Tacoma 3rd Gen 2WD to 4WD Conversion

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone has done this conversion to their 3rd Gen Tacoma's, and if so how did/ is it going?

I read a few places where some people had said they were going to give it a try. Full disclosure, I'm aware that trading in a 2wd vehicle for a 4wd would be the easiest answer and the value goes down blah blah blah, and while my Tacoma is 2wd, I do have another vehicle that is 4wd so that's not my problem. This is purely out of curiosity and sounds like a fun project.

Thanks dudes.

 

I would look into a rear locker/lsd first

 

Got that, mine is TRD OF, love it!

 

I had a 2017 2wd Tacoma and did some research to convert it to 4wd. I couldn’t find any info for the 3rd gen or anyone who successfully did it for a 3rd gen. But the guys on the 2nd gen forum said it’s doable b/c the 3rd gen is similar to the 2nd gen. Let us know how it turn out.

 

Pretty much the same as the 2nd gen.

 

With enough money and resources and skill, anything is possible.
Buy a crashed 4x4 and swap parts. Donor truck is key.
Buy all parts needed off the shelf and install.
Build parts/ buy parts and put together...

 

Somebody did the math a long time ago and found it would be a lot cheaper just to trade in for a 4x4

 

Depends on several factors. If you can do the work yourself it greatly changes the balance.

 

ya, I'm on the, just get a 4x4 side....

 

Buy a roll over and change bodies. Either way lot of effort

 

Straight axle it....

Solid Axle Swapped Rig Walk Around (3rd Gen Toyota 4Runner) - YouTube

 

Just my $.02… trade for a 4x4. No way would I buy a used late model truck that had a 4wd conversion. And if you were ever involved in an accident in this day and time, the lawyers would have a field day.

 

Honestly, with the market the way it is you'll get a stupid cash return for your current truck. You're better off selling it and just buying a new 4WD version.

 

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I like that!

 

If you’re gonna do it might as well go full send and do a solid axle. Shit it’d be less work to do it solid than IFS, the only advantage for IFS is that you can get everything bolt on from a donor truck but if you’re gonna have to fab stuff you may as well do the solid axle.

 

Looking into that.

 

I will hopefully I can get started. Sounds like I'm going with solid axle

 

I wonder if you don't see alot of conversations because for the most part the 3rd gen owners are not really doing an crawling or serious offroading.

 

2nd Gen here that has seen 3rd Gen swaps mentioned in threads:

Don't listen to all the nay-sayers. A 4WD conversion or solid axle swap is possible but it's DEFINITELY not for everyone. If your top priority is resale and/or you don't have the skills/space to do the majority of the work for yourself then it is not for you and you should look for another truck. Also be honest with yourself as to how you're going to use the truck. If you're doing serious trails then maybe the solid axle is better...but you're giving up a LOT of street comfort to do so.

There is WAY less fabrication swapping in from another Tacoma vs a solid axle swap. Seriously. The front is practically bolt-in. You can reuse your control arms/spindles/brakes/etc. The main things that you'll need are the diff assembly/axles/4WD hubs. You can keep the 4WD actuator or go with the FJ manual tube that eliminates it, thus simplifying the process and eliminating a known point of failure. As for transmissions: it depends on whether you have a manual or auto, with auto being easiest. If you go with an auto FJ transfer case you don't have to worry about the wiring to make everything work.

The main stuff that will need to be fabbed are the linkages for the transfer case shifter, front/rear driveshafts, and the transmission crossmember needs modification. There is also some minor wiring to get the 4x dash light to work (assuming that if you follow the suggestions above regarding the FJ parts.)

Check out the Technical Chat and Solid Axle sections rather than this one as you'll get advice from people that have actually done the work.

 

Thanks for the valuable feedback! I'll check out thoughs chats for detail. Seems like the way SAS is the way to go. I'm not afraid of the labor, part of the reason for doing this is to learn more.