.2379
jbconversions.com
MARLIN CRAWLER
888.942.7295
marlincrawler.comNOVAK CONVERSIONS
877.602.1500
novak-adapt.com
OFFROAD DESIGN
970.945.7777
offroaddesign.com
TERAFLEX
801.713.3314
teraflex.comBW 1350 in Ford Ranger, Bronco II, and
Explorer; BW1354 in 1990-1998 Ford
Ranger, Bronco II, and Explorer; BW1356
in 1990-1998 F-series and Bronco; BW
4404 or BW 4405 in 1996-2001 Explorer
and Mountaineer; BW 4406 in 1996-2003
F-150, F-250, and Expedition; BW 4407 in
1996-1998 F-250 and F-350.
Identification: Aluminum case with
“BW” embossed in the case, and identifi-
cation below the rear output shaft.
Low-Range Ratios: Ranging from 2.48:1
to 2.72:1
Modifications: Shifters, BW1356 twin
stick conversion.BORG WARNERFOREIGN
LT-230
Overview: A gear-driven transfer case
from Great Britain (they would call it a
transfer box), this thing has popped up
on the radar for a little while because it
is beefy, diverse, and unique. One of the
cooler things about the LT-230 is the
underdrive ratios that these case have
in high range. They are either 1:1.2, 1:1.4,
or 1:1.6. This allows you to run stronger,
numerically higher axle gears with larger
tires on-road. Also, this T-case has a lock-
able center differential, making it function
as an all-wheel-drive unit when unlocked.
This is a box we’d like to play with more.
Found In: 1987-1988 Range Rover Clas-
sics (earlier ones weren’t supposed to be
sold in the U.S.); 1949-1972 Series, Series II,
and Series III; 1993-1997 Defenders; 1994-
1999 Discoveries; 1999-2004 Discovery IIs.Identification: Large aluminum transfer
case with offset front and rear outputs,
large rectangular cover plate.
Low-Range Ratio: 3.2:1
Modifications: Low-range gears from
Great Basin Rovers (4.3:1 and 5:1). The
Ashcroft Underdrive is no longer manu-
factured but can occasionally be found
used; this additional range box converts
the LT-230 into a four-speed with 1.4 (or
other factory) high range, underdrive
low of 2.69:1, standard low of 3.32:1, or a
low-low of 8.93:1. There is a similarly engi-
neered overdrive from Global Roamer.LT-230TOYOTA LAND CRUISER T-CASES
Overview: With various changes since
the first two-speed case in a Land Cruiser,
what was known as the three-speed case
(named because it came behind the three-
speed transmission, not that it has three
speeds, 1963-1973) is a durable unit with
many upgrades and is often overlooked.
The gear-driven transfer case
evolved from the “three-
speed” to the “four-speed”
case, again referring not to
the number of gears in the
transfer case but rather to
the model transmission
they came behind. Then
came the “split case,” 1980 -- All these cases became
beefier and beefier, so the later
ones are increasingly stronger,
with the split case (not broken)
the strongest of all.
Found In: 1963-1989
Land Cruisers
Identification: Alumi-
num case with offset front
and rear outputs.
Low Range Ratios: 1963-1973: 2.12:1;
1973-1979: 1.95:1; 1980-1989: 2.27:1
Modifications: Case and gearing
upgrades like the Orion from Advance
Adapters, and 4:1 sets for the split case
and even the later chain-driven LC cases.TOYOTA LAND CRUISERTOYOTA RF1A
Overview: Sometimes referred to as
a mini-truck transfer case, these offer
excellent bang for the buck. They are
compact, lightweight, and strong with a
gear-driven design in an aluminum case.
They came with either a shifter on the top
of the transfer case (top shift) or a shifter
in the back of the transmission housing
(forward shift). A top-shift case is required
for the rear of dual cases, but shifter con-
versions are available. Most are 21-spline,
but rare turbocharged truck s came with a
23-spline input spline.
Found In: 1979-1995 Toyota pickups
and 4Runners with four-cylinder engines
and manual transmissions. Later six-cylin-
der truck s and 4Runners used chain - driv-
en cases with little aftermarket support.
Identification: Passenger-drop case with
aluminum housing and flanges front and
rear. Seven-bolt rear cover and four-bolt
mount cast into the bottom of the case.
Low Range Ratio: 2.28:1
Modifications: Dual transfer cases, low-
range gears (4:1, 4.7:1), transmission adapt-
ers, left-hand drop cases, rear disconnect,
heavy-duty output shafts,
twin-stick shifters.TOYOTA RF1A