Transfer case compatability

Hello, so it turns out my transfer case was driven without fluid for several weeks. It creates a grinding sound when engaging at any speed over 0mph now. Other than that it works fine. I'm tired of dealing with this and I expect the more I use it the worse it may become. Sourcing a functioning transfer case that won't break the bank has been difficult. I've been trying to determine what other year Tundras' transfer cases are compatible with mine. Hoping to find one in a yard or a parts vehicle online but I'd like to broaden my search options. I know that the t-cases changed throughout the first gens but I'm wondering if they'd still work? I have a 2001 V8 access cab. Thanks

 

So much to unpack here. Why was it in 4WD for several weeks? Does it currently have fluid in it? Have you tried several fluid flushes? Is there a shit ton of metal on the plug? Is the case cracked? Leaking?

 

I’m not going to ask any questions. I will only give an answer. 2000-2006 tundra T cases are the same. You should easily find one for not too much money. Craigslist and faceplace is where i would look.


EDIT: in my exuberance to answer this question, i forgot about the 05-06 5 speed auto trucks. Even though it’s the same transmission, it may or may not couple up to the earlier 2000-04 transmissions. And the only way that could happen is if toyota changes the spline count/diameter of the T case input shaft...which i kinda doubt.

 

It was not in 4wd for several weeks but I'm guessing it didn't have fluid in it for about that long. Bought it from a guy and everything was checked and good. About 2 months into using it the grinding popped up. I've done several fluid changes and there were never any metal bits that you could actually see but the fluid was mettalic in color. I'm not sure how much damage was caused or why the fluid ran out. I had a shop go through it and suspect the drain plug was not torqued properly, either way it hasn't leaked since I've been changing it. No visible crack or leak.

 

Thanks for the answer, there's one on marketplace available.

 

I only asked the question in hopes that you might be able to salvage what you have. Unfortunately, it seems you've already done your due diligence on trying to salvage it, and it's time for replacement. As @whodatschrome has said, Craigslist is a good place. I've seen quite a few listed in salvage yards here in PHX.

 

Any difference between the ones for the 4 speed and the ones for the newer 5 speed auto?

 

DOH!...i keep forgetting about the 05-06 5 speed trucks! I have no idea about the T case for those years. In my mind i would think that toyota would have built all of the T cases with the same sized input shaft? But i’d be talking out of my butt if i said that i knew for certainty. Same thing for the v6 models. I keep forgetting about them too. The only thing that could be different would be the input shaft diameters along with a spline count. I’ll go back and edit my previous posting above...

 

FYI, it’s industry standard to drain the oil out of transmissions and T cases when they’re removed from the vehicle. The reason being is that there’s going to be a HUGE oily mess on the shop floor if it isn’t drained. It’s the buyers responsibility to refill them after they’re reinstalled.