1st gen Tacoma 2wd to 4wd conversion

Hello everyone, I really need some help with this one. I have a 99 Tacoma SR5 manual with the 3.4 and I’m looking to make my little truck into a 4wd machine. I know it’s a lot of custom work but I already have the whole front end cut off a pre-runner to swap in. I wanted to see if anyone had done this swap before and could help me figure out what I’ll need to make it possible! I know I’ll also need the 4wd driveline but I’m not sure what else. Any advice you have would be awesome. Thanks!

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld man. I would deff use the search bar on this topic. Plenty of people already have threads and there’s tons of post on it. Don’t be surprised if people tell you exactly what I did, it’s just how they are here....

 

I tried a little bit but I was mostly just finding pre-runner to 4wd conversions and that’s not what I need

 

It’s has to be 6-lug to convert to 4wheel drive. The reason so many pre-runners are converted is the fact that they’re built on the same base as the 4x4....without being 4x4. It makes it really easy to just swap everything over and go.

 

Yeah I know. I already have the whole front end (suspension, axles, steering) from a pre-runner and somebody who can weld it for me

 

Ok I just went through the entire four wheel drive conversion process. Are you trying to convert a non-PreRunner 5-lug to 4WD?

 

If you have a 5-lug it will not work even if you have the front clip of a PreRunner. The frames are completely different you would have to cut and weld several cross members and do a lot of custom fabrication to the frame. It would be easier if you just swapped frames.

I would not even attempt to do it to a 5-lug. It's not worth it at all. At that point I would just SAS it since you're doing so much custom work just to make it a PreRunner.

What I'm saying is that a complete cab and drivetrain swap to a full PreRunner/4x4 frame will be easier than welding and modifying a 5-lug frame. You'll be paying more in parts than it's worth. You still need lots of 4WD components remember that.

@Tour991 dropped his 5-lug body and engine (I think?) onto a 6-lug frame and suspension? Maybe he can chime in

 

Welcome to TW-You'll find all the answers here, some you won't like. lol.

 

Such as mine. Lol.

 

Honestly at the point of converting a 5-lug frame to a PreRunner frame I would just cut my losses and sell the truck for a 4WD. Unless you're really patient, good with fabrication, and have a lot of time and money it is not worth it. There's a reason why people don't convert 5-lugs to stock IFS 4WD. 5-Lug to SAS 4WD is much more common - I see that all the time. If you were adamant on keeping your truck that's the route I'd take.

 

If you haven't yet, look in the 'Solid Axle' section here. There are many builds/ conversions there for you to collect ideas.

Good luck.

 

you guys are just gonna think I’m stupid an stubborn by the end of this but let me explain my situation. I have a 5 lug non pre-runner Tacoma that has more sentimental value to me than I can put a number on. It’s recently been in a crash and now the front end would need some work to make it driveable again. My friend has already cut the whole front end off a pre-runner for his own project and is willing to sell it to me for a few hundred. As for all the custom work and fabrication, I’m going to work with that same friend who is a diesel mechanic with his own shop and a Toyota expert. Him and his boss have the resources and skills to make the front end swap happen,(including fabrication and modifying the cross-members) now I need the rest of the 4wd components to make it all come together. I know it’s not easy, and I know it’s not cheap, but I do know that it’s possible. Thanks for all your feedback

 

I'm just like you. I'm sentimentally attached to my truck which is why I didn't just sell it.

Honestly you would have an easier time buying a 4x4 frame instead of modding your 5-lug one. If you are set on modding your 5-lug I would just do an SAS.

 

Interesting thread....what is SAS?

Thank you

 

Straight axle swap

 

Solid axle swap

 

Thanks Folks. WOW I would love to have a solid front axle in my 04. Is that even possible? Don't have to answer really but that is what I would like to do one day....

 

Yes tons of people do solid axle swaps. It's just a ton of welding and fabrication.

 

Hey guys. I see it's been awhile since someone has posted about this but I'll ask anyway. I'm fixing to help my buddy convert a2 wheel drive 4runner that has an automatic trans. To a 4 wheel drive with a five speed. Now he bought a 98 runner that has a bad auto trans , but a perfect body and everything else. And he bought a wrecked 98 ex.cab tacoma 4 wheel drive. For parts. The tacoma just has a totaled body but everything else is good. So from what I have read, everything should be able to just swap over and bolt up? I know we'll have to take the front diff , CV axles, knuckles, 5 sp. trans and transfer case with both drive shafts and center brace. I read I'll have to swap out the ecu from the 5sp. To put in because the runner was an auto. The tacoma has the J shifter with auto hubs so I might have to either put on manual hubs or work with the vac.lines. But is there anything that y'all know about that I'm missing please let me know. Cause they both have good 3.4 motors and he is going to give me the one out of the tacoma for helping him. And I definitely would like to have a spare motor for my 98 tacoma, since it's my only ride and life line to everything. Thanks in advance guys.

 

You’ll have to swap a ton of wiring to do the 5-speed swap too. Additionally you’ll need to cut and weld and move the existing transmission perch, or fabricate a new crossmember.