This morning I checked the transfer case oil level and topped it up with about 350 ml of oil. It has now obviously found its way into all the necessary places
Took the Hilux for a quick spin around the block in 2H. No noises or vibrations, everthing went fine. Shifted the front crawl box into 2L (2.28:1), again everything runs smoothly, basically standard low range. Tried the rear box in 2L (4.7:1) much slower :wth: , then both in 2L ( 10.7:1) and
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
:D
![Thumbup :thumbup:](./images/smilies/icon_thumbup.gif)
very very very very slow....
Drove around a bit like that in 2WD and found the low gear levers a bit sloppy/loose feeling, and once the 4.7:1 stick jumped out of gear when I bumped it. This would not do on a steep hill if the transfer case jumped into neutral
![Thinking :think:](./images/smilies/icon_think.gif)
.
So, out with the old shift rod detent springs, and in with the new heavy duty springs, which I was warned would make the gear selection very stiff. I tried the standard ones first on other guys advice.
They are MUCH stiffer, but don't make it impossible to change gear. You just need quite a bit more arm force (will have to eat my wheaties). At least though once selected, the transfer box will NOT jump out of gear at the wrong moment.
I then took the Hilux with its new setup on a 50km round trip to check everything out. I went past the 4x4 challenge at the Mission rd Oval race track which was taking place today. While there I engaged the rear transfer box with 4.7:1, and with 2 bar road tyre pressure climbed out a really steep incline of about 40 deg while idling (no foot on the accelerator
![Thumbup :thumbup:](./images/smilies/icon_thumbup.gif)
)
I then tried both transfer boxes in low and
![Big Grin :D:](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
This is INSANE ! You cannot believe how slow it is. Climbs up things like they aren't even there.
I still cannot get over the change in ability, and that with only one small test run.
Funny enough, as I arrived at the challenge, I was greeted with a sight familiar to Hilux owners...
Hilux recovering a Jeep