Rubicon Transfer Case - Cracked?

I bought a 4:1 low mileage takeout case a few weeks ago. Reputable vendor, good people, well loved on here, and I haven't contacted them yet (not open on weekends). I went to start looking at how to fab up some 2x4's with a motorcycle jack to install it myself, and noticed what appeared to be some cracks in the front output shaft side last night.

They look a lot worse when dirty, but even after cleaning with brake cleaner, you can drag your fingernail across them and it gets stuck. I'm not sure if they go all the way through, if they were there from casting on day 1, if they developed from use by the previous owner, or developed when being shipped all the way across the country to me in the hands of Fed Ex. The only thing I'm certain of is they didn't crack while sitting on my creeper for the last week.

I searched a bit and found one of Eddie's threads where he replaced a cracked case, it also appeared to be on the front output shaft side. I haven't mounted this thing at all yet, just unboxed it set it on my creeper, and went to put it up on a motorcycle jack. What do you all think? Non issue, superficial casting cracks, or the real deal and I should see what the guys I got it from can do for me? It's a long way from the vendor in Nevada to me in Maryland, and I'd like to know what I'm dealing with without having to send it to them to check it out. I haven't called them yet, just wanted to solicit some other opinions first.

Thanks

I'm not sure what I can add to this, but I did a quick Google search on cracked transfer cases in the jk and yours looks like it is on the verge of breaking off pieces. Hopefully, some more knowledgeable folks will chime in and let you know if this is an issue or not. I'd like to know for my own knowledge base.

From what I've heard, all of our transfer cases have casting lines in them, mine has them too. Just lines from when the case housing was cast. It's normal.

Looks exactly like one that is about to explode on the highway to me. I've never noticed that on my jk transfer cases.

Looks like casting to me as well. A couple of them may be a little concerning but most of them look like normal casting cracks.

I wouldn't install it, if you don't get your driveshaft angle or balance correct it could turn those cracks into breaks. definitely contact the vendor

While doing an oil change, I took a good look at my T-Case - No cracks or any flaws in the castings. I would pass on that T-Case!

I went out an took a shot of mine. Yours has oil/dirt buildup and I think that makes the lines stand out more.
I was able to get one shot of the same area as in one of your pictures and it looks the same to me.

Here's what I could capture for a visual comparison.
If you look close you can see the lines extending away from the circle imprint casting area.

If that T-case was run with an aftermarket shaft such as a 1310/1350 and it had the classic high frequency vibrations those are more than likely cracks and its gonna let loose. Do you have any info about the donor vehicle?


I am on the fene though about if those are cracks or not. Some look like casting lines some definitely look like cracks. Clean it very good and you should be able to tell for sure.

Do you have access to a magnaflux kit? Amazon has crack detection dye kits for about $100.