odie Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Newbie here...I tried the search function but haven't found much yet... Basically how do I visually identify what transfer case I have? It's a 1985 Brat GL (assuming the emblems are correct). 4 speed trans (the knob says 4 but could be a swapped knob) and I can't "find" 5th by searching with the shifter so I'm pretty sure it's a 4 speed. The transfer case lever doesn't say anything other than 4WD. No high/low markings. It shifts up into 4WD ok but that's all. The owner's manual says to push the clutch in to shift further into 4WD Low but it won't move any farther. It's entirely possible someone removed the 5 spd and dual range and swapped in a 4 speed and single range T/C. Not sure why. Or is the 5spd Dual range an optional item for the Brat? I had assumed all GL Brats were 5 speed and dual range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeroy Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 (edited) All manual transmission Brats had 4 speeds from the factory, not 5. Not sure about the US but in Australia all Gen 2 Brats/Brumbys (and yours is a Gen 2) had dual range 4wd too.So something seems to be amiss. Are you sure you are pulling the 4wd lever all the way up for lo? There should be 2 discernable detents when you use the lever. Of course the transmission could have been swapped at some point. Edited September 30, 2013 by Leeroy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86BRATMAN Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 DL models here had single range 4wd, as well well as other DL models of the ea81 cars, so it's probably been swapped at some point in its life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odie Posted September 30, 2013 Author Share Posted September 30, 2013 I don't want to force the lever up. The person I bought it from said they bought it from a guy who had 2-3 other Brats and used them for mudding a lot. I can definitely see were he would have swapped transfer cases so he could have the more desireable dual range unit. Is there a difference in the case exteriors that would identify it for sure? I could look for signs that the TC has been pulled (marks on bolts, case to trans mounting joint disturbed and such) The engine is marked EA81, but GL and DL both had the same engine? Is there a part number or stamping on the TC that would identify it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odie Posted September 30, 2013 Author Share Posted September 30, 2013 Well, how far up do you have to pull the lever? Maybe I'm pulling it all the way into 4WD Low and just don't know it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRhere Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 On the D/R 4-speeds, look at the right hand side of the trans, just under where the starter sits, but near top of trans. You should see a rod/lever. That is the Hi/Low Range selector. It may be that yours needs some adjustment, or the rod is bent, or pivot points are worn. There are 2 distinct detents for 4WD and Low Range on the shifter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naru Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 I had one where low range hadn`t been used for so long,the high/low shifter rail in the transfer case was seized.Went into 4 high fine.No low. Some minor disassembly and a few hammer taps took care of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 On the D/R 4-speeds, look at the right hand side of the trans, just under where the starter sits, but near top of trans. You should see a rod/lever. That is the Hi/Low Range selector. This. Look at the side of teh trans. If there is a long rod with balljoints at each end running along the side of teh trans, it's a D/R. No rod, Single range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odie Posted October 1, 2013 Author Share Posted October 1, 2013 I'm a little confused...if there is no shift rod then how does the single range transfer case even get shifted into 4WD? Or does the single shift lever operate two seperate shift rods? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 4wd happens at the back of the trans. lo range reduction happens up front. single range boxes do not have the 2nd rod that connects the rear's 4wd shifter rod, to the front, were the LO would happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jono Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Count the switches in the side of the box. A dual range should have three. The reverse light switch is so close to the lhs gearbox mount you almost need to remove mount to swap out switch. A DR likely has two more above somewhere to light up your dash hi lo lights Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86BRATMAN Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 The main 4wd indicator switch is on the lever inside the cabin. you should have a reverse switch and a low range switch on the transmission, it's been so long since I've laid eyes on one. But I think that's it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRhere Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Go to this thread http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/126047-my-83-gl-safariwagon-iii/page-68 Posts 1681 and 1683 have pics of the D/R 4-speed showing linkage and stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odie Posted October 2, 2013 Author Share Posted October 2, 2013 I had one where low range hadn`t been used for so long,the high/low shifter rail in the transfer case was seized.Went into 4 high fine.No low. Some minor disassembly and a few hammer taps took care of it. that kinda sounds like what I got going on...still waiting on my Haynes to arrive so I can see an actual linkage schematic... anyway, the starter sits high and off to the drivers (left side) in about the 10 o'clock position (as you are sitting in the car) not sure if that helps to identify the trans. There is a lever up nere the starter with a rod going back along the top of the trans. getting under the Brat that rod appears to go into the trans/transfer case at the top about midway. there is another rod coming out of the top of the trans from that area which goes back to the gear shifter area and up thru the floor (4WD lever I assume) I'm going to guess is a dual range and the low range shifter is seized...please elaborate on the disassembly and hammer fix...need to drop or partially drop trans for access? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naru Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 I'm going to guess is a dual range and the low range shifter is seized...please elaborate on the disassembly and hammer fix...need to drop or partially drop trans for access? Been so long,I have trouble remembering. Motor was out.Don`t think trans was out,but maybe. IIRC,I removed the plate w/4 bolts at the top of the transfer case to access the shifter rails. I remember thinking afterwards that I probably could have freed things up by being a little more forceful w/the selector lever. In your case,I would carefully tap on the lever by the starter while someone applies pressure to the selector lever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odie Posted October 2, 2013 Author Share Posted October 2, 2013 Go to this thread http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/126047-my-83-gl-safariwagon-iii/page-68 Posts 1681 and 1683 have pics of the D/R 4-speed showing linkage and stuff. thanks for the link...welll I do indeed have a dual range TC...just gotta figure out why it won't go into low...I'll probably be pulling it in the end and working on the linkage. Would probably be easier in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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