Okay so I kind of understand what it does but can not find any solid information on how to put one in or what exactly the benefits are. I tried searching on Google and here but can't find anything that makes sense to me

I assume you mean a transfer case?

 

this is what it looks like installed in a brat (note brat is wrong side up for ease of viewing)

 

 

 

stolen from here http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/135063-2nd-transfercase-rigs/?p=1141609

 

more photos here

 

http://www.indysworld.com/vehicles/1982-brat-red/82redbrat.html

 

 

 

the page comes with some build notes

 

TOONGA

Edited September 7, 201411 yr by TOONGA

AWESOME!!!!! That picture literally answered all of my questions

 

Well at least the function side of things

Edited September 7, 201411 yr by sumoco

A transfercase such as that used in this Brat would be used to switch between 2WD/4WD and to switch 4WD High/Low just like the stock subaru unit only it is seperate from the transmission and would be heavier duty. Also when used behind the subaru transmission would give you a "double low" as you can put both in 4WD Low.  It can be SAS or you could use a rear diff up front to keep the parts subaru based.  As far as installing one goes, as you can see it is quite involved as you will need to build a subframe to mount it and do a 3 or 4 link if you wanted to go with Solid Axles.

In most cases you end up with something like this on the inside:

so the trans shifts gears like normal, the dual range will allow Low, High, and a neutral state. and the right shifter becomes the 2wd/4wd shifter, with an additional low range.  Your drive will change from front wheel (in 2wd) to rear wheel.  Mounting will depend a lot on the T-case used. The most common being the suzuki samuri and nissan 720 pickup.  This is how I did mine.  Not the best picture but gives a decent idea. (I no longer run this set-up).

One of the key benefits is the increased gearing allowing you to put down more torque to the ground and in turn navigate obstacles at lower speeds.  You can also get lower final drives that will allow larger tires but not change the operating range of the engine.  For example if you  stick with Subaru diffs you can drop to the 4.11 or if can find em 4.44  Hope this helps.

Awesome!! That's extremely interesting. Definitely something I would want to try out down the line