If you've ever gotten stuck in your 2016-2022 GM Colorado/Canyon 2.8L Duramax LWN and needed 4-wheel drive, then a transfer case is what helped get you out. Transfers cases typically have two 4-wheel drive settings, a high and low gear ratio for different situations. The Transfer Case mounts to the back of the transmission and is what the front and rear drive shafts connect to. It is responsible for transferring power to the front wheels and rear wheels in 4-wheel drive systems. 4-wheel low is for low-speed situations where maximum torque is required such as driving up a steep rocky hill or pulling out a stuck vehicle. Contained inside the transfer case is a set of gears and chains that are engaged or disengaged depending on the drive mode selected.
The Transfer Case is designed to be used in off-road or low-traction situations and is not recommended to be used on dry pavement where wheel slip is not possible. A Transfer Case typically does not require internal upgrades or modification unless the vehicle will be used for extreme off-roading or racing applications. When you shift the Transfer Case into 4-wheel drive, it locks the front and rear axles together so that they spin at the same speed. Shop XDP's large selection of Transfer Case products from the top brands such as Merchant Automotive, PPE, Sun Coast Converters, and Dorman. In some applications an external brace can be added to increase the structural rigidity of the transfer case to prevent damage from high torque loads or twisting. Wheel slip is possible in loose terrain, alleviating any binding that can occur on dry pavement.