Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

TheAutoBuilder.com

Edit Template

Toyota RF1A Level Up

Unleashing the Full Potential of Your Toyota RF1A Transfer Case

Author

Picture of Harry Wagner

Harry Wagner

Words & Photography

Introduction to the RF1A Toyota Transfer Case

The gear driven RF1A Toyota transfer case found in 1979-1995 4 cylinder pickups and 4Runners fits the needs of many wheelers. It offers a strong, lightweight package with growing aftermarket support. These transfer cases have been used in numerous pickups, 4Runners, buggies, and even Jeeps! Everything from dual transfer case adapters, low range gear sets, twin sticks, and low profile crossmembers are available for Toyota transfer cases from a bevy of aftermarket sources. The RF1A is lighter and less expensive than a Dana 300, though they are not as easy to “clock” and do not allow front wheel drive operation.

Introduction of Trail Tamer Gears

When Advance Adapters released their “Trail Tamer” gears in a 5:1 ratio, we could not wait to get our hands on a set. 4:1 and 4.7:1 gears have been available from Advance Adapters for quite some time, but the 5:1 gears are new to the market and are the lowest ratio available for the Toyota transfer case at this time. The 5:1 gears offer a low range that is 120% lower than the stock 2.28 gearing. For those requiring the ultimate in strength and versatility, Advance Adapters also recently released a 5:1 version of their famous Atlas II transfer case.

Installation of Trail Tamer Gears

While these gears can easily be installed in an afternoon by a competent home mechanic with common tools, we chose to have authorized Advance Adapters dealer Inchworm Rock Walkin’ Gear install our gears. Inchworm’s chief mechanic Clint Borel installs gears in Toyota transfer cases on a daily basis and offered a lot of tips to make the job easier for those performing the work at home. The following is intended to supplement the detailed instructions provided by Advance Adapters.

Performance and Benefits of Trail Tamer Gears

When in high range the Trail Tamer gears run quiet and cool, just like stock. However once the transfer case lever is shifted into low range the difference from stock is instantly recognizable. The largest obstacles can be overcome at idle, instead of relying on momentum as necessary in the past. For those requiring even lower gear reduction, an Advance Adapters or Inchworm dual transfer case adapter can be used to mate two RF1A transfer cases together. The beauty of these new 5:1 Trail Tamer gears, however, is that they do not require any crossmember, driveshaft, or floor modifications in order to gain more control on the trail, making them very cost effective.

ARTICLE SOURCES

Picture of Advance Adapters Inc.

Advance Adapters Inc.

4320 Aerotech Center Way
Paso Robles, California 93446

805-238-7000

Picture of Inchworm Rock Walkin’ Gear

Inchworm Rock Walkin’ Gear

421 N. Buchanan Circle, #14
Pacheco, CA 94553

925-766-6555