RWD to 4x4 conversion

So I'm new to the online discussion world, but I wanted to just throw this out to anyone that might have any experience. I have a 1995 Tacoma that I inherited from my grandfather. Its only got about 121,000 miles and runs strong, but is only a RWD. I briefly read through a few different forums I found on various sites, but I am interested in doing a 4x4 conversion on my truck. Its really not worth selling (I don't owe anything on it but the money I would get isn't worth letting it go.) Does anyone know someone, or have any experience with the work involved, general costs, tips or tricks?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...cab-build-thread-4wd-swap-in-progress.496348/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/prerunner-to-4x4-build.264266/

 

Easiest way it to find a donor truck. But yes look at the links listed above.

And welcome to tw.

A rwd can be just as fun as a 4x4

 

Funny you ask I'm in the middle of doing it right now.

You must have a PreRunner, the 5-lug Tacomas will not work. You don't necessarily need to have a parts truck - while it does make it easier it's very doable to do it just collecting parts. It took me about six months to collect everything.

Easiest way is to buy a 4x4 transmission like the A340F for automatics, or the R150F (iirc) for Manuals. People sometimes swap the output shafts but it's rather difficult.

You can have ADD or Manual Hubs, Manual Hubs are significantly easier to get to work than ADD. If you want to use the ADD system it requires wiring up some VSV's and vacuum lines which you'd rather not deal with.

With the used parts, new seals and fluids, plus the cost of alignment I'm expecting to pay $2,500. So far I've spent about $2,000 not including the cost of an alignment.

It's not bad. Feel free to ask if you have any questions.

 

1. Find a 4wd of the same year.
2. Swap bodies.
3. Go get lunch.


Obviously it's not an afternoon project, but the conversion is long and can be fairly expensive. Most people will be time and money ahead by trading the 2wd in for a 4.

But some just "love" their truck and would rather spend the time and money. For those, the body swap does the same job for less time and work. You just then have to decide which part of the truck, is the truck? If it's the frame to you, if it's the engine etc. If it's just the parts you see and sit in, body swap. If it's the look, just paint the new truck the same. I like my vehicles but I haven't found a magic that occurs between my butt and the seat.

Op has sentimental attachment to this one though. For that I'd leave it as is personally.

 

It's really not as bad as you make it seem - I'm doing my truck with manual hubs and it's pretty straightforward.

Remove the 2WD drivetrain, and add the 4WD one. If you can remove a transmission you can do this. It's ALL bolt on bolt off and if you run Manual Hubs there's no electrical or vacuum involved. All purely mechanical. You can do it for WAY cheaper than it is to buy a truck already 4WD. The parts can cost less than $2k. I've seen people do it for $1k. I just paid on the higher end of the spectrum because I bought new manual hubs and seals from Toyota for mostly all of the front end. Most people don't even bother to replace them, I just did for preventative maintenance purposes.

 

How did you go about collecting parts if you don't mind me asking?

 

Research. Research. Research. I can't stress this enough you need to read through all the threads on here.

I Googled "Toyota scrapers <insert your city here>" into Google. That turned up scrapers who like to charge tons of money for their parts at premium because they specialize. I ended up using car-part.com, the 1st Gen Marketplace, Craigslist, and some users on here. I had a spreadsheet and put down the cheapest prices with their mileage and location.

I ended up driving to a yard in Reno who sold me a complete A340F with transfer case for about $450.

Post some ads on here, look around, it's not that bad. Feel free to ask me any questions.

 

Quick question

I can get a 2wd 2003 v6 crew cab preruner that has trans problems has had the frame recall.

I own a 2004 xtra cab v6 Auto 4x4 parts truck (bad frame)

This is not as easy as bolt on ?

I think the frames are different but not realy sure

Any thoughts ?

 

Make sure the donor truck uses Toyota's ETCS-I electronic throttle system. Select 2003 trucks had them and all 2004 trucks did.

 

A 4x4 conversion, even using later model electrical components that I swapped in. Is still easier than a full body swap and I’ve done both lol

 

i was able to do mine for around 500 dollars and half a days worth of work with some friends

 

$500? Where did you get a deal like that?

 

found a guy that let me cut the frame from the firewall forward on a tacoma he was parting, got a used trans for free, and then bought a transfercase

 

Wow. Manual Hubs or ADD? You have an '03 too so I believe you have the ETCS-i electronic throttle.

 

manual hubs and j shift case. ive since 5 speed swapped and put dual cases in it

 

Same clip had manual hubs on it?

 

Rock Solid Toys - One of the best resources out there.

https://www.rocksolidtoys.com/

 

yea it was off a 96 4 cylinder, 5 speed, single cab tacoma that had been rolled

 

You have a 4 cyl or v6? I thought 03/04 had electronic throttles.