Volkswagen Taro Transfer Box Replacement Parts

The Volkswagen Taro was a rebadged Toyota HiLux sold in Europe during the late 1980s and early 1990s, and like the HiLux it was available in both two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive variants. A transfer box only exists on the 4WD versions — the two-wheel-drive Taro never had one. If you have a 4WD Taro, a transfer box is a genuine part of your drivetrain; if you have the 2WD version, you will not find one because it was never fitted.

Because the Taro is mechanically a Toyota HiLux, fitment depends primarily on your engine code and gearbox type rather than the Volkswagen badge. Confirm your engine code from your V5 or a VIN check and supply it to the breaker, along with whether you have a manual or automatic gearbox, as these details determine which transfer box unit was used. Do not assume all 4WD Taro transfer boxes are identical across the production run without the breaker confirming against your registration.

Because the Taro is mechanically identical to the Toyota HiLux of the same era, a HiLux transfer box is often the more readily available unit at a UK breaker and is frequently the correct match. The key is ensuring the HiLux unit corresponds to the same engine code, gearbox type, and production period as your Taro. Always confirm compatibility with the breaker against your exact registration and engine code before purchasing.

Trim level has no bearing on transfer box fitment — what matters is whether your vehicle is 4WD, your engine code, and your gearbox type. The transfer box is a mechanical drivetrain component and is unaffected by interior or exterior specification differences between trim grades. Focus on supplying your engine code and drivetrain configuration to the breaker rather than your trim designation.

A 2WD Taro does not have a transfer box, so if you are experiencing drivetrain issues the part you need is more likely a gearbox, propshaft, or differential depending on where the problem lies. If you are unsure which component has failed, describe your symptoms to the breaker who will be able to guide you toward the correct part. Searching for a transfer box on a 2WD vehicle will not return useful results as the part simply was never fitted.

The Volkswagen Taro was produced from 1989 to 1997, and as a Toyota HiLux derivative it followed Toyota's component revisions over that period, meaning there may be differences in transfer box specification across the production run. Engine code and gearbox type are the most reliable guides to compatibility, and you should confirm with the breaker whether a unit from a different year crosses over correctly with your specific combination. Never assume year-to-year interchangeability without the breaker checking against your registration.