Lose value with 4X4 Conversion?

I was looking into doing the 4x4 converison on my 04 Prerunner and I was wondering if it will lose value at the conversion? I know I could just buy a 4x4 but I love this truck and its paid off.. thanks guys!-Swanny.

 

Hard to say. Generally modifications lower resale value but who would know it began life as a prerunner?
4x4 are certainly worth more than 2wd, at least here anyway.

 

If they look up the VIN is will say how it came from the factory.

 

I'd say as long as the conversion is done properly, it couldn't hurt re-sale value. Why are you worried about re-sale value, anyway? You stated you loved the truck...

Go for it. But, don't expect it to to add more than $1000 to the value.
Look in your area for comparable prerunner and 4x4 trucks to get an idea of the price difference.

 

Tacomas are worth their weight in gold in Hawaii. Im trying to convince the "boss" this is a good idea. It would be a complete OEM conversion so everything bolts up. She just thinks it will lose to much value if I do the conversion instead of selling it and buying a 4x4.

 

*Off Topic* Hey, you're in Kailua... I was just there last week!

*On Topic* It seems like people on the big island really value 4wd. Because DC 4x4s are at such a premium there, I'd bet you'd add value to your rig. Like Scuba said, check your local craigslist to find the price difference. You probably wont be able to sell your truck for quite as much as a factory 4x4, but you'll get something close!

 

Just throw the 4x4 mud flaps on, instant investment!

 

Having been to HI a lot as well and seeing just how many people drive Tacos, I'd say your conversion helped raise your truck's worth on resale.

Locally, in Nashville, my conversion hurt my resale of my 99. People really study those Carfax. I had three or four guys from surrounding areas interested in my truck and then not want to buy it when they saw it was originally a Prerunner. I mean, I'd be the same way. I wouldn't trust another guy's expertise in the vehicle he's trying to sell me. I ended up pulling the front diff, spindles, and driveshaft and selling them as a conversion set. I then put the Prerunner spindles back on and sold it like that.

 

another thing is generally 4x4s have higher insurance rates (cant remember how much higher) so it would make it a nice selling feature as it has the rate of a 4x2 and the awesomeness of a 4x4

 

Im not in Kailua at the moment Im currently out of the country. I should be back soon. What brought you to Hawaii? Im going to look into the conversion. It could take a while to get all the parts together. A lot of people here have SAS on their tacomas so hopefully if it comes down to it, it will be easier for me to come around the parts.

 

My sister-in-law and her hubby moved to Mililani right after college. Bought a condo in one of those highrises right by the base. I really didn't know where Kailua was, but I remember going through there at one point. We kayaked to some bird sanctuary that was pretty cool. Had a hell of a time getting my 250lb ass into the kayak without dunking my wife.

 

my bro is in hawaii and loves my truck to death.. he has been looking for months and if he does find a good 4x4 tacoma its way overpriced... i cant imagine that a 4x4 conversion done all stock, bolt on parts would lose any value, it may not have the value that an all original 4x4 would hold but it wont hurt it, not out there where they are pretty rare...

 

I was visiting my buddy who bought a macadamia nut/coffee farm in Capt. Cook. I'm trying to find a good way to ship his product CONUS to sell. Actually, we got on a good discussion about shipping car parts as well.

 

It's not going to increase your resale value of the truck. In fact it's most likely going to decrease it. The one thing you need to remember is your truck came as a prerunner. Which means you don't have the provision in your floor for the shifter. You'll need to cut a hole in your floor to do it. Now thats not hard to do but I've seen some pretty bad hack jobs on them. Then, unless you get the fully manual t case from the earlier version Tacoma's, your going to need the computer as well, to get it as close to OEM as possible. Remember, those double cabs came with the push button 4wd and then you shifted the lever into low range. It's not all bolt in like you would imagine but it is pretty close to it.

Don't expect the value to go up or stay the same. It's just not going to happen unless you find that perfect person to purchase it and you living on the islands limits your scope of people to sell to.

 

Remove the pre runner badges then have an docked 4wd like me no one uses vins anymore lol

 

What would you think?

If you were looking to buy a 4WD truck and stumbled across one that was a conversion.... What would you think when the owner tells you 'We had it converted to a 4WD'

What kind of thoughts would go thru your head?

It really depends on what you're trying to sell it for and what the potential buyer is looking for. If you're concerned and asking...then yes, it will lose value compared to a similarly equipped factory 4wd truck.

And that's because..... it's a hacked up truck. Not many reputable garages can say they've performed a conversion. So - the mystery is - who did the work, and how hacked up is it??

In terms of insurance..... Your truck is still a PreRunner based on the VIN #. They don't care what you do with it - they only care that its a PreRunner.

 

I converted and Ill put any amount of money on it you can't tell it was a prerunner if it wasn't for my build thread

 

Hacked up is a strong way of putting it, but I agree with you. Same as I said above, I wouldn't trust anyone to do a conversion on this truck and then sell it to me. Not for top dollar at least. Better get a heck of a discount for a truck that isn't the way God and Toyota originally made it.

 

I used to work at a large national dealership. The conversion will definetly hurt the resale value. But real "value" is relative. You said you love the truck. Then make it what you want.