Transfer Case

Transfer Case

The transfer case is a specialized component used on four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles. It is essential to drive vehicles that use both the front and rear axles. And in the case of 4x4s, each of the four wheels needs to be powered. 

In the simplest terms, the transfer case splits the engine power and sends it to all four wheels using the front and rear axles. It is the center of the all-wheel and four-wheel drive system. Off-road vehicles may use a transfer case containing one or more sets of lower gears to handle the most demanding terrain. 

There are many different types of all-wheel and four-wheel drive configurations, each requiring a different type of transfer case. For example, a vehicle that is always in a four-wheel drive will have the simplest type of transfer case. This is compared to a 4WD part-time or a more modern 4WD "Active" that will have more complex systems to run the vehicle in different drive modes.

Transfer cases for AWD and 4WD vehicles are just one example of a complex drivetrain system that powers your car. Power goes from the engine to the transmission, and then the transmission transmits power to the rest of the components that actually move the car. Drive shafts, differentials, transfer cases, drive axles, and wheels all have to work perfectly together to ensure that your vehicle performs well.

How do they work?

Chains are the most common way to power a transfer case simply because they are quieter and lighter than the gears. Although chains are mostly found in modern transmission cases, enthusiasts and old-school off-roaders usually prefer gears only because of their reliability and ability to handle larger amounts of torque compared to chain-driven transmission cases. If the four-wheel drive is not used for part-time 4WD systems, then 100 per cent of the power is sent to the rear wheels. However, when the four-wheel drive is switched on, the transfer case splits that power up evenly between the front and the rear, powering all four wheels. Transfer cases work in coordination with drive axles, differentials, driveshafts, transmissions and wheels in order to disperse power evenly.

In the transfer case, there are usually two gear settings: high and low. Low gears provide more torque at slower speeds and are geared towards intense off-road situations such as rock climbing and hill climbing. High gears are designed for more basic off-road situations such as ice, dirt, heavy rain, and other situations where you really just need additional traction. These are usually referred to as 4-Hi and 4-Lo, or 4H and 4L. Some transfer cases will have a lever that needs to be manually engaged, but many newer vehicles can now be connected electronically by simply pressing a button.

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