Electric vs Manual Transfer Case

[ihatemybike]

Off-roading this past weekend in my wife's Jeep is really getting the bug going in me. Eventually, I think Grumpy will get a 2 speed transfer case.

What's the highs and lows of electric vs manual shifting?

Trying to figure out what to look for in a $250 S10.

[mdmead]

I am likely in the minority on this, but I voted for the electric case for a couple of reasons.

Personally, I don't want to cut a hole in the floor and rig the linkage. While some people hate or are even afraid of electrical wiring, I don't mind it. (As I recall, the wiring is posted on this site anyway.)

A lot of people don't trust electric shift cases and fear being stranded when the thing doesn't shift like it is supposed to. I've owned several vehicles with electric shift cases and none of them have given me a lick of trouble. (My belief on this is that if you want them to always work for you, you need to use them often. Nothing worse than letting something sit unused.)

And for me personally, I'm not interested in building an over-the-top rock-crawling Astro/Safari. I want mine road friendly, and with all the creature comforts it currently has. In fact, I don't want to give up AWD. My dream set-up is one of the AWD/4H/4L cases GM uses.

[regal200021]

i voted manual tcase... just for the easy of it ... yes u do put a hole in the floor but done right looks nice.... i just really dont care for the electric cuz of the cost for me at the time ... i had the manual one lol... that was free... lol... but to each their own ... i did my swap when i had to put the new trans in it was easy ... just the front drive shaft mods to make it work.... good luck on your swap...



Regal

[T.Low]

After driving home this weeekend over Snoqualmie Pass, in the rain at 75-80, I really like the awd too. I think I agree, Mead, awd Hi Lo electric.




Regal, awesome van. The link wants me to sign on myspace. I'm not a member. Can you post more pics or a link to more pics other than myspace?

[LiftedAWDAstro]

I chose manual simply due to simplicity. We currently have 3 manual t-cases, 2 - 231's, 1 - 271 and 1 electric 236. The only one that gives any fits at all is the electric one in Lynne's 2005 TrailBlazer. When you select AWD or 4HI there is a 2 - 3 second delay. When I pull the lever in the manual cases, they are in 4wd instantly. Another reason I like the manual shift cases is that if something were to go wrong with the shift mechanism whether it be the TCCM or shift selector switch (in the electric case) or the shift lever (manual case), I can physically reach underneath and shift the manual case into or out of 4WD when I want to or NEED to.

As for cutting a hole in the floor for the lever...why? I drilled a simple 1/2" hole and fabricated a simple cable operated shifter.

[Cobra]

i'm going to have to say electric since i prefer to keep my floors clear since i tend to climb around inside the van alot but i have my doubts about the dependablity