Big mistake blown t-case and possible transmission

[Ian R.]

-Well, I have really done it now.

My wife and I moved to Portland from California using a U Haul and towed the van on a front wheel dolly. We stopped in Eugene to visit family and while there I took the van off the dolly and drove it to a welding shop to have a broken rack and pinion bracket repaired. After getting the van back from the welding shop, I drove the van back up on the dolly using the low side of the transfer case without the hubs turned in so I could creep the van up into position. Once the van was up on the dolly I put the van in neutral, turned it off, locked the steering straight, and hopped out.

We arrived in Portland yesterday morning after the 100 mile drive. I jumped back up in the van to back it off the dolly and saw that I had left the transfer case in the low side during tow. Here is a list of what is now going on with the van:

-It is stuck in the low side of the transfer case.
-The transfer case will shift into the 4wd hi position, but it does not engage. It acts like it is in neutral. I can shift the transmission through all the gears with out any of them engaging.
- All the gears in the transmission function normally 4wd low, except for reverse. It functions but makes some funny noises when engaged.

I know for sure I will need to replace the transfer case but I am wondering if the transmission is ok. I posted a want add for both a transmission and transfer case in the wanted add section. I am located in SE Portland now. This is my daily driver and I am completely bummed that I made such a stupid oversight. I am happy to drive to pick up either of these parts and pay cash. Thanks for looking and am happy to hear your opinions and answer any questions.

[89TownAce]

As far as I know there is no safe way to tow a 4wd, 4x4 or AWD vehicle with a 2-wheeled dolly. They need to be on all fours or on a flatbed. Obviously you just learned this the hard way and I wish you the best of luck finding a replacement transfer case/transmission if necessary.

[Ian R.]

I hope others read this and not make the same mistake I did.

[Ian R.]

I think I may have a t-case... Can anyone tell if these images are of a manual transfer case?
IMG_2302.jpg

IMG_2303.jpg

[originalkwyjibo]

That appears to be the longer 5 speed input hub and I don't see the auto/single range vacuum can. It would be easier to say for certain with a pic of the other side where the shift levers would be visible.

[Ian R.]

Thanks! I am gunna try to get more images today.

[Ian R.]

I can tell from this image it is a manual transfer case. They wants 300.00 shipped:
IMG_2312.jpg

[originalkwyjibo]

That seems reasonable. Maybe you can get them to throw in the rest of that rear driveshaft too. It would be interesting to see what the inside of the old one looks like. I'd be curious to see what failed. Sent you a pm.

Edit: tried to pm you but it said your inbox was full.

[Ian R.]

opps fixed that.

[Ian R.]

Today I drained some of the fluid from both the transmission and transfer case. The transmission fluid looked and smelled good. However the transfer case fluid look dark grey and smelled toast. There also appeared to be small black flakes in it as well. I am hoping only the t-case was damaged. I will find out Wednesday when I bring it to the transmission repair shop.

[spacecruisers]

Ah man, those are the worst kind of mistakes (when you know you could have easily prevented it). Keep us posted. I follow you on instagram (@faroutvan) and was excited to see you were moving up to portland (we recently moved to Pierce county WA) but now I got a job in SLC so we're moving back to Utah. Anyway now I know not to repeat your mistake if i ever end up towing it

[Ian R.]

It is pretty much the worst feeling :(. We really liked it SLC while visiting, and almost moved there!

I do have an update though:

I found the t-case on a online part locator used for purchasing parts from dismantled vehicles. And the dismantler that I bought it from turned out to be really shady. After several phone conversations and multiple lies regarding the shipment, I had to cancel the transaction. The sequence of events leading up to to the cancelation was bizarre and included elaborate fabrications of the location of the trasfercase during shipment. They are located in Little Rock, CA.

[Ian R.]

Resolved!

I got lucky! Just got it installed and the van is back on the road.

[bikerjosh]

Congrats, probably a big relief to have that behind you.

[89TownAce]

Awesome news!

[ratatouille]

Hey Ian- Just curious how your travels have gone and how is the transfer working these days? I ended up with the trans that was paired with your transfer and all goes well, wondered if your transfer is fairing the same. Cheers🖖

[Ian R.]

That's awesome! Sounds like to MT is working out for ya! I have prolly put 7000miles on the t-case without issue.