CoPart forklift driver cracked my transfer case cover

I bought a salvage 2001 Tundra AC 4x4 at auction, it looks great and will start a build thread soon.

It arrived today and my driver told me some bad news... he was getting the car loaded and the CoPart people insisted on loading the car onto the trailer with a fork lift even though it drives. The fork lift driver hit the tiny transfer case skid plate/guard and it knocked a bolt up and put a big hole in the transfer case cover. I am very glad my auto transport guy took photos of it on their forklift, I will see what CoPart says...




I was wondering if anyone had a spare 4x4 transfer case rear cover I could buy. I found it here, but it's $360. I also found entire eBay transfer cases for ~$400, but I just need the rear cover.

Thanks for any help, excited to rebuild this car just wasn't expecting to fix this part on top of everything else

 

Ain’t no negligence quite like gross negligence.

 

I would consider JB Welding that. It's a perfect application for such a repair. Looks like a clean break that will piece back together perfectly, and that mount point is not under stress unless the bash plate gets bashed. Even then, JB Weld is pretty strong stuff.
I'd still get a payout from the CoParts though just as insurance in case there was any unseen damage. But honestly, it looks pretty straight forward.

 

Don't have a part I can share, just wanted to say, welcome to the forum, and gl on your search. Hit this thread if you're bored and want/need a head start.

 

Also, OP congrats on finally sealing the deal on one, you can finally update your profile!

Looking forward to seeing some pics of your pickup; mine also spent a significant amount of time in UT so I’ll be interested to compare frames. Mine has a date with a wire wheel and some Ospho in the near future but nothing bad.

 

That was my first thought but I doubt he has that piece, so it’ll be a trickier patch job.

 

The piece is in the first pic. Should still be attached the bash plate.

 

I would think copart being a huge salvage company would have a cover or transfer case they could send you on their dime

 

I actually do have this piece!! My first thought was JB weld but I thought most people would laugh at that solution. I will definitely try this since it fits like a jigsaw piece.

 

Welcome! Good luck!

 

Take the cover off and have it welded back together since you have the piece?

 

Before you try the JB Weld, you might want to consider something like this. The transfer case cover is aluminum after all. If you fail at the "Aluminum Welding", you can still come back with JB Weld, but if the JB Weld fails it may be impossible to try it.

 

When I was a teenager I had a summer job working at a marina. We had a 2 stroke Johnson 3 cylinder motor throw a rod and crack the crank case. We rebuilt the motor, and epoxied the case back together with JB Weld. Worked as a rental for years and never had a problem with it. For all I know it’s still running like that.
If the point in question was supporting the TC then JBW would absolute not be an appropriate fix. But with this particular application, it is the ideal solution, IMHO.

 

Love it!! I sent it and put the high heat stuff on there. I could have taken the case off and welded but I wanted to try the easiest route first haha. Cleaned up good letting it harden will give an update.

 

I wouldn't do that but good luck. Just my opinion.

 

I would JB weld as well. I think it has a very good chance of working.

 

It'll probably work fine if you got it clean.

I'm guessing the oil already drained.

 

Did you use the putty or the paste?
I do think it will work just fine, but I would still maybe look at junkyard for a spare case. That looks like a case skid that bolts onto that part

 

Damn....somebody left the door open

 

Yeah this is hopefully a relatively temporary fix. I cleaned it up with degreaser, then brake cleaner, then scuffed it with sandpaper and wiped it clean. I have the clamp holding the part on tight overnight with lots of the high heat putty on there. There was no oil near the job.

Fingers crossed I just wanna be able to drive it to it's salvage inspection this week. Will definitely check the junk yard, not a lot of Tundras at Tucson pick-n-pulls it seems.

 

Your local!

 

HEY! You live in Tucson?! That's awesome!

 

Look for the smoke signal in 3 minutes!!!

if you want to do a trail after she’s trail worthy, let me know!

 

Most definitely! Will do! Do you have a recommendation for place to get service done in town or an independent mechanic? I am going to do as much as I can alone here, but you never know.

 

Eh I hate using anyone but myself, some people like dans toy shop, some people like desert toyota, Lexus on speedway has a good tech named Colton. zona Motorsports for custom stuff.

 

You JB Weld like I stick weld: The bigger the gob, the better the job!

 

Had I screwed this up, I would have attempted JB Weld. Since someone else broke this, I would have waited for a new transfer case or a check for the damages.

 

Yeah I got all my evidence and photos of it being their fault, but CoPart is in Utah and I'm in Arizona, so it's not like someone is going to come out and check it. Also as positive as I am I feel like CoPart isn't going to give a crap-o-la. Also I don't have insurance cause it's a salvage truck I just bought at auction.

 

One dumb question! I'm gonna fill her up and see what happened today since it's been 24 hours. My transmission fluid level is unphased by this big hole right?

 

Correct