Looking for 2x4 to 4x4 conversion advice.

[chrispartida]

Hi all. I've recently had a conversation with a very experienced crawler/wheeler who has a 3rd gen 4Runner in which he only wants the engine. The chassis is compatible with my 1st gen Tacoma, and I've heard that it's possible to switch over the drivetrain.

Has anyone here had any experience with something like this? Even in another model altogether?

Are there pitfalls, or problems to be expected?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Lindenwood]

Goodness. It is probably quite doable, but...

As somebody who in the past has built and installed engines into 4 daily driven vehicles, I would now never in a million years attempt this project unless the following conditions were met:

1) I had extremely limited funds.
2) I had nearly unlimited time.
3) I loved wrenching more than anything.
4) I lost my virginity to, simultaneously, Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston in my current 2WD which gave it enough sentimental value to keep.

If you are getting the 4runner for free, sell it, and your Taco, and buy a 4WD model. Or, if you are having to buy the 4runner, don't, and sell your Taco to buy a 4WD model.

It isn't a knock on your mechanical abilities or anything, but I bet it will be 6 months and several thousand miles chasing down little gremlins like 4WD engagement issues, balance issues, squeaks, etc. Alternatively, a decent 4WD variant might cost you a thousand dollars over this project and save you all the hassle.

Maybe I'm just getting old and grumpy, though.

 

[chrispartida]

Lindenwood - no offense taken, and all of that noted. Thank you.

I am always on the hunt for the 4WD version of my truck. The resale value in my area is thru the roof, non-deservingly most times. But I'm still looking.


-CP TACO

OB #2376

 

[offroadohio]

It would be a very involved process which will require a good bit of mechanical knowledge and likely fabrication skills

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[Lindenwood]

Lindenwood - no offense taken, and all of that noted. Thank you.

I am always on the hunt for the 4WD version of my truck. The resale value in my area is thru the roof, non-deservingly most times. But I'm still looking.


-CP TACO

OB #2376

How far are you searching? My 4Runner came from 800 miles away, heh.

 

[chrispartida]

How far are you searching? My 4Runner came from 800 miles away, heh.

I haven't looked out more than 200mi yet. But I'm not in a big hurry. The right one will present itself.


-CP TACO

OB #2376

 

[Rob2thec]

I'd reach out to Wyatt @ Rock Solid Toys and check out this site;

http://www.rocksolidtoys.com/forum/forums.php
http://rocksolidtoys.com



Sent from my iPad using OB Talk

 

[chrispartida]

I'd reach out to Wyatt @ Rock Solid Toys and check out this site;

http://www.rocksolidtoys.com/forum/forums.php
http://rocksolidtoys.com



Sent from my iPad using OB Talk

Awesome, thanks for the link Rob!


-CP TACO

OB #2376

 

[Anchor Mtn]

If the vehicle was offered in a 4wd version from the factory... buy it. If it was only offered in a 2wd version and you really need that exact vehicle to be 4wd, then convert it.

 

[Rob2thec]

You bet Chris! I am actually using a transfer case from Wyatt to do mine. in a 2008 Tacoma TRD Pre-Runner.

Wyatt hooked up a modified Tacoma case with a manual shifter in place of the electronic actuator. He also built a stand alone harness to actuate the front actuator for the diff.

I am Basically going to have to buy a 4x4 transmission, Drive shaft, from drive shaft, all front running gear, hardwear, and then fabricate a transmission cross member for my truck.

Again Speak to Wyatt he is the man and does this thing all of the time.

 

[Lindenwood]

CP Taco,

I am curious what other details you found (cost, recommendations, etc) after talking to Wyatt!

 

[Roger352]

I've done a like for like chassis swap on a Landrover, but like someone said here it takes time and money. While everything is easy to get at change everything bushes, pipes even change the clutch if you have a manual gearbox. If you decide to go ahead think it through get the parts sorted before you start.
Would I do it again yes I would I basically had a near new vehicle for a fraction of the price.

 

[chrispartida]

CP Taco,

I am curious what other details you found (cost, recommendations, etc) after talking to Wyatt!

Going to talk to him this week. Just got back from a good trip to the desert.


-CP TACO

OB #2376

 

[theick]

Here are some threads from tacomaworld that will help as well.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lukas-build.281512/

 

[Rusty burbin]

My buddy just swapped the entire driveline from a f350 7.3 diesel into his excursion. The biggest issue he had was the electrical and even that wasn't that big of a deal.

It took him about 4 weeks working into the night and whatever he time he could get on the weekends. Now he has a rig that would have cost double what he has into it.

I say if you're not in a hurry, you have the space and the know how or can get the know how go for it.

I've done so much on my rig over the years that just about any odd squeak or clunk is almost instantly identifiable. Not to mention the pride of knowing that you built it.

Easy for me to say though... I'm one of those lucky sob's that has been blessed with a small budget and "plenty" of time to work on it so there's that. [emoji12]

Rustyburbin (OB#4084) from SoCal 5 kids, wife, dog and a 1970 K20 Suburban

 

[Rusty burbin]

My buddy just swapped the entire driveline from a f350 7.3 diesel into his excursion. The biggest issue he had was the electrical and even that wasn't that big of a deal.

It took him about 4 weeks working into the night and whatever he time he could get on the weekends. Now he has a rig that would have cost double what he has into it.

I say if you're not in a hurry, you have the space and the know how or can get the know how go for it.

I've done so much on my rig over the years that just about any odd squeak or clunk is almost instantly identifiable. Not to mention the pride of knowing that you built it.

Easy for me to say though... I'm one of those lucky sob's that has been blessed with a small budget and "plenty" of time to work on it so there's that. [emoji12]

Rustyburbin (OB#4084) from SoCal 5 kids, wife, dog and a 1970 K20 Suburban

Come to think of it... you're not asking about engine swapps you're looking into a 4WD conversion. Duh! Never mind me, I'm having my own conversation apparently. [emoji52]

Rustyburbin (OB#4084) from SoCal 5 kids, wife, dog and a 1970 K20 Suburban